January 25, 2010 - A partylist recently approved by the Commission on Election (Comelec) in Manila was denounced by civil society organizations in Mindanao as “organized mainly for the benefit of the Ampatuans.”

The partylist was identified as Adhikain ng Dakilang Anak ng Maharlika (ADAM) represented by Department of Energy Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan, a nephew of former Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan, now in Police custody for his alleged role in the massacre of 57 people including 32 media men in Masalay, Ampatuan, Maguindanao on November 23.

Maharlika is a Sanskrit word, meaning “noble”; its equivalent term among Moros and Indios during the pre-Spanish times was “datu”, a term or title which is still retained and practiced among the former and in recent centuries by the indigenous peoples in Mindanao. In its older context maharlikas or datus were the ruling elites, the powerful, and the wealthy; today, they are still largely the ruling groups in most Moro provinces in Mindanao. Even in the Philippines today, many or most of those elected into the higher echelon of government are descendants of former maharlikas.


Roughly translated, Adhikain ng Dakilang Anak ng Maharlika is rendered into English as “Aspiration of the great son(s) of the noble(s) or datu (s)”.

The statement was signed by a certain Ma. Cecilia L. Rodriguez, a resident of Davao City and a mobile contact number +639177155812 +639177155812, and was e-mailed to www.luwaran.com that became the basis of this news report.

The statement has this opening: “We, in the civil society organizations here in Mindanao, can not stop wondering why a partylist organization such as the one organized by the Ampatuans can acquire accreditation where in fact it does not qualify as a marginalized sector and it was organized mainly for the benefit of the Ampatuan clan.”

It continued to say: “Usec Zam and Andal Sr. had come a long way in deceiving our government with their schemes in providing alternative views of the Bangsamoro problem. Back in early 2000, their campaign was to fight the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). They used broadcast media to expose the corruptions in the ranks of the MILF and their clinging to Islamic extremism. It was a noble cause at first. Their fight was able to convince many Maguindanaons that it was the right thing to do to stop the MILF. It convinced the datus and big clans to form alliance with them and fight the MILF. But, the fight is for the benefit of the Ampatuan clan and the family of Andal Sr.

Because of this fight, the government was also convinced that it was the right thing to do. Commanding officers of the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (from Gen. Camiling, Gen. Kiamko, Gen Cayton), and their ranks gave full support to Andal Ampatuan Sr. When Camp Abubakar was conquered by the government troops, the opportunity for power for the Ampatuans fell like rain. Andal Ampatuan Sr. was successful in defeating Zacaria Candao during the 2001 gubernatorial elections. Zam Ampatuan was appointed Executive Director of Office on Muslim Affairs. And the rest are history.”

The statement disclosed that in June 2009 Andal Sr. gave the blessing for Zam Ampatuan to organize his parylist organization named ADAM.

It also said that the 1st Division of the COMELEC handled the ADAM’s petition for accreditation, and on August 17, 2009 ADAM was filed with the Clerk of the Comelec, and in November 2009ADAM, it was accredited as a partylist organization approved by Commissioner Rene Sarmiento.