Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan gestures as he speaks about a proposed housing project for the poor in the province in this library photo. (Mindanao Examiner)
The Resolutions and Manifesto of Support to Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan.
COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 16, 2012) – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has endorsed Sulu Governor Sakur Tan and Lanao del Sur lawmaker Ziaur Adiong as the government’s official candidates for the ARMM gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial race in general elections in May next year.
The ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution endorsing the two political leaders to President Benigno Aquino and to the Liberal Party to which both Tan and Adiong now belong.
STRONG MUSLIM SUPPORT
“The Honorable Sakur Tan having been in the political arena and public service for many years…has proven himself to be a dedicated and trustworthy leader not only to the people of the province but also to the leaders of the areas the ARMM. A man with strong political will, his accomplishments are noteworthy, especially in the field of peace and conflict resolution. The stability of the peace and order in his area has translated into more reforms. Economy, livelihood, education, infrastructures and other components of development are among them which have significantly improved in Sulu as a result of Hon. Tan’s great efforts and accomplishments,” the ARMM said in a resolution obtained by The Manila Times on Sunday.
It added: “We all believe that as public servant, his leadership manifested by his deeds must not only benefit the people of his home province of Sulu, but must also be emulated in the entire ARMM. Therefore, it is our earnest desire that Governor Sakur Tan will be the Liberal Party’s official bet for Regional Governor in next year’s elections.”
The ARMM resolution also cited Adiong, saying, his character is a clear manifestation of selflessness, sincerity, dedication and commitment to public service. “And it is high time that we need a young and dynamic leader to be our next Regional Vice Governor.”
MNLF WOMEN’S COMMITTEE
The Bangsamoro Women’s Committee of the Moro National Liberation Front also passed a separate resolution urging President Aquino to choose Tan for the ARMM gubernatorial race, citing the politician’s unblemished political track records and his commitment to peace not only in Sulu, but in the entire Mindanao as well.
“Governor Tan is very sensitive to the needs and concerns of those in the war-affected areas, especially MNLF members who were sidelined by the Peace Agreement and tirelessly working to open opportunities for them that their dignity and pride be regained.”
“Giving Governor Abdusakur M. Tan the opportunity to serve as Regional Governor, and the opening to replicate what he has thus far done in Sulu, we are confident that the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is in the best of hands,” the MNLF resolution signed by key women leaders headed by Nurunniaar Mohammad, said.
MUSLIM CLERICS, ISLAMIC SCHOLARS SPEAK OUT
Just recently, influential Muslim clerics and Islamic scholars from the southern Philippines also endorsed Tan to President Aquino to be the government’s gubernatorial candidate.
Tan’s endorsement came following a summit in the southern port city of Zamboanga attended by some 200 Muslim religious leaders and scholars from Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Davao.
At least seven of Mindanao’s most influential clerics and scholars – Mahdi Baguinda, Muhamin Sakili, Jul-Asli Abirin, Jamal Munib, Abdulwahid Inju, Abdul Khabier Jamani and Caithum Hibasa led the summit.
They passed a resolution and manifesto urging the President to choose Tan, a known philanthropist, and a well-respected political leader in Mindanao.
ULAMA
“We, the undersigned, Muslim scholars and members of the religious sector and guardians of the Islamic faith; aware of our responsibilities to the Ummah or the Muslim community; recognizing the need for the involvement of all stakeholders in the peace and development of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; submitting to the command of the scriptures to choose the best among the Muslims to lead the community and lead the governance of the community, wish to make public our stand and commitment and relay to His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III…”
“In the summit of the Muslim scholars and religious leaders duly assembled we find in the person of the Honorable Abdusakur M. Tan, Governor of Sulu, the qualities of a leader the ARMM needs and resolve to endorse to His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III…that Governor Tan be anointed as the official candidate of the Administration’s Party as Regional Governor,” the manifesto said.
MNLF CENTRAL COMMITTEE
The Moro National Liberation Front Central Committee also strongly endorsed Tan as the government official candidate for the ARMM gubernatorial post, saying, the governor is the best choice to lead the Muslim region out of its current state where poverty and lack of development remain as two the biggest problems.
“The MNLF has found in the good person of Honorable Abdusakur M. Tan, Governor of Sulu, the needed qualities, credibility, experiences, and dedication to the cause of genuine reform based on transparency and accountability in governance pursuant to the reform agenda initiated by His Excellency Benigno C. Aquino…in all levels of government bureaucracies as exemplified by his political and governance slogan ‘Matuwid na Daan.’
“Now therefore, be it resolved…that we, the undersigned leaders and commanders of the MNLF representing various organs and instrumentalities of the Front in the ground strong support and endorse the candidacy of Honorable Abdusakur M. Tan…for the ARMM Regional Governor in the synchronized elections in 2013,” reads the MNLF manifesto .
The summit was attended by more than 200 key leaders of the MNLF from Mindanao headed by Abdul Sahrin, its Secretary General.
MINDANAO CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
Early this month, the Movement for Sustainable Good Governance, an umbrella organization of dozens of civil society groups in the southern Philippines, passed a resolution and a manifesto during a huge summit and endorsed Tan to be the government’s gubernatorial bet in the ARMM elections.
The Muslim region is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao provinces, including the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.
“Gov. Sakur Tan has all the good qualities of a true leader and as representative of the Muslim people; we have endorsed the Sulu governor to be the official candidate of the Aquino administration to the upcoming ARMM elections in May.”
“The civil society organizations strongly support the leadership of Gov. Sakur Tan because of his genuine and untainted political career and sincerity to serve the people and bring peace, progress and development not only to Sulu province, but to the whole of the ARMM,” said Dr. Amildasa Annil, the leader convener and president of the Movement for Sustainable Good Governance.
The manifesto was passed following the 1st Zamboanga-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi CSO Summit held in Zamboanga City. Some 300 CSO members from Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Zamboanga City participated in the summit sponsored by two of the country’s largest sardine canning factories, the Mega Sardines and Amadeo Fishing Corporation.
STRONG CLAMOUR
“There is a strong clamour from various Muslim civil society organizations and Bangsamoro people for the Sulu governor to govern the ARMM and bring peace and development to the region and progress to all its provinces and constituents. Governor Tan is the only leader we see fit to be the next ARMM governor,” said Ustadz Noreen Pallong.
Pallong, an influential Muslim religious leader in Basilan, said provincial constituents are strongly supporting Tan.
“Being President Aquino’s Boss, the voices of the multi-sector should be heard, all in the cause for a lasting and genuine peace and equitable development in the ARMM. May the real voices be heard,” the Movement for Sustainable Good Governance said in a statement. (Mindanao Examiner)
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