Hataman's Chief of Staff Mitmug is OIC of DepEd-ARMM

By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA
Cotabato City, Philipines
January 3, 2018 

Atty. Rasol Y. Mitmug, Jr. /BPI file photo.

The chief of staff of the Office of the Regional Governor of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is now the Officer-In-Charge of ARMM's Education Department (DepEd-ARMM). 

Atty. Rasol Y. Mitmug, Jr. has been designated by Governor Mujiv Hataman as OIC of the department after Dr. John A. Magno resigned as DepEd-ARMM secretary last December 7, 2017. 

It was learned that Magno would transfer to the national Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).

Before resigning, Magno failed a couple of times to be confirmed by the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA). 

Last December, a reliable source told Ranao Star that Magno might not have afforded to give-in to demands of some assemblymen. The source did not elaborate further. 

In an exclusive meeting on Wednesday, Mitmug told this writer that he will assume his new post on January 9, 2018. 

He said he had things in mind by which to reform and strengthen the department that he would propose to the Governor. 

It is worthy of note that the DepEd-ARMM has been always clothed with negative impression from the public such as corruption and money-making business of officials -- allegations which have to be proven yet in court. 

The department is also criticized for being laxed in the schools in the ground as young students, especially in madaris, are easy targets of recruitment towards terrorism. 

Atty Mitmug is a known Human Rights and Peace Advocate. He had also served as RLA speaker and deputy executive seceretary before becoming the chief of staff of the ORG. (RSP)