MANILA: About 400 of more than 1,000 candidates running for 369 elective posts in Maguindanao on May 13 are part of at least one of the clans dominating the province, the Philippine Centre for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) said.
PCIJ Multimedia Director Ed Lingao revealed the findings of a research, which was released this week in a three-part report and a 30-minute documentary during a forum in Quezon City.
Data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed 1,180 candidates are running in Maguindanao in this year’s elections.
The PCIJ report said 240 people running for various posts in the province are carrying surnames of at least 23 clans fielding at least six members. The number reached over 400 when the PCIJ included in the list those who have Ampatuan as their middle names.
Topping the list was the Ampatuans, who are fielding a total of 80 candidates carrying the clan name as their surnames or middle names. Also in the list were the Midtimbangs and the Sangkis.
The Mangudadatus – who were considered the foremost political rival of the Ampatuans in the 2010 elections – are fielding 18 candidates.
Lingao said Mangudadatu’s opponent, Tucao Mastura of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), also belongs to a political clan, which is fielding eight candidates in this year’s elections.
Candidates for the number two provincial post, Lester Sinsuat (LP) and Datu Ali Midtimbang (UNA), also belong to political clans. Members of the same clan are also vying for the same political seat, Lingao said.
For instance, re-electionist Shariff Aguak mayor Zahara Ampatuan – daughter-in-law of former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr – is facing Sarip Ampatuan, Andal Sr’s half-brother.
According to Lingao, they decided to conduct the study on political clans because it has one of the biggest and most influential political clans in the country, their influence and the Maguindanao massacre.
THE PHILIPPINE STAR
