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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
(SDN) — The 11 regional directors of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) have decided to act collectively, seeking to right some of the Commission’s affairs. Of things they perceived as something need to be done in accordance with the law.
It is not a coup d’etat, by any stretch of the imagination, as gleaned from the content of their five-page “letter of inquiry”. A copy of which sent to SDN – SciTech & Digital News.
Rather, it’s safe to assume that what they are trying to achieve, hopefully, is for the benefit of Mecca pilgrims, the employees, and the public in general. After all, the Commission, conforming with the laws of the Philippines, is mandated to “preserve and develop the culture, traditions, institutions, and well-being of Muslim Filipinos.”
As far as memory is concerned, starting with the defunct Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA), which the NCMF replaced, until the present day, this marks the first-ever instance regional directors in consonance with each other acted collectively as they seek answers on many issues that affect the Commission and its services to Muslim Filipinos.
But it’s a bold move, one can say that. Quite unprecedented!
The “collective” is comprised of Regional Directors Dr. Dimapuno A. Datu-Ramos (NCMF-National Capital Region), Attorney Raihanah Sarah T. Macarimpas (NCMF-North Luzon), Saleh P. Sacar (NCMF-South Luzon), Onasis O. Balt (NCMF-Visayas), Zulfikar J. Abantas (NCMF-Zamboanga), Nehri A. Tan (NCMF-Sulu), Attorney Gapor G. Quituar (NCMF-SOCCSKSARGEN), Monaim Datudacula Guro (NCMF-CARAGA), Dr. Abdulnasser P. Masorong, Jr. (NCMF-Northern Mindanao), Arch. Sherrila Porza Sawa (NCMF-Davao), and Lominog M. Lao (NCMF-Lanao).
Datu-Ramos is president of the group of the NCMF regional directors.
To this effect, the 11 NCMF officials on February 5 wrote and signed a letter titled “Inquiry/Clarification on the Legality of 2024 Hajj Contracts and other Concerns Affecting the Exigency of Service by the Regional Offices”. They addressed the letter to Commissioner Yusoph J. Mando, NCMF officer-in-charge (OIC) and spokesman, and the Commission En Banc.
For this story, SDN – SciTech & Digital News reached out to Mando to get his side, comment or reaction to the letter.
‘I’ll take action on that letter on Monday, insha Allah,” the OIC of the NCMF replied.
The NCMF has nine commissioners who serve for four years. One of the commissioners is the head of office with the title secretary/CEO who serves for two years based on Republic Act No. 9997.
Presently, the incumbent secretary, Guiling A. Mamondiong, is serving a 90-day “preventive suspension” starting on January 3 ordered by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. The action of the DILG, which has oversight function over the Commission, was in relation with serious issues about the NCMF Hajj 2023 operation.
With the suspension that lasts until March this year, the DILG designated Mando as the NCMF OIC for the duration of the suspension to prevent the disruption of the delivery of services.
Does the function of an NCMF OIC revolve only around signing of payrolls? What does an OIC’s authority cover?
The regional directors wanted to know whether signing a contract is covered by an OIC’s function, in this instance for the forthcoming Hajj 2024 operation? This is one of the four major points the 11 regional directors wanted to clarify.
NCMF insiders said unless re-appointed, the two-year term of Mamondiong as secretary (he’ll remain as commissioner for two more years) expires in the first week of March, the same with Mando and some of his fellow commissioners who were appointed at the same time by then President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
“We, the Regional Directors of the (NCMF), as currently headed by NCMF-NCR Regional Director Dimapuno A. Datu-Ramos, Jr., M.D., MHA, most respectfully write you this letter to formally inquire on the 2024 hajj contracts ‘allegedly’ enter into by the management of the Central Office with the same entities involved in 2023 hajj issues,” the 11 regional directors said in their communication.
Copies of the letter were forwarded to the DILG and its legal affairs, and others. It is safe to say the letter would be reaching Malacañang and the House of Representatives which has conducted public hearings on the Hajj 2023 operation.
In fairness, unless a copy of the supposed contract is physically presented and seen, and unless an eyewitness vouches for it, no one can tell really if there’s actually a “contract” already signed for Hajj 2024. Perhaps, the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Philippines, or the Philippine Embassy or its Jeddah Consulate, may help provide some answers.
The regional directors emphasized that their “inquiry” is focused on four main issues, such as:
- On whether an OIC of the NCMF has the authority to sign contracts, such as for Hajj 2024 operation.
- On the NCMF Central Office’s faithful compliance to the laws, rules and regulations concerning contracts.
- On why enter into a contract with the same Saudi-based parties involved in the 2023 hajj issues after being a subject of different legal inquiries.
- On the propriety of entering into contracts considering the impending expiration of terms on March 7, 2024 (of concerned NCMF officials).
Datu-Ramos and his fellow regional directors also asked the NCMF Central Office Management for a copy of the contract/s for Hajj 2024 which the current management allegedly signed in Saudi Arabia recently.
Further, they expressed the belief that a Commission En Banc resolution was needed for the hajj contracts as they asked if there’s any En Banc resolution/s to that effect.
“To reiterate, the undersigned are the Regional Directors of the NCMF tasked to directly engage with the Muslim Filipinos. Thus, we are making this formal inquiry in order to resolve matters which likewise affect the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of our services. In fact, we are likewise requesting your good office to provide a copy of these contracts in order to shed light to the issues at hand,” they added.
In a related development, NCMF Commissioner Michael M. Mamukid, who is based in Davao City, in a post on his Facebook page suggested that signing of contracts for Hajj 2024 should be done only upon the appointment of a new NCMF secretary.
He said this is to give due respect to the next NCMF head as well as to the President of the Philippines who may soon appoint a secretary of the Commission.
A lawyer, Mamukid said the next secretary would be accountable for Hajj 2024. It is not right, he emphasized, for a new secretary to be liable for a contract signed before being appointed to the NCMF.
Apparently speaking also as a lawyer, Mamukid said a new secretary has the prerogative to either honor, rescind, or cancel a contract signed by the present NCMF management.
“Let us not rush the signing of a new contract because the President may appoint a new secretary,” he suggested.
With some of the affairs of the NCMF all tangled up in uncertainties, one can only hope this affair of the supposed Hajj 2024 contract(s) and other nagging issues be resolved for the benefit of all.
And the resolution should be a win-win one like a Solomonic solution.
On the other hand, the Regional Offices of the Commission are, in some respect, similar to the government’s barangay units: they are the ones in direct contact and link with the people on the ground.
Barangay Halls and Regional Offices of the NCMF are the go-to-government units in times of need. (♤)