COTABATO CITY, 29 April 2004 — Members of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (ARMM) legislative assembly yesterday elected a new head after dismissing Speaker Esmail Abubakar of Tawi-Tawi province over alleged mismanagement and anomalous transactions.
The 26-member legislative body chose Assemblyman Hatimil Hassan of Sulu as the new Speaker in their 6th shake-up since 2002.
“The new leadership is confident that it will be able to transform the RLA (Regional Legislative Assembly) into a working assembly committed to the service of its constituents in the ARMM area,” said Assemblyman Tommy Ala of Maguindanao’s 1st District, one of Abubakar’s backers.
Hassan became the sixth to head the RLA since 2002.
Hassan is acting chairman of the 15-member executive council of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which took control of the Front’s leadership from founder Nur Misuari in 2001.
Hassan promised to introduce changes for better through transparency of operations, he assured.
Critics have blamed the RLA for doing little in enacting law that could usher in progress and development within its area coverage.
The ARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Jolo, Basilan and the city of Marawi.
