By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS, MindaNews
COTABATO CITY – Cheat? No, it’s CHEAT.
Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu denied allegations his team resorted to election irregularities in last Monday’s elections and rallied his people behind “CHEAT Maguindanao.”
He said Maguindanao was viewed in past elections as “cheating capital,” apparently referring to the role Maguindanao, the vote-richest among the five provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, played in controversial elections such as the 2004 Presidential and 2007 national mid-term polls where the province served as vote bank for candidates needing additional votes to join the wining circle or to top the race.
He said this is no longer true. “Kailangan (We need) CHEAT Maguindanao. Clean Honest Election And Transparent. CHEAT Maguindanao,” Mangudadatu told reporters after his proclamation as winner in the gubernatorial race late Wednesday night.
CHEAT Maguindanao. Clean Honest Election And Transparent.” he repeated onstage at the Shriff Kabunsuan Cultural Center at the ARMM compound, venue of the provincial canvassing.
Mangudadatu, who won a second term against lone opponent, Sultan Kudarat Mayor Tucao Mastura, led by at least 100,000 votes in 34 of 36 towns canvassed by the Provincial Board of Canvassers, with 195,473 votes against Mastura’s 94,678.