MikeLigalig.com

by pna

Civil society organizations and peace advocate networks in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) launched a signature campaign Monday endorsing acting ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman for the region's top elective position next year.

The group is asking President Benigno Aquino III to name Hataman as the administration official candidate for the 2013 gubernatorial elections in the region.

In a manifesto, the coalition of CSOs and peace advocates said: "Hataman has proven his worth so far as ARMM OIC-governor and we believe he can do more if given an elective mandate.”

Earlier, Senators Franklin Drilon and Tito Sotto challenged Hataman during Senate budget deliberations, to seek the elective post since has succeeded in busting "so many ghosts in the ARMM."

Calling themselves “Mindanao Peace Votes coalition,” the group said the administration’s efforts for peace and reforms in the south have been “gaining headway” and the trend can be “sustained by leaders who have the full confidence of the President.”

Asked about the endorsement campaign, Hataman said he was “not aware about it” and he serves “at the pleasure of the President who entrusted me to do a transition task.”

“As much as possible, I want to do away with things having to do with politics or the coming elections. I want to focus on efforts that could flesh out the President’s desired reforms in ARMM,” Hataman said.

But CSO leaders and peace advocates vowed to continue their endorsements saying Hataman has been enjoying President Aquino's trust and confidence. The President, in his state of the nation address, described Hataman as a “certified ghost-buster.”

“Hataman's leadership exudes of signs for success of President Aquino’s reform agenda in ARMM,” said Judge Abu Ali Cali of the Ulama League of the Philippines (ULP), one of the groups under the coalition.

Tom Villarin of the Mindanao Convergence for Asset Reform and Development said: "Hataman is in a position to help push forward the peace process and pursue reforms because he has strong support from non-Muslims inside and outside the ARMM and is well-known among civil society groups."

"Hataman has demonstrated high sense of transparency and accountability in his brief stint in ARMM,” Jolly Lais, secretary general of the Bangsamoro Solidarity Movement, said in a press statement.

According to the group said Hataman is more than qualified to seek the mandate of ARMM constituents because he meets the needed criteria in the 2013 elections: commitment for reforms; track records in reform initiatives; proven respect for human rights; support to the peace process and its transition mechanism towards the proposed new autonomous political entity that would replace ARMM; and clear peace agenda/platform.

Hataman, on several occasions told media gatherings that he would prefer to focus more on the reforms that make politics pre-occupy him.

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