(December 23-31)

Practically the whole of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is run by “feudal lords” whose system is akin to the medieval system in Europe. In those days, the king was clearly at the top of the feudal system, and his words are the law --- and must be followed. In the ARMM, the only difference is there is enough land for everyone. What if the king is unjust? In Europe, the pope intervenes; while here in the ARMM, the president in Manila intervenes often on the basis of his or her political expediencies. Political accommodation or patronage is the rule rather than exception. Even abuses including systematic killings are tolerated, if the concerned is an administration ally.

However, this problem is more pronounced in Maguindanao. Most of those in government are descendants of so-called royal families, who, with some exceptions, run their turf (sacop or pendatuan in Maguindanao) on the basis of personal judgment. Most of the people merely follow and they have no share in decision-making. If they were powerful before, because they held that ancient privilege, now their power and control over their respective turf is almost complete, because they are also government officials with vast power, authority, and resources. The Internal Revenue Allocation (IRA) from the national government becomes personal income and expended not in accordance with law. Some use their IRA for “women, wine, and gambling” and very many use their time in Davao City, Cebu City, or Manila, while their people suffer back home. And the government does not care them accountable or to audit them and punish those guilty.

During election, these feudal lords determine the outcome usually one or two days before election day. The government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) know this and they are not doing anything to correct this wholesale fraud. They also know the massive corruption in the ARMM but they are not lifting a finger to send the culprits to jail.

Now Malacañang is backing the proposal of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to hold voting in the ARMM ahead of the May 10 balloting. If this will push through, there is no benefit at all to the people of this region. There will only be change personalities from one feudal family to another, but the old ways remain. More seriously, this will only showcase how the ARMM is not autonomous but a puppetry in all its features and functions. Only government anointed candidates win in this region.

However, let it be said here that this sad situation is not only happening in the ARMM. It is also happening elsewhere in the Philippines. But the one in the ARMM is graver.