Yt Framework

Leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) led by former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao OIC Regional Governor Alvares Isnaji officially endorsed Sulu Gov.

Abdusakur Tan to President Benigno Aquino III their choice bet for Regional Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the 2013 elections.

“We strong recommend incumbent Sulu Governor Tan to be the administration candidate as the only viable and qualified man for the position to be at the helm of the ARMM regional government,” the Isnaji-led Front said in an open letter to President Aquino duly signed by MNLF leaders.

Tan, along with Basilan’s Jum Akbar, Lanao del Sur’ Mamintal Adiong Jr., Maguindanao’s Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, and Tawi-Tawi’s Sadikul Sahali and 159 other officials from the region joined President Aquino’s party and took their oath before LP President Mar Roxas as new members of the ruling administration party late last month.

Unconfirmed reports the new LP members, including majority of mayors in autonomous region, urged President Aquino to anoint Gov. Tan under the administration party.

During the MNLF Dialogue Cum  Iftar (Pagbukah) gathering held at Azenith Hotel in this ctiy recently, 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 (NGOs).

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.

“Tan 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 added.

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,”  the open letter further said.

Meanwhile, a leader of the Civil Society Organization (CSO) promised to initiate a parallel move to endorse Tan as alternative regional gubernatorial candidate to run for the ARMM.
Dr. Amildasa Annil, president of Sulu-based Ulangig Mindanao Inc. (UMI), 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/IndieMAN)