Isulan, Sultan Kudarat – April 5, 2025
Tensions continue to rise in Sultan Kudarat’s local political arena as Sharifa Akeel Mangudadatu, wife of former Governor and Congressman Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu, broke her silence and directly confronted what she called years of bullying and disrespect from political rivals.
“Sila ang unang nanira. Sila rin ang matagal nang ayaw akong tigilan sa pambubully at pambabastos,” Akeel said in a social media post that quickly gained traction. “Tahimik ako ever since, not because mahina ako, kundi dahil alam ko di lahat ng ingay ay dapat patulan.”
Her remarks come amid an already heated local campaign season, where she is facing off against Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu — a relative of her husband — in a high-stakes race that has divided loyalties even within the influential Mangudadatu clan.
Akeel challenged the opposing camp’s unity, pointing out the simultaneous candidacies of Pax Ali and another relative, Raden Mangudadatu. “Pareho silang kandidato, pareho silang pamilya. Hindi ba mas malinaw kung sino ang dapat i-question?” she asked.
She did not mince words, describing her opponents as lacking sportsmanship and respect: “Ang bastos, ang mayabang, at ang mapang-alipusta, sila ‘yun, noon pa man. Ngayon lang ako sumagot, at ngayon lang nila natikman ang paninindigan ko.”
Despite the noise and criticism, Akeel stood firm on her reasons for entering the race. “I’m running not to please everyone, but to stand up for those who have been treated the same way,” she said. “Tuloy ang laban para sa katotohanan, at para sa GANDA ng ating probinsya.”
As the campaign trail heats up, observers expect the showdown between the Mangudadatus to be among the most intense and closely followed in the province’s political history.