by Sonny Y. Abing III
JOLO, Sulu, Sept 21 (PIA) – Governor
Abdusakur M. Tan called for the rigorous implementation of the provisions of
Republic Act 9054, the Expanded ARMM Law which was passed in March 31,2011.
In a message read by his Chief of Staff
Abdusakur “Tutuh” Tan II, Governor Tan made the call in a speech made at the
Sulu Public Consultation on the Study and Review of RA 9054 held at Smith Hall,
Notre Dame of Jolo College organized by the Committee on Amendments, Revisions
and Codification of Laws of Regional Legislative Assembly, ARMM.
In particular, Governor Tan called the
attention of the attending RLA members, guests and members of the public to
other issues affecting the ARMM.
“I have been consistent with my espousal for
a reformed ARMM and I think I am the first among the governors of component
provinces in the region to have publicly called for changes in the autonomous
region, and even went as far as calling for its abolition, if only to draw
attention to the growing discontentment and displeasure relative to governance
or the lack of it”, Tan said.
He further said that the appointed regional government
is racing against time to fulfill the need for substantial reformative
initiatives to satisfy the clamor of the ARMM constituents for concrete and
visible changes.
For more than two decades the region failed
to lift itself from being one of the poorest in the country despite the
substantial resources at its disposal.
Governor Tan mentioned the Sulu experience of
recovering from the ill-effects of war and security threats by the parallel
implementation of the peace process and development efforts.
“We are proud of our achievement along this
line of policy and there is indeed no reason why we in the region cannot
replicate this if we move truly as one cohesive autonomous region; united in
resolve and determination”, Tan stressed.
On RA 9054, the Governor cited relevant
Articles, particularly Article V which deals with Inter-Governmental Relations
and Article VIII dealing on the Administration of Justice.
In Article V, Section 2 states “As far as
practicable, it shall be the policy of the national government that there shall
be at least one (1) member of the cabinet with a rank of a department secretary
who is an inhabitant of the autonomous region to be recommended by the Regional
Governor in consultation with elected officials and concerned sectors of the
autonomous region.”
Section 5 of the same Article states: “At
least, one (1) qualified inhabitant of the autonomous region recommended by the
Regional Governor in consultation with the Regional Assembly and concerned
sectors of the autonomous region shall be appointed, as far as practicable, in
each of the departments, offices or bureaus and constitutional bodies of the
central government or national government that deal with the autonomous region,
in primarily confidential, highly technical, or policy-determining positions.”
Further, section 7 of Article V states: “Representatives
in Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations – The Regional Government shall
be represented in the board of directors or in the policy-making bodies of
government-owned or controlled corporations that operate businesses directly or
through their subsidiaries in the autonomous region.”
He also cited that in Article VIII Sec. 2 on
Justices from Autonomous Region – “It shall be the policy of the central
government or national government that, whenever feasible, at least one (1)
justice in the Supreme Court and two (2) justices in the Court of Appeals shall
come from qualified jurists of the autonomous region. For this purpose, the
Regional Governor may, after consultations with the Regional Assembly and
concerned sectors in the autonomous region, submit the names of qualified
persons to the Judicial and Bar Council for its consideration. The appointments
of those recommended by the Regional Governor to the judicial positions
mentioned above are without prejudice to appointments that may be extended to other
qualified inhabitants of the autonomous region to other positions in the
Judiciary.
Furthermore, he cited section 3 on Consultant
to the Judicial and Bar Council – “The President shall appoint a qualified
person as a consultant to the Judicial and Bar Council recommended by the
Regional Governor in consultation with the concerned sectors of the autonomous
region. The person recommended by the Regional Governor shall first be
confirmed by the Regional Assembly. Once appointed by the President, the
consultant shall sit with the Judicial and Bar Council only to advise and be
consulted by the council on matters of appointments to judicial positions in
the autonomous region.”
Governor Tan explained that some provisions
of RA 9054 were cited, which were intended to open opportunities “that we may
showcase our capabilities and qualifications to hold high national positions.”
