Mangudadatu to field kin in ARMM gubernatorial race

Maguindanao governor Esmael “Toto" Mangudadatu, who lost his wife and two sisters in the infamous Nov. 2009 Maguindanao massacre, on Wednesday admitted that he’s fielding a relative for the position of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor. “Definitely, mayroong tatakbo sa pamilya namin sa pagka-governor ng ARMM (Somebody from our family will run for ARMM governor)," he said in an interview on the sidelines of a court hearing on the massacre case. The top ARMM position was occupied by Zaldy Ampatuan, one of the principal suspects in the massacre that left 57 people dead on Nov. 23, 2009. His alleged involvement in the grisly crime led to his suspension as ARMM governor in late 2009. The Ampatuans are known political rivals of the Mangudadatus. Mangudadatu said their family will be choosing between his uncle, Pax Mangudadatu, and brother, Buluan town Mayor Ibrahim “Jong" Mangudadatu, for their gubernatorial bet in the ARMM elections scheduled this August. Mangudadatu said they would choose between the two before July. “Dapat ang ilagay doon ay taong subok na (The position calls for someone with experience). The region has money. Kailangan lang (It needs) someone who would implement the programs with transparency," Mangudadatu said. He said he has been making the rounds in ARMM provinces to “assess the pulse of the people." Among the provinces he had so far visited were Jolo, Sulu; Basilan province; and Zamboanga City. Mangudadatu won as Maguindanao governor in the May 10, 2010 elections. Asked if he would run for ARMM governor in the future, he said it would depend on his “destiny." “Kapag destiny naman. Ako naman, nangangarap lagi ako (It depends on destiny. I always aspire for something)," he said. – Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMANews.TV