COTABATO CITY , Philippines – Two former caretakers of the defunct Shariff Kabunsuan province, which the Supreme Court abolished early this year for being “unconstitutional,” and the solicitor-general of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are to throw their hats into the political arena during next year’s local elections.
Datu Bimbo Sinsuat, an undefeated legislator of the Batasang Pampook XII during the 1980s and, subsequently, a three-term member of the ARMM’s Regional Assembly, is to aspire for Cotabato City’s mayoral post as administration candidate.
Sinsuat has confirmed his plan personally, hinting that he would be campaigning for himself extensively since Cotabato City has a different “political atmosphere” compared to Maguindanao where he has been a long-time leader in both private and elective capacities.
Sinsuat, the first ever appointed caretaker of Shariff Kabunsuan, is likely to face in Cotabato City’s mayoral race, the outgoing Vice Mayor Guiapal “Jojo” Guiani. The Supreme Court dissolved for being “unconstitutional,” the 11-town Shariff Kabunsuan province, which the ARMM legislature created through a plebiscite in 2006.
Guiani’s younger sibling, lawyer Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, registered last Monday as voter in Sultan Sumagka (formerly Talitay), a 6th class town in Maguindanao, in preparation for her candidacy for mayor there.
Cynthia was accompanied by her relatives and hundreds of supporters when she submitted herself for screening by local poll personnel facilitating the listing of new voters in Sultan Sumagka.
Hostile town
Talitay, a politically hostile town where hundreds of Moro rebels reside, was created by the ARMM’s Regional Assembly in early 2000.
Cynthia, who is the ARMM’s regional lawyer, is the daughter of Guiapal Guiani Sr., who was a Comelec commissioner in the late 1990s.
Guiani-Sayadi is to contest the candidacy for mayor of Datu Neil Sinsuat, who is Talitay’s incumbent vice mayor, and a favored bet for the same post of the town’s outgoing mayor, Datu Cabili Sumagka.
Sumagka, according to local officials, is to anoint someone from his clan as his mayoral bet for Talitay’s highest elective post.
The vice mayor of Sultan Sumagka, who is a younger brother of Bai Sandra Sema, chair of Cotabato City’s Tourism Council, said sportsmanship is important in politics and that the elections next year should not in anyway diminish the friendship and family ties of prospective candidates for mayor of Sultan Sumagka.
Ibrahim Ibay, also a former caretaker of Shariff Kabunsuan, has already announced his plan to run for mayor of Parang, Maguindanao.