Maguindanao clans muster support from mayors ahead of 2019 polls

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — More than 20 of the 36 mayors in Maguindanao agreed on Sunday to support common candidates for governor and vice governor of the province in the 2019 local elections.

The gathering was organized by legal advisers of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat, among them lawyer Bobby Katambak.

It was preceded by the September 1 crafting in Davao City of a political unity covenant by Maguindanao's Mangudadatu and Sinsuat clans ahead of next year's polls.

Sinsuat and Mangudadatu separately told reporters on the sidelines of the event in Buluan town Sunday that they convened their political allies to end rumors that their clans are now estranged due to political misunderstandings.

"This activity will end the confusion and uncertainty among our constituent-local officials and barangay leaders," Sinsuat said.

Local officials who participated in the two-hour meeting belong to the administration Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas Bayan Party and are known supporters of the regional Hugpong ng Pagbabago political bloc led by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. 

Mangudadatu and Sinsuat first ran in tandem during the 2013 polls and won. They were both reelected in 2016.

Sinsuat, whose father, Ombra, is mayor of Datu Odin Sinsuat will seek reelection as vice governor next year.

Mangudadatu, first elected in 2010, declined to reveal who among the Mangudadatu clan will aspire for the gubernatorial post. “We will announce that later.” 

Mangudadatu and Sinsuat jointly presided over their dialogue with mayors from across the province on Sunday.

The mayors present in Sunday’s dialogue also took turns promising to support the reelection bid of the elder Sinsuat.

Mangudadatu’s younger brother, Assemblyman Khadafeh, a member of the 24-seat Regional Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the renewed solidarity of the mayors is good for the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

"If there is political amity among us, the mayors, the vice mayors and the municipal councilors, we can easily help push stronger forward the peace process of President Rodrigo Duterte with the MILF. We are all for a peaceful settlement," the regional lawmaker said.