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Kiram vows to push for PHL's claim over Sabah if elected senator


LAGUINDINGAN, Misamis Oriental — Senatorial candidate Princess Jacel Kiram vowed to push for the Philippines' claim over Sabah if ever she wins in the May 9 elections.

In her speeches during the campaign sortie of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte on Monday and Tuesday, Kiram repeatedly raised the issue of Sabah.

"The issue that I carry ay ang ating teritoryo na ang pangalan ay Sabah. Ito hong property na ito ay $72 billion ang kinikita taun-taon pero hindi po tayong mga Filipino ang nakikinabang dito," she said in her speech in Lugait, Misamis Oriental

Kiram is the daughter of the late Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III,  the acknowledged leader of the Sultanate of Sulu that once controlled North Borneo, which is now known as Sabah.  

"Ito pong $72 billion na kinikita per year galing sa langis at natural resources ng Sabah. Kung iko-convert natin sa isang sako ng bigas, ibig sabihin isang sako ng bigas ang pwedeng i-supply sa bawat Filipino dito sa ating bayan. Wala po sanang Filipinong magugutom pa," she added.

Malaysia has governed the resourch-rich Sabah since the 1960s. The elder Kiram ran but lost in the 2007 senatorial elections.

Emerging in the 1400s, the Sultanate of Sulu had become a legend for its wide influence at the time and its feared Tausug warriors.

In her speech in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, she said only UNA standard bearer Vice President Jejomar Binay has a plan for Sabah among the presidential candidates.

"Si Vice President Binay lang ang may vision na ang teritoryo ng Pilipinas dapat tayong mga Filipino lang ang makinabang," she said. "Tayong mga taga-Mindanao ay hindi dapat nakakaranas ng gutom."

Kiram said now is the right time for Muslim people to have a representative in the Senate.

"Ako ay Muslim pero Filipinong-Filipino. Tsansa na po natin na magkaroon tayo ng tunay na boses sa Mindanao kaya sana pagtulong-tulungan natin na maglagay ng isang taga-Mindanao sa Senado," she said.

"Ang isinusulong ko ay pagkakaisa ng Muslim man o Kristiyano dahil lahat tayo ay Filipino," she added. —KBK, GMA News

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