Moro leaders laud Belmonte's re-election as House Speaker

COTABATO City, Philippines - Moro political leaders were elated with the re-election of Quezon City 4th District Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 16th Congress.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman told The Star via text message that Belmonte enjoys the confidence of ARMM’s culturally-diverse folks for strong support to the peace process.

“With Speaker Belmonte there, we in the Moro communities, can be sure of the attention of the House of Representatives,” said Hataman, who had also served as a representative of the Anak Mindanao partylist before he became regional governor.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, whose younger sibling, Datu Zajid, was elected representative of the second district of Maguindanao last May 13, said he and his constituent-mayors were confident of Belmonte's re-election.

“We support his speakership of the House of Representatives. We are convinced that, as third highest elected official of the Philippines, Speaker Belmonte will help push the Mindanao peace process forward,” Mangudadatu said.

Even the chairman of the largest of three factions in the Moro National Liberation Front, former Cotabato City Vice-Mayor Muslimin Sema, is optimistic Belmonte will pay attention to “yearnings” of Moro people in the South for genuine self-governance in the spirit of self-determination.

Sema’s spouse, the second-termer Maguindanao First District Rep. Sandra Sema, voted for Belmonte in Monday’s election for the a House speakership.