Agriculture exec files substitute COC to run for Maguindanao-Cotabato City House seat

Agriculture Undersecretary Bai Ranibai Dilangalen files her substitute certificate of candidacy in Cotabato City on Monday, November 26, 2018. Photo: Ferdinandh Cabrera

COTABATO CITY — Agriculture Undersecretary Bai Ranibai Dilangalen on Monday filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for a seat in the House of Representatives representing Maguindanao's first district, which includes Cotabato City.

Dilangalen, a lawyer, filed her substitute COC—replacing the candidacy of her aunt, Bai Rebecca Dilangalen Alamada Buan—before the office of Maguindanao election supervisor Paisalin Tago.

Dilangalen is running under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas of the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Council (MRRD-NECC).

In a brief interview, Dilangalen said she is prepared to “break the norms” in Maguindanao, where some politicians hold command votes in their respective locality.

“My edge to them, I'm only the lady among the four contenders,” she said.

Dilangalen stressed that each voter should be heard and therefore the province should do away with traditional way of choosing leaders.

Aside from Dilangalen, also seeking the post are former Cotabato City mayor Muslimin Sema, ARMM Regional Assembly Speaker Ronnie Sinsuat Sr., and Jam Dumama, nephew of Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi.

The post will be vacated by Representative Bai Sandra Sema, who is seeking the mayorship of Cotabato City. — BM, GMA News