Lininding Pangandaman is an ethnic Maranao who hailed from Masiu, Lanao del Sur.[2] He was involved in several socio-civic organizations such as the Basak Muslim Professionals Fraternity and Sorority in which he was a co-founder.[3]
He was a diplomat serving as ambassador to various Muslim-majority states including Saudi Arabia from the late 1960s until the early 1980s.[2] He also engaged with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) as a negotiator for the Philippine government which led to the signing of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement.[4]
Under the urging of President Fidel V. Ramos, he ran for the position of Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.[1] He got elected as regional governor, serving from 1993 to 1996.[4] Pangandaman intended to run in the 1996 regional elections but withdrew his candidacy to give way for Nur Misuari who was elected as his successor unopposed.[2]