‘Paglas not backing out of gov race’

KORONADAL CITY — A younger brother of Datu Ibrahim "Toto" Paglas III denied yesterday rumors spreading in some provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that he is backing out of the gubernatorial race.

"That is absolutely untrue. Toto Paglas is not withdrawing," said Paglas’ brother Mohammad, Maguindanao coordinator of the Liberal Party under whose banner Paglas is running for governor in Monday’s ARMM elections.

"He will not turn his back on his supporters just like that," Mohammad told The STAR in a chance interview during a meeting of the Rajah Buayan clan in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat.

Mohammad added: "Matatag ang aming kampanya. Mainit nga ang pagtanggap kay Toto Paglas ng mga tao ng Lanao del Sur, Jolo, Tawi-Tawi at Basilan. Walang dahilan para mag-withdraw siya. (Our campaign is solid. Toto Paglas has been warmly received by the people of Lanao del Sur, Jolo, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi and there is no reason for us to withdraw)."