GENERAL INFORMATION

BRIEF HISTORY OF

Maguindanao was derived from the two word “maginged” The Spaniards tried and “danaw” which means people of the marshy or people to conquer of the flooded plains. Maguindanao as early as 1596 but In the early 1400 traders from the were thwarted by the nearby Malay states trade with the stiff resistance of the Maguindanao and influenced the Maguindnaos. From culture of the region. It is believed that 1600-1650, the Islam first came to the region on 1460, Sultan of with the arrival of Sharif Awliya, who Maguindanao, married a Maguindanaon. The Sultan Mohammad introduction of Islam and its institution Dipatuan Kudarat Figure 1.2 Sultan Mohammad Dipatuan Kudarat has been credited to Sheriff expanded the realm subject to the Maguindanao Mohammed Kabungsuwan, a Johore Sultanate and its height of power, it held sway over the Muslim who established the Sultanate region as from the Gulf of Davao all the way to Dapitan. of Maguindanao sometime in 1515. Upon his death, however, the sultanate was fragmented Over the years, several Sultanates into several rivals’ sultanates and towards the middle of were established to rule over the the 19th century, Maguindanao power had waned Figure 1.1 Shariff region, the most significant of which are considerably. Mohammed Kabungsuwan the Sultanates of , Buayan, and . In 1851, Spanish forces attacked and seized Polloc. A naval base was established in the town and in 1854, a separate politico-military district was created. In 1861, following more expeditions by the Spaniards, the Sultan of Maguindanao recognized Spanish sovereignty. Resistance Page | 1

continued in the Upper Pulangi directed by Datu Utto by divided the Province of Cotabato into three (3) provinces. superior Spanish arms allowed the Spaniards to remain in Thus, the Province of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Maguindanao until 1899. In that year, following the came into existence. evacuation of Spanish forces from the region. Upper Pulangi datus attacked and occupied Cotabato until the The newly separated Americans arrived. Maguindanao Province was administered by The district of Cotabato was created in 1860 following the then Governor Atty. reorganization of Spanish government in . In Simeon A. 1903, following the establishment of the Moro Province, Datumanong, followed Cotabato become one of its districts, Maguindanao by Atty. Zacaria A. continued to be part of the province of Cotabato until Candao. On April 1, November 1973 when the province was divided into three 1977, Atty. Candao Figure 1.3 Provincial Capitol, Sultan provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Kudarat by virtue of Predential Degree No. 341. resigned and President Marcos appointed Mayor Datu Sanggacala HISTORY OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF M. Baraguir of Sultan MAGUINDANAO Kudarat Municipality as Governor. In his capacity as Governor of The Province of Maguindanao is once part Maguindanao, he of the empire Province of Cotabato. transferred the seat of When there were still less emigrants the province from from and , this empire was inhabited by People Maganoy now Shariff Figure 1.5 AguakProvincial Capitol,to Sultan Shariff Kudarat Aguak, and known as the Moro Province. In Municipality as Maguindanaoembodied in the Presidential Decree No. 1170 dated July 7, 1977. Figure 1.3 1967, by virtue of Congressional Act, the The fourth appointed governor of Maguindanao was Atty. Provincial empire Province of Cotabato was divided Government of Sandiale A. Sambolawan. On January 1980 elections, he Maguindanao into two (2) provinces, Cotabato and won as the first elected provincial governor. He returned . the seat of the Provincial Government to . The late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos through Presidential Decree 341 on November 22, 1973 again Page | 2

In 1986, a great historical event transpired in Manila. President Marcos was forced to leave the country thru In connection with the so-called “EDSA Revolution”. Former President Corazon C. Aquino on November 23, 2009, the Governorship of Maguindanao was installed as the new President of the Republic of the was vacated by then Governor Ampatuan. . Upon assumption to office, she appointed Atty. On December 21, 2009, the Department of the Interior and Zacaria A. Candao as Governor of Maguindanao on April Local Government issued a Memorandum Order 5, 1986 and concurrent Chairman of Lupong appointing Hon. Bai Nariman A. Ambolodto as Vice- Tagapagpaganap Pampook (LTP). Governor Candao was Governor at the same time acted as the Provincial elected as Governor in 1989 election. Governor of Maguindanao, ended her term as Acting Governor on February 22, 2010. When the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was created by virtue of Republic Act No. 6734, Governor Candao resigned and won for the position of Regional On February 23, 2010, Governor of the ARMM. He was succeeded by his then the Regional Governor Vice Governor Norodin A. Matalam as Governor of Ansaruddin A. Adiong Maguindanao. Governor Matalam was elected as appointed Datu Gani O. Governor in 1992 election. In 1995 election, Atty. Zacaria Biruar as Governor of A. Candao won the governorship. He was re-elected in Maguindanao. He May 1998 election. turned-over the Governorship of In the May 14, 2001 elections, Datu Andal S. Ampatuan, Maguindanao to Sr. defeated Governor Candao and was elected as the fifth Governor Elect Esmael Figure 1.6 Silongan Peace Center, elected Governor of Maguindanao. Under his G. Mangudadatu on Provincial Satellite Office, , administration, the development thrust of the Province June 30, 2010. Maguindanao anchored on food security, health, infrastructure, peace and order. On July 01, 2010 to June 30, 2019, Esmael G. Mangudadatu assumed his post as the 6th elected During the election on May 14, 2004, Governor Datu Andal Governor of the Province of Maguindanao. He transferred S. Ampatuan, Sr. was elected defeating former the seat of governance from Shariff Aguak to Buluan, Congressman Datu Guimid P. Matalam in gubernatorial Maguindanao as per Provincial Ordinance No. 12 series of race for Province of Maguindanao but resigned in 2008 2014. His administration was guided by his eight (8) point and succeeded by his son, then Vice – Governor Datu development agenda, such as; Restoration of Peace and Sajid Islam U. Ampatuan. Order, Transparent, Accountable and Participative Page | 3

Governance, Poverty Reduction Program, Infrastructure Development, Parallel Support to Madaris and Secular Education, Equal Access to Health Services, Environment Management Program and Revenue Generation.

In the May 13, 2019 mid-term election, Hon. Bai Mariam Sangki- Mangudadatu won as the first elected lady governor of the Province of Maguindanao. Her governance thrusts is guided by the 10- point Socio Economic Development Agenda which was derived from her slogan the “MAKABAGONG Maguindanao”; a) Masiglang Kabuhayan, b) Agrikulturang Masagana, c) Kalusugan at Kaalamang Sapat, d) Angkop na Imprakstraktura , e) Malinis, f) Alertong Komunidad, g) Gobyernong May Puso at Malasakit, h) Oportunidad para sa lahat, i)Nagbibigay na Pantay at Sapat na Seguridad, j) Ginhawa Figure 1.7 Provincial Capitol, Buluan, Maguindanao at Kapayapaang Pangmatagalan.

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