Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service/Dong Cusain)COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 25 May) – Thousands of supporters of Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema celebrated his victory Friday after the former rebel leader-turned-politician has been proclaimed winner in the recent elections.
Sema (LAKAS-CMD) topped again the mayoralty race, defeating close rival, Maguindanao 1st District Rep. Bai Zeny Dilangalen (PMP) by a huge margin. Sema was proclaimed winner by the City Board of Canvassers on Wednesday at the Sangguniang Panlungsod session hall where the canvassing was held. He got 34,773 votes against the 15,743 votes of Dilangalen.
"We are so happy and glad that Mayor Sema has won again. He has stirred Cotabato to what it is now," said Aquil Payunan, a trader.
Sema is the secretary-general of the former rebel group, Moro National Liberation Front, which signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1995.
Unexpectedly, Estrellita Juliano (GO), who was predicted by many to emerge victorious as Sema and Dilangalen were to split the “Muslim votes”, fared poorly in the polls.
Three other unknown mayoralty candidates - Samad Candao, Baguindali Sapi and Habib Ibrahim - got a beating. This would be Sema’s third and final term as city mayor.
Also proclaimed was incumbent City Vice-Mayor Japal Guiani, Jr. (GO) who defeated Sema’s running mate, Councilor Cynthia Costales. Those who won in the City Council race are Abdullah Andang (LAKAS-CMD, 26476), Anwar Malang (LAKAS-CMD, 25238).
Florante Formento (LAKAS-CMD, 22426), Linda Ampatuan (GO, 20362), Eduardo Rabago (GO, 20036), Kusin Taha (LAKAS-CMD, 19993), Froilan Melendrez (GO, 19701), Wilfrido Bueno (GO, 19519), Marino Ridao (GO, 18686), and Madatu Datumanong (LAKAS-CMD, 17912). (Dong Cusain)
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