Sulu politicians form slate for 2010 elections

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – A group of political leaders in Sulu have joined forces and formed a powerful slate headed by second district Rep. Munir Arbison who is being perceived here to give Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan a run for his money.

In a meeting held in this city recently and attended by Sulu’s first district Rep. Yusop Jikiri, Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidula, former Gov. Benjamin Loong, Arbison, assemblymen, board members and municipal officials, Arbison was unanimously chosen to run for Sulu governor next year pitting him against Tan.

Loong was drafted as his runningmate for vice governor. Jikiri will be up for reelection while Sahidula was chosen to take a crack at the congressional seat to be vacated by Arbison.

“Thank you for the oppurtunity to work with you as we raise the banner of reforms. Thank you for the privilege of joining you and all our provincemates in the quest for reforms and development and for a government that puts the people’s ineterest first,” Arbison said in accepting his selection by the group.

Interviewed by this writer who was in Sulu, he said, the slate will run under the merged Lakas-Kampi CMD administration party, Pangutaran (Sulu) Mayor Ahmad Nanoh who was in the meeting told this writer who was in Zamboanga recently for a vacation.

The Arbison-Loong ticket vowed to pursue agriculture-based livelihood programs as well as infrastructure projects and stay focused on addressing the perennial problems of peace and order and poverty in the province. 

It was learned that Loong had earlier been chosen as standard bearer but agreed to slide down in favor of Arbison saying “the challenge for reforms is greater (than my ambition) because (what we did today) is about the people’s collective call for reforms.”

The vice governor who had figured in negotiations for the release of Abu Sayyaf captives in the past pledged to give her best in helping lead the ticket to victory.

Other political leaders in the meeting were Mayors Ahmad Omar, Ahmad Nanoh, Nasser Daud, Allayon Arbison, Wahid Sahiduulla, Najib Maldisa and Al-Razhmie Halun, Vice Mayor Hji Asral Imbah, former Mayors Fraz­mer Ilaji, Al Huseein Caluang, Wilson Anni, Bassar Abdurajak and Ben Tulawie, former Assemblyman Maulana Omar, Board Member Lynden Tulawie, former board member Ahmad Onnih, former Vice Mayor Erich Tan, Datu Ulom Bahjin, Hji Peping Halun, and Zaldy Haddari.   – Teddy Molina