ILOILO CITY, Philippines, May 16, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Candidates seeking posts in the Muslim Mindanao autonomous government need to present their programs of government for the people of the region to decide who to choose on August 8, 2005, according to a prominent Moro scholar.

“They (candidates) have to present their program. As of now, I have yet to see one of them present their program of government,” Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga told IslamOnline.net Monday, May 16, over the phone.

Up for grabs in the fifth election, which was reset from its original November schedule last year to August this year to save public funds, are the positions of governor, vice governor and 21 members of the region’s legislative assembly.

Lingga added that for the people to choose the fittest and most qualified to occupy top positions in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which covers Muslim populated provinces, the candidates have to present their programs of government.

The Commission on Elections said 11 filed their certificates of candidacy for governor and eight for vice governor.

The executive director of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies said whoever is elected have to work for “good governance and transparency and efficient delivery of basic services to the people.”

Lingga further said that those who get elected as leaders of the country’s Muslim region, should ensure “no corruption in government takes place.” It is also important for them to cultivate the culture of respect of human rights, he added.

For Atty. Beverly Selim Musni of the Initiative for Peace in Mindanao, peace should be on top of the agenda of the candidates.

She told IslamOnline.net Monday, May 16, the candidates should work for the continuation of the negotiations between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front and that between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Musni stressed that they also have to be “very critical and consistent peace campaigners. They should oppose campaign against terror which leads to Islamophobia and discrimination. They must root for dialogue.”

The candidates, when elected, also have “to resist United States’ intervention in all forms.”

Once elected, she further said, members of the regional legislative assembly should pass laws declaring resources found on the region, particularly the Liguasan Marsh, which is said to be rich in oil deposits, for Bangsamoro people only and off limits to multinational companies.

The legislators should also pass laws declaring Lumad or indigenous peoples’ areas off limits to mining and logging of multinational companies.

Besides these, the leaders, once elected, have to work to provide jobs and look after the health and education of the people of the region estimated to be more than two million, said Musni, because “peace does not only mean the absence of war but availability of basic services.”

Musni added candidates must show how they value peace by working for the protection of those who want to vote and those who do not want to vote.

“If we want the election to be truly democratic, those who want to vote must be given the chance to do so. No duress. No compensation,” she said, adding, the candidates must engage in a “principled and peaceful campaign.”

Many politicians in the region are known to have armed civilian security escorts.

Lingga said the same. “Electoral reform is needed; reform that would prevent the occurrence of violence.”

He said that their research on “rido” or war between and among clans that claimed lives, showed that electoral politics was behind these cases.

He said electoral reforms are needed “so there will be a fair level of playing field among the candidates, to prevent violence and cheating.” Level playing field means one could have the chance to win even she or he does not have the money.

The automated polls being planned by the national government would be of help, Lingga said, but it would not yield a 100 percent efficiency and effectiveness.

“What is needed is structural change.”

Musni said Muslim or Moro voters “are intelligent. If they are not harassed, if they are not intimidated, they will vote for whoever is fit in the position.”

And Musni hopes in this election, “no lives are lost and no blood is shed.”

Incumbent Governor Parouk Hussin is seeking a reelection against Mayor Zaldy Ampatuan, who was anointed by local politicians allied with the Arroyo government, and former representative Guimid Matalam, who was endorsed by the opposition party.

Other contenders are businessman and former mayor Ibrahim Paglas III, Basilan Representative and Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin, and ARMM Vice Governor Mahid Mutilan

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was created last 1990 to settle the conflict between the government and Moro National Liberation Front that fought for secession.

The region covers approximately 12,000 square kilometers or about four percent of the country's total land area and has a population of more than two million predominantly Muslim inhabitants.