Same political clans compete in Central Mindanao
COTABATO CITY – The same political figures from clans and cliques, some locked in intense political rivalries will slug it out in the local elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and adjacent communities in Central Mindanao.
This scenario emerged at the end of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), the field offices of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) revealed.
In Lanao del Sur, it’s a three-way fight for governor: Soraya AlontoAdiong of the Liberal Party (LP) is going up against her brother-in-law , graduating 2nd District Rep. Pangalian Balindong who is running as an independent, and outgoing Marawi City Mayor Fahad Salic of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
Soraya is the wife of the late Rep. Mamintal Adiong Sr. and daughter of the late Senator Ahmad Alonto Sr.
Three unknown independent candidates are also running for governor, bringing to six the number of gubernatorial contenders. Mother-son, brod-sis tandem Soraya’s running mate is her son, outgoing Lanao Sur Gov. Mamintal Alonto-Adiong Jr. who will slide down to vice-governor and will run against outgoing Marantao Mayor MohammadAli Abinal of UNA.
In Cotabato City, Vice Mayor Muslimin Sema (LP) will try to wrest control of the city he once governed from his political rival, incumbent City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr.of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) who is seeking a third term. The Guiani-Sema will be a “closely watched” rematch, poll officials and analysts say. The two camps are at loggerheads.
Mayor Guiani’s running-mate is his younger sister and current city administrator, lawyer Cynthia GuianiSayadi. The LP is fielding businessman Mohammad Pasigan against Sayadi.
In nearby Sultan Kudarat town, the unorthodox former Mayor Tocao Mastura of UNA is running for congress in the 1st district of Maguindanao against its current representative, Bai Sandra Sema (LP), wife of the Cotabato city vice-mayor. Bai Sandra is running for reelection.
Running mates In Maguindanao province, incumbent Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu who is seeking a third term is up against a lone opponent , a member of the Midtimbang clan, former Talayan town Mayor Hadji Ali Midtimbang who is being fielded by UNA.
Midtimbang, the father-in-law of detained former ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan is running in tandem with former Vice Governor Dustin Mastura.
Mangudadatu’s running-mate is incumbent Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat.
Both Sinsuat and Mastura were once teammates of Mangudadatu. Mastura and Mangudadatu parted ways over policy differences after the 2010 elections.
Local advocates of peaceful elections, including government security authorities have started planning mechanisms for covenants for a fair electoral contests among candidates in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and other nearby Muslim areas.
Comelec Regional Director for ARMM Ray Sumalipao and Maguindanao Provincial Election Supervisor Udtog Tago expect that the May political exercise will be as peaceful and orderly as the 2013 elections, citing the “growing political maturity” in the region.