The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announces today the list of persons who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the upcoming August 11, 2008 automated elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

COMELEC spokesman and information and education chief James Jimenez bared that based on official reports received by the poll body’s Law Department, there are seven (7) persons who made official their intention to run for the position of ARMM Regional Governor; five (5) for Regional Vice Governor and a total of seventy-eight (78 ) for members of the Regional Legislative Assembly for the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindnao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Shariff Kabunsuan.

The Seven who filed their COCs for the position of Regional Governor for ARMM are:  Zaldy Puti Uy Ampatuan (Lakas-CMD); Jupakar Pindah-Asia Arabani (Independent); Ismain Berto Ibrahim (Independent); Alvarez Silal Isnaji (Independent); Guimid Panalangin Matalam (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino); Ahmad Darping Nooh (Independent) and Ali Jumadil Omar (Independent).

While those who filed their COCs for the position of Regional Vice-Governor are: Ansaruddin-Abdul Malik Alonto Adiong (Lakas-CMD); Kadra Asani Masihul (KBL); Kursid Hajirie Sampang (Independent); Alex Andul Qayyum Langco Ambor (Independent) and Ailani Jr. Tan Susulan (Independent).

Jimenez said the official campaign period for the forthcoming ARMM elections will run from June 27 until August 9, 2008.  He added that a total of 1,516,775 registered voters are expected to troop to 1,903 polling centers for the August 11, 2008 automated elections in the region.

Meanwhile, the COMELEC en banc has designated Director Dennis Ausan as the Regional Election Director for the ARMM.  Ausan will be replacing Director Rey Sumalipao who has been given the task of helping ensure the smooth implementation of the automation project as one of the Assistant General Managers of the ARMM Automation Project Management Office (PMO).

The PMO is now being headed by COMELEC Executive Director Jose M. Tolentino Jr., after the recent resignation of Director Ernesto R. del Rosario of the COMELEC Information Technology Department. ###