PNoy: ARMM to have good governance due to poll postponement

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday vowed good governance in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) after polls in the region were postponed to 2013 through a legislation he backed. "Gusto nating maranasan ng ARMM ng benepisyo ng tamang pamamaha. Kaya ang solusyon: synchronization," Aquino said in his second State of the Nation Address before a joint session of Congress. Aquino said Republic Act 10153, which he signed last July 30, will ensure clean and fair elections in the area two years from now. "Dahil dito... magiging mas patas ang labanan at lalabnaw ang command votes. Salamat sa Kongreso at naipasa na ang batas na magsasabay ng halalan sa ARMM sa halalang pambansa," he said. He added that the postponement of the ARMM polls, originally scheduled next month, will put a stop to patronage politics and corruption in the area. "Sa kagustuhang makabalik sa puwesto, nakahanda ang ilan na ulitin ang nakagawian para manalo. Isipin na lang po ninyo kung pumayag tayo sa kagustuhan ng mga kontra, at itinuloy natin ang eleksyon. Wala po silang ibang gagawin sa loob ng dalawang taon kundi paghandaan ang susunod na halalan at isiksik ang kalokohan nila sa mas maigsing panahon," he said. The constitutionality of RA 10153 is being questioned before the Supreme Court. — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News