by Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 15:04
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/21 February) – Moro rebel leader Nur Pining Misuari has not gotten tired of running for an elective post even as the only time he got elected was when Malacanang pushed and supported his candidacy for governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), including making his opponent back out.
Misuari won. He ran unopposed in the ARMM election of September 9, 1996, a full week after he signed in Malacanang the Final Peace Agreement with then government peace panel chair Manuel Yan.
Misuari never got to formally end his twice-extended term although it was not his fault his term was extended from what would have ended in 1999, to another two years: he was arrested for alleged illegal entry in Sabah, Malaysia, in November 2001, detained there until early January 2002 when Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Jesus Dureza fetched him and brought him to what would have been the ousted president Joseph Estrada’s detention “bungalow” in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, to face charges of rebellion.
Misuari spent a couple of years there until he was transferred to the St. Lukes’ hospital for medical attention and much later to a mansion nearby, in New Manila. The rebellion charges were dismissed in December 2009 by a Makati court.
Misuari is now running for governor of Sulu under Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s Bangon Pilipinas.
It is his second time to run for Sulu governor. In 2007, he sought permission from the court to go to Sulu and file his certificate of candidacy under President Arroyo’s party, the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).
He told reporters in Manila before boarding the plane for Zamboanga en route to Sulu, that "victory is already a foregone conclusion."
Misuari must have thought or must have been assured that his 1996 history at the polls will be repeated in 2007. He was wrong. Sulu is the turf of the Tans’, the Arbisons’, the Loongs’ but not Misuari’s.
Abdusakur Mahail Tan, who had previously served as governor and congressman, won the gubernatorial race in 2007.
Sulu’s clans
Misuari is now running against reelectionist Tan (LK), Idjal Karim Alawi (Ind), Nadia Arbison Alih (Ind), Abdulmunir Mundoc Arbison (NPC), Kadra Asani Masihul (KM), and Sahiron Dulah Salim (Ind).
Just before the filing of certificates of candidacy in November last year, ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan had already expressed support for the gubernatorial bid of Arbison, a three-term congressman.
The Ampatuans were expelled from the ruling Lakas-Kampi party on November 24, a day after that massacre of at least 58 persons, 32 of them media workers.
Yusoph Jikiri (NPC), a former official of the Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front and a former governor of Sulu, is seeking reelection as representative of the 1st district against Samsula Jalisan Adu (Ind) and Tupay Tupay Loong (LK), also a former governor.
In the second district, Vice Governor Nur-Anna “Lady Ann” Indanan Sahidulla (NPC) is running against Abdulajid Sahibil Estino (LP), Ahmad Sahipa Jinnul (Ind) and Asani Sayah Tammang (LK).
Former Governor Benjamin Tupay Loong (2004 to 2007, NPC) who had earlier served as ARMM Vice Governor, is running for vice governor against Sondosiea Danial Abdurajak (ind), Ahmad Lihanan Amil (Ind), Abdel Sangkula Anni (LK) and Benhar Sali Hashim (Ind).
In the capital town of Jolo, Mayor Hussin Ututalum Amin (LK), is seeking reelection against Mozar Sangkula Abubakar (Aksyon), and Erich Que Tan (NPC).
Vice Mayor Edsir Que Tan (LK) , brother of NPC’s mayoral bet, Erich, is seeking reelection against Mohammad Yusop Sali Ismi (PDP-Laban) and Delma Abubakar Ynawat (Aksyon).
In Luuk, Sulu, hometown of the Arbisons, Allayon Mundoc Arbison, Jr. (NPC) is running for mayor against Bernujir Ynawat Amil (Ind) and AMina Mohammad Mina Buclao (LK).
Arbison’s sister, Nayala Arbison-Hamsani (NPC), acting vice mayor, is running for vice mayor. Against Barsadal Amirul Jimbol (LK) and Jun Alih Jinnul (Ind).
Barbers vs Matugas
In Surigao del Norte, it is now the Barbers versus the Matugas family.
Governor Robert Ace Smith Barbers (NP) is seeking reelection against Ruperto Eludo Dequino (Ind) and Sol Forcadilla-Matugas (LK).
Matugas , retired regional director of the Department of Education , is the wife of 1st district Rep. Francisco Tinio Matugas, a former governor who is seeking reelection against Constantino Legaspi Navarro III (NP) and Gergrudes Conjurado Saberon (LP).
In the second district, Rep. Guillermo Abitona Romarate, Jr. (LK) is running for reelection against three-term Surigao City mayor Alfonso Servana Casurra (NP).
Former governor and former Rep. Robert Lyndon Barbers (NP), is running for mayor of Surigao City (NP) against Ernesto Tinio Matugas (LK), Eduardo Monto Arriba (PMP), Edenrey Laudenario Palma (Ind) and Rico Salvador Arreza Sering (LP).
The Pimentels
In Surigao del Sur, provincial administrator Johnny T. Pimentel (LK) is running for governor, the post his brother Vicente Ty Pimentel, is holding for a third term. He is pitted against three Independent candidates: Anecito Nasayao Lozada, Percito Villariasa Lozada and Artemio Madridejo Maquiso.
Outgoing governor Vicente Ty Pimentel (LK) is running for mayor of Carrascal against Samuel Roz Ronquillo (Ind) and Proferio Cababahay Calma (LP) while Mayor Alfred Buar Arreza (LK) is running for vice mayor against Jerry Tituan Antigo (Ind).
Another Pimentel brother, Alexander, is seeking reelection as Tandag City mayor. He is certain to win. He is running unopposed.
1st district Rep. Philip Arreza Pichay is running for reelection against Gregorio Tan Murillo, Jr. (LP), Anecito Pabot Murillo (Ind) and Alvin Ortiga Ty (Ind).
In the second district, Rep. Florencio Cuaton Garay (NP) is running against Mario Salva Alvizo (LP), and Jesnar Rodriguez Falcon (LK), former representative.
Outgoing governor Vicente Ty Pimentel (LK) is running for mayor of Carrascal against Samuel Roz Ronquillo (Ind) and Proferio Cababahay Calma (LP).
Mayor Alfred Buar Arreza (LK) is running for vice mayor against Jerry Tituan Antigo (Ind).
Outgoing vice governor Librado Cubil Navarro (LK), brother of the late Frank Navarro - a priest who joined the New People’s Army in the early 1980s and was killed in a military operation in August 1994 - is running for mayor of Bislig City against reelectionist Alberto Morales Tan (NP), Mamerto Baradillo Alciso, Jr. (Ind) and Socrates Adlawan Conde (LP).
Navarro’s brother, Leo (NPC) is running for mayor of Marihatag, the Navarros’ hometown, against Manuel Layao Octubre (Ind) and Alan Alvizo Pelenio (LK). Before he became vice governor, Librado Navarro was Marihatag mayor for three terms.
The Sahalis
In Tawi-tawi, the Sahali father and daughter team – Governor Sadikul Adalla Sahali (LK) and Ruby Sahali-Tan (LK) -- is seeking reelection as governor and vice-governor, respectively.
Governor Sahali is running against Bagani Ibrahim Idanan (Ind), Abdurajad Saib Juaini (PMP) and former governor Rashidin Halun Matba (NPC) while Vice Governor Sahali-Tan is running against Gabra Joe Abdurahman (Ind) and Jilkasi Joe Usman (NPC).
Another Sahali son, Nurbert (LK) is sure of reelection as he is running unopposed along with re-electionist vice mayor Nasser Mujahil Habe and eight candidates for the eight-seat council.
Bongao mayor Albert Que (LK) is now running for councilor.
Running for mayor are Jasper Shia Que (LK), Sangbayan Omar Akbara (Ind), Ibnohajar Lahib Binang (Ind) and Eddie Mapag Ali (NP) and Hadar Mariam Hajiri (Ind).
In Sitangkai, the Ahaja siblings are assured of victory. Both are running unopposed – Tiblan Canon Ahaja (NP) for mayor and Serbin Canon Ahaja (LK) for vice major.
Serbin is incumbent mayor; Tiblan is incumbent vice mayor.
In South Ubian, its Omar and Omar – Salma Alih Omar (LK) is assured of another ter as mayor, as she is running unopposed. A sibling, Mustapha Alih Omar II is running for vice mayor (NP) against Sabeng Dausan Koh (LP).
For the lone seat for Congress, Rep. Nur Gaspar (LK) is seeking reelection against Anuar Joe Abubakar (NPC), and Independent candidates Alawadin Bandon Jr., Sulay Hassan Halipa and Nasher Tandi Sugala [Conclusion tomorrow: The Zamboanga Peninsula clans] (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)
http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7683&Itemid=50
