Maguindanao has a new governor, vice governor

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed two newcomers as Maguindanao’s governor- and vice governor-elect the other day, ending the tension spawned by the deep-seated animosity between the province’s two influential political camps.

Lawyer Wynne Asdala, chairman of the provincial board of canvassers, declared Kampi party’s Datu Andal Ampatuan winner in the gubernatorial contest, defeating re-electionist Gov. Zacaria Candao.

Ampatuan’s running mate, Datu Bimbo Sinsuat, a former member of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), was proclaimed vice-governor elect.

Ampatuan and Sinsuat’s joint proclamation was held at a military training school inside this camp, the main headquarters of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

Final tabulations showed that Ampatuan had a lead of 61,000 votes over Candao, while Sinsuat had a margin of more than 50,000 votes over Datu Norodin Matalam.

Engineer Norie Unas, local spokesman of Kampi, said the proclamation was done just a day after the Comelec en banc lifted its previous order suspending it, on behest of Candao.

Candao also petitioned the Comelec to nullify the election results in nine Maguindanao towns, known bailiwicks of Kampi, due to alleged electoral fraud.

"Actually this is an overdue proclamation. Nonetheless, we are very thankful and grateful of the Comelec’s decision to lift the suspension order. This proclamation of the real winners will put to rest the anxiety and restlessness of all parties involved," Unas said.

Ampatuan, former vice mayor of Shariff Aguak, a vote-rich town in the second district of Maguindanao, said he has readied a reconciliation program which he intends to carry out extensively during the first 100 days of his administration.

While the Comelec ordered the provincial board of canvassers to go ahead in declaring Ampatuan and Sinsuat winners, it reaffirmed its previous order for the board to defer the proclamation of the winning candidate in the second congressional district race due to unresolved controversies.