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COTABATO CITY: Candidates running for various positions in the
coming August 11 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM) at the start of the campaign vowed and expressed
readiness to swear before the Holy Qur’an that they will abide by
the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code of the Commission on
Elections (Comelec) in ensuring more credible and peaceful
elections.
Lawyer Oscar Sampulna, ARMM’s executive
secretary, said candidates of Lakas- Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD)
headed by re-electionist Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan as
well as those vying for membership in the Regional Legislative
Assembly have signified their intention to swear before the Holy
Qur’an even right in the presence of Philippine National Police
(PNP) Chief Gen. Avelino Razon Jr., Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen.
Alexander Yano, and representatives of the Comelec.
Sampulna who is also the spokesman of Ampatuan
said the regional governor is challenging all other five contenders
for the regional governor who are all Muslims to do the same and
give their commitment to the law enforcement authorities and the
Comelec that they will cooperate in maintaining honest, orderly, and
peaceful elections.
The other five candidates for regional governor
are Indanan town mayor Alvarez Isnaji; former congressman Jimmy
Matalam of Maguindanao; former Office on Muslim Affairs Deputy
Executive Director Jupakal Arabani; Noh Ahmad; and Omar Alih.
“That alone is a tacit indication that all of
the political leaders in the ARMM are ready to help ensure a
peaceful August 11 elections in the autonomous region,” Sampulna
said.
Members of the Maranaw political bloc, among
them Mayor Fahad Salic of Marawi City and Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr.
of Lanao del Sur, said there could be no trouble at all in the
autonomous region during the coming polls since majority of the
local executives in the area belong to the ruling Lakas-CMD and are
committed to support only Ampatuan and his running mate, re-electionist
Regional Vice Gov. Ansadurin Adiong.
Likewise, even the religious Ompia political
party in Lanao del Sur, founded by the late former ARMM Vice Gov.
Ustadz Mahid Mutilan and now led by Alim Elias Abdulsalam, has
allied their ranks with Lakas-CMD in support of President Arroyo’s
anointed candidate for regional governor, Adiong added.
-- Julmunir I. Jannaral
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