Maguindanao mayors, vice mayors reaffirm loyalty to LP

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Maguindanao’s reelectionist mayors and vice mayors gathered here Friday to reaffirm their loyalty to the Liberal Party (LP) and their patronage of its candidates for national posts and the 26 elective slots in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Also present in the gathering were ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, Maguindanao First District Rep. Sandra Sema, who is seeking a third term, and the political figurehead of the province, the reelectionist Gov. Esmael Magudadatu.

All siblings of Mangudadatu, among them Assemblyman Khadafeh, an incumbent member of ARMM’s 24-seat Regional Assembly, joined the “political conference,” now a regular activity of LP members in Maguindanao.

Hataman, members of the Mangudadatu clan and Sema, whose spouse, Muslimin, is aspiring for the mayoral post of Cotabato City, are political allies.

The administration party has fielded anointed bets for ARMM governor, vice governor and the 24 seats in the Regional Assembly, which is touted as the “Little Congress” of the autonomous region.

LP members in Maguindanao had earlier pledged support to the efforts of the Commission on Elections to ensure a peaceful and orderly elections in the province in May 2016.

The LP stalwarts present in the Davao City meeting on Friday overtly rejected the candidacy of Sulu Vice Gov. Sakur Tan Sr. for regional governor of ARMM.

Tan, also a member of LP, filed his candidacy for ARMM governor without any permission from the party, challenging Hataman’s bid for a second term.

The national directorate of LP only recognizes Hataman as the party’s lone candidate for ARMM governor.

The local officials who attended the Davao City meeting, among them Maguindanao Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat and members of the provincial board, also reassured to support the candidacy for president of Mar Roxas and his running mate, Leni Robredo.

Hataman and Mangudadatu are supporting each other’s candidacy for the ARMM and Maguindanao gubernatorial posts, respectively.