Muslim groups to Noy: Appoint most qualified ARMM-OIC

MANILA, Philippines - A national alliance of Muslim groups has called on President Aquino to appoint the most qualified bet for officer-in-charge (OIC) governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The Maradeka Bangsamoro People’s Alliance welcomed the four standards set by the Palace and used by the screening committee in vetting nominees and applicants for the post.

Maradeka secretary-general Nash Pangadapun said the criteria on educational attainment, work experience, accomplishment and integrity should be used not only by the committee but also by President Aquino in making the ultimate choice.

“President Noy should appoint the most qualified aspirant to lead the eight million Muslim Filipinos who mostly reside in ARMM,” he told reporters in a press conference in Manila yesterday.

It was earlier reported that only three bets have been left in the shortlist for ARMM-OIC: former Anak-Mindanao party-list congressman Mujib Hataman, former Lanao del Sur governor Saidamen Pangarungan, and Muslim leader Macabangkit Lanto.

“Hataman’s only known edge over the other nominees is his reported friendship with President Noy, when they were both congressmen in the Lower House. Appointing someone just because of friendship to a very sensitive position is not the ‘matuwid na daan’ and good governance that President Noy professed,” Pangadapun said.

Another group, the National Muslim Peace and Order Council (NMPOC), earlier had expressed support for Pangarungan, who it said “possesses all the qualifications on education, work experience, accomplishments and integrity” needed for the top ARMM position.

In a letter to President Aquino, NMPOC chairman Datu Amerol Ambiong said Pangarungan is “the most qualified Muslim aspirant with proven record of accomplishments as prescribed under the screening guidelines in Executive Order No. 51 who can implement the much-needed reforms and development in ARMM.”

Pangarungan was appointed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government by President Aquino’s late mother, former President Corazon Aquino.

During his stint in the department, he investigated questionable barangays in ARMM and worked for the abolition of some 2,000 “ghost barangays” in 1987.

A law graduate from San Beda College in 1976, he was also appointed by the former president to the peace panel that revived peace talks with Moro National Liberation Front that eventually led to the signing of 1996 final peace agreement.