SC asked to reverse verdict on change of ARMM execs

MANILA, Philippines — Former Sen. Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to reverse itself on a verdict that justified Malacanang's replacement of incumbent officials of the Autonomopus Region in Muslim MIndanao (ARMM.)

Pimentel stressed over the weekend that the Aquino government is continuing the "unsavory practice of ousting officials and deferring elections at ARMM in contravention of the law and democratic practices." He was at the Balitaan sa Rembrant in Quezon City Friday.

In a 27-page petition he had filed as counsel to Almarim Tillah, Datu Casan Conding and the PDP-Laban against the Comelec in GR 197280, Pimentel told the Manila Bulletin that Tillah, Conding and other tribal leaders in Mindanao have been offended by the cavalier treatment of ARMM and its constituents and stressed that the autonomous region is not a "pampalubag-loob" but a template for democratic rule by officials elected by the people and not by Malacanang.

The former senator explained that while democracy holds dear the principle of rule by majority, there is also the principle of respect for the minority, and the minority in this case are the constituents of ARMM.

He blasted the ruling on the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 10153, which grants the President the discretion to appoint officials of the ARMM as selected by a committee.

This unanimous decision penned by Associate Justice Arturo Brion, runs afoul of the law, the principles governing successions of elected officials under the Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code (LGC), the transitory provisions of the Constitution and the spirit and intent of Republic Act No. 6734, the Organic Act of the ARMM, and Republic Act No. 9054 that expanded it.

Marvynn Benaning, Manila Bulletin