Gov. Mangudadatu denies owning choppers, admits Hummer  

Maguindanao Governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu today clarified that he does not own a fleet of helicopters, but admitted his family owns a Hummer. 

 

An article circulating in social media lambasted the Mangudadatu clan for alleged insensitivity for showing off their wealth. Maguindanao is one of the country's poorest provinces.    

The article came out in Politico.com.ph. It shows Mangudadatu's family in different choppers and even a Hummer.
 

Speaking to reporters at the Department of Justice Tuesday, Mangudadatu said the different choppers shown in the article either belonged to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the Air Force or were rented. 

He said the chopper with orange lines belonged to the Air Force. The chopper with green markings was rented from a company called B-Line, while another allegedly belonged to Pastor Quiboloy. Quiboloy is the founder and leader of the religious group, The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, based in Davao City.    

Mangudadatu said there have been times he rented a chopper for security reasons, following the tragic Maguindanao massacre that claimed the life of his wife and 57 others. 

"Rent lahat iyan, may mga resibo ako," he said.

He however admits to owning the navy blue Hummer in one of the pictures, but clarifies it was not purchased by his family.

"Meron kaming isa Php 920,000 pero matagal na iyon. Ibinayad sa amin ng isang may utang," he explained. 

Mangudadatu's son, King Jhazzer Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan town, was criticized for showing off his tickets to the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. 

The governor said these were given for free by Pacquiao himself.

"Binigyan ako ng ticket. Una tatlo, tapos may dalawa pa, tapos iyong isa ibinigay ko kay (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman," he said. 

Mangudadatu said he advised members of his family to refrain from posting photos in social media,

"Sinabihan ko sila na para di ma-criticize, tama na pagpo-post at baka isipin ng mga tao ganoon ang lifestyle [namin]."

He blamed his political rivals for allegedly being behind the alleged black propaganda. - JJ, GMA News