Mamintal Adiong Jr.

He was born to a powerful political family and raised in local Lanao del Sur politics. Mamintal Jr. is the eldest son of the late Mamintal Adiong Sr., and Bae Soraya Alonto–Adiong, both served as governor of Lanao del Sur.[1][2][3] His father was largely credited for the landslide victory of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her slate in the 2004 elections.[4][5]

His younger brother, Ansaruddin, was the acting governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)[6] and the representative of the province's 1st legislative district[2] prior to being the incumbent mayor in their hometown in Ditsaan-Ramain.[6] Another brother, Zia, was the deputy speaker at the last ARMM legislative assembly[2] and member of the first interim Parliament of the Bangsamoro[6] and is currently the district representative, succeeding Ansaruddin.[6]

Married to Raifa Sani Raki-in,[3] he is the father of Mamintal III (Sangguniang Kabataan provincial president, 2007–10), Mohammad Khalid or Mujam (SK provincial president, 2010–13) who is the incumbent provincial vice governor,[6] Soraya Harifa, and Abdul Malic.[5]

He is a civil engineer by profession.[1]

Adiong started his career in politics in 1996 as an appointed board member, and was elected to the same position in 1998. In 2001, he went on to become the province's sports officer and concurrently appointed as the Provincial Administrator of by his father, then-Governor Mamintal Adiong Sr. In 2003, he assumed the OIC provincial engineer position. He also worked in the private sector—as CEO of MMA Construction and Development Corporation and was involved in the ARMM Social Fund Project.[5]

In 2006 Adiong Jr. was named as member of the government panel's Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities, representing the business community of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Social Fund Project (ARMM-SFP).[7]

Adiong, ran under Lakas–CMD, was elected as provincial governor in 2007,[1][8] along with his running mate, former Department of the Interior and Local Government-ARMM Regional Secretary Datu RPK Arsad Marohombsar, as vice governor, against the tandem of Marawi City Mayor Solitario Ali and Assemblyman Jamil Lucman, Lanao del Sur 2nd District Congressman Benasing Jun Macarambon and incumbent Vice Governor Monera Dimakuta-Macabangon, and incumbent Lanao del Sur Governor Aleem Bashier Manalao of Ompia Party. He was re-elected in 2010, defeating Ali again,[9] and in 2013 (ran under Liberal Party or LP).[10][11]

In 2014, a group, claiming that Adiong had debts prior to his governorship, filed plunder and graft complaints against him before the Ombudsman for alleged unexplained increase in his net worth.[12]

In 2016, he was elected as provincial vice-governor, with his mother, Soraya Alonto Adiong, succeeding him as governor. Both ran under LP.[2][13]

Adiong, returned to Lakas, was elected again as provincial governor in 2019[14] and in 2022.[6][15]

On February 17, 2023, he, along with a civilian aide, was injured by unidentified gunmen in an ambush on his convoy. Four of his companions were killed during the attack.[16] In connection with the incident, three of the suspects, including an alleged mastermind, a gang leader, have been killed in the operations;[17][18][19] four others have been arrested.[18][20] Three individuals, said to have links with local terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya, were charged with murder (4 counts), frustrated murder (3) and attempted murder (22) before the Marawi Regional Trial Court; two of them remain at large.[21][22]