COTABATO CITY, Philippines?A gubernatorial race among relatives looms in Maguindanao as only two aspirants have filed their certificates of candidacy to replace Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr.

?Only two gubernatorial aspirants so far have filed their candidacy,? Estellita Orbase, Maguindanao election supervisor, said Tuesday afternoon.

One of the gubernatorial candidates is Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael ?Toto? Mangudadatu whose wife, Genalin, two sisters and supporters were massacred along with 30 journalists in the village of Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao, by about 100 men believed to be led by Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Mangudadatu last week filed his candidacy papers, accompanied by the Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro.

Mayor Ombra Sinsuat of Datu Odin Sinsuat filed his candidacy for Maguindanao governor Tuesday morning with Mayor Midpantao Midtimbang of Guindulungan as his vice gubernatorial aspirant.

Sinsuat and Midtimbang are said to be the candidates of Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. who decided not to field any candidate from his immediate family for the province?s top post.

The Sinsuats are related by blood to the Mangudadatus.

?I hope next year?s elections in Maguindanao will be peaceful. I am praying and I believe it will be peaceful and orderly,? Orbase told reporters.

Others who filed their candidacies before the office of Orbase as of Tuesday noon were Puti Ampatuan and Datu Shariff Ampatuan, both for seats in the Maguindanao provincial board representing the second district.

Sinsuat, Midtimbang and the two Ampatuans are running under the banner Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

?They were the only Ampatuans who have filed their CoCs for provincial positions so far,? Orbase said.

Ismael Mubarak, also under Ampatuan?s political party, filed for a seat in the Maguindanao provincial board representing the first district.

A certain Brahim Faizal filed his candidacy for vice governor.

Orbase said former Representative Guimid Matalam Sr. has filed candidacy papers for Maguindanao?s second congressional district while his son, Guimid Jr., filed his CoC for mayor of Datu Paglas town.

Orbase said she expected other candidates to file their CoCs later Tuesday. The Comelec office will remain open until 12 midnight.

Informed about some candidates who were held at military checkpoints for still unknown reason, Orbase appealed to political aspirants to send in representatives in filing the COCs.

?They can send representatives, it is allowed by law,? she said.