Mangudadatu wins Maguindanao del Sur congressional race

Former Maguindanao governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu has won the congressional race for the lone district of Maguindanao del Sur, narrowly defeating incumbent Representative Mohammad "Tong" Paglas by 810 votes.

Mangudadatu secured 166,090 votes against Paglas' 165,280, according to the official tally by the Commission on Elections provincial board of canvassers.

This victory marks Mangudadatu's return to the House of Representatives, having previously served as governor of the undivided Maguindanao and as a representative for its 2nd District.

Mangudadatu gained national recognition after surviving the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, an event that claimed the lives of his wife and other family members during an ambush while he was on his way to file his candidacy for governor.