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Civil society leaders from Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and supporters of former Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist Representative Mujiv Hataman have formed a team that will help in the smooth transition of power to the newly-appointed governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Lawyer Jamar Kulayan, chairman of Reform ARMM Now (RAN) and co-founder of BAUGBUG, said their group would go to Cotabato City to witness the formal turnover ceremony between incoming OIC Regional Governor Hataman and outgoing OIC Governor Ansaruddin Adiong on December 22, 2011.

The group would also assist a transition team which is primarily in charge of organizing the turnover ceremony and inaugurations for the incoming new OIC regional officials on the first working of January as well as planning and workshop, focusing on good governance, peace and security and socio economic development, said Kulayan in an exclusive interview.

"We are very eager in going there (Cotabato City) to witness (the formal turnover ceremony) because I think of the motivation, willingness, determination of ordinary individuals who long for reform, peace and development in the ARMM," he added. "We are going there to witness the initial stage of the reform, the first step towards the reform."

With the appointment of  Hataman, he stressed that there is hope the ARMM could be reformed. "The objective really behind the passage of Republic Act 10153 was aside from the synchronization of the ARMM elections was to reform the system itself. We are very hopeful that the reform can be instituted."

Meanwhile, Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakkalahul thanked President Aquino for appointing Hataman as ARMM OIC regional governor despite opposition from some individuals.

"Nandiyan na sa mga newspapers sa mga internet (websites) and report na Hataman was appointed. Who can question the authority of the President? The appointment of Hataman has been signed November 29 so sino tayo para hindi maniwala? And as far as the local government is concerned, alter ego of the President is still the DILG and Hataman already took his oath before the secretary of local government. So ano ang basis natin na hindi tayo maniwala?" he asked.

"Well, anyway, that (opposition) is expected but the President has made the decision and we are very happy for this development because for the first time the one appointed governor for ARMM is from Basilan. We are very proud of Mujiv Hataman and hopefully he can reform ARMM, but definitely we will support his administration," Sakkalahul added.

The vice governor also called on all the people of ARMM especially the critics to support the new governor. "Bakit hindi natin suportahan siya? Instead of criticizing him dapat suportahan natin ang kanyang mabuting hangarin at layunin i-reform ang ARMM at dito lang uunlad ang ating bayan." -- Hader Glang

By Hader Glang