Acting Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman. INQUIRER.net photo/Matikas Santos
COTABATO CITY, Philippines—Governor-in-charge Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said President Benigno Aquino could decide whether or not he should be retained in his post following his decision to run in the regional polls.
Hataman was reacting to a statement by election law expert Romulo Macalintal that all appointed officials would be deemed resigned upon the filing of their certificates of candidacy.
Macalintal cited a 1987 Supreme Court ruling and Comelec Resolution 9518, which said that upon the filing of COC, “any person holding a public appointive office or position, including active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other officers and employees in government-owned and controlled corporations shall be considered ipso facto resigned from his office and must vacate the same.”
Hataman, who was appointed by Aquino to head the five-province region in 2011, said he could not just leave his post without the order of the President.
Malacañang has said that the law that Macalintal cited does not apply to Hataman’s case and those of other ARMM appointed officials.
“Even if they were appointed by the President by virtue of the law on the ARMM postponement of elections to synchronize with the 2013 midterm elections, they are holding elective posts and function like elected officials,” Palace spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
While Hataman is leaving his fate to the President, two of his appointed officials have resigned because of their political bids.
ARMM Interior Secretary Haruon Al-Rashid Lucman Jr. would be replaced by Executive Secretary Anwar Malang in a concurrent capacity, Hataman confirmed.
Lucman is seeking the post of the ARMM vice governor under the Liberal Party lineup, which Hataman leads.
Hataman also said that his chief of staff, Amihilda Sangcopan, would have to leave her post after having filed her certificate of candidacy as nominee of the Anak Mindanao partylist.
“Assistant Cabinet Secretary John Magno will be the new chief of staff in the Office of the Regional Governor,” Hataman said.