COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has downplayed insinuation of impropriety in the recent takeover of the top post in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by officer-in-charge Gov. Mujiv Hataman, saying the OIC enjoys authority, notably from President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Robredo asserted the legitimacy of the regional change of guard at a press conference here shortly after he installed to office Hataman and OIC-Vice Gov. Bainon Karon.

Outgoing ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo represented replaced Acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong, who alongside Acting Regional Vice Governor Regie Sahali-Tan was absent at the turnover ceremonies Thursday morning.

The turnover process was far short of the “smooth transition” earlier vowed by the past administration, even as some supporters of Adiong argued that their pledge was premised on presumption that the OICs would assume office when the Supreme Court shall have decided with finality on the constitutionality of R.A. 10153, the law that deferred the 2011 ARMM polls and authorized the appointment of caretakers.

According to Robredo, the Office of the President has reacquired the authority to name and install to office the OICs after the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court lapsed.

However, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal contested such argument by filing a day earlier an urgent motion asking the High Tribunal to invalidate the appointment and assumption of the OICs because this allegedly preempted the final verdict of the SC on pending motions for reconsideration (MRs).