Here’s a continuation of the list of candidates in Mindanao, many of them bearing the same family names.
In Lanao del Sur, Gov. Aleem Basher Manalao is running for reelection against three-term Rep. Benasing Macarambon, Jr.; three-term Marawi City mayor Omar Solitario Ali and Mamintal Adiong, Jr.
In the first congressional district, it’s a choice between reelectionist Faisah Dumarpa and Hamid Barra. The second district is contested by lawyer Pangalian Balindong, Macabangkit Lanto, Aleem Abdulmalik Laguindab and laweyr Saduddin Alauya.
In Maguindanao, Governor Andal Ampatuan and 21 of his 22 town mayors are running unopposed. Only the town of Pagalungan is contested.
But the congressional race in the first district is another story. Didagen Dilangalen wants to return to his former seat while his wife, the incumbent Rep. Bai Sendig Dilangalen, is running for Cotabato City mayor against Muslimin Sema, whose wife, Bai Sandra, Didagen Dilangalen is facing at the polls.
In Misamis Occidental, Governor Leo Loreto Ocampos is running unopposed.
In Misamis Oriental, Governor Oscar Moreno (Lakas CMD Coaltion) is eyeing a second term against three-term Rep. Augusto Baculio Jr., (Kampi/2nd district).
In the 1st congressional district, it’s Rep. Danilo Lagas (Lakas) against Kampi’s Michael Angelo Paderanga.
Vice governor Julio Uy (PMP) is running for 2nd District representative against Tagoloan town mayor Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano (Lakas CMD), son of Cagayan de Oro City’s mayor Vicente Emano, Paul Andy Calingin, son of The elder Emano is running for vice mayor. The son of former governor Antonio Calingin,
Kampi’s Rex Baculio, son of Augusto Baculio Jr., is also running for 2nd district representative along with Paul Andy Calingin (NPC), son of former Misamis Oriental Governor Antonio “Bong” Calingin. The elder Calingin is running for mayor of Cagayan de Oro City.
In North Cotabato, three-term governor Emmanuel Pinol is running for vice governor against three-term 2nd district Rep. Gregorio Ipong. Pinol’s younger brother, Bernardo, Jr., the provincial administrator, is running for Congress in the 2nd district against former Rep. Gregorio Andolana, Evaristo Gana and substitute-candidate Zaida Jubilan-Rinsulat, provincial social welfare officer.
Another brother, Efren is running for reelection as mayor of Magpet while yet another brother, Joselito, incumbent vice mayor of M’lang town, is running for mayor.
Three-term Carmen Mayor Rogelio Talino is running for governor against Pinol’s outgoing vice governor, Jesus Sacdalan. Four others are running against them. Talino’s wife, Noemi, is running for Carmen mayor while daughter, Emmylou Talino-Santos-Mendoza, is seeking a third term as representative of the 1st district, against three-term Kabacan mayor Luzviminda Tan.
In Sarangani, Governor Rene Miguel Dominguez (Sarro-Kampi) is seeking reelection against Francis Martinez, who listed “NGO-practitioner” as his profession.
Vice Governor Bridget Chiongbian-Huang (Lakas) is seeking reelection against his cousin, Steve Chiongbian Solon (Kampi).
Bridget’s father, Erwin Chiongbian is seeking reelection against former governor Miguel Escobar.
Solon is supported by Bridget’s father, Erwin. Bridget fell from grace after asking someone to withdraw her certificate of candidacy for vice governor in favor of governor. The shift of candidacy did not push through.
In Shariff Kabunsuan, OIC Governor Bimbo Sinsuat, former Maguindanao vice governor before Shariff was carved out of Maguindanao, is running for governor against three-term Sultan Kudarat town mayor Tocao Mastura and Zacaria Candao, former governor of Maguindanao and the first governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
In South Cotabato, Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes also doesn’t need to campaign as she is sure to win against fellow South Cotabatenos, Nane Rotone Neulid alias “Power Neuli” and Ephraim Paradao Defino, Jr.
In the congressional race in the second district, Rep. Arthur Pingoy Jr. is facing former three-term governor Hilario de Pedro III while Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio who is seeking a third term is facing international boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.
In Sultan Kudarat, three-term governor Pax Mangudadatu (Kampi) is running for congressman in the first district against former Rep. Angelo Montilla (NPC) while Mangudadatu’s son, Rep. Suharto Mangudadatu, is running for governor.
In Sulu, Governor Benjamin Loong is running for a second term against former governor Sakur Tan and detained Moro leader Nur Misuari. Councilor Cocoy Tulawie, a member of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, is running for congressman against former governors Tupay Loong and Yusoph Jikiri.
In Surigao del Norte, the potential Barbers versus Ecleo clash has been avoided with the creation of Dinagat Islands for the Ecleos’ turf. Geraldine Ecleo Villaroman, daughter of Rep. Glenda Ecleo who was appointed OIC Governor is running for governor.
Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers is seeking reelection. He will be facing former governor Francisco Matugas whose brother, Ernesto is running for Surigao City mayor. Barbers’ brother, Robert Ace is seeking reelection as representative.
In Surigao del Sur, Governor Vicente Pimentel is facing a relatively unknown opponent while his brother Alexander, mayor of Tandag town, is running unopposed.
Rep. Prospero Pichay is running for senator while his brother Philip is running for the post he is vacating, against Dr. Greg Murillo, son of the late governor Gregorio Murillo, Sr. and brother of former Governor Primo Murillo, and human rights lawyer Antonio Azarcon, whose streamer reads: “dili garboso, dili kawatan.”
In the other congressional district, Jesnar Falcon is running for reelection against Mar Alvizo, Enciong Garay and Alejandro Asis. Falcon’s son, Jed, is running for mayor of Bislig City.
In Tawi-tawi, Governor Sadikul Sahali is facing former governor Rashidin Matba while in the lone congressional district, Rep. Nur Jaafar; Hajji Annuar Abubakar, lone district representative who was removed a few months ago after an electoral protest showed he actually lost to Jaafar; and former ARMM regional speaker Pocholo Abubakar. The two Abubakars are not related.
Governor Sahali’s daughter, Ruby, former ARMM Social Welfare Secretary, is running for vice governor against Itin Usman.
In Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yebes is running against Dipolog City Mayor Roberto Uy of Lakas (whose wife Evelyn is running for Dipolog City mayor) and an independent bet named Roberto Yang Uy.
But the Jalosjos presence is still felt despite the detention of Romeo Jalosjos. His sister Celia Jalosjos-Carreon is seeking reelection in the 1st congressional district while brother Cesar is seeking reelection in the 3rd. Another brother, Dominador, is seeking reelection as mayor of Dapitan City.
Another Jalosjos, Seth Frederick Pal Bullet, is running for provincial board member in the first district.
In Zamboanga del Sur, Governor Aurora Cerilles (Kampi) is seeking reelection against Tirsendo Calamba Poloyapoy. The governor’s husband, Antonio (NPC), a former governor, is seeking reelection as representative of the second district against Filomena San Juan. In the first district, former governor Isidoro Real is seeking reelection against three opponents.
In Zamboanga Sibugay, Governor George Hofer (Kampi) is seeking reelection against Alfredo Chu. The governor’s daughter, Dr. Dulce Ann K. Hofer, is running for Congress 2nd district against incumbent Belma Cabilao. Cabilao was a three-term representative of the 3rd district of Zamboanga del Sur before it was carved out of Zamboanga del Sur. [Last part tomorrow: the city mayors] (Carolyn O. Arguillas with reports from Allen V. Estabillo and Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews)