Many were caught by a big surprise when the Social Weather Station came out with its latest publication released on 10 October 2011 celebrating the 20th anniversary of the local government Code or RA 7160.

The special focus on the ARMM is per request of DILG. Believe it or not, within the ARMM, the residents are contented with the performance of the present incumbents; 63 percent are satisfied and 18 percent as dissatisfied, for a net rating of +45.

The good performance in the ARMM (first time since 1989) is, definitely, something to celebrate. The positive mark is mostly credited to the indefatigable Executive Secretary, Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo. His energy and youthful enthusiasm are akin to a virus that spreads itself to the whole ARMM structure since the incumbents have taken over the helm of ARMM government in December 2009 following the tragic Maguindanao massacre on 23rd November 2009.

The mark of good performance in the ARMM governance for the last two years sets a new benchmark that is hard to follow. The present incumbents will soon leave their posts with a sole distinction of good and satisfactory performance in office. They have shown to the world and the nation that with a few good men in office who are committed and devoted to real public service, ARMM regional government can pick of the pieces and rise from the shame brought about by long years of bad governance and impunity of which the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre is the ignominious symbol.

The Supreme Court has, finally, decided on the constitutionality of RA 10153 or the law synchronizing the ARMM elections with the mid-term national elections on the 2nd Monday of May 2013. And now the ball is in PNoy’s court, that is, to consolidate the good performance of the past two years by way of appointing GOOD PUBLIC SERVANTS as OICs in the ARMM.

The premise often cited for the appointments of OICs is to carry out the much needed reforms in the ARMM. They are identified as:
(1) improving access and delivery of basic services, particularly in the areas of health and basic education;
(2) doing away with clan and dynastic politics that have held the ARMM politics hostage;
(3) good governance and accountability of regional allocation and expenditures; and
(4) exorcising the ghosts not only in government bureaucracy but also in notorious electoral system that is well known for the100% voting average and 100% delivery of votes in favor of the pre-selected candidates.

The selection process for the OICs had been completed. The short list is now submitted to the Office of the President for PNoy’s lucky and ‘magic’ anointment.

The actual selection process engendered a consultation process not known in the ‘culture’ of ARMM since its creation in 1989. The short listed nominees presented their platform of governance in public and they were all subjected to panel interviews and public scrutiny. This was a novel process in the ARMM long used to the feudal leaders dictating to their constituency.

With the good satisfaction rating of the present incumbents, the incoming OICs are challenged to work harder and to perform better. At stake is not only their own reputation as good public servants but the President himself who has worked hard to lobby in Congress for the passage of the controversial law that provides not only for the cancellation of the scheduled August 8th, 2011 ARMM elections but also for the appointment of OICs until their successors are duly elected and qualified in 2013 mid-term elections.

The PNoy administration is now poised to unravel a reform road map that includes among others a sort of mini ‘Marshall Plan’ to put on solid footing the desired long-term stability of the ARMM. The ‘extra-ordinary’ intervention or assistance would be taken from the budget of the select national agencies as their concrete contribution to actual reforms in the ARMM. It is NOT ‘business as usual’ but a call for harder work and greater commitment to good governance and peace and development in the region.

No doubt, the reforms and rehabilitation work would entail cost! But with the President’s men and women who shall be in charge as OICs, the necessary wherewithal to effect real change and development in the ARMM would, hopefully, not be wanting.

In the same vein, partnership would remain the ‘by word’ in the reform road map. It would require a solid partnership particularly with the private sector and donor communities. The public and private investments in the autonomous region would provide the needed assistance as the new OICs embark in the path of reforming the ARMM.

The incoming OICs in the ARMM should know that they have actually NO CHOICE! They are NOT allowed to fail! They are all the personal choices of the President and as such they are directly accountable to him who shall actively exercise supervision over the ARMM governance. The OICs’ failure and success would also be the President’s! CUIDATE!