Abdulghani "Gerry" A. Salapuddin is a Filipino politician and former three-term congressman (1998–2007). He also served as governor of Basilan (1988–98) and was at least partly responsible for much of the progress made in Basilan in the 1990s.

Background

Salapuddin was born in 1952 in Tuburan, Basilan. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science from the

Basilan State College Basilan State College (BasSC) is a public higher education institution in the island province of Basilan, Philippines. Its main campus is located in Isabela City with satellite campuses in Lamitan Lamitan, officially the City of Lamitan (Chava ...

, and returned for graduate studies. He became a guerrilla with the Moro National Liberation Front and fought for 14 years. In 1983, he resigned his position as a provincial commander in the MNLF to run for political office.

Political activity

In 1988 Salapuddin ran for and won the governor seat in Basilan by 1,552 votes over Louise Alano, a former acting governor appointed by former President Aquino. Under Salapuddin, Basilan experienced a period of relative prosperity including new trade missions, infrastructure improvement, development aid, business assistance and help for the poor. Salapuddin frequently acted as negotiator when civilians were taken hostage by rebel groups, using his contacts and political wiles. He also served as acting chairman of the

MNLF The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF; ar, الجبهة الوطنية لتحرير مورو) is a political organization in the Philippines that was founded in 1972. It started as a splinter group of the Muslim Independence Movement. The M ...

in Basilan and as president of the

Young Muslim Professional Association Young may refer to: * Offspring, the product of reproduction of a new organism produced by one or more parents * Youth, the time of life when one is young, often meaning the time between childhood and adulthood Music * The Young, an American roc ...

. In 1993, President Fidel Ramos suspended Salapuddin for 60 days on charges of "serious misconduct, oppression, gross negligence, abuse of authority, dereliction of duty and maladministration," one of many powerful politicians targeted in what was considered a crackdown on corruption and nepotism. In 1998, Salapuddin sought the post of congressman for Basilan's lone district and won, proceeding to serve in three successive terms and two terms as deputy speaker for Mindanao in the House of Representatives. In 2007, he ran again for mayor but lost to the wife of Wahab Akbar,

Jum Jainudin Jum Jainudin Akbar (3 September 1963 – 11 November 2016) was a Filipina politician who had served two terms as provincial governor of Basilan. She was the widow of deceased strongman Wahab Akbar Ustadz Wahab M. Akbar (April 16, 1960 &ndash ...

. Following Akbar's death by assassination in Quezon City the same year, he requested increased security after his former driver was accused as one of the suspects. He was initially cleared of any involvement, but was later the target of an arrest warrant.Ex-solon on arrest order list for Batasan bombing. BusinessWorld, April 29, 2008. Salapuddin has somewhat faded from prominence since the 2007 elections, when he failed to be elected governor and his power bloc likewise fared poorly.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Salapuddin, Abdulgani A. 1952 births Living people People from Basilan Filipino Muslims Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Basilan Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives of the Philippines