New mayor assumes post in Maguindanao del Norte 19 days before polls

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The lawyer of unseated mayor Zulficar Panda says they opted to cooperate

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A court-ordered recount has unseated the mayor of a town in Maguindanao del Norte, installing a new town chief executive  just 19 days before the midterm elections and nearly three years after the disputed 2022 vote.

The town of Sultan Mastura saw a sudden leadership shift after Armando Mastura Jr. was declared the rightful winner by eight votes, unseating a previously proclaimed mayor, Zulficar Panda. Mastura garnered 5,804 votes in the recount, narrowly edging out Panda’s 5,796.

After a drawn-out legal battle, Mastura secured a court’s writ of execution and formally took office on Wednesday, April 23, replacing Panda nearly three years after his proclamation was questioned.

“It’s been a long and hard battle. Until now, it is still hard to sink in. This battle is not about us or them but it is for our supporters who pushed us to fight for their votes,” Mastura said.

His assumption of office was greeted by his supporters. Security was tight, with Marines and police deployed around the town hall.

Panda’s camp, while expressing intent to continue the legal battle, said it would respect the transition.

“We fought this case for almost three years already. This is a long battle, from RTC (Regional Trial Court), we will go to the Comelec, then the Supreme Court. It’s really far from over, but based on the instructions of Mayor Panda, we will cooperate peacefully,” said Panda’s lawyer, Aisa Mae Kanda.

Panda was initially declared the winner in 2022 by a margin of 22 votes. Mastura, contesting the results, sought a recount because he was convinced that he had actually won – an assertion the court ultimately upheld. – Rappler.com