Marlen V. Ronquillo
After the 2016 elections, many expressed a sense of celebration and hope. First over the fact that Mindanao, after decades in the leadership wilderness, finally got its president. Second was the intention of Mr. Duterte (an intention he later formalized), to staff his key positions with Mindanao natives. Third was this: the expectation that a Mindanao-centric development plan would finally be a major policy plank of the Palace.