Mangudadatu’s beauty queen wife runs for Sultan Kudarat governor

Maguindanao 2nd district Representative Esmael Mangudadatu’s new wife is running for governor of Sultan Kudarat.

A former beauty queen, Sharifa Akeel-Mangudadatu filed her certificate of candidacy for governor before the local Commission on Elections on Friday, October 1.

A former beauty queen who married Mangudadatu just weeks ago, Sharifa is challenging the family of the congressman’s cousin, Sultan Kudarat Governor Suharto Mangudadatu. The former Miss Asia Pacific International, who tied the knot with Mangudadatu, has never held public office.

Suharto said his father Pax or his son Pax Ali would seek Sultan Kudarat’s top post. Pax Mangudadatu is a former governor of Sultan Kudarat.

Suharto, who is still in his first term as Sultan Kudarat governor, has claimed that he has transferred his residency to Maguindanao. His political plans remained unclear as of this posting.

Mangudadatu, who is running for Maguindanao governor, said on Thursday, September 30, that he found nothing wrong with his wife’s candidacy. 

“My wife has my 100% support,” Mangudadatu said.

Endorsed by the United Bangsamoro Justice Party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Mangudadatu is also challenging the reelection bid of Maguindanao Governor Mariam-Sangki Mangudadatu, wife of his cousin Suharto. – Rappler.com

Rommel Rebollido is a Mindanao-based journalist and an awardee of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship