After arrest for double murder, Maguindanao town mayor loses post to rival
Mohajeran Odjie Balayman takes his oath as mayor of Pandag town, replacing former Maguindanao 2nd District representative Toto Mangudadatu's brother Khaddafe
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – A town mayor from Maguindanao province recently arrested in Davao City due to a double murder case was replaced by his May election rival based on a court order.
Khaddafe “Toy” Mangudadatu had been ordered to vacate his post as mayor of Pandag on Friday, October 14, by Regional Trial Court Branch 15 Judge Annabelle Piang.
Mangudadatu’s election opponent, Mohajeran Odjie Balayman, took his oath of office as mayor before Maguindanao Governor Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu on Tuesday, October 18.
Maguindanao 2nd District Representative Mohammad Tong Paglas and other provincial officials came to witness the oath taking.
Piang declared Balayman as the elected mayor of Pandag after the court found out that he had 400 votes more than what Khaddafe garnered in the May polls.
Balayman earlier contested the election results and sought a recount, alleging that he was cheated.
A tabulation of votes from 23 clustered precincts in the town showed that Balayman had 2,470 votes while Khaddafe had 2,070.
The 44-year-old Khaddafe, a brother of former Maguindanao 2nd District representative Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, has yet to issue a statement.
Khaddafe was arrested at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City on September 10 in connection with the murder of couple Abdulah Kanapia Ligawan and Lala Ligawan in Purok 6, Barangay Sinakulay, President Quirino town in Sultan Kudarat province on October 7, 2010.
After being briefly confined in a hospital, he was brought to a prison facility in General Santos City upon orders from a court in Tacurong City.
Police are looking for Khaddafe’s three co-accused: his brother Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu, Mamayang Amino, and Tunggal Usop.
Balayman, meanwhile, said he would form a council of elders to help him ensure good governance and resolve land conflicts in Pandag.
Pandag is one of the two dozen towns that will be under the new province of Maguindanao del Sur, which will be led by Governor Mangudadatu. The other new province, based on a law ratified via a plebiscite last September, is Maguindanao del Norte. – Rappler.com