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Saturday, October 01, 2005
Autonomous region guv, others sworn into office
By Cheng Ordoņez
COTABATO CITY -- Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita swore into office Friday newly elected Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) Governor Zaldy "Datu Puti" Ampatuan and other officials at a cultural complex in this city.
Ampatuan took the oath to exercise the powers and functions necessary in the governance and development of the autonomous region with elected Vice Governor Ansaruddin "Hooky" Adiong.
Ampatuan and Adiong won the August 8 elections held within the five provinces and one city in Armm.
"The long and bitter struggle in one pursuit of recognition, social and cultural justice, as we still pursue the same through peaceful means, the healing should now be our utmost concern if we want to push real development in the essence of solidarity and collective endeavors," Ampatuan said during the inaugural ceremony at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City.
He said that it was possible for men and women of reasons to talk peace if they aside the prejudices that lead to war and conflict.
Ampatuan said his administration supports the peace initiatives of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo because it is only through peace that development can come to the region.
Other officials installed with Ampatuan were Regional Assemblymen Datu Jackson Bandila, Roonie Sinsuat, Bongarsa Tomawis Jr., Khadefeh Mangadadatu, Datu Umbtrah Datumanong, Pike Mentang, all of Maguindanao; Suhayla Salic, Samer Salic, Paisalin Tago, Saaddudin Alauya Jr., Yasser Balindong, Hosni Macapodi, all of Lanao del Sur; Abraham Burahan, Garcia Tingkahan, Alhabsi Hassan, Nurwiza Tulawie, Nashruper Daud, Maulana Omar, all of Sulu; and Rejie Sahali, Romel Matba, Shameera Matolo, Rajam Akbar, Hatimil Hassan, and Bonnie Balomo, all of Basilan.
Members of the International Diplomatic Corps from the countries of Libya, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Indonesia and representatives of donor agencies led by the United States, Australia and Japan witnessed the inauguration.
Also present during the inaugural ceremony were top military and police officials led by Southern Command chief Lt. General Edilberto Adan and Police Regional Chief Sukarno Ikbala.
Among the government officials present were Governors Andal Ampatuan (Maguindanao), Wahab Akbar (Basilan), Benjamin Loong (Sulu), Sadikul Sahali (Tawi-Tawi), Congressmen Gerry Salapuddun, House deputy speaker for Mindanao, and Simeon Datumanong, among others.
Ampatuan highlighted his inaugural speech by spelling out his course of action within the first 100 days of his administration, saying he will look into the plight of the teachers in the region by addressing their concerns.
"We have to look on the performance, accountabilities, and problems crippling certain departments in our own backyard," Ampatuan stressed.
Ampatuan called for the "healing of the wounds", and asked his political adversaries during the last regional political exercise to set aside prejudices and help the national government by being regional, provincial, and local fronts of its efforts to reach out to constituents.
He said he will look into the availability of financial resources, labor management, agricultural development, and the progress of development efforts for the under-privileged. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(October 1, 2005 issue)
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