Ex-Tesda chief vies for gov of Maguindanao del Norte

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Suharto Mangudadatu (Photo from TESDA/Website)

COTABATO CITY — Former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Director General Suharto Mangudadatu is eyeing to become the first elected governor of the country’s youngest province, Maguindanao del Norte.

Mangudadatu was accompanied by his wife, reelectionist Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, his four children, and supporters when he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Friday afternoon.

Mangudadatu’s running mate, former Maguindanao Vice Gov. Bai Ainee Sinsuat, had earlier filed her COC.

In his statement after filing his candidacy, Mangudadatu appealed for unity among all tribes in the province.

“If elected I will transform Maguindanao del Norte as the most progressive province in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) like what I did to Sultan Kudarat,” Mangudadatu told reporters.

Mangudadatu served as Sultan Kudarat governor, a post handed to him by his father and is now held by his son. He was elected mayor of Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat and was also its representative in Congress.