Hataman’s appointment as ARMM OIC hit

A Muslim civil society group on Friday assailed President Aquino’s choice of former Anak Mindanao Party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman as the next officer in charge (OIC) governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The Maradeka Bangsamoro People Alliance said devout Muslims were “upset” by Hataman’s espousal of social democratic ideology and association with “left-leaning” lawmakers and personalities such as presidential political adviser Roland Llamas and Commission on Human Rights chair Etta Rosales.

“His association with the ‘rejectionist’ faction (of the Communist Party of the Philippines) does not augur well for the Muslim community, which does not want a leader following a communist ideology,” Maradeka secretary-general Nash Pangadapun told the Inquirer.

Pangadapun said communist and social democratic ideologies were “a threat to Islamic values and the way of life of Muslims in the Philippines.”

The Muslim leader said Mr. Aquino should stick to his four criteria in choosing a prospective OIC, namely, education preparation, work experience, accomplishment and integrity.

He said the Malacañang selection process had been widely perceived as a farce by many Muslims after Hataman’s name was floated by unnamed Palace officials as the President’s top choice.

Hataman was close to the President when both were members of the opposition at the House of Representatives during the Arroyo administration.