More ARMM leaders favor resetting of regional polls

COTABATO CITY — More local officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have thrown their support behind a proposal to defer the regional elections slated this September, to 2005.

ARMM insiders, among them members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), said in random surveys that more than 50 percent of political and religious leaders in Marawi City, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, which comprise the autonomous region, favor the resetting of the fifth regional elections.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Faysah Dumarpa has filed House Bill 1346 seeking the deferment of the ARMM polls until 2005.

Dumarpa, a former member of the ARMM’s Regional Legislative Assembly, said delaying the regional polls will give peace negotiators of both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) enough time to wind up their talks and forge a peace pact.

Such a move, Dumarpa added, will also give MILF leaders a chance to run in the ARMM elections, and save on poll expenses, especially if the electoral exercise is synchronized with next year’s Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay elections.

Mayor Mino Arimao of Masiu, Lanao del Sur, said holding the regional elections "too soon" can derail the socio-economic projects of President Arroyo and ARMM Gov. Parouk Hussin in impoverished areas of the region.

"There is a need to sustain the momentum of these development initiatives, particularly those funded by foreign donors," Arimao said.

Even regional health officials are convinced that deferring the regional polls by one year will give them enough time to finish foreign-funded projects before a new ARMM leadership takes over.

Dr. Lampa Pandi, the regional assistant health secretary, said postponing the regional polls will also give them ample time to fully accomplish their humanitarian programs in war-torn areas.

Asked for comment, Hussin said his administration’s main concern at present is to continue its development initiatives for all sectors in the region.

"Many sectors in the region have just started to reconcile and reunite after having been divided by the May 10 local and national elections. Let’s talk of regional politics only at the right moment. Let’s focus on how we can convince more foreign donors to help in the ARMM government’s peace and development initiatives," he said.