Traditional Moro welcome awaits Ampatuan

COTABATO CITY — A warm, traditional Moro welcome will greet newly elected Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan as he takes over the regional leadership today.

Ampatuan’s legal adviser, Ishak Mastura, said diplomats from member-states of the Organization of Islamic Conference, representatives of international donor communities and national government officials will grace the event at the 32-hectare ARMM compound here.

"Hundreds of political and religious leaders, including representatives of different Christian sects, have also signified their intention to attend the affair," said Mastura, who is also the incumbent ARMM trade secretary.

Mastura said a traditional Moro welcome will cap Ampatuan’s installation into office by representatives of President Arroyo.

"Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita has confirmed that he will represent Malacañang in the inaugural rites," he said.

Mastura said leaders of different sectors in the ARMM will join the affair to show their appreciation for Ampatuan’s election as ARMM governor.

"For the first time ever in ARMM history, Malacañang distanced itself from the recent regional polls by not campaigning for Gov. Ampatuan and his running mate, Ansarudin Adiong. We have duly elected officials now that voters in the ARMM really voted for freely, without being influenced by the President," Mastura said.

Although Ampatuan and Adiong both belong to the Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats, the ruling political party, President Arroyo did not publicly campaign for both of them, unlike the ARMM’s past governors whom Malacañang had campaigned for.

Small traditional colorful Moro flags or pandala dot the sides of the road leading to the Shariff Kabungsuwan Complex at the ARMM compound, where Ampatuan will be sworn in as the fifth ARMM governor.

The ARMM covers Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Marawi City.