Gov’t to proceed with selection of ARMM caretaker officials–Robredo

MANILA, Philippines—The selection process for caretaker officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will push through for now.

Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. INQUIRER file photo

Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo on Friday said the government would proceed with its screening of applicants and nominees for officers-in-charge of the region despite a Supreme Court ruling blocking the law mandating President Benigno Aquino III to appoint officials who will run the ARMM regional government until elections in May 2013.

Robredo said the second regional forum in Zamboanga City for screening short-listed OIC candidates would push through on Monday, after it was temporarily shelved on September 15 following the issuance of the court’s temporary restraining order (TRO).

“The TRO did not bar us from continuing with the screening process; hence, we will resume the pre-selection activities,” he said in a statement.

On Tuesday, the high court issued a TRO on the implementation of Republic Act 10153, which deferred the 2011 ARMM elections to 2013 and allowed the President to appoint OICs in the region, including regional governor, vice governor and 24 members of the Regional Legislative Assembly.

“I believe that this is just a temporary setback in our effort to carry out dramatic reforms in the region,” Robredo said.

He said the government would file a motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court and expressed optimism that the TRO would be lifted.

The secretary was in Cotabato City on Tuesday to attend the first regional dialogue for the seven short-listed OIC candidates for governor and six vice governor bets, who underwent scrutiny by a panel of multi-sectoral group leaders.

That visit was marred by two roadside bomb explosions that occurred less than a kilometer from the venue but hurt no one.

Robredo, who did not believe he was the target, had avoided the blasts by taking a different route to the venue after his party received reports of the security threat.

Robredo heads the committee tasked to screen the OIC applicants. After the pre-selection process, the short list of candidates will be forwarded  to the Senate and the House of Representatives, which will make recommendations for approval by the President.