Is postponing the 2011 ARMM elections an infringement of ARMM's autonomy?

Postponing ARMM election to correct what needs to be corrected will actually promote autonomy. We want the TRUE WILL of the people be heard and counted in an honest to goodness way. We do not want to settle with a haphazard and half-bake autonomy that is only exclusive for the elites, warlords, narcopoliticians and transactional trapos. Enough is enough. We deserve to be truly autonomous.

Autonomy doesn’t end when you let people decide. You also have to assure that the people’s decision are being heard, valued, not taken for granted and not altered. ARMM may be autonomous but we cannot alter the fact that it is an integral region of the Philippines – it cannot just exist on its own without being covered by the Philippine laws and the three branches of the government. Congress cannot just cut its ties with ARMM and tells everyone to back off because ARMM is autonomous. Beyond the concept of autonomy lies deficiencies of the laws, how at the end of the day it’s the Congress who can change the date of election, synchronize the region’s election with the national and local elections. This is one of the many SAD AND PAINFUL REALITIES that we, the people of ARMM, have to bear. Nonetheless, this should also serve as a challenge for us to be empowered so that we can put forward what we really aspire under the scope and limitation of the Philippine laws. There is always a room for lobbying, campaign and debate. We can always assert. We demand that the Senators listen to our concerns if they indeed want to highlight the region’s autonomy.

Democracy? Autonomy? I pray we get over with these labels. Enough with the superficialities. Let's look beyond what is in front of us. There is a bigger picture outside the box. Do we really have democracy and autonomy in ARMM with the kind of set-up we have right now? Can't we not configure first the system, correct what needs to be corrected and ready ourselves before hastily pushing for something we might call a sham later? Yes democracy is a number game, but if a numbers only participated because there is gun pointed at their heads or if the number is multiplied, then is it still democracy? Not until we can fully say with pride that we have exercised the right to suffrage in a clean, honest, peaceful and fair election; and that the votes really come from bona fide voters who freely exercised their constitutional right, the kind of democracy we have is a big joke. (Excerpt from my FB Note “The Paradox of ARMM Election – Part I”)

They say "ours is government of laws and not of men." I say ours is a government of wisdom and prudence and not of labels. We keep on saying autonomy and democracy but the very crux of the matter is often neglected. One honest and genuine vote versus nine votes with intimidation and who-knows-what manipulation, is that DEMOCRACY? Do we call region which is supposed to enrich the lives of its constituents and after 21 years remains to be the highest in terms of poverty, lowest in terms of human development index, 98% financially dependent on the national budget and half a million still displaced due to wars AUTONOMOUS? Let us not play with terms, you Honor. (Excerpt from my speech during the Senate Public Hearing in Marawi City last May 19, 2011)