Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. on Monday opposed moves to replace Bai Nariman Ambolodto as officer-in-charge or acting governor of Maguindanao despite observations that she is doing well in her job.

Pimentel said law and order and the political situation have stabilized in Maguindanao since Ambolodto took over the helm of the provincial government following the suspension of Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. for alleged involvement in the massacre of more than 60 innocent civilians on November 23, 2009.

“The problem is that there are powerful interests that are maneuvering to have Ambolodto replaced as acting governor. This, I believe, is a step in the wrong direction and it will be generally frowned upon by the people of Maguindanao after significant gains were made in reforming governance in the troubled province since her takeover,” he said.

The senator from Mindanao said it would be better to allow Ambolodto to keep her post until June 30 when the newly-elected governor will assume office.

Ambolodto has the distinction of being the first woman governor of Maguindanao. She was elected in 2007 as the number one board member in the defunct Shariff Kabunsuan province and she is currently the board member representing Maguindanao’s first district.

With the support of civil society and religious groups, she was designated OIC-governor by acting Governor Ansaruddin Adiong of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on December 16.