MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines – With just over a week before the May 12 elections, former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan became the first Senate bet to get the official endorsement of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).
The UBJP, which endorsed Pangilinan during his visit to Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Friday, May 2, is expected to announce its other senatorial candidates in the coming days.
Pangilinan and his wife, singer-actress Sharon Cuneta, arrived in Camp Darapanan on Friday afternoon, just after the noontime prayer where there was a scheduled gathering of key UBJP officials. The official announcement was made after a closed-door meeting.
Pangilinan received the UBJP endorsement through MILF chairman Ahod “Alhaj Murad” Ebrahim, MILF vice chairman Mohagher Iqbal, MILF second vice chairman Shiek Ali Solaiman, Shiek Muslim Guiamaden, and BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulrauf Macacua during the MILF’s Central Committee meeting at Camp Darapanan.
Food security advocacy
Pangilinan had the opportunity to discuss his platforms and fielded questions from MILF officials.
“I want the wishes and aspirations of our Bangsamoro community members, leaders be solidified, consolidate the gains of peace, and move forward,” Pangilinan said.
“We need to continue and sustain the initiatives of peace and the gains that we have achieved. But the journey is far from over,” he added.
Pangilinan, who was presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization during the Benigno Aquino III administration, also detailed his food security advocacy to address the problem of hunger, and to seek increased income for farmers and fishermen through a modernized agriculture program.
Pangilinan also reminisced how he gave advice to Aquino during deliberations on the then-proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. He also said that he had supported the Bangsamoro Organic Act and was part of the bicameral conference committee on the measure.
In response, MILF chairman Ebrahim said: “What brings us here today is not merely a courtesy visit. It is a reaffirmation of your solidarity with the aspirations of the Bangsamoro.
“We are especially grateful to Senator Francis Pangilinan for the unwavering support in the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Act, the first law that created the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government in our land”, he added.
Murad, for his part said: “Your affirmative vote was a gesture of true steadfastness, one that respected the decades-long struggle of our people for self-determination. We can never forget this fight.”
MILF vice chairman Mohagher Iqbal said that the basis for their endorsement of other senatorial candidates will be anchored on the latter’s support for the aspirations of the MILF. – Rappler.com