Officials: Ampatuan man to beat in ARMM gubernatorial race

COTABATO CITY – Officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are certain not one of the six contesting the reelection bid of Gov. Datu Zaldy Ampatuan could get even one-fourth of the votes they are to deliver for the reelectionist governor during the ARMM’s Aug. 11 polls.

“The August 11 regional election is also a chance for us, leaders in the autonomous region, to prove that the region is a stronghold of the Lakas-Muslim Christian Democrats,” said Tawi-Tawi’s vice governor, Ruby Sahali-Tan. “We are not threatened with our reelec­tionist governor having contenders. They will not win in our communities anyway.”

President Arroyo, chairperson of the Lakas-CMD’s national directorate, has anointed the 40-year-old Ampatuan and his running mate, reelectionist Vice Gov. Ansarudin Adiong, as Malacañang’s bet for the region’s gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial candidate and is to proclaim them both as administration standard bearers in Davao City on June 18.

According to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, seven persons made official their intention to run for the position of ARMM regional governor by filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs).

The seven gubernatorial candidates are Ampatuan, Jupakar Pindah-Asia Arabani, Ismail Berto Ibrahim, Alvarez Silal Isnaji, Ahmad Darping Nooh and Ali Jumadil Omar (all independent) and Gulmid Panalangin Matalam (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino).

Those who have filed COCs for ARMM vice governor apart from Lakas-CMD’s Adiong are Kadra Asani Masihul, Kursid Hajirie Sampang, Alex Andul Qayyum Langco Ambong and Ailani Tan Susulan.

“It’s only Ampatuan and Adiong, the six provincial governors and more than a hundred mayors in the ARMM will support come August 11,” said Adiong’s elder sibling, Lanao Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr., whose province has more than half a million registered voters.

Additionally, Marawi City Mayor Fahad Salic, who is a member of the Ompia Party, a local political block comprised of Islamic missionaries in Lanao del Sur, said he and all of his constituent-barangay chairmen have signed a statement of support for President Arroyo’s favored gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial candidate. – John Unson