The name says it all. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Autonomous. Or with the way things have been going, the name SHOULD say it all. But it doesn’t.
First off, a disclaimer. I do not purport to be an expert in ARMM matters. I’m a Cotabato City native – where the center of the Autonomous Regional Government is located – but aside from knowing who the past governors have been, I have known nothing more. Or perhaps, being in Manila for most of my adult life, I really didn’t care enough to KNOW more.
Until now.
I am the Executive Director of the Bureau on Cultural Heritage-ARMM. I have been working as such since January 2009. I’m coterminous with the present Acting Regional Governor, who also happens to be a second-degree cousin (sixth civil degree, so no nepotism there, people). When he goes, I go, too. So one could say that it is to my interest that Republic Act No. 10153 be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. In that case, a holdover will definitely be possible. Longer stay for me and my staff.
On the other hand, my husband is an applicant for the Regional Legislative Assembly (First District, Lanao del Sur). So one could very well say that it is also to my interest that President NoyNoy’s plan of appointing OICs push through, because that would then give my husband a chance to be an assemblyman (and may I say, with all humility, that he is VERY qualified for the post) – if chosen, of course.
Having said that, I can definitely look any one in the eye and tell him that I may not be an expert on ARMM matters, but I believe I can be fair when talking about it.
So, what do I want by October 1 – a holdover or a turnover?
I honestly don’t know.
A holdover would work because so many good projects have been started during the Adiong administration, and some people are scared that these projects would lose their momentum if the key players in the current set-up are replaced. Those who will replace them might not have the same perspective on how things are being run. Plus, there’s also the fear that those who will be appointed will be too beholden to the Palace, so much so that they will not be able to act without permission from the higher-ups.
However, a turnover would also work precisely because of the same reasons. The appointees would presumptively have a smoother relationship with the Palace, and that would guarantee better communication AND understanding between the national government and the regional government.
A holdover would work because I’m pretty sure all sectors who participated in the screening process for OICs will be vigilant in observing what the Adiong administration does for the next few months.
A turnover would also work because of this. Once appointees have been placed, the twenty-one months before the 2013 elections will be characterized by close monitoring and intense scrutiny, I’m quite sure. The OICs will have their work cut out for them.
Now I can think of a lot of reasons why either holdover or turnover will NOT work, but I prefer not to dwell on the negative.
However which way this turns out, however which way the Supreme Court may decide, there are some changes I would like to see in ARMM:
1) The middle-level employees of ARMM should be given the credit and development they deserve. During my stay in ARMM, I have encountered so many brilliant mid-level workers and they are not given the recognition they should have. Perhaps it is because I have previously worked at the Civil Service Commission, but I am of the belief that our employees are our biggest asset. Give them opportunities to grow, and the whole region will prosper together with them;
2) There should be real devolution of powers and functions in the line agencies. Some very controversial issues in ARMM right now are caused by this unclear so-called devolution;
3) Tribalism should be eradicated. Although I am quite aware that tribalism is a cultural phenomenon and cannot really be addressed by the Autonomous Regional Government in a scientific or systematic manner, there MUST be an attempt to decrease its influence. It’s about time that we stop the practice of appointing Cabinet members based on their tribal affinity with the Governor and Vice-Governor, or even the Speaker. Ability, skill, merit, capability, willingness to serve – these should be our criteria, not one’s tribe; and
4) Locally-funded offices (yes, I am pointing this out because my office is locally-funded and it’s really hard to operate on limited funds, no matter how active I or my staff try to be) should be given more fiscal autonomy although I’d rather leave the “how” to the budget experts because how locally-funded offices can become more financially independent is beyond my ken, such curious creatures they are.
These concerns are just the tip of the iceberg, or to be original and local about it – these concerns are just the first batch of the water hyacinths which continue to traverse and clog the Rio Grande de Mindanao. I am also aware that there are FAR more important issues. But hey, at least now I care enough.
As for the Supreme Court and Malacañan Palace - tick tock, tick tock, tick tock.
