MILF-backed clans defeat Mangudadatus in Maguindanao as dynasties persist in BARMM

The provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are known for a high concentration of political dynasties.

The 2025 election results show that the Alonto-Adiong clan of Lanao del Sur, Hataman-Salliman clan of Basilan, and the Sali clan of Tawi-Tawi remain firmly entrenched.

But change has come for Maguindanao, where two branches of the Mangudadatu clan have alternated in ruling the Capitol for the past 15 years. That era has now come to an end.

In the first elections since the province was split in September 2022, a Mangudadatu husband-and-wife attempted—but failed—to win control of both Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

Political dynasties allied with the former rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and backed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. captured the two new provinces instead.

In Maguindanao del Norte, former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chief Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu is poised for a decisive defeat.

His rival, Tucao Mastura, enjoys a margin of over 100,000 votes. Mastura belongs to another powerful political clan in the province. He ran under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), which forged an alliance with the MILF’s United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).

The Mastura clan, which Tucao leads, traces its roots to the Maguindanao royal houses and has been traditionally allied with the MILF. Family members have long held positions in the municipalities of Sultan Kudarat and Sultan Mastura, where one is poised to win as mayor.

The clan has previously supported the bids of the Mangudadatu clan to win the Capitol. This is the first time in recent years that the clan won leadership of the province.

Teng was once part of the Marcos administration, having served as chief of TESDA from 2023 to 2024.

The relationship between the Mangudadatus and some presidential underlings has soured in the run-up to the 2025 midterm polls, however. The clan has also expressed disappointment over the MILF’s governance in the BARMM.

Marshall Sinsuat, a member of another clan, won as vice-governor. He has over 100,000 votes against relative Bai Ainee Sinsuat.

Meanwhile, in Maguindanao del Sur, PFP candidate Ali Midtimbang also defeated Teng’s wife, Mariam Mangudadatu, who was appointed governor of Maguindanao del Sur after the split.

The Midtimbangs are a known political family from Datu Anggal Midtimbang town. This is also the first time the clan won leadership of the province.

Vice governor-elect Hisham Nando from UBJP will serve with Midtimbang. The Maguindanao del Sur board of canvassers proclaimed Midtimbang and Nando winners on May 13.

The Mangudadatus have held gubernatorial posts in Maguindanao since 2010, following the fall of the Ampatuan clan in the aftermath of the notorious Maguindanao massacre.

Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu held the position from 2010 until 2019. He was followed by Mariam, his cousin-in-law.

In the congressional races, Toto won in a neck-and-neck race with incumbent Maguindanao del Sur representative Tong Paglas (Lone District). Meanwhile, Dimple Mastura also won against Bai Sandra Sema in Maguindanao del Norte, although the latter is the MILF candidate.

The son of Teng Mangudadatu, Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu, won the gubernatorial race in neighboring Sultan Kudarat province, which belongs to Region 12 and is not part of BARMM. (Sultan Kudarat province and Sultan Kudarat town are different places. )

Teng Mangudadatu himself served three terms as governor of Sultan Kudarat. He has since transferred his residency to Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao del Norte.

Allies of the MILF from the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) also won various posts across the region.

In BARMM’s political center, Cotabato City, Mayor Bruce Matabalo won his re-election bid. His fellow UBJP candidate Johair Madag won the vice mayoral race.

In Tawi-Tawi, governor Yshmael Sali and his son Vice Governor Al-Syed are won fresh terms, along with another family member, Tawi-Tawi representative Dimszar Sali (Lone District).

MILF’s candidates lost the gubernatorial races in Basilan and Lanao Del Sur.

In Basilan, the gubernatorial race was tightly contested between Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman and his nephew, provincial board member Jay Hataman Salliman.

Jay was the MILF’s candidate. Hataman won by a margin of 3,275 votes.

Regardless of the outcome, power remained within the Hataman-Salliman clan, which has long ruled the province.

Basilan Governor Jim Hataman Salliman, Mujiv’s brother and Jay’s father, won as vice governor.

In Lanao del Sur, Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. and his son Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Adiong won by decisive margins.

In the province’s congressional district races, Zia Alonto Adiong (1^st District), Mamintal’s brother, and their cousin Yasser Alonto Balindong (2^nd District) are also heading for reelection. — PCIJ.org