Presidential candidate and Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Sunday, Feb. 20, assured that he will continue to support the Bangsamoro government if he is elected as the country’s next president.

“Kung saka-sakali kung mapanghahawakan ninyo ang salita ko na kayo dito sa BARMM pumanatag kayo katulad nung sinabi ni Gov. Toto kanina, ni vice-governor na yung batas na umiiral para sa maayos na proseso ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran para sa pamilyang Muslim dito sa atin sa Mindanao then isusulong ko yun (Like what Gov. Toto and vice governor said earlier, the law that exists for the smooth process of peace and development for the Muslim families here in Mindanao, then I will continue that),” Domagoso said during his visit to BARMM.

“Ang maganda lang dito, mangongopya na lang ako, ipatutupad ko na lang, diba? Kumbaga may meeting of minds and technically and specifically may agreement na. So, ang tanging gagawin ko na lang makamit ng mga tao yung nilalaman nung batas, o lider ang mag iimplementor at yun naman ang commitment (The good thing about this is that I will just have to copy it, I will just implement it, right? There is already a meeting of minds and technically and specifically, there is already an agreement. So, all I have to do is get the people to know what the law is all about, or the leader will implement it and that is the commitment),” he explained.

Domagoso also said he will always push for peace and prosperity to uplift the standard of living of the people.

He assured that all Muslims in the country can expect an ideal, prudent, and efficient government that will treat its people equally regardless of social status.

“Sa akin ang gobyernong ipararamdam natin sa tao, gobyernong Mindanao, Visayas, Luzon; mahirap, middle class, mayaman.... May equal opportunity (The government that we will make people feel — is the government of Mindanao, Visayas, Luzon; whether they are poor, middle class, or rich... there will be equal opportunity for all) and that’s the only way to achieve the long-lasting peace and prosperity in all corners, islands of our country and I will do that, may awa ang Diyos (God is merciful)),” he said.

Domagoso and Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial bets Samira Gutoc, Dr. Carl Balita, and Jopet Sison are currently in BARMM for the Mindanao leg of their campaign.

The Manila mayor was a special guest in the mass oath-taking of some 20,000 members of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party led by Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, former Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Zajid Dong Mangudadatu, former Buluan Mayor Ibrahim “Jong” Mangudadatu, and former Maguindanao 1st District Rep. Bai Sandra Sema.

“I’m really grateful to God and I’m really grateful to our Muslim brothers and sisters at maraming salamat din sa pamilya Mangudadatu, sa ating mga ministers, sa ating mga officers at sa ibat-iba pang mga grupo na narinig nyo naman na on their own nagpunta sila dito at umasa naman sila na susuklian ko na lang yan ng paglilingkod ng maayos (many thanks to the Mangudadatu family, to our ministers, to our officers and to the various groups that came here on their own. They can expect that I would repay them with good service),” Domagoso said.

At natutuwa ako na hindi ako nagkamali na desisyunan na dito magsimula ang ating paglalakbay sa Mindanao sa loob ng kampanyang ito (I am glad that I decided to start our journey in Mindanao here during this campaign),” he said.

Aksyon Demokratiko Chairman Ernest Ramel had earlier said the alliance of Domagoso with the Mangudadatu clan is expected to play a vital role in getting the support of Mindanao voters for his presidential bid.

As of 2019, Maguindanao has a voting population of 766,497 while Sultan Kudarat has 452,000 registered voters.