MARUJA: Bai a LabiMARUJA’S PROCLAMATION: A BLASPHEMY TO THE TITLE OF BAI A LABI Sarangani - Although there was no written criteria in choosing a Bai Labi, however, being the highest titular rank among noble women of Maguindanao, it must be selected similarly with that of a Sultan, including significant personal distinct traits of a Bai a Labi. The selection of a Sultan is collective based on a 4 established criteria of nobility. He should be of Bansawan “Purna” (noble linage from both of the paternal and maternal lines), Rufawan (knowledgeable), Hartawan (Affluent) , and Nonawan (beauty). Above all these criteria, a choosen Bai a Labi must possess a charisma that will spawn love and respect of everyone. She must be approachable and has displayed fair and equal treatment in dealing with all the people regardless of social standing in society. And since, Bai a Labi serves as a model of all women among the nobility, she should possess a decent lifestyle and shows no known record of nasty background that would disgrace and bring shame to the image of the noble title. In affirming the proclamation, no less than the reigning Sultan will do the honor in declaring a person to the public as the Bai a Labi. Therefore, without all these requisites, no person can be legitimately proclaimed as Bai a Labi. Maruja Ampatuan, the recently “proclaimed” Bai a Labi, is the daughter of Datu Don Ampatuan (from the clan of former Governor Andal Ampatuan) and Bai Salipinang Camsa. She is the 4th wife of Mayor Datu Tocao Mastura, formerly married to Mayor Datu Antao Midtimbang. As manifested by many key personalities, prior to her marriages to these two respected Mayors, she was linked to many men, being a regular guest of disco houses in Cotabato City and other big cities, such as Manila and Davao. Prior to the wedlock of her parents, her mother Bai Salipinang has a simultaneous love affairs with brothers Datu Rakim and Datu Akmad Ampatuan, cousins of Datu Don. A disgracing act among Muslim women tantamount of public condemnation. Now, there are several questions that circulating in the air regarding this doubtful selection of Maruja and the validity of her proclamation. The very popular among these, is the question on the real motives of her proclamation. It is known to the world that Ampatuan clan is now facing serious charges of crimes committed, including the popular MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE also known as AMPATUAN MASSACRE, mutilating 58 people of whom 34 were media men on November 23, 2009… Is the proclamation trying to resurrect the Ampatuans from sinking down in the seas of agony due to this inhuman atrocities? Or does this act will try to show to the world that the Ampatuan’s abuse of power and portrayal to be invincible in the eyes of the law is still present in this part of the region? Another angle important to consider is politics. Mayor Datu Tocao Mastura, the 2nd husband of Maruja is ambitioning to become the governor of Maguindanao Province come May 2013 synchronize national and local elections. In fact, in the past, he has a covenant with former Governor Andal Ampatuan that once the defunct Shariff Kabunsuan province be separated from its mother province of Maguindanao, Mayor Mastura be supported by Governor Ampatuan to become the head of said province. However, to the dismay of the former, those promises were only written in the water, which causes rifts between these two gentlemen. Therefore, to popularize his bid for governorship, Mayor Mastura maliciously supported the proclamation of Maruja to boost his aspiration (to the extent of stepping on the ego of his first three wives). Being the Bai Labi will mean she can influence people to support her husband. Personal vengeance against the ex-husband of MARUJA, Mayor Datu Antao Midtimbang is another very vital motive, because their relationship as husband and wife seemed didn’t went well, the reason why MARUJA was thrown like a waste and landed in the generous hands of Mayor Mastura. They will attempt to prove to Mayor Midtimbang that Maruja is not a waste but a treasure that every man desires to possess. But look what transpired during the main event? The absence of the reigning Sultan of Maguindanao and Mayor Mastura, the husband of Maruja during the day of proclamation raised the eyebrows of all the people who were invited to witness the affair… Then, the next question asked was, why these two key personalities significant to the event were not around? Are they really supportive to the proclamation of Maruja as Bai a Labi? Is the proclamation legitimate based on Maguindanao traditions? Many people said, it is absurd to recognize her ascendancy to the noble title. All these issues evidently an indicative of a fictitious proclamation, executed without passing through the appropriate process that will satisfy the requisites of being a Bai a Labi. Therefore, a big, big BLASPHEMY to the noble title. Based on the above premises, it’s up to your fair judgement whether this act is acceptable or not (Bai sa Udtuwan)… of Maguindanao

MARUJA’S PROCLAMATION: A BLASPHEMY TO THE TITLE OF BAI A LABI

Sarangani - Although there was no written criteria in choosing a Bai Labi, however, being the highest titular rank among noble women of Maguindanao, it must be selected similarly with that of a Sultan, including significant personal distinct traits of a Bai a Labi. 

The selection of a Sultan is collective based on a 4 established criteria of nobility. He should be of Bansawan “Purna” (noble linage from both of the paternal and maternal lines), Rufawan (knowledgeable), Hartawan (Affluent) , and Nonawan (beauty). Above all these criteria, a choosen Bai a Labi must possess a charisma that will spawn love and respect of everyone. She must be approachable and has displayed fair and equal treatment in dealing with all the  people regardless of social standing in society. And since, Bai a Labi serves as a model of all women among the nobility, she should possess a decent lifestyle and shows no known record of nasty background that would disgrace and bring shame to the image of the noble title.

In affirming the proclamation, no less than the reigning Sultan will do the honor in declaring a person to the public as the Bai a Labi. Therefore, without all these requisites, no person can be legitimately proclaimed as Bai a Labi. 

Maruja Ampatuan, the recently “proclaimed” Bai a Labi, is the daughter of Datu Don Ampatuan (from the clan of former Governor Andal Ampatuan) and Bai Salipinang Camsa. She is the 4^th wife of Mayor Datu Tocao Mastura, formerly married to Mayor Datu Antao Midtimbang. As manifested by many key personalities, prior to her marriages to these two respected Mayors, she was linked to many men, being a regular guest of disco houses in Cotabato City and other big cities, such as Manila and Davao.

Prior to the wedlock of her parents, her mother Bai Salipinang has a simultaneous love affairs with brothers Datu Rakim and Datu Akmad Ampatuan, cousins of Datu Don. A disgracing act among Muslim women tantamount of public condemnation. 

Now, there are several questions that circulating in the air regarding this doubtful selection of Maruja and the validity of her proclamation. The very popular among these, is the question on the real motives of her proclamation.

It is known to the world that Ampatuan clan is now facing serious charges of crimes committed, including the popular MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE also known as AMPATUAN MASSACRE, mutilating 58 people of whom 34 were media men on November 23, 2009… Is the proclamation trying to resurrect the Ampatuans from sinking down in the seas of agony due to  this inhuman atrocities? Or does this act will try to show to the world that the Ampatuan’s  abuse of power and portrayal to be invincible in the eyes of the law is still present in this part of the region?

Another angle important to consider is politics. Mayor Datu Tocao Mastura, the 2^nd husband of Maruja is ambitioning to become the governor of Maguindanao Province come May 2013 synchronize national and local elections. In fact, in the past, he has a covenant with former Governor Andal Ampatuan that once the defunct Shariff Kabunsuan province be separated from its mother province of Maguindanao, Mayor Mastura be supported by Governor Ampatuan to become the head of said province. However, to the dismay of the former, those promises were only written in the water, which causes rifts between these two gentlemen. Therefore, to popularize his bid for governorship, Mayor Mastura maliciously supported the proclamation of Maruja to boost his aspiration (to the extent of stepping on the ego of his first three wives). Being the Bai Labi will mean she can influence people to support her husband.  

Personal vengeance against the ex-husband of MARUJA, Mayor Datu Antao Midtimbang is another  very vital motive, because their relationship as husband and wife seemed didn’t went well, the reason why MARUJA was thrown like a waste and landed in the generous hands of Mayor Mastura. They will attempt to prove to Mayor Midtimbang that Maruja is not a waste but a treasure that every man desires to possess.

But look what transpired during the main event? The absence of the reigning Sultan of Maguindanao and Mayor Mastura, the husband of Maruja during the day of proclamation raised the eyebrows of all the people who were invited to witness the affair… Then, the next question  asked was, why these two key personalities significant to the event were not around? Are they really supportive to the proclamation of Maruja as Bai a Labi?  Is the proclamation legitimate based on Maguindanao traditions? Many people said, it is absurd to recognize her ascendancy to the noble title.  

All these issues evidently an indicative of a fictitious proclamation, executed without passing through the appropriate process that will satisfy the requisites of being a Bai a Labi. Therefore, a big, big BLASPHEMY to the noble title.

Based on the above premises, it’s up to your fair judgement whether this act is acceptable or not (Bai sa Udtuwan)…