Home UncategorizedFROM THE MAIL |Misreading Mindanao: The BARMM Betrayal That Wasn’t

FROM THE MAIL |Misreading Mindanao: The BARMM Betrayal That Wasn’t

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If the first casualty of war is truth, then the first casualty of political defeat is perspective. Nowhere is this clearer than in the ongoing effort to pin the Mindanao midterm debacle on Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo—this time, through the lens of the Bangsamoro region.

Let’s zoom in on the BARMM, where much of the noise is coming from political dynasties nursing wounded pride. What was once a united front for the UniTeam has now splintered into a cacophony of blame, entitlement, and revisionist history.

Back in 2022, when the Marcos-Duterte tandem was at its strongest, the so-called “Family Alliance” of Muslim Mindanao was formed—a powerful coalition of political clans that included the Mangudadatus of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao, the Sinsuats of Maguindanao del Norte, the Midtimbangs, Masturas, and other dominant names.

It was a marriage of convenience, forged in the fires of shared ambition and sealed with promises of unity, influence, and inclusion under a UniTeam government.

Among them, the Mangudadatus emerged particularly dominant. Teng Mangudadatu, the patriarch, was once governor of Sultan Kudarat and later appointed as Tesda chair, then filed his candidacy for governor of Maguindanao del Sur in the 2025 midterm elections.

Bai Mariam, the matriarch, held the gubernatorial post in Maguindanao del Norte. Their son, Pax Ali, ruled Sultan Kudarat.

It didn’t take long before murmurs turned to grumbles. Members of the Family Alliance began voicing discomfort. Was this still a coalition—or a dynasty disguised as one?

So, when the time came to decide who would run where in the 2025 midterms, the Marcos administration—contrary to accusations of favoritism—did not side with any one family.

Instead, it made the principled, if politically risky, decision to let democracy take its course. No coronations. No backroom deals. Just open political competition.

This wasn’t a betrayal—it was a course correction.

And it worked. The people voted. They spoke loudly and clearly. And the result? A redistribution of political power in the BARMM. The Mangudadatus lost two of the three gubernatorial seats. Only Pax Ali remained in office.

It is here—after the fact—that the scapegoating began.

Suddenly, Anton Lagdameo was accused of “betrayal.” Of “sabotage.” Of engineering the downfall of the Mangudadatus.

The same Lagdameo who, in truth, merely stood firm on a policy of political neutrality and electoral integrity.

The same Lagdameo who refused to wield the Office of the President as a bludgeon to enforce dynastic control.

SAP Lagdameo did not tell the voters of Maguindanao to reject the Mangudadatus. The voters did that themselves.

What the Mangudadatus are really upset about is this — for the first time in years, they weren’t protected from the consequences of political overreach.

They weren’t insulated from public resentment. They weren’t allowed to dominate unchallenged.

And for that, Anton Lagdameo has become the fall guy.

But this isn’t about Lagdameo. This is about the arrogance of political dynasties who confuse public office with private inheritance—and throw tantrums when the people dare to choose otherwise.

SAP Lagdameo did not abandon the Family Alliance. The Family Alliance imploded under the weight of its own contradictions—too many families, too few positions, and too much entitlement.

If the Marcos administration had imposed a top-down solution and protected the old dynasties, it would have been accused of suppressing democracy. When it chose to step back and let the democratic process unfold, it was accused of betrayal.

Heads, they win. Tails, they blame Anton.

Mindanao doesn’t need another political dynasty throwing fits when things don’t go their way. It needs leaders who understand that power is borrowed from the people, not bestowed upon them by birthright or by palace proximity.

SAP Lagdameo merely upheld that principle. And for that, he deserves credit—not condemnation.

As this administration regroups after the midterms, it must decide whether will it keep pandering to those who believe power is a birthright, or will it continue empowering those who earn it?

Because if Mindanao is to truly move forward, the real reckoning must begin—not with Anton Lagdameo’s resignation, but with the political dynasties who still believe democracy is their family business.

From FILIPINO BY HEARTH

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