Prognosis: ARMM in the present light

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III postponed the 2011 ARMM elections, moved it till next year to coincide with the national elections, and appointed Hon. Mujiv Hataman as Governor/ Officer-In-Charge of the region. The decision was made based on the conclusion that the ARMM failed to satisfactorily perform and accomplish the mandate, objectives and purposes for which it was created.

Based on my prognosis, I believe that the decision of the President demonstrated tenacity and resolve in placing the attainment of a lasting peace in Mindanao over and above other factors in the order of priorities. I interpret it also as a parallel move and a part of an overall strategy and solution to end the GRP-MILF conflict once and for all by consolidating efforts to conclude and sign a GRP-MILF peace agreement before the Year 2013 elections or at most, before he leaves office in Year 2016.

Before I proceed further, let me inform the public, particularly those who are not familiar with the ARMM that the region was created by law after the conclusion and signing of he peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in September 1994. That was almost two decades ago or 18 years to be exact. 

The region is populated predominantly by Muslims, and dubbed as the hotbed of Islamic/Muslim insurrection that is led by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The conflict has been going on for almost half a century, and has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, unimaginable damage and loss of property, and unabated retardation of socio-economic development that has rendered the region as the poorest in the country. It covers the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and Marawi City.

To continue my prognosis about the decision of the President, I believe that he has the grasp of the situation on the ground and understands that the mood of the nation to end the war once and for all is on his side, with the overwhelming support and respect of the masses. There is no telling however about the kind of public reception that his future major decisions will receive as the election fever in year 2016 draws nearer, and as the nation starts to look for another national leader after his tenure as president. 

There is also no denying of the fact that the conflict between the government and the MILF has been a great contributing factor to the root causes of poor governance and inefficiency in the ARMM. Let us realize, and better still, recognize by now the fact that decisions made by ARMM officials in the region are somehow directly or indirectly affected by the conflict between the government and the MILF. The abnormal peace and order condition has resulted in decisions and solutions that are palliative in nature, and which did not jibe with long term or permanent solutions to correct the ills of mismanagement in the region. The fear of reprisals by these officials should not be cast aside in judging their character and performance. 

Although the President has a fixed tenure of office of six years, and the MILF leadership has none, the MILF leaders are not getting any younger. They have been fighting for recognition of Islamic values and identity during the last 50 years. There must be good reasons to believe that they would like to see the fruits of their toils and legacy of a lifetime with the opportunity to seal a peace agreement with the Philippine government, and to prepare their young successors in providing continuity to their cherished dreams, efforts, and sacrifices over the years.

The postponement and installation of a Governor/OIC in the region show clear intent and direction to prepare well in advance for the orderly and expeditious Post-War development and reconstruction, trauma healing, governance improvement, and galvanizing massive international support for development programs, among others, in the ARMM region.

The fact that the people, areas, issues, and the future of ARMM region are basically and predominantly the subject of discussions in the ongoing GRP-MILF peace talks validates the propriety and advisability of appointing a person that commands the President’s trust and confidence in carrying out his plan of action. He must be well versed about the terms and conditions that will be agreed upon in the peace talks in light of the fact that they will be the bases for enacting laws by Congress, and in turn, also serve as the bases for operational planning and implementation of post-war plans and programs for the region. These facts show the usefulness of the ARMM Charter and the inputs of the ARMM Governor/OIC in the peace process.

The ARMM Governor/OIC is the Chief Executive Officer of the region. He is the person appointed by the President as caretaker of the interest of ARMM and its people regardless of ethnicity and religion. It is therefore prudent to assume that there is need to define and provide an appropriate role and/or place for the ARMM Governor/OIC in the peace process, particularly in the GRP-MILF peace talks. He should be clothed with the proper authority to represent and present “inputs” for and in the interest of the people of ARMM without disturbing the present mechanism and composition of the peace panels of the government and the MILF. He should also be briefed or appraised at all times by both the government and MILF peace panels about the status and progress of the peace talks.

The Governor/OIC will need the infusion of “new blood,” i.e. persons with qualified and proven credentials in peace and development building in the ARMM transitional policy making and management to offset the time constraint to do and accomplish what the President wants done in a period covering less than two years — which is a very tall order!

The open and public declaration of the ARMM Governor/OIC that he is not running for Governor in the 2013 ARMM elections indicates that he was not installed as Chief Executive and caretaker of the region and people in the ARMM region for the purpose of perpetrating his political career. Nevertheless, if and when he is able to demonstrate worthiness for his knowhow and experience in running the ARMM regional government, then he could be a good asset in providing assistance to the incoming Governor-elect in 2013.

Happy New Year to all.

(Saeed A. Daof is Chairman of the Southern Philippines Development Authority and Vice President for Mindanao of the Philippine Constitution Association)