SULU (Mindanao Examiner / July 1, 2013) – Pormal ng nanumpa ang bagong gobernador ng Sulu na si Abdusakur “Totoh” Tan II at nangako itong ipagpapatuloy o hihigitan pa ang magagandang proyekto at programa ng ama at ngayon ay bise-gobernador Sakur Tan.
Ang dating gobernador ay nahalal bilang bise gobernador at madamdamin at emosyonal ang talumpati nito ng ipinakilala ang anak sa napakaraming tao na dumalo sa oath-taking ng mga opisyal sa Kapitolyo.
Sa kanyang talumpati ay sinabi ni bise-gobernador Sakur Tan: “I mark this day as the most memorable in both my personal and public life. With another term still left to complete my stint as governor. I know many are wondering why I did not go for the full stretch, believing I will win convincingly anyway? Thus far, God has been very kind to me allowing me to weather the storms and challenges in my life, by His Infinite Mercy and Compassion, Alhamdulillah!”
“I can live in comfort and free myself from the humdrums of politics if I had so wished, but there is that murmuring voice calling from within that is so compelling, demanding and beckoning. The comfort and fortunes of a fulfilled life will still be devoid of meanings if there are still those around you who are less fortunate and in need. Dignity or martabbat is in the very being of our people. Martabbat is not the sole property of those who hold special positions in society or of the privileged few.”
Idinagdag pa nito na “someone once said to me that, in essence, the desire for freedom is in the nature of every individual; freedom from want, from hunger, from illiteracy, and freedom from feeling inferior to others. I savor the day when my people, whatever their status in life and their choice of faith may be, they will not bow their heads to anyone. That would be dignity and freedom in the true sense of the word. Let us not be dictated by the perceptions of those who are bent on reinventing us for their own selfish intent. Let us reinvent ourselves and harness the true potentials that we keep hidden as a treasure, tempered through generations and founded on a glorious civilization. Let us not dwell on the past but rather build a bridge that together we can make the cross-over from a glorious past towards a brighter future. With renewed resolve, determination and strong sense of purpose, the Tausug can excel and shine as a people.”
Ilang ulit rin pinalakpakan ng publiko ang talumpati ng bise-gobernador. Ilang munuto rin nagtagal ang pagsasalita nito at sa dakong huli at pinupog naman nito ng halik ang kanyang anak sa entablado.
Sa panig naman ng bagong gobernador ay taas-noo naman nitong sinabi na hindi hadlang ang pagiging bagito sa larangan ng pulitiko upang mapagsilbihan ng maayos at tama ang mga nasasakupan. Parehong miyembro ng ruling Liberal party ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino ang mag-amang kilala bilang mga pilantropo at respetadong mamamayan hindi lamang sa Sulu, kundi sa bansa.
“When I accepted the banner or our party elections, I also accepted wholeheartedly the political reform program for which it stands. As ably exemplified by my father, Governor Tan, we stand for reform without disaster and dislocation,” ani pa ni Gobernador Totoh Tan.
“My father, Governor Tan, didn’t tell me how to live and how to govern; he lived and he led and let me watch him do it. Much of his governance manifests itself, without speeches revealing them. Often, the more we talk of development and progress, the less we do of either. The mouth speaks of abundance of the heart; but often the very reverse of what the man practices.”
Prayoridad ngayon ni Gobernador Totoh Tan ay ang kapayapaan at pag-unlad ng lalawigan na kabilang sa Muslim autonomous region.
“This is not a day of triumph; it is a day of dedication. The values and attitudes that our youth learn will shape the kind of province Sulu will become. We need to turn the hopes we share for ourselves and our children into economic and social reality for others. Insha Allah, we shall be witnessing a renaissance of public faith, a reawakening of public trust, a revival of cultural prominence and the beginning of thoughtful reconstruction,” ani pa ng opisyal.
“I shall not be weak to yield to what clamor claims, but will be quick to know and to do things that the time and the province needs. I believe power consists in one’s capacity to link his will with purpose of others. This power knotted with love is the golden chain let down into the well of truth that will bind our ranks together. The future is not for parties playing politics, but for reforms pushed by leaders who cherish not their office, but their duty and their opportunity to serve.”
Kasama rin sa pasasalamat nina gobernador at bise-gobernador ay ang buong pamilya na lubos-lubosan ang suporta sa kanila, partikular si Hajja Nurunisah Tan; gayun rin ang mga alkalde ng 19 bayan at mga board members ng Sulu; at ang ibat-ibang sector ng lalawigan. (Mindanao Examiner)
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