DAVAO CITY – Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Ali Pax Mangudadatu has appealed to Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo to stop interfering in local elections as it has resulted into political instability in the region.
MANGUDADATU
In a video statement on Monday afternoon, October 7, Mangudadatu criticized Lagdameo for allegedly inferring in local elections.
Mangudadatu said that Lagdameo is still looking for somebody who can challenge him for governor in next year’s elections.
He added that the Cabinet official has reportedly threatened to remove anyone who contradicts his intentions.
Mangudadatu, who remains unopposed for governor as of posting time, chided Lagdameo for reportedly coercing mayors and other local government officials to join the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
He admitted that he has no idea why Lagdameo is interfering in local politics when in fact they are supposed to be aligned with the President’s vision for the people of Sultan Kudarat.
The SAP’s actions, the governor pointed out, is opposite to the good intentions of Marcos to unite the people.
He added that the President even assured that there will be an honest credible election.
Mangudadatu said that he has no problems with Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
The governor defended the First Couple, saying that they are good friends of their family.
Mangudadatu is a son of former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority chief Suharto Mangudadatu and Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu.
The elder Mangudadatu quit his post last July 31 and has filed his COC for Maguindanao del Norte governor.
His mother is seeking reelection under the Nacionalista Party and faces former Talayan Mayor Ali Midtimbang for governor under the United Bangsamoro Justice Party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
The Mangudadatu clan is among the most formidable political clans in Central Mindanao region, particularly in the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat.
Last April, the Mangudadatus forged an alliance with Lanao del Sur Gov. Bombit Adiong, Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, and Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan to form the Bangsamoro Grand Coalition to challenge the MILF-led UBJP in the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro region next year.
The former TESDA chief, a seasoned politician in the region, forged an alliance with the Sinsuats of Datu Odin municipality, Paglas-Matalams of Datu Paglas, the Midtimbangs of Talayan, and Masturas of Sultan Kudarat as part of his political preparations in Maguindanao del Norte.
However, Midtimbang opted to challenge Gov. Mariam.
The Sultan Kudarat governor blamed the cracks in local politics on Lagdameo’s alleged interference.
“Kaya kung may problema si SAP Anton Lagdameo, huwag niyang dalhin ang problema at kanyang interes dito sa Sultan Kudarat. He has done a lot of mess in Maguindanao and even in BARMM. Huwag niya idamay ang Sultan Kudarat. Huwag niyang idamay ang mga peace-loving constituents dito,” the governor appealed.
(I appeal to SAP Lagdameo not to bring his problem and interest to Sultan Kudarat. He has done a lot of mess in Maguindanao and even in BARMM. I ask him not to involve the province and peace-loving people of Sultan Kudarat)
He added that Lagdameo’s interference has ruined relationships among families and friends in the region and that his actions have destabilized local politics.
The governor emphasized the value of lasting relationships among families and friends than elections which happens only every three years.
“I hope that he stops interfering in elections,” said Mangudadatu, who is seeking his second term as governor of the province.
Lagdameo has not yet issued a response to Mangudadatu as of posting time.