Seven “short-listed” officer in charge (OIC) candidates for
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor and seven other bets for
vice-governor underwent tight scrutiny from a panel of respected multi-sectoral
group leaders from the region during a public forum held yesterday in Cotabato
City.
The candidates were asked by panel members to articulate
before the public their personal profile, the ARMM issues and concerns and
their proposed solutions, their visions, platform of government, among others.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo said
it is a must for every OIC bets in the 26 vacant positions at the ARMM, after
being included in the shortlist, to be subjected for a public “grilling” about their
governance agenda for the region.
The ARMM OIC “short listed” candidates for governor were
Mujiv S. Hataman of Basilan; Incumbent Gov. Ismael “toto” Magudadatu of
Maguindanao; and Ali Sanchez, Lanto makabangkit, Saidamen Pangarungan, Dimas
Pundato and Norma Sharief, all of lanao Del Sur.
The OIC bets for vice-governor includes incumbent ARMM OIC Gov.
Anzaruddin Adiong of Lanao, Hatimil Hassan of basilan, and Bobby M. datimbang,
Mustapha “Eid” kabalu, Bainon Karon, Datu Ramos Dimaporo, all of Maguindanao.
Robredo, national chairperson of the national screening
panel, said the ARMM OIC governor and vice-governor candidates were chosen
after tedious deliberations by all panel members, carefully assessing and
considering the qualifications and background of each bet.
“We (panel) made it sure that the whole selection process was
transparent, inclusive…and ensured that all sectors are well represented, “he
said”. “We went through the names of each of the 111 applicants nominees for
OIC governor and vice governor.”
DILG chief also said the same panel came up, from a total of
440 applicants for the 24 OIC regional legislative assembly posts, with a list
of six candidates, depending on the number of voter-population and number of applicants/
nominees per province/ district.
During yesterday’s forum, Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado, Jr., OMI,
ably did his job as the moderator, with panelist Atty. Basari D. Mapupuno from
the academe; Dr. Lampa I. Pandi from LGU/ Health; Guimel M. Alim and Engr. Dong
K. Anayatin from local civil society organizations; Ustadz Ibrahim Ismael;
Judge Abuali Cali from professional sector and Atty. Lincoln Bagundang posing
the hard questions for the ARMM OIC bets held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Complex
in Cotabato City.
After the public forum in Cotabato City, a similar forum will
be held in Zamboanga Cityat the Western Mindanao University on September 15.
Last Monday, simultaneous provincial forum held for “short
listed” RLA candidates to present their legislative agenda in the following
venues: Shariff Kabunsuan Complex in Cotabato City (for the 1st and
2nd district of Maguindanao candidates); Mindanao State University
in Marawi City (for the 1st and 2nd district of Lanao del
Sur); MSU, Jolo, Sulu (for Sulu 1st and 2nd district );
Notre Dame of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi (for Tawi-Tawi); Basilan State College in
Isabela City (for Basila).
Robredo said the shortlist for each post will be ranked and
separately endorsed to the House Speaker and Senate President, who will submit
their respective recommendations for the approval and signature of President
Aquino by September 20 this year.
