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Welcome Remarks of Mohagher M. Iqbal, Vice President for Central Mindanao, United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), at UBJP Declaration of Support for Vice President Leni Robredo, Camp Darapanan, Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, April 23, 2022
UBJP Vice Chairman for Central Mindanao Mohagher Iqbal. (Credit: Wikipedia)
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem!
Let me begin by extending my warmest Assalamu Alaikum and Greetings of Peace to the Lady of the Hour, Vice President Leni Robredo, whose natal day also happens to be today.
My highest respect also to Ma'am Leni's party, including Davao del Norte Cong. Pantaleon Alvarez and Gov. Edwin Jubahib, as well as to my colleagues in the United Bangsamoro Justice Party headed by UBJP President Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim, incumbent local chief executives, UBJP local candidates, and everyone who took the time to join us today in the midst of fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadhan.
Good morning.
For those of you who know me, you may be well aware that I am careful with my life choices, and I always choose my words carefully. Perhaps it is a skill harnessed through time as a negotiator. Similarly, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, as a genuinely-principled political party, also took its time in studying the personalities, plans, and platforms of actions of the different Presidential hopefuls in the upcoming 2022 National Elections. We took particular interest in the stand and temperament of the candidates on Bangsamoro issues and concerns. This is important because the historical injustices in the Bangsamoro context could easily be overlooked in the Philippine narrative, and truly, not every Filipino understands the root causes of conflict in our region.
We are fortunate to have had Presidents who are and were friendly to the Bangsamoro during their terms of office. Without their strong political will and follow through to their campaign commitments, it is hard to imagine where the Bangsamoro Peace Process would be at today. Words and promises, indeed, are a politician's powerful weapon. In the case of the 10 Presidential candidates for 2022, we appreciate hearing the words and promises from 2 candidates about their hopes and dreams for the Bangsamoro.
To this day, the Bangsamoro struggle continues as we partake in the political exercise of elections, governance, and institution-building. Still, we do not lose sight of the end goal, which is to achieve genuine and lasting peace and development in the region, and in the Philippines as a whole.
Be it recalled that on March 17, 2022, I claimed some time on the floor as a Member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament to deliver a privilege speech. There, I explained how important the next administration is going to be for the Bangsamoro people. I emphasized that collectively, the Bangsamoro people should recognize the value of choosing a worthy candidate for the position of President of the Republic of the Philippines: a candidate who will preserve and defend the Bangsamoro cause.
This brings me back to memories when I was at the peak of the revolutionary struggle. I found myself dealing with three (3) kinds of people: First, those who are sincerely with you; Second, those who are against you; and Third, those who are in between the two. Of course, the most difficult personality to deal with is the third one. But in a Presidential election that only gives the voters 86 days within which to arrive at an informed decision as to who to vote on May 9, 2022, the safest bet would be to go for the first kind of people – THOSE WHO ARE SINCERE WITH YOU.
As I've said before, we are looking for a candidate, that is a friend of the Bangsamoro. Such friendship and sincerity, is sealed by overt acts since then and up to now. As a person, she never let us down, not once she made us feel that we are less a person and as a Bangsa. As a group, we will treasure, what you have shown to us. Because those who stick by our side during our hard times, deserves to be with us during our best times. Indeed, according to Ali Ibn Talib, "a friend cannot be considered a friend until he is tested in three occasions: in times of need, behind your back, and after your death."
Without meaning to steal the thunder of this event, I am happy to note that VP Leni Robredo belongs to the first kind of people. She truly and sincerely is not only a friend but also one with the Bangsamoro people.
It is for this purpose that we gather here today for the Declaration of Support of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party to the Candidacy of LENI ROBREDO for President. These are exciting times, and I am proud to belong to the UBJP as it cements its support to Leni Robredo, the one and only Presidential candidate whose values, principles, and characters align with those we uphold as a regional political party.
Having said this, I warmly welcome you all today to this momentous event. May Allah SWT bless and protect us all and the sanctity of the elections on May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections. Ameen.
Thank you very much and good morning. (✓)
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Featured photo of VP Leni Robredo credit to Wikipedia.
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