GMA told: Bare ARMM gov bet

COTABATO CITY — Religious leaders in Central Mindanao are urging President Arroyo not to "dilly-dally" in announcing her administration’s official candidate for governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) during the region’s Aug. 8 elections.

Two prominent members of the administration’s Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party — Mayor Zaldy Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao and Basilan Rep. Jerry Salapuddin — have filed their certificates of candidacy at the regional office of the Commission on Elections in Zamboanga City.

Reports have been circulating that two other Lakas-CMD members, incumbent ARMM Vice Gov. Mahid Mutilan and Marawi City Mayor Solitario Omar, were also keen on running for governor.

Ampatuan, son of Maguindanao Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan, topped the Lakas-CMD’s shortlist of its possible gubernatorial candidate.

The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for ARMM governor, vice governor and 24 assemblymen is until midnight tomorrow.

Salapuddin personally filed his COC with the Comelec regional office last Monday, while engineer Norie Unas, Maguindanao provincial administrator, filed Ampatuan’s on Thursday.