By VERA Files
IN THE clannish provinces of Muslim Mindanao, the Ampatuans remain the political family to beat, with close to 20 members of the clan winning various local positions in Manguindanao in last Monday’s election, based on the Commission on Elections online tally.
In contrast, the rival Mangudadatu clan managed to win only nine seats although it took Maguindanao’s top posts. Esmael Mangudadatu was reelected governor, while his brothers Zajid and Khadafeh were elected representative of the second district and representative of the regional assembly, respectively.
Another clan that won big in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao is the Tan family of Sulu whose members captured eight seats all over the province, including governor and vice governor. Abdusakur Tan II was elected governor replacing his father Abdusakur who moved down to vice governor after serving three consecutive terms.