Personal Life
editDatu Yacob Lumenda Ampatuan is a dedicated public servant in the Philippines[2]. He comes from a family with a strong background in public service, as his parents, Datu Ishak Ampatuan and Bai Puti Lumenda, were former municipal and provincial officials in Maguindanao. His brother, Zamzamin Lumenda Ampatuan[3], currently holds the position of Undersecretary for Special Concerns and for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at the Department of Agriculture. Datu Yacob is proud to be a descendant of Shariff Ampatuan and the grandson of Saiduna Mustafa.[4][5][6]
He is deeply connected to spiritual and ethical traditions; however, the public perception of the Ampatuan clan, to which he belongs, was severely marred by the notorious Maguindanao massacre. Authorities identified Andal Ampatuan Jr., known as "Datu Unsay," as the primary suspect. During the brief imposition of Martial Law in Maguindanao following the massacre, Datu Unsay's father, Datu Andal Ampatuan, along with his brothers, was taken into custody.
To alleviate the rising tensions, his brother Datu Zamzamin played a crucial role in persuading Datu Unsay to comply with legal proceedings. Additionally, he offered guidance to government officials on managing the aftermath of the massacre, aiming to mitigate its effects on the daily lives of the residents in Maguindanao.
Political Career
editDatu Yacob served as the mayor of Rajah Buayan Municipality from 2004 to 2013. In the 2019 National Election, he ran for the position of Municipal Vice Mayor with his brother Zamzamin L. Ampatuan as the Municipal Mayor. However, Mayor Zamzamin was appointed as the Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019, which led to Datu Yacob becoming the Municipal Mayor of Rajah Buayan from 2019 to 2022 through the law of succession.[7][8]
In the 2022 National Election, Datu Yacob emerged as the winner for the position of Municipal Mayor of Rajah Buayan. However, his victory was short-lived as the opposing candidate filed a protest against him, alleging cheating. It was claimed that the protestant had bribed and threatened the judge to favor their case. Unfortunately, in November 2022, the court ruled in favor of the protestant, declaring them the winner with 5,317 votes, while Datu Yacob received 3,797 votes. Interestingly, the official vote count by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) recorded 5,940 votes for Datu Yacob L. Ampatuan, the candidate who was initially declared the winner.[9]
He played a crucial role in the development of Rajah Buayan alongside his brother Datu Zamzamin Ampatuan. They were instrumental in establishing essential infrastructure, including roads, street lights, and buildings. Furthermore, their efforts resulted in the repopulation of the town bringing back its people and revitalizing the community.
Despite the setback, Datu Yacob is a dedicated and proactive member of The Fraternal Order of Eagles - Philippine Eagles Incorporated[10]. He is unwavering in his commitment to meeting the needs of the community and improving their overall welfare, particularly in Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur. As a bona fide active member, he persistently strives to address local concerns and enhance the quality of life for the residents.
References
edit- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:0was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Rajah Buayan", Wikipedia, 2024-09-03, retrieved 2024-09-18
- ^ "Zamzamin Ampatuan", Wikipedia, 2024-03-27, retrieved 2024-09-18
- ^ "Zamzamin Ampatuan", Wikipedia, 2024-03-27, retrieved 2024-09-18
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ "PROFILE: YACOB AMPATUAN | Candidate for Mayor - 2022 elections". PHVOTE. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ "Mayor Zamzamin Ampatuan appointed Agriculture Undersecretary". 2019-12-17. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ Simeon, Louise Maureen. "Ampatuan kin is new DA undersecretary". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ Watch | ang Paglagda ni Hon Bai Maruja Ampatuan Mastura, ng Papers of Assuming Bilang Bagong Mayor ng Bayan ng Rajabuayan Maguindanao Del Sur ngayon ika... | By DXJC 92.1 VOICE FM Cotabato | Facebook. Retrieved 2024-09-18 – via www.facebook.com.
- ^ "The Fraternal Order of Eagles Philippine Eagles". www.tfoe-pe.com. Retrieved 2024-10-07.