By Froilan Gallardo
Special Correspondent
BANGSAMORO Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao chief minister Ahod “ Murad” Ibrahim on Sunday endorsed the candidacy of Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu (2nd district, Maguindanao) as their choice for governor of the province of Maguindanao.
Murad also inducted Mangudadatu to the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the official political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Also endorsed by Murad was former Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, as their choice for vice governor for Maguindanao province in the 2022 presidential, senatorial and local elections.
The endorsement was held during a small ceremony at the Astana Darul Jambangan inside the Bangsamoro compound in Cotabato City on Sunday.
Like Mangundadatu, Sema actively campaigned for the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the extension of the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority from 2022 to 2025.
“These officials have shown their consistent support. The UBJP pledged to mobilize all of its resources and strength to ensure that these officials will win,” Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) Minister of Local Government Naguib Sinarimbo said.
Murad also endorsed the reelection bid of Rep. Datu Ronnie Sinsuat who is running again in the first district of Maguindanao.
He said the UBJP will field candidates in every elective post in Maguindanao and Cotabato City.
Maguindanao is one of the five provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The region has three cities namely Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan in Basilan.
Murad’s endorsement will continue the split of the Mangudadatu clan in Maguindanao province.
Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu is running again for governor of Maguindanao. She is running for her second term after being elected in 2019.
Mangudadatu also fielded Bai Fatima Ainee Sinsuat as her running mate in the vice gubernatorial race under her political party, Family Alliance.
Sinsuat is the wife of incumbent Maguindanao Vice Governor Lester Sinsuat who will run as mayor in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao.
The Family Alliance is also fielding Paglas town Mayor Ibrahim “Tong” Paglas for the second district in Maguindanao and Sittie Shahara Ibrahim-Mastura in the first district.
