PORAC, Pampanga – To unite all Filipinos, especially the Muslims in Mindanao in order to attain lasting peace in the region that will lead to progress.
This is the primary advocacy of Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Sajid “Dong” Mangudadatu who is now considering a run for the Senate under the PDP-Laban.
“Kapayapaan at pagkakaisa ng bawat Pilipino ang aking mga pangunahing adbokasiya (Peace and unity of all Filipinos are my primary advocacies),” Mangudadatu told the media here on Thursday.
Mangudadatu said he visited Pampanga upon the invitation of former president Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and at the same time assess his chances in seeking a Senate seat.
“In two months’ time, I will know whether I will run for the Senate,” he said.
Mangudadatu said he visited the Muslim communities in Guagua and Porac and consulted with the local political leaders.
The Maguindanao solon gave an interview at the residence of Porac councilor Regine Clarete here whose village is celebrating its fiesta.
Mangudadatu said he would also like to help President Duterte, a Mindanaon like him, in his goals for our country.
He said he would like to change “the perception of our Christian brothers towards the Muslims” and “how to break the barriers between us.”
“If there is unrest in Mindanao, then everything is affected including our economy,” he lamented.
Mangudadatu said the Philippines will become another Dubai if there is peace and unity in Mindanao because of the region’s rich natural resources.
He said the deposit of natural gas in Mindanao is worth $1 trillion. But we can only explore that if there is peace.
“Our budget is more than P3 trillion. If we can have lasting peace in Mindanao, within 25 years the country will progress substantially and will be like Dubai and we can also pay all our loans just because of these natural resources. That will make us the richest in Asia,” he said.
