Andal’s mayor wife stripped of power

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines  – The wife of detained Maguindanao massacre suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr. was stripped of her position as mayor of Datu Unsay town for having been absent without official leave.

Lawyer Bobby Katambak, a member of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan, said the legislative and executive branches of the provincial government recognized Monawara Ampatuan, first councilor of Datu Unsay town, as acting mayor replacing Reshal Ampatuan.

Reshal is one of two wives of Andal Jr., a principal suspect in the 2009 massacre that left 58 people dead, including journalists.

Katambak said Monawara’s assumption as acting mayor of Datu Unsay was based on the Local Government Code.

“There is a vacuum in the municipal leadership due to the long absence of the mayor and the vice mayor,” Katambak said.

Datu Unsay Vice Mayor Janine Mamalapat will be replaced soon for having been absent for more than six months.

Municipal employees said Reshal received cash advances, salary and other benefits despite her absence.

Monawara took her oath as acting mayor before Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu last Thursday.

She started discharging the duties of a municipal mayor yesterday.