Lakas picks Ampatuan as ARMM governor bet

COTABATO CITY — The national chapter of Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) has finally anointed Mayor Zaldy Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao as Malacañang’s official gubernatorial candidate in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Aug. 8 elections.

Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong, Lakas-CMD’s ARMM chairman, said the nomination of Ampatuan, son of Maguindanao Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan, as the ruling party’s official candidate was signed by Gabriel Claudio and Jose Rufino, deputy secretary general and national executive director of Lakas-CMD, respectively, the other day.

"The selection of an official candidate for ARMM governor, supervised by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, is over," Datumanong told local reporters in a cellular phone interview.

Ampatuan topped the Lakas-CMD’s shortlist of 12 possible gubernatorial candidates.

Engineer Norie Unas, provincial administrator of Maguindanao, said Claudio and Rufino have authorized Ampatuan to nominate the Lakas-CMD’s official candidates for the 24-seat Regional Legislative Assembly.