COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 17, 2011) –As expected, President Benigno Aquino has appointed his political ally and former congressman Mujiv Hataman as acting governor of the five-province Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Hataman, a native of Basilan province and a former political activist, has until 2013 to serve as regional governor until new elections are held that would synchronize with national polls.
There was no immediate statement from Hataman, but his name had been floated since early this year as Aquino’s choice to run the Muslim autonomous region. Manila said Hataman was the best choice for the job, despite strong protest from other candidates to the position.
Hataman is to replace ARMM Vice Governor Ansarrudin Adiong, who took over the helm of the Muslim autonomous region after its governor Zaldy Ampatuan was arrested and jailed in connection to the massacre of 57 people in 2009 in Maguindanao province.
Ampatuan, who was among 200 charged along with his father and brothers and relatives and followers, for the brutal slayings in what is considered the worst political killings in the country. The clan denied all accusations against them.
Aquino also named Bainon Karon as acting regional vice governor. (Mindanao Examiner)
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