A big coalition of Muslim religious leaders declared full support for the presidential bid of Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Tuesday, March 15.
Officers of the Ummah Party Ulama Alliance for Good Governance, along with the Pilipinas God First Movement-Aksyon Demokratiko, signed a manifesto of support for Domagoso at the Manila City Hall.
During the event, Domagoso, the alliance's chairperson Matoa Ameroddin “Abu Mohammad” Sarangani and some of the group's officers also signed a memorandum of cooperation.
In his short speech, Domagoso apologized for the years of neglect of Muslims in the country. If elected president, he vowed to focus on implementing laws and programs that would give the Muslim communities the future that they deserve.
He also pledged to finish the rehabilitation of Marawi City by December 2022.
“I am happy that you appreciate our small gesture. Maraming salamat kay (BARMM Interim) Chief Minister (Ahod Al-haj) Murad, kay Vice Chair Gadzhali Jaafar. Kung ano nasimulan sa BOL (Bangsamoro Organic Law) itutuloy natin (Thank you so much to Chief Minister (Ahod Al-haj) Murad, Vice Chair Gadzhali Jaafar. We will continue whatever has been started in the BOL)," Domagoso said.
“Forgiveness is different from forgetting especially to the ones who committed such atrocities,” he added.
Senatorial bet Samira Gutoc delivered the welcome message on behalf of the Aksyon Demokratiko, while similar messages were also given by Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) MP James Macaraya and the Lanao Coalition of Volunteer Groups for Isko (Lanao Masuawara Council for Isko).
An oathtaking of support for Moreno was led by Shey Sakaluran Mohammad, the chairperson of Pilipinas God First, before the actual signing of the manifesto.
Also present during the manifesto signing were Jalaludin Sarangani, Ummah Party president; Drieza Lininding, Marawi IDPS chair- Pilipinas God First; Maulana Mamutuk, chairperson, Ranao God First Movement; Nassif Malawani, chairperson, United Bangsamoro Isko Moreno for President Movement, and Mohammad Nurkan, chairperson for Youth – Pilipinas God First.
According to Sarangani of the Ummah Party, his group believes that he is the right man to lead the country in the next six years, considering the numerous accomplishments he achieved for the city of Manila in less than three years.
One of these include the launch of the
first government-run Islamic cemetery in Manila in June 2021. The Islamic Cemetery and Cultural Hall is located inside the Manila South Cemetery.
“You are the right man to lead the country, you are our upcoming president and you can count on our support. When we inaugurated the Islamic cemetery, I made a prayer for you Yorme that you will be the next president of the Philippines, it is stated in the Quran, pray to me and I will listen,” Sarangani said.
Dr. Fatani Sultan “Maulana” Abdulmalik, national president of the Ulama and Imam of the Philippines, said that their group decided to support the mayor after he assured the Bangsamoro people that he will continue and support the Bangsamoro Government if he becomes the next president of the country.
“BBM (Bongbong Marcos) said that kahit isang patak ng Lake Lanao hindi mapupunta sa Bangsamoro (BBM said that even a drop of Lake Lanao will not go to Bangsamoro), we need a president who will preserve The Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Abdulmalik said.
During his campaign sortie in Buluan, Maguindanao in February, the mayor assured all Muslims in the country that they can expect an ideal, prudent and efficient government that will treat its people equally regardless of social status if he becomes president.
He also vowed that his administration will continue to support the Bangsamoro government to sustain its momentum towards long-lasting peace, and provide its people with the minimum basic needs – housing, hospitals, and schools.