2 opposing Maguindanao mayoral bets settle row

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Local officials have prevented a squabble for the mayoral post of Matanog town in Maguindanao between two influential blocs belonging to the Liberal Party (LP).

Cahar Ibay, a former board member of Maguindanao, withdrew his candidacy in favor of reelectionist Mayor Kits Guro following a dialogue in Davao City on Thursday.

Ibay and Guro acknowledged they could best campaign as friends for LP candidates for local, provincial, regional and national positions.

The Ibay-Guro peace dialogue was initiated by LP stalwarts Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat.

Mangudadatu, who is LP’s provincial chairman for Maguindanao, and Hataman said Guro and Ibay could campaign together for presidential candidate Mar Roxas in Iranun-dominated communities in the first district of the province.

Ibay acceded to Mangudadatu’s and Hataman’s request for him to run in the ARMM’s regional assembly, instead of contesting Guro’s bid for a second term.

Guro, for his part, agreed to support the candidacy of Ibay’s running mate, vice mayoral candidate Hadji Nasser Imam.