MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 12 Feb) – A Sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram III, has been chosen Monday over dozens of personalities, to join the senatorial line up of President Gloria Arroyo’s unity ticket for the May elections.
“This decision was the result of consultations we did in Mindanao,” the Philippine News Agency quoted Arroyo’s political adviser Gabriel Claudio, as saying.
Kiram, heir to the Sultanate of Sulu, was the administration’s 12th senatorial candidate.
Kiram will join Arroyo’s unity team ticket composed of ex-presidential chief-of-staff, Michael Defensor, incumbent Senators Ralph Recto, Edgardo Angara and Joker Arroyo and former senators Vicente Sotto III and Tessie Oreta.
And also Representatives Prospero Pichay Jr. and Juan Miguel Zubiri, Zambales Governor Vicente Magsaysay, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson and Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla.
“There’s good balance in this ticket in terms of party representation, age, personal qualifications and track record,” Claudio said.
A win by Kiram is expected to further increase Mindanao's voice in the Senate, particularly as Arroyo is keen on pushing development in southern Philippines.
Kiram is only one of several claiming to be the real sultan of Sulu. His relative, Ismael Kiram, has also claimed to be the sultan of Sulu and so is Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun.
Aside from Kiram, former Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan and top provincial officials also joined Arroyo’s political party called KAMPI or Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI).
KAMPI party chief and Camarines Sur's 2nd district Rep. Luis Villafuerte together with Reps Hussin Amin, of Sulu and Benasing Macarambon, of Lanao del Sur, swore Tan along with Mayor Anton Burahan, of Pata town; former ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly speaker, Alvares Isnaji; Mayor Tambrin Tulawie, of Talipao town; Mayor Munib Estino, of Panglima Estino town; and ex-governor Yusop Jikiri.
Tan, known for his many development and infrastructure projects in Sulu province, is running for the gubernatorial post in the province. While Kampi party provincial chairman Hussin Amin, now on his third and last term, is running for mayor in Jolo town and Yusop Jikiri, as congressman in Sulu's 1st District.
Tan, was a former Sulu congressman and is considered as one of the most influential politician in the province. He is reported running unopposed in Sulu. He is largely known in Sulu as a philanthropist who continues to help many poor families in the province. KAMPI now boasts of 43 members in the House of Representatives, including President Arroyo’s son, Pampanga 2nd district Rep Juan Miguel Arroyo, and brother-in-law, Negros Occidental 5th district Rep. Ignacio Arroyo.
Malacanang’s unity ticket will be up against the opposition’s slate composed of Senator Panfilo Lacson, ex-senators Loren Legarda, John Osmeña and Anna Dominique Coseteng, representatives Francis Escudero, Benigno Aquino III and Alan Peter Cayetano, lawyer Aquilino Pimentel III, former Navy lieutenant Antonio Trillanes and ex-senator Raul Roco’s widow Sonia.
Claudio said the government platform will focus on promoting economic growth and unity nationwide. (With reports from the Philippine News Agency)
No comments:
Post a Comment