Abdulghani "Gerry" A. Salapuddin is a

Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...

politician and former three-term congressman (1998–2007). He also served as governor of

Basilan Basilan, officially the Province of Basilan ( cbk, Provincia de Basilan; yka, Wilayah Basilanin; tsg, Wilaya' sin Basilan; fil, Lalawigan ng Basilan), is an island province of the Philippines located primarily in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Reg ...

(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 Tuburan, officially the Municipality of Tuburan ( Tausūg: ''Lupah Tuburan''; Chavacano: ''Municipalidad de Tuburan''; tgl, Bayan ng Tuburan), is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Basilan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it h ...

. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in

political science Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and la ...

from the Basilan State College, and returned for graduate studies. He became a guerrilla with the

Moro National Liberation Front 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 ...

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 in Basilan and as president of the Young Muslim Professional Association. In 1993, President

Fidel Ramos Fidel Valdez Ramos (, ; March 18, 1928 – July 31, 2022), popularly known as FVR and Eddie Ramos, was a Filipino general and politician who served as the 12th president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. He was the only career military ...

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 Ustadz Wahab M. Akbar (April 16, 1960 – November 13, 2007) was a Filipino politician who served three terms as governor of Basilan, during which time he was known for his "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" policy for dealing with kidnappers ...

, Jum Jainudin. Following Akbar's death by assassination in

Quezon City Quezon City (, ; fil, Lungsod Quezon ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read in Filipino as Kyusi), is the most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,960,048 people. It was fou ...

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