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ZAMBOANGA City– Muslim leaders from the different parts of Mindanao, clamoring to be represented in the Senate, are pushing for the senatorial bid of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. MujivHataman.

Mohammad NurAjihil, president and convenor of Mahadjanah based in this city, said Muslims in the entire Mindanao and “not only by those who are in ARMM” will support Hataman.

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“Gov. Hataman will have the endorsement of all Muslims in Mindanao, not just those who are in ARMM because of this clamor for a Muslim to represent Muslims in Senate,” Ajihil said.

The Federation of Civil Society Organizations (FCSOs) of Tawi-Tawi said the victory of Hataman in the senatorial race would be the victory of all Muslims in the country.

“Hataman for Senate will not only bring into the nation’s attention the plight of the Muslim Filipinos in Mindanao and in the entire country,” Arlene Sevilla of FCSO said.

“Hataman will stand, fight and serve them with commitment, steadfastness, and piety,” she said citing the ARMM governor is a “proven leader”.

She described the ARMM governor as a man of action who serves his constituents with transparency and accountability, promoting quality service and professionalism in the work place.

“The Muslim Filipinos need Hataman in the Senate,” she added.

AbdurasadKenoh, president of the Senior Citizens Federation in ARMM, said Muslims must support Hataman “without second thoughts.”

“It’s in promotion of patriotism,” Kenoh said, adding that “besides, Hataman’s policies and brand of leadership was proven to be effective and beneficial for ARMM and its people.”

He cited how Hataman ended the “presence of ghost employees, ghosts teachers, ghost schools, and ghost students in the region.”

“It was him to put an end into the activities of these ghosts and he did it with the determination of a great leader who felt the need of the people and their own clamor for lasting change and development,” he said.

Also expressing their strong support for Hataman were Edwin Usman of the Fisherfolk Association of Tawi-Tawi and Tarhata Maglangit, a civil-society leader in Maguindanao.

Basher Naim of the Federation of Cooperatives of Lanao del Sur said that it is high time for a Muslim to serve in the Senate.

“With all the issues confronting the Muslim-Filipino, I think it is high time for us to have a representation in the Senate,” he said.

When reached for comment, Amir Mawallil, Hataman’s spokesperson, told the Philippines News Agency on Tuesday that the 2016 election is not yet up the radar of Hataman when reached for comment.

“As far as I know there are no plans for him to run for higher office,” Mawallil said.

Mawallil said the regional government headed by Hataman is still busy preparing for the transition to the proposed Bangsamoro entity.

“He (Hataman) is also busy helping his home province, as I know he wants Basilan to be a model of development and peace in the region,” he added.

However, he said Hataman’s heart will always be in the service of the Moro people.

“We are all witnesses to what he can do as a leader and he will always be willing to serve the people of Mindanao. However, there are no concrete plans yet,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ajihil’s group, with members in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, is one of the Muslim groups who expressed willingness to lead a Mindanao-wide signature campaign to urge Hataman to heed the calls of the Muslims for him to run for Senate. (pna)

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