Lakas anoints Ampatuan as gov bet

COTABATO CITY — The national chapter of the Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) has recalled all of its previous nominations for governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the Aug. 8 regional elections and anointed the son of Maguindanao Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan as Malacañang’s official gubernatorial candidate.

Mayor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao filed yesterday with the regional office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Zamboanga City his new nomination as the Lakas-CMD’s lone, official bet for ARMM governor.

Gabriel Claudio, Lakas-CMD’s deputy secretary-general, signed Ampatuan’s nomination papers last Wednesday after recalling the party’s nominations for the other aspirants, among them re-electionist Gov. Parouk Hussin, Basilan Rep. Jerry Salapuddin and ARMM Vice Gov. Mahid Mutilan.

In doing so, the Lakas-CMD virtually ignored an earlier appeal of Sen. Franklin Drilon, president of the Liberal Party, for President Arroyo to maintain the "free zone" policy in the ARMM elections.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio, however, said that as far the K-4 administration coalition is concerned, the ARMM is still a "free zone" with the other political parties fielding their own candidates.

As such, he said all the administration bets would enjoy the same advantages.

The Liberal Party has thrown its support behind businessman Datu Ibrahim Paglas, a former mayor of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao, in the gubernatorial race.

All of the elected governors of the ARMM, since its creation in 1990, were administration candidates.

Former Maguindanao Rep. Datu Guimid Matalam is the opposition’s candidate.

Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos announced over Catholic radio station dxMS here yesterday that candidates can begin campaigning today.

"There will be no more any extension of the filing of certificates of candidacy for the different positions," he said. The Comelec earlier extended the deadline from May 9 to June 23.

Abalos said he is convinced that with the help of the police and the military, the Aug. 8 ARMM polls will be clean, orderly and peaceful.

Lawyer Renato Magbuhay, regional Comelec director, said that if the poll body’s central office gives due course to the young Ampatuan’s new nomination, he will be given the rights and privileges befitting his being the Lakas-CMD’s official bet, while the other aspirants will be considered independent candidates.