Leaders of the Moro National
Liberation Front led by former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao OIC
Regional Governor Alvares Isnaji, officially endorsed to President Benigno
Aquino III their choice bet for ARMM Regional Governor in the 2013 elections.
The Isnaji-led Front has strongly
recommended incumbent Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan to be the administration
candidate as the only viable and qualified man for the position to be at the
helm of the Automous Regional government.
Tan, along with four governors and
majority mayors of ARMM are members of the administration’s Liberal Party (LP).
During the MNLF Dialogue Cum
Iftar (Pagbukah) gathering held at Azenith Hotel, attended by Front
leaders coming from ZambaSulta, Palawan and other regions, the group made known
its collective decision to support the 3-termer Tausug governor as the MNLF
official candidate .
The gathering was also attended by
supporters to include representatives of AFP-MNLF integrees and non government
organizations.
In an open letter to the President
duly signed by MNLF leaders, the group stressed that “since the ARMM is the
obvious product of the Bangsamoro struggle, it is just but proper that the
rightful leader to run the affairs governance must be the official choice of
the MNLF, which in 1996 signed the final peace pact with the government.”
Isnaji said, “Gov. Tan possesses all
the qualifications needed to lead the ARMM in instituting all the desired
reforms as envisioned by President Aquino, aside from Tan’s strong leadership
qualities to bring peace and development in the region.”
Tan, who likewise has been an
acknowledged bonafide member of the MNLF because of his commitment to peace and
development for Mindanao, is believed would be able to serve fully the interest
of the ARMM constituents.
As Governor of the province of Sulu,
Tan has been instrumental in the transformation of the province of Sulu into a
developed and economically progressive province inching its way to become at
par with the others thru his reform agenda being implemented at present, the
MNLF leaders emphasized.
Under Tan’s leadership, various
infrastructure development projects had been put in place to include livelihood
programs and the maintenance of peace security in the island towns.
Tan, who has been sympathetic to the
cause of the Bangsamoro people, particularly, his expertise and vast experience
in governance qualifies him to lead the ARMM into the right direction, a
freedom fighter and a credible leader make him the best bet to run in 2013 and
become the governor of the ARMM constituents, Isnaji said during the same
gathering held Wedneday in Zamboang City.
Tan according to Isnaji, enjoys not
only the respect and support of his constituents but also of both the regional
and national leaderships for his credibility and competence.
Isnaji, who was also former
municipal mayor of Indanan, Sulu bares that Tan had the support of the all incumbent
provincial governors of the ARMM even as he is hopeful that the President and
the administration party will anoint Tan and propel his candidacy to victory.
According to the MNLF leaders, Tan
deserves the support of the front because he holds in high esteem the
principles being espoused by the Front which is to fight for the cause of
Hulah, Bangsa and Agama, which is reflective of the true sentiments of the
people of the autonomous region that Tan fervently stands to protect as a
leader.
“We need a leader like Tan, the only
Tausug leader that the Bangsamoro could depend on as someone whom we could rely
on to entrust the fate of the ARMM as of this present,” according to the MNLF.
Meanwhile, a Civil Society
Organization vowed to initiate a parallel move to endorse Tan as alternative
regional gubernatorial candidate to run for the ARMM.
Sulu-based Ukanggig Mindanao Chair
Dr. Amilpasa Annil said a CSO Regional Summit for BASULTA is scheduled to be
held on August 22, 2012 in Zamboaga City to participate in the political
decision in connection with the 2013 ARMM polls. (faber_concepcion2004@yahoo.com)
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