Hataman appoints lady lawyer as ARMM executive sec

COTABATO CITY, Philippines --- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman on Tuesday enlisted Moro women to help manage the ARMM government and implement its regional peace and development initiatives.

Hataman, now a duly-elected ARMM chief executive, has named lawyer Laisa Alamia as his executive secretary, the first woman to be appointed to the post since the region’s creation in 1990.

Moro women have rarely been given key positions in the ARMM government under past administrations.

“We do not discriminate women in this administration. Moro and non-Moro Women who are qualified shall be given key roles in regional governance,” Hataman said.

Alamia was the chairperson of the Regional Human Rights Commission when Hataman was still an appointed caretaker of the autonomous region that began in  December 2011 and lasted until his election as regional governor on May 13, 2013.

The appointed speaker of the ARMM’s Regional Legislative Assembly, lawyer Rasol Mitmug Jr., had been designated as Alamia’s deputy.

Mitmug’s leadership of the 24-seat law-making body ended June 30 with the assumption of a new set of duly-elected lawmakers representing the seven congressional districts in the region.

“They will function in tandem. They will help me manage the ORG (Office of the Regional Governor),” Hataman said, referring to Alamia and Mitmug.

The ORG, touted as the “Little Malacañang” of the autonomous region, has ministerial control over more than 30 departments and support offices devolved to the region by the national government.

Hataman has retained another Moro woman, Khalila "Khal" Mambuay-Campong, as the ARMM’s cabinet secretary.

Campong, who is of Maranaw descent, was first enlisted by Hataman as regional cabinet secretary immediately after his December 2011 assumption as President Benigno Aquino III’s appointed caretaker for ARMM.

Hataman also appointed a Yakan woman from Basilan, Myra Ali, as ARMM’s tourism secretary.

The region’s agcirulture secretary, Engineer Maritess Maguindra, has also been directed to remain in her post.