2 senators back Hataman as ARMM OIC

MANILA, Philippines—Two senators on Wednesday backed former Congressman Mujiv Hataman’s possible appointment as officer-in-charge of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said Hataman was the “best choice” for the position.

“Without pre-empting the President as it is now his exclusive right under the law to choose the OIC of ARMM, I would consider Congressman Mujiv Hataman as the best choice for the position,” Lacson said in a statement.

“Aside from having worked with him along with then Senator Benigno Aquino III in our lonely struggle against the excesses of the GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) regime, I trust his competence and capability to carry out the mandate desired by President Aquino especially in breaking the culture of corrupt politics in the ARMM,” he said.

Lacson said he was also confident that Hataman would not fail the effort of the present administration to bring about the much needed reforms in the region.

Senator Antonio Trillanes, in a separate text message, also gave a thumbs-up for Hataman, saying the latter was “very much qualified” for the post.

“If he’s (Hataman) eventually chosen as OIC, he should immediately put into action President Aquino’s reform plan for ARMM,” said Trillanes.