Former beauty queen Sharifa Akeel-Mangudadatu is giving politics a try as she confirmed running for governor of Sultan Kudarat in the 2022 elections.
In an interview with ABS-CBN on Oct. 1, Sharifa said that she wants to render public service even after she's done with pageantry.
"Kasi kaming mga beauty queen, we already have our own advocacy and that is to serve and help the people," she said.
"So this time, sabi ko, 24 na ako, if I won't leave pageantry, I won't grow as a woman. So buong puso kong ibibigay ito sa malinis na serbisyo," she said.
Sharifa made the confirmation after she took her oath as a member of Aksyon Demokratiko, the political party of presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
Asked about her political platform, Sharifa said: "Meron na akong political agenda pero hindi ko pa talaga puwede ilatag ngayon. But I am ready to give full service."
Sharifa's husband Maguindanao Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu admitted that he advised her to join politics.
Toto said that anybody can run for any political position "as long as you have the heart for public service."
“'Yung service na full talaga, nandoon ako at ready ako sa mga possible na puwedeng makapagbigay ng tulong sa mga kababayan," she added.
Toto will also run for governor in Maguindanao, it was reported.
Sharifa and Toto just got married on Aug. 25.
A former Mutya ng Pilipinas titleholder, Sharifa also won Miss Asia Pacific International 2018.
When she was crowned Miss Asia Pacific International, the Qatari-Filipino beauty queen who was also a teacher then dedicated her pageant victory to the Muslims.