He served as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) from 2005 until his suspension in 2009 due to his role in the massacre.
[4] Zaldy was expelled from office when his brother, Andal Ampatuan Jr., was accused of carrying out the Maguindanao massacre of 2009.
[7] However, in May 2010, Justice Secretary Alberto Agra reversed the ruling and restored the murder charges against Ampatuan due to new evidence.
[8] On December 19, 2019, Ampatuan brothers Zaldy, Andal Jr., and Anwar Sr., as well as their other relatives and accomplices, were convicted of 57 counts of murder.
Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court sentenced them to reclusion perpetua (20 to 40 years imprisonment) without eligibility for parole.