Ampatuans, Mangudadatus dominate Maguindanao polls

Three senior Ampatuans, respondents in the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre of 57 persons, including 31 journalists, in Maguindanao, are now in jail, but the clan could not be counted out as yet as players in the May 2010 elections.

At least 68 Ampatuans and 15 Mangudadatus are running for public office in Maguindanao, according to this report by senior journalist and Mindanao expert, Ms Carolyn O. Arguillas.

MindaNews, an independent media organization based out of Davao City, and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism are working on a number of reporting projects in Maguindanao.

This story sustains the effort and calls attention to what might change or not change, for the better or for worse, in Maguindanao. This development is also lent new context by our Thursday report on how the Ampatuans used elective office to consolidate power in the area.