a plebiscite was held in 1989 for the ratification of the charter which created the autonomous region in muslim mindanao (armm) with zacaria candao, a counsel of the mnlf as the first elected regional governor. in september 2, 1996, a final peace deal was signed between the mnlf and the philippine government under then president fidel ramos. mnlf leader and founder nur misuari was elected regional governor three days after the agreement. in 1996 peace talks between the philippine government and mnlf's rival group, the milf, began.