ARMM Poll

Today thousands of ARMM residents will go to the polling stations to cast their votes for new sets of leaders. In a country like the Philippines where nobody really wins in any elections, losers will always cry that they were cheated and winners will forever be accused of cheating. The irresponsible Philippine media will sensationalize all their election reports to paint the perception that cheating indeed happened.

Mindanao Muslims are traditionally ruled by the Datu and Sultan. They are not used to democratic process and more often than not wouldn’t submit themselves to democratically elected officials. In the past, elected Muslim officials are believed to be corrupt individuals that would only champion their personal interest rather than that of their people. Oil is not the primary reason why Arab Muslims are rich. It’s because of how they rule their government. They may not be democratic but look at how they run their countries. Saudi Arabia in particular is very strict in their criminal system. That’s the reason for their progress. Why won’t the Philippine government re-install the powers of the Sultanate of Sulu and Sabah and let the Sultan rule ARMM instead?

The ARMM poll results will once again be questioned by the losers. However, this election can also be a chance to change the lives of the thousands of Filipino Muslims living in the Autonomous Region. This is an opportunity to make a great leader. That is, if the elected leader will truly care for his people.