COTABATO CITY – Barely five days before the start of filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), local aspirants, both seeking reelection and newbies in Maguindanao, announced alliances and their desire to run for the 2022 national and local elections.
On Sunday (Sept. 26), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), through its United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), has named its candidates that the party will support in next year’s polls.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim, also head of the MILF and its local political party, has endorsed Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu and former House Representative Bai Sandra Sema as the UBJP’s gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial candidates.
Ebrahim, during a political gathering inside the BARMM compound, also endorsed the reelection bid of Rep. Roonie Sinsuat who is seeking his second term as Maguindanao's first district solon.
Ebrahim also endorsed the reelection bid of Board Member Datu Bimbo Sinsuat and Datu Jam Sinsuat.
“Topmost criteria set forth by the MILF and UBJP was how the candidates supported the cause of the Bangsamoro,” Ebrahim said.
He said Mangudadatu and Rep. Sinsuat had been the prime movers of the passage of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority extension bill that would lengthen the transition government until 2025.
“Former Rep. Sema was also a key figure in the crafting of the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Ebrahim added.
The UBJP-endorsed candidates will be facing the candidates of Family Alliance led by reelectionist Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu.
On Saturday, the Family Alliance also endorsed the candidacy of Bai Ainee Limbona-Sinsuat, wife of incumbent Maguindanao Vice-Gov. Lester Sinsuat as their official candidate for vice-governor. Incumbent Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat will run as mayor of Datu Odin Sinsuat town.
The Family Alliance also endorsed bets for Maguindanao representatives. They are incumbent Datu Paglas town Mayor Ibrahim “Tong” Paglas for the 2nd District and Sittie Shahara Dimple Ibrahim-Mastura for the 1st District of Maguindanao with Cotabato City.
The filing of COCs begins on Oct. 1 and ends on Oct. 8.