It’s final! A total of 157,706 voters out of 601,057 registered in Maguindanao have elected on May 10 Buluan Vice Mayor Datu Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu, who will be 42 on August 15, the new governor of the strife-torn province.

His victory comes nearly six months after the infamous Ampatuan Massacre on November 23, 2009 at Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town, where he lost his wife Genalin, two sisters, relatives, supporters, motorists, and 32 journalists. 57 people were killed.

One of the mediamen killed was Manila Bulletin’s newly-promoted reporter Alejandro “Bong” Reblando, 53, who covered Southern Mindanao.

The young Mangudadatu trounced by 16,705 votes Datu Odin Mayor Datu Ombra Sinsuat, who garnered 141,001, and Mayor Datu Mibpantao Midtimbang, who has 68,586 votes.

Mangudadatu’s Facebook journal shows he has three children with Genalin or “Gigi,” namely Bai Michellen, Princess Grace, and Michelle.

His political background includes being elected provincial Board Member in 1995 to 1998, mayor of Buluan for three terms starting in 1998 up to 2007, as Buluan vice mayor in 2008 up to the present, and regional vice president of the Vice Mayors’ League in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

He is also affiliated with the Free and Accepted Mason of the Philippines, where his uncle Sultan Kudarat Rep. Datu Pax Mangudadatu is a high-ranking leader.

“My family and I are heartily expressing our thanks to all those who prayed for and supported us. I am appealing for a continuing prayer for peace and progress from God. Let us join together for a genuine reform. Many thanks. Allah bless us all,” he said.