Palace favors appointing a ‘Muslim reformist’ as ARMM OIC

A Malacañang official said appointing a Muslim leader as the officer-in-charge in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to push for reforms in the region was all but logical. In a press briefing on Friday, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said there had been discussions on the possible appointment of a Muslim in ARMM. “I think you should appoint a Muslim in a Muslim dominated region. I remember there was a discussion on that. I think it is but logical that you have to have a Muslim there. A Muslim reformist in the ARMM," he said. “The idea here is we appoint someone who is responsible, who will promote the reform efforts of the Aquino administration," he explained. “We will make sure that we will introduce reform for the two years that we are here and in 2013, we synchronize the elections and make sure polls will be democratically held free from anomalies." Those who will be appointed as OICs will have to enter into a covenant with Malacanang that they will not run in 2013 as what President Benigno Aquino III wants. Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, Peace Process Adviser Teresita ‘Ging’ Deles and Political Adviser Ronald Llamas are now drafting the guidelines for the selection of the OICs. On Thursday, Lacierda assured the process would be transparent, inclusive and consultative. “Right now, they’re trying to come up with a process that will be inclusive and will consult the stakeholders," he said. He said President Aquino will sign the bill probably next week after Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte sign the enrolled copy of the bill postponing the ARMM polls to 2013 and allowing Aquino to appoint OICs. — Amita Legaspi/MRT, GMA News