Even members of the Catholic community agree that the contest will be narrowed down to three aspirants — Mayor Zaldy Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao; Basilan Rep. Jerry Salapuddin and ARMM Vice Gov. Mahid Mutilan.
"Of the three aspirants, Mayor Ampatuan has ready, very obtainable (votes) no fewer than 250,000 from the 28 towns of Maguindanao," a Catholic priest told The STAR.
Maguindanao has 360,000 registered voters, while Salapuddin’s home-province, which has only six towns, has more than 100,000 registered voters.
"The governor of Basilan, Wahab Akbar, is supporting the candidacy of Ampatuan," a Maranaw senior staffer of the ARMM’s local government department said.
Mutilan, a Maranaw, is backed by five of Lanao del Sur’s 38 mayors, the source added.
Ampatuan, Salapuddin and Mutilan all belong to the Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).
There are 11 candidates for ARMM governor, but observers believe that many of them will gradually back out due to lack of resources and a political machinery to sustain their electoral campaign.
The ARMM covers Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Marawi City. — John Unson