ZAMBOANGA CITY鈥擜 party mate from the Liberal Party has challenged the reelection bid of Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Sulu Vice Gov. Abdusakur Tan confirmed that he had filed his certificate of candidacy for the ARMM gubernatorial race and claimed he was more deserving to be called administration candidate because 鈥淚 can deliver more votes for Mar Roxas.鈥�
He said he could pledge at least 鈥�1 million votes.鈥澛� The ARMM has about 1.5 million voters.
Tan claimed that majority of the region鈥檚 political and religious leaders were supporting him.
Tan said he also decided to run against Hataman, President Aquino鈥檚 anointed candidate for the ARMM, because 鈥淚 believe and I know I can provide a better leadership for our people.鈥�
Under his leadership, Tan said he would 鈥渋mprove the delivery of government services to our people, not just main roads, but roads leading to the communities.鈥�
鈥淚 have extensive knowledge of what projects work for the development of our people, such as education, health, and peace and security,鈥� said Tan, who also had been governor of the violence-prone province of Sulu for years already.
Sulu is also the known bailiwick of the Abu Sayyaf.
Hataman said he welcomed Tan鈥檚 candidacy and that it was how democracy works.
鈥淲e leave the decision to our constituents. It is they who have the last say and we will respect that,鈥澛� Hataman said.
Hataman said he might not be a veteran politician but he has been delivering since becoming the top leader of the five-province region.
鈥淚 am just a human rights worker, an activist from a small family but I know I am delivering the most needed services to my constituents which other top and senior leaders failed to do,鈥� he said.
Temojen Tulawie, who is running for governor in Sulu, said Tan could not even put things in order in Sulu. 鈥淚f you want Sulu to be replicated all over ARMM, go ahead, vote for him,鈥� he said. Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao