Lanao del Sur’s political crisis ends

MARAWI CITY — The seven-month-old political crisis in Lanao del Sur ended yesterday after the governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan agreed to settle their political differences and work for the development of the province.

Philippine Marines Brig. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, deputy commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Southern Command and commander of the Joint Task Force Ranao, said that Lanao del Sur Gov. Aleem Bashier Manalao and all the members of the provincial board have agreed to patch up their political differences with the latter signing a document vowing to support the governor in all his official functions and undertakings.

"It is now the time for understanding each other and to put aside political or personal interests and work for the good of your constituents and for the development of the province," Dolorfino told local officials during a simple program at the provincial capitol conference hall yesterday.

More than a thousand rank and file personnel of the provincial capitol and the Philippine National Police (PNP) also expressed their support to the governor.

The political crisis started after the succession of Manalao, then vice governor, to the governorship following the death of re-elected governor Mamintal Adiong who died three days after he took his oath of office.

Majority of the Provincial Board members filed at least six administrative and six criminal cases against Manalao at the Ombudsman, which imposed a six-month suspension on the governor.

Manalao was suspended last October 2005 but was reinstated last month following the dismissal of all charges levelled against him by the Ombudsman

During Manalao’s suspension, Vice Gov. Monera Macabangon was designated acting governor.

A recall election move against Manalao for alleged "loss of public confidence" was initiated by some municipal mayors of Lanao del Sur but fizzled out after the local Commission on Election (Comelec) official ruled that there is not enough time to verify the signatures gathered for the petition and inavailability of funds for the said purpose.

During the six-month suspension of Manalao, a protracted legal battle ensued between him and Macabangon.

Manalao was trying to retain his post while Macabangon worked for the dismissal of Manalao.

The presence of the Philippine Marines at the Provincial Capitol Compound during the crisis prevented any violent incident that could be triggered by the tense situation prevailing at that time, Dolorfino said.

Controversial 1st Philippine Marines Brigade Commander Col. Ariel Querubin was responsible for the security at the provincial capitol compound here.

That political situation brought all transactions, development programs and projects of the province to a halt since withdrawals of the funds of the provincial government from the local branch of the Land Bank of the Philippines, were always questioned by either of the camp of Manalo or Macabangon depending on who was withdrawing the funds at a certain time.

The province of Lanao del Sur has an estimated P60 million monthly Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

"The political crisis here is over, everything is back to normal now," provincial board member Sherali Sani said.

"The local leaders in Lanao del Sur have shown to national politics that if there is understanding, reconciliation and concern for the welfare of the constituents, political differences can be settled and development programs and projects can be implemented without any obstacles," Dolorfino said.