3 Questions answered by Governor Toto Mangudadatu

July 12, 2011- Davao City, News about the suspended ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan is on the news because of his willingness to testify against his Family for the Maguindanao massacre, also known as the Ampatuan massacre (after the town where the mass graves were found). This happened on the morning of November 23, 2009, in the town of Ampatuan in Maguindanao province, on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. While the victims were on their way to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan town, they were kidnapped and brutally killed.

Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu or (Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu) (b. August 15, 1968) is the Governor of Maguindanao, in the Philippines. Mangudadatu was elected for governor of Maguindanao after defeating his closest rival, Ombra Sinsuat by a margin of 12,705 votes. The race came to international attention after the 2009 Maguindanao massacre when his wife, sisters, aides, and lawyers, plus several journalists were kidnapped and murdered. Andal Ampatuan, Jr. was charged with the murders. He denies that he was involved.

Governor Esmael Mangudadatu is at Waterfront Insular Hotel and Casinos today and answered three brief but important questions for Blogwatch.

B: Any comment about the media where the Supreme Court allowed the hearing to be live on TV?

Gov. Mangudadatu: “We are happy about that and we are requesting na magkaroon ng Commercials sa mga TV Stations dahil alam namin na kailangan din nilang kumita.”

B: Any comment about the news today with regards to the suspended ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan that he is willing to testify even agaianst his relatives?

Gov. Mangudadatu:”Hindi kami papayag dahil may matibay kaming ebidensya at mga testigo na involved sila.”

B: Any comment about the justice system under President Noynoy Aquino?

Gov. Mangudadatu:” We are happy for what he is doing from the start.”