ARMM governor neutral on proposed Lanao recall polls

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao — Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan has distanced himself from efforts by political leaders in Lanao del Sur to have a gubernatorial recall election in the province.

Ampatuan said siding with either the 30 mayors who proposed the recall election or with Lanao del Sur Gov. Bashier Manalao will only worsen the animosity between the two camps.

"On record I am not supporting either side. The Office of the Regional Governor will just observe the political developments in Lanao del Sur and will only help, through the ARMM police, prevent any political violence in the province," said Ampatuan, chairman of the regional peace and order council.

Mayor Mino Arimao of Masiu, a hinterland town in the first district of Lanao del Sur, said their bid for a recall election was hatched after extensive consultation among local executives and religious leaders in the province.

"There are 30 mayors involved in this endeavor now. We even ran out of forms to be signed by the voters in favor of the recall election," Arimao told The Star in a mobile phone interview yesterday.

Arimao said they have gathered more than 40,000 signatures for their petition to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to conduct a gubernatorial recall election due to loss of confidence in the leadership of Manalao.

"It was more than 15 percent of the total number of registered voters in the province. The requirement is only 15 percent of our registered voters in all parts of Lanao del Sur," Arimao said. — John Unson