Misuari joins Brother Eddie's party

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari and the mainstream faction have thrown its full support to the Bangon Pilipinas Party (BPP) and its standard bearer Bro. Eddie Villanueva in the 2010 presidential derby.

Misuari made the MNLF support firm as he filed his candidacy for gubernatorial post for Sulu under the BPP during the last day of the filing of certificate of candidacy.

The BPP has earlier issued certificates of nomination to Misuari and his vice governor Sodesta Abdurajak with Samsula Aadju and Ahmad Jinnul as congressmen for the first and second districts of Sulu.

“We firmly believe that Bro. Eddie Villanueva and Bangon Pilipinas Party will solve the lingering problems in Mindanao,” Misuari said.

Villanueva said in a statement that with his party’s alliance with the MNLF, it consolidated the party’s support from Muslim Mindanao, marginalized people and made their camp more formidable.

“We see hope for the country in this recent development. Not only that Muslims and Christians unite for a common cause, but also MNLF and MILF see a common ground to finally achieve the elusive reconciliation, peace and development in Mindanao,” Bro. Eddie said.

Bro. Eddie has former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman Perfecto Yasay Jr. as his vice president while Alonto, broadcasters Kata Inocencio and Alex Tinsay, lawyer Ramoncito Ocampo and Dr. Israel Virgines are his senatorial bets.

However, Misuari’s candidacy for governor is seen to pass the proverbial hole of the needle as he will face two administration allies - Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and second district Rep. Munir Arbison.

Tan, a re-electionist, is running under Lakas-Kampi-CMD, while Arbison is running under the National People’s Coalition.

Aside from the two political kingpins of Sulu, there were two other contenders who have filed their candidacy earlier in the persons of Masihod Kadra, and a certain Sahiron Salim, according to Vidzfar Julie, assistant Commission on Election staff for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.