Pimentel hails choice of Maguindanao’s 1st woman gov

An opposition senator from Mindanao on Wednesday welcomed the designation of Bai Nariman Ambolodto as acting governor of Maguindanao, expressing confidence that a period of cleansing and reforms has dawned on the troubled province. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said there are signs that Bai Ambolodto – the first woman governor of Maguindanao -- will be able to effectively tackle the daunting tasks of “weeding out corruption and other malpractices," dismantling the machinery for electoral fraud, and “reforming governance" in the province. “It is heartening to note that positive changes are now taking place in Maguindanao. This appears to be an ‘unintended consequence’ of the recent carnage and other horrible things that have happened in the province which hopefully have come to an end with the Ampatuan dynasty now under trial," Pimentel said. He said his office received reports that after the acting governor assumed office, the employees of the provincial government – for the first time – received their 13th-month pay on time and without any illegal deduction. The senator also welcomed Bai Ambolodto’s decision not to run for any position in the May 2010 elections. Ambolodto became the acting governor upon the suspension or removal of Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and other provincial officials after they were implicated in the November 23 massacre that claimed 57 people’s lives. She had been elected as top-ranked board member in the defunct Shariff Kabunsuan province, and before her appointment as acting governor had served as board member representing Maguindanao’s first district. The acting governor also did not come from a political family but is a member of a non-government organization involved in community development. Pimentel said Ambolodto needs the full support of her constituents and the national government if she is to succeed in reforming Maguindanao. – Amita O. Legaspi/JV, GMANews.TV