“We appreciate the decision to hold the ARMM elections on schedule. It’s a manifestation of respect in support of the ARMM,” said Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong, former House deputy speaker and ex-secretary of justice and public works.

Datumanong’s reaction, which echoed his earlier pronouncements opposing the postponement of the August 8 polls, was shared by other political leaders in Mindanao, especially the candidates.

ARMM Vice Governor Mahid Mutilan also expressed elation over the Palace assurance, saying that resetting the polls would “only render the regional autonomy like a toy.”

Speaking for his running-mate House Deputy Speaker Gerry Salapuddin, businessman and vice gubernatorial aspirant Farouk Macarambon said: “The Palace pronouncement has finally ended the anxiety among the candidates and electorate in the ARMM on the elections.”

“Our tandem is batting for massive reforms in the ARMM governance…  but this vision has for a while been blurred by doubts on whether or not the regional elections would push through on time,” said Macarambon, who joined politics for the first time to help “make a difference in Muslim Mindanao.”

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced Wednesday that the ARMM elections will push through on August 8 after Congress leaders had said the legislature lacked the time to act on four measures resetting the polls.

Ermita was told by Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Jose de Venecia that both chambers do  not have enough time to pass the bills seeking to reset the elections because Congress will adjourn on June 10.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) headed by Chairman Benjamin S. Abalos Sr. is reportedly ready to conduct the elections in the ARMM.

Some sectors, including the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), earlier had lobbied strongly for the postponement of the regional polls for a year, citing the absence of funds for the conduct of the voting, the constitutional provision prescribing a threeyear term of office for all elective officials, and the implementation of the 1996 MNLF-Government of the Republic of the Philippines peace agreement which is now halfway.

In his announcement Wednesday, Ermita also expressed uncertainty on whether or not President Arroyo, the titular head of the ruling Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party, will endorse any particular candidates in the ARMM elections.

The President initially declared the elections a “free zone” among the Lakas-CMD candidates, although sources in the ruling coalition party said the Chief Executive might support one of the five bets for regional governor later on.

The 14-year-old ARMM has been ruled by four governors one at a time, who won the elections mainly because of the backing of Malacañang.

ARMM Gov. Parouk Hussin, who returned to his post after failing to win in last year’s senatorial elections, is one of the four Lakas-CMD nominees. The three others are Rep Salapuddin, Mutilan, and Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao Mayor Zaldy Ampatuan.

The Liberal Party, which forms part of the administration’s coalition, has fielded Ibrahim “Toto” Paglas III for governor and Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo’s brother, Hatta, for vice governor.

The United Opposition has fielded former ARMM speaker and vice governor Guimid Matalam as its standard bearer in the regional elections.