Sources from the mainstream MNLF said their chairman, Hatimil Hassan, an incumbent member of the ARMM’s Regional Legislative Assembly, withdrew his candidacy last Friday after learning that the Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the ruling political party, had declared a "free zone" for candidates of the K-4 coalition.
With Hassan out of the gubernatorial race, 11 aspirants remain in the race. The Aug. 8 elections are the ARMM’s fifth since the autonomous region was set up in 1990.
The filing of certificates of candidacy for ARMM governor, vice governor and the 24 seats in the Regional Legislative Assembly ended last Friday.
Lawyer Renato Magbutay, ARMM director of the Commission on Elections, said the first to file their certificates of candidacy were Mayor Zaldy Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao; Basilan Rep. Jerry Salappudin; former ARMM Speaker Alvarez Isnaji; incumbent Gov. Parouk Hussin and Vice Gov. Mahid Mutilan; and former Maguindanao Rep. Guimid Matalam.
Last Friday, five others — Mangkoop Saud Upa Rago, Omar Ali Diamadel, Kaharudin Diokoy, Darping Noe and Maguindanaon businessman Datu Totoh Paglas — also filed their certificates candidacy for governor.
Observers, including peace advocates in Maguindanao, expect other gubernatorial aspirants to similarly withdraw from the race due to lack of political machinery and campaign resources.
The campaign period in the ARMM, which covers Marawi City, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, starts next month.
No one from Tawi-Tawi is aspiring for ARMM governor. Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali is a known political ally of the Ampatuan clan of Maguindanao.
"I have cautioned the candidates not to hastily start their campaign activities since they can be disqualified from the race," Magbutay said.
Maranaw leader Dimas Pundato, who ranked second in Lakas-CMD’s short-list of possible gubernatorial candidates, is instead running for vice governor.
Since President Arroyo has not "anointed" any of the candidates, key officials of the mainstream MNLF said they will not support anyone.
In 1996, then MNLF chairman Nur Misuari ran virtually unopposed for governor under the banner of Lakas-CMD as a special concession following the forging of a peace pact with the government on Sept. 2 that year.