"All these armed groups are now being funded and mobilized by respondent to harass, intimidate and coerce his political opponents like herein petitioner," Salliman said in his 10-page petition filed with the Comelec.

He also accused Akbar "of having given material consideration, in order to influence, induce and, corrupt the voters such as when respondent gave through his designated ally P200,000 purposely to buy votes."

Captured suspect and former Tuburan town mayor Hajuron Jamiri fingered Mujiv and Jim Hataman as being the masterminds of the November 2007 bombing at the House of Representatives that killed four people including rival Wahab Akbar.

Jamiri claimed in a two-page affidavit that Mujiv and Jim wanted Akbar dead because Basilan would "not be at peace" under his administration.

[4] Another suspect, Cainar Aunal, similarly claimed that it was Jim Hataman who gave the order, and that they met in a coffee shop in a Quezon City mall in October to discuss the plan.