Congreesional, Governatorial and Vice Governor Candidates in Maguindanao

Congress:

1. Dilangalen, Didagen Piang - Ind.
2. Sema, Baisandra Ampatuan - Lakas - Kampi
3. Datumanong, Semion Ampatuan - Lakas - Kampi

Governor:

1. Mangudadatu, Esmael Gaguil - Lakas - Kampi
2. Midtimbang, Midpantao Musa - PMP
3. Sinsuat, Datu Ombra Quesada - B-Bayan, VNP

Vice-Governor

1. Abutazil, Shaydee Ampatuan - Ind.
2. Ampatuan, Andal Sr. Salibo - Ind.
3. Candao, Ma-arouph Bajunaid - IPP
4. Mastura, Ismael Veloso - Lakas - Kampi

Massacre suspect shot dead by Mangudadatu bodyguards

By Dennis Santos
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 22:08:00 02/11/2010

Filed Under: Maguindanao Massacre, Election Violence, Crime

DAVAO CITY, Philippines–-A man suspected to have been involved in the November 23 Maguindanao massacre was killed by the bodyguards of Buluan town vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu in a shopping mall here Thursday night.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said initial reports reaching him revealed that the suspect, identified as Tamano Kamindan Mamalapat, tried to grab the firearm of one of Mangudadatu’s escorts.

One of security escorts then shot at Mamalapat.

Mangudadatu was with his daughter when the shooting happened at the kitchenware section of the JS Gaisano along Ilustre Street here at 8 p.m. Both were unharmed.

Mangudadatu, in an interview with reporters, said Mamalapat was involved in the Maguindanao Massacre.

Mangudadatu's wife, two sisters and several relatives were among those killed in the massacre allegedly perpetrated by armed men led by Datu Unsay town mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. At least 31 journalists were also killed in the massacre

As of this posting, police are still investigating the shooting.

Sidebar: Detained, yes, but Ampatuans still running for top posts in Maguindanao

DAVAO CITY (MindaNew/08 February) – Their leaders may be detained outside
Maguindanao but they remain a clan to reckon with in Maguindanao, if we are to base it on the number of candidates running for election or reelection on May 10. The
Ampatuans, Sinsuats, Sangkis, Mangudadatus, Pendatuns, Masturas, Midtimbangs, etc.. are fielding candidates for the May 10 polls but the Ampatuans have the highest number at 68, 50 of them carrying the same surname while the remaining 18 use Ampatuan as their middle name.

Of the 50, at least 23 are members of the immediate family of the patriarch, Datu Andal Ampatuan, Sr.

The Mangudadatus have 15, 10 of them bearing the surname with the remaining five use Mangudadatu as middle name (see other story).

On November 23 last year, the Mangudadatus sent a convoy of relatives, women lawyers and 32 journalists to the provincial office of the Commission on Elections in Shariff Aguak town, Maguindanao, to file the certificate of candidacy for governor of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Gaguil Mangudadatu.

The convoy was stopped by armed men believed led by Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. who would have been the Ampatuans’ candidate for governor and along with six others who happened to pass the highway at the wrong time, were herded into Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town, where they were massacred – at least 58 of them -- 35 of them buried in three mass gravesites.

Andal Jr. was taken into custody on November 26.

On December 5, hours after martial law was declared over portions of Maguindanao, Andal Sr., then OIC Governor of Maguindanao, was taken into custody at 1:30 in the morning while his son Datu Zaldy, governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was taken in at around 7 a.m. and brought to General Santos City. Two other sons, Datu Anwar, mayor of Shariff Aguak and Datu Sajid, former OIC Governor of Maguindanao were also taken in along with son-in-law Datu Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan, Sr., were also arrested and brought to the 6th Infantry Division in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat but a few days later were transferred to General Santos.

So who’s running among the Ampatuans?

Candidates directly related to Datu Andal Ampatuan, Sr.

Datu Andal Salibo Ampatuan, Sr., for vice governor

Shaydee Ampatuan-Abutazil (daughter), for vice governor

Sajid Islam Uy Ampatuan (son), for Provincial Board

Bongbong Midtimbang-Ampatuan (wife of Datu Zaldy), for mayor of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, unopposed

Bai Noraila K. Midtimbang Ampatuan (daughter of Zaldy and Bongbong), for councilor, unopposed

Saudi Biruar Ampatuan, Jr., (son of the late mayor Saudi) for mayor of Datu Saudi Ampatuan

Saudi Biruar Ampatuan III, (Saudi Jr’s brother) for vice mayor of Datu Saudi Ampatuan

Soraida Macarimbang Biruar-Ampatuan (wife of the late Mayor Saudi Ampatuan), for vice mayor of Parang

Jehan-jehan Lepail Ampatuan (wife of Saudi Jr.), for councilor of Datu Saudi Ampatuan

Reshal Santiago-Ampatuan (wife of Andal Jr.), for mayor of Datu Unsay

Yacob “Datu Jack” Lumenda Ampatuan (husband of Aloha, a daughter of Andal, Sr.) for mayor of Rajah Buayan

Zahara Upam Ampatuan (wife of Anwar), for mayor of Shariff Aguak

Zandria Sinsuat Ampatuan, (wife of Sajid) for mayor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha

Mohammad Bahnarin Ampatuan Ampatuan (son of Rebecca and Datu Akmad Sr.), for mayor of Mamasapano

Tahirodin Benzar Ampatuan Ampatuan (son of Rebecca and Datu Akmad Sr), for mayor of Mamasapano

Akmad Masukat Ampatuan (father of Bahnarin and Benzar), for vice mayor of Mamasapano

Lady Sha-Honey Ampatuan Ampatuan (daughter of Rebecca and Akmad Sr.), for vice mayor of Mamasapano

Zahara Upam Ampatuan (wife of Anwar), for mayor of Shariff Aguak

Anwar Uy Ampatuan, Sr. (son of Andal Sr.; wife of Zahara), for vice mayor of Shariff Aguak

Anhara Upam Ampatuan (child of Anwar and Zahara) for councilor of Shariff Aguak

Anwar Upam Ampatuan, Jr., (child of Anwar and Zahara) for councilor of Shariff Aguak

Rowella Upam Ampatuan (child of Anwar and Zahara) for councilor of Shariff Aguak

Manny Upam Ampatuan (child of Anwar and Zahara), for councilor of Datu Saudi Ampatuan

Galema Ampatuan-Olimpayan (daughter of Andal Sr. with another wife) for councilor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha

Other candidates with Ampatuan as family name:

Datu Sarip Kasan Ampatuan, for Provincial Board

Puti Mamasapano Ampatuan, for Provincial Board

Akmad Baganian Ampatuan, for mayor of Datu Salibo

Marob Batabol Ampatuan, for mayor of Datu Salibo

Kuzbari Lumenda Ampatuan, for mayor of Rajah Buayan

Datu Rennier Sinsuat Ampatuan for mayor of Talitay

Kanor Datumanong Ampatuan, for vice mayor of Datu Salibo

Baiungang Dilangalen Ampatuan, for vice mayor of Datu Abdullah Sangki

Farida Lidasan Ampatuan, for vice mayor of Matanog

Normina Baganian Ampatuan, for councilor of Ampatuan

Bai Sittie Sugadol Ampatuan, for councilor of Datu Abdullah Sangki

Datu Khalid Sandag Ampatuan, for councilor of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, unopposed

Norodin Lakman Ampatuan, for councilor of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, unopposed

Mama Datumanong Ampatuan, for councilor of Datu Salibo

Moharif Batabol Ampatuan, for councilor of Datu Salibo

Yasser Baganian Ampatuan, for councilor of Datu Salibo

Abdullah Kaliangget Ampatuan, for councilor of Datu Unsay

Pandag Salibo Ampatuan, for councilor of Datu Unsay

Anwarudin Masukat Ampatuan, for councilor of Mamasapano

Mahir Masukat Ampatuan, for councilor of Mamasapano

Mohamad Nor Abdilla Ampatuan, for councilor of Mamasapano

Usman Unto Ampatuan, for councilor of Mamasapano

Farisha Imam Ampatuan, for councilor of Shariff Aguak

Norodin Datumanong Ampatuan, for councilor of Shariff Aguak

Syrah Fatima Biruar Ampatuan, for councilor of Shariff Aguak

Michelle Sakal Ampatuan, for councilor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha

Zainal Buto Ampatuan, for councilor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha

Candidates with Ampatuan as middle name:

Bai Sandra Ampatuan Sema (wife of incumbent Cotabato City mayor Muslimin Sema) for 1st district rep against Didagen Piang Dilangalen

Simeon Ampatuan Datumanong, for 2nd district rep, unopposed.

Samsodhen Ampatuan Sangki, for vice mayor of Datu Abdullah Sangki

Monir Ampatuan Asim, Sr., for vice mayor of Datu Unsay

Ameerah Ampatuan Mamalapat, for vice mayor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha

Tulondatu Ampatuan Sumagka, for vice mayor of Talitay

Johaipa Ampatuan Basilan, for councilor of Ampatuan

Datumama Ampatuan Dilangalen, for councilor of Datu Abdullah Sangki

Rohaida Ampatuan Ebrahim, for councilor of Datu Abdullah Sangki

Bai Giom Ampatuan Kindo, for councilor of Datu Abdullah Sangki

Prince Razul Ampatuan Sangki, for councilor of Datu Adullah Sangki

Nasser Ampatuan Datumanong, for councilor of Datu Saudi Ampatuan

Mohammad Don Ysriel Ampatuan Asim, for councilor of Datu Unsay

Datumama Ampatuan Bandila, for councilor of Rajah Buayan

Saada Ampatuan Sambolawan, for councilor of Rajah Buayan

Norodin Ampatuan Datumanong, for councilor of Shariff Aguak

Amil Hamza Ramshais Ampatuan Macapendeg, for councilor of Shariff Aguak

Melvin Ampatuan Sumagka, for councilor of Talitay

Cotabato City is not part of Maguindanao but there are three Ampatuans running for elective posts there: Linda Untal Ampatuan, running for vice mayor; Johariz Usman Ampatuan, running for councilor; and Omarkhalid Ampatuan Ampatuan, running for councilor. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

Of 36 Maguindanao towns, 8 have unopposed mayoral and vice mayoral bets

by Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews Monday, 08 February 2010 16:06

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/07 Feb) – There are eight of 36 towns in Maguindanao where candidates for mayor and vice mayor are running unopposed; of the eight, five towns have an entire slate of candidates – for mayor, vice mayor and eight municipal board members – running unopposed in the elections on May 10, records from the Commission on Elections show. The towns of Ampatuan, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Guindulungan, Mangudadatu, Sultan Mastura and Sultan Mastura have unopposed candidates for mayor and vice mayor.

The sure winners represent Maguindanao’s clans – the Ampatuans, Mangudadatus, Masturas, Midtimbangs, Sinsuats, Sangkis.

In Ampatuan town, incumbent mayor Datu Zacaria Simpal Sangki and Datu Rasul Mabang Sangki are running unopposed for mayor and vice mayor, as Independents. Datu Zacaria is the incumbent mayor.

In Datu Anggal Midtimbang, incumbent mayor Nathaniel Sangacala Midtimbang is running for mayor while Ebrahim Musa Midtimbang is running for vice mayor. Both are running under B.Bayan-VNP.

In Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, incumbent mayor Bongbong Midtimbang Ampatuan, wife of detained ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan, is running for mayor while Abdulamanap Saliguidan Malaguial is running for vice mayor, unopposed.

Datu Hoffer is one of three new towns created last year. Bongbong Midtimbang Ampatuan was appointed acting mayor of the town by her husband, Datu Zaldy. Under the ARMM, the power to appoint OICs lies in the ARMM governor. The two other new towns are Datu Salibo and Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Datu Zaldy named two more relatives as acting mayors – Datu Akmad B. Ampatuan for Datu Salibo and Bai Zandria S. Ampatuan for Shariff Saydona. Datu Akmad and Bai Zandria are running for mayor in the two towns, but Datu Akmad is facing three opponents while Bai Zandria is running against one opponent.

In Datu Odin Sinsuat, Lester Seismundo Sinsuat and brother Sajid Seismundo Sinsuat are running unopposed for mayor and vice mayor under B.Bayan-VNP.
In Guindulungan, Datu G. Midtimbang Midtimbang and Baicong Amolan Midtimbang are also running unopposed for mayor and vice mayor

In Mangudadatu town, incumbent mayor Freddie Gaguil Mangudadatu and Prince M. Mangudadatu Dilangalen are also running unopposed for mayor and vice mayor under Lakas-Kampi.

In Sultan Kudarat town, Tucao Ong Mastura (LP) and Shajida Biruar Mastura (Lakas-Kampi) are running unopposed for mayor and vice mayor.
In Sultan Matura town, incumbent mayor Armando Talusan Mastura (NPC) and Mustapha Budian Abdulwahab (Lakas-Kampi) are running unopposed for mayor and vice mayor.

Three towns have unopposed candidates for vice mayor: Mohammad Powers Paglas (B.Bayan-VNP) in Datu Paglas town; Genuine Piang Kamaong, Jr., in Datu Piang, and Sukarno Musa Midtimbang (B. Bayan-VNP) in Talayan.

The five towns with a complete slate running unopposed are the towns of Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Midtimbang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Guindulungan, and Mangudadatu towns.

The eight unopposed bets for councilor in Datu Anggal Midtimbang are Said Kayog Abag, Daud Namil Guiama, Salipada Sabang Kayog, Lubatan Akad Lampay, Aladin Sinsuat Mentang, Abdulkarim Panalangin Mohamad, Kuro Saban Salim and Sandiale Indal Sultan. All are running under B.Bayan –VNP.

In Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, the unopposed bets for councilor are Bai Noraila K Midtimbang Ampatuan, Datu Khalid Sandag Ampatuan, Norodin Lakman Ampatuan, Datukan Undag Dukay, Macapagl Silongan Kamendan, Salunda Kam Kusan, Kasim Dadoy Omar and Eljean Tomas Unas, all running as Independents.

Bai Noraillah Kristina Midtimbang Ampatuan, 20, is the eldest child of incumbent mayor Bongbong Midtimbang Ampatuan and Datu Zaldy Ampatuan.

In Datu Odin Sinsuat, the unopposed bets for councilor are Sophia Maliga Abas, Umbra Mama Ambolodto, Zhenet Sinsuat Ante, Suharto Sinsuat Mama, Akmad Salazar Nur, Jr., Medzecail Mamacol Pinguiaman, Dexter Datumanong Sinsuat and Osmena Lucas Sinsuat III. All are running as Independents.

In Guindulungan, Bobby Midtimbang Bondula, Midpantao Musa Midtimbang, Jr., Ngulin Kasim Midtimbang, Abdulhaqe M. Midtimbang Mustapha, Datunoey Midtimbang Pandita, H. Rasul Maulana Salvo,Singtaon Amolan Sangowan an Percival Akmad Watamama are running for councilor, unopposed. All are running as Independents.

In Mangudadatu town, the council bets running unopposed are Fort Mangudadatu Daniel, Guiapal Nanagga Galuken, and Linda Edza gandalibo, Datucon Alfonso Laguiaomal, Kasan Alamada Mamasalanang, Jackson Kanda Mangudadatu, Esmael Ago Usop and Suabi Tawalang Utto. All of them are running under Lakas-Kampi. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

Christian’s Reflection on Mindanao Conflict

By Marigiel Lao Benito
BCJP Volunteer

In the past histories, there were misunderstandings happened between the Ilonggo’s and the Moro people. To prevent this kind of conflict and chaos to prolong, many undertakings have been done. Inter-marriages have been made between these two races, in order for them to merge, unite and understand each others differences especially in culture upbringing.

Compiled reports have already shown that Luzon and Visayan settlers who have migrated in Mindanao invaded the Moro communities and grabbed all of their properties especially their lands. It was easy for these invaders to do these to the Moro’s because they were well-educated and most of the Moro’s in that time were illiterate.

As I have done this research report, I have realized that my ancestors were really ill-minded and that I am very sorry for all of the mess they brought to the Moro people. But in order for me to fully understand my Moro brothers and sisters, I decided to join the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace (BCJP) as a volunteer to know how to mingle with them and to respect their beliefs and practices.

Bangsamoro CSOs: “retain and sustain” Acting Gov Ina Ambolodto

by Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews
Wednesday, 03 February 2010 11:05

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/03 February) – At least 16 Bangsamoro civil society organizations and networks passed a resolution Tuesday calling on ARMM Acting Governor Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong to “retain and sustain” Bai Nariman “Ina” Abdullah Ambolodto “as vice governor concurrent acting governor of the province of Maguindanao.”

In a two-page resolution, leaders of the Bangsamoro CSOs who convened a caucus on February 2, said they “very humbly respectfully request” Adiong through Haroun Al-Rashid A Lucman, ARMM Secretary of Local Governments and head of the Search Committee that would select the person who will serve as Acting Maguindanao Governor until June 30, to “continue supporting the efforts of Ina Ambolodto of enabling the provincial government to respond to the various pressing needs of our people and communities; intensify and optimize ARMM regional government agency operations in cooperation with the provincial leadership of Ina Ambolodto to address the displacement of our people as a result of fighting and natural calamities, as well as our staggering poverty situation; and retain and sustain Ina as the Provincial Vice-Governor acting provincial Governor.”

The Bangsamoro CSOs, all of them serving Maguindanao – Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society; Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace; Muassasah Ahliya; Kadtuntaya Foundation, Inc.; United Youth of the Philippines-Women; Interfaith Cooperation Forum; Kangudan Development Center, Inc.; Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development; Bangsamoro Youth Leaders Forum; Kadtabanga Foundation, Inc.; Al-lhsan Foundation; Mindanao Homeland Development, lnc.; 4. Moro Integrated Community Development, Inc.; Moro Women Development and Cultural Center, Inc.; Mindanao Human Rights Resource and Action Center – said Ambolodto has been “doing justice and according pride to the trust and confidence bestowed by the Honorable Regional Governor, faithful to the tradition of transparent and accountable governance.”

Ambolodto was sworn in as OIC Vice Governor on December 15. But Local Governments Secretary Ronaldo Puno also named her concurrent Acting Governor. December 15 was exactly ten days since then OIC Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan, Sr., was arrested.

Many applicants… but where’s the list?

Reports about a search committee started coming out just as Ambolodto was earning praises for having steered the province and putting in place basic governance systems in post-Ampatuan Maguindanao. (The Ampatuans were implicated in the November 23 massacre of at least 58 persons, 32 of them media workers. Datu Unsay mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan, Jr., principal suspect in the massacre, is facing charges of multiple murder while the patriarch former OIC Maguindanao governor Datu Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and his son, ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy, were among those charged for rebellion).

A January 28 press statement posted on the website of the Department of Interior and Local Government quoted Local Governments Undersecretary Marius Corpus as saying the ARMM leadership has created a search committee for 27 nominees for Acting Maguindanao governor.

ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo told MindaNews in a telephone interview Monday morning that most of the 27 “nominees” had actually applied for the post, that Ambolodto was not among the nominees “but she can apply or be nominated.”

Asked who nominated the 27, the Cotabato City-based Sinarimbo said “most of them applied” for the post. “There are many applicants for governor,” he said.

MindaNews has been asking for a copy of the list of 27 nominees and applicants since Monday but the ARMM has yet to release the list.

“Vacant” seat

On Tuesday afternoon, ARMM Bureau of Public Information chief Ali Macabalang, sent a news release quoting ARM M officials as saying “the issue at hand is not a matter of replacing Ambolodto but to fill up a vacancy in the office of the Maguindanao governor, which is still vacant.”

Macabalang said he met with local officials and was told that after the national government installed him as Acting ARMM Governor on December 14, Adiong had appointed Engr. Nasser Sinarimbo (elder brother of the ARMM Executive Secretary who now heads the ARMM Social Fund project) and Amboldto, an incumbent board member, as OIC- governor and OIC-vice governor, respectively to fill the top Maguindanao leadership vacancies.

Macabalang said Sinarimbo “refused to assume office to pursue his career service in the ARMM bureaucracy, prompting Local Governments Secretary Ronaldo Puno to install Ambolodto as OIC-vice governor on concurrent capacity as acting OIC-governor on Dec. 15.”

Macabalang wrote that “civil society groups including women’s sector and Church-backed NGOs have since shown satisfaction with the Ambolodto transitional governance” but “some interested resident leaders of Maguindanao have invoked to higher authorities and legal luminaries that the position of OIC-governor in Maguindanao is still vacant, hence, at least 27 of them have aspired for the slot, prompting acting ARMM Governor Adiong to create the search committee chaired by regional DILG Secretary Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman Jr. to screen them.”

Macabalang’s report quoted Adiong as saying everyone “is encouraged to apply or submit application (for the position).” Adiong according to the BPI chief, “anchors his administration on the operating principles of transparent, consultative and moral governance.”

The January 28 DILG press release did not name the 27 nominees but it added that among the requirements of the search committee is that “he or she should not be running for any elective position in the coming May elections; has the capacity to govern and ability to effect reforms in the province,” requirements that civil society groups said Ambolodto meets.

Ambolodto did not file her candidacy for any elective post “for personal reasons.”

“Most aptly chosen”

The Bangsamoro CSOs said Ambolodto “has proceeded to establish the basic foundations for the normal operations of the Maguindanao provincial government” and that she has immediately sat with the heads of provincial offices and convened anew the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Ambolodto has also convened the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Development Council and has seen through the enactment of the 2010 Performance Budget.

The groups said Acting ARMM Governor Adiong has “most apply chosen who wi1l steward the province in these very trying times.”

They also added that the Ambolodto’s efforts “have also merited immediate response from national offices and international organizations.”

The groups said The Asia Foundation “has already sent an expert to provide Organizational Diagnostics for the Provincial Government of Maguindanao” and “will soon send another expert to assist us conduct a Fiscal Systems Review.”
The Commission on Audit, the groups said, “ has already commenced conducting a comprehensive audit of the fiscal administration of the provincial government” while the Civil Service Commission “will also conduct a personnel review coupled with personnel capacity enhancement initiatives.”

The resolution said Acting ARMM Governor Adiong “has chosen the most appropriate leader of our province” and that they appreciate Ambolodto’s three-fold mission.

“Transition governor”

Ambolodto, who considers herself as a “transition governor” set to do the following: normalize provincial government operations and services; support the conduct of a free and credible election; and facilitate the smooth transition and assumption of newly elected provincial officials.”

“The civil society anticipates intense partnership on all three arenas of engagement. We believe she will mobilize provincial government resources for the promotion of the public welfare,” the groups said in their resolution.

The groups said they were “appalled and gravely disturbed by the news account of a search committee to determine who would serve the remainder of the term until 30 June 2010.”

“We, individually and collectively, know for a fact that (Ambolodto) is not running for any public office We also have faith not only in her capacity to govern but as well as on her ability to effect reforms in the province. We need not look elsewhere but simply appreciate how she has conducted governance which slowly yet very consistently effecting reforms.”

Copies of the resolution were also sent to Secretary Puno, Undersecretary Marius Corpus, and Sinarimbo.

Earlier, Irene Santiago, executive director of the Mindanao Commission on Women, said changing Ambolodto would be “a cruel joke on the people!”

"At this time when people’s faith in government has been badly shaken, we need officials like Ina who have foremost in their minds the people’s welfare and not their own. That is precisely why the Mindanao Commission on Women is forming a task force called ‘Ina’s Circle’ to support Ina in her efforts to bring about effective governance in Maguindanao.”

Ambolodto is the keynote speaker in the Mindanao Women’s Congress dubbed Kamindanawan 2010 tomorrow (February 4) in Davao City.

Fatmawati Salapuddin, public relations coordinator of the Lupah Sug Bangsamoro Women said those who want to replace Ambolodto “do not want us to see an example of good governance in any part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). That’s the only reason they want to replace (her) in Maguindanao because she is doing a good job serving the people there.”

Fr. Eliseo Mercado, Jr., executive director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance in Cotabato City and former Notre Dame University president said it would be “a sad day when a traditional politician becomes an acting governor.”

"Ina is doing well and it will be great if she is allowed to normalize the province until a new one is elected,” he said. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

Gov. Sacdalan hits Piñol on Moro Question

By Hasan Hatab

February 3, 2010 - In an interview with Governor Jesus Sacdalan on FM radio station in Kidapawan, North Cotabato last January 30, 2010, he hit Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol for continuously advocating anti-Muslim and anti-Lumad attitude.

Gov. Sacdalan has urged the people of North Cotabato not to believe so much on what Piñol is telling the people regarding Moro issues especially on the current peace negotiations between Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Sacdalan said, Vice Governor Piñol is trying to revive the issue on MOA-Ad and trying to get involved in the GRP-MILF peace process. Sacdalan said, as far as negotiation is concerned, Piñol has no authority to speak for and behalf of the government because he is not a member of the government peace panel. It is the responsibility of the government panel to inform the people on what has transpired on the peace negotiations between the government and the MILF.

Gov. Sacdalan further said, Piñol is creating hatred and animosity among Muslims and Christians in North Cotabato and Piñol had grabbed the lands of Muslims and Lumads in North Cotabato.