Moreno assures Muslims of 'ideal, efficient' gov't if elected

Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno on Sunday vowed to provide equal opportunities to all individuals, assuring Muslims nationwide of an ideal, prudent, and efficient government should he win the May elections.

“Sa akin ang gobyernong ipararamdam natin sa tao gobyernong Mindanao, Visayas, Luzon; mahirap, middle class, mayaman. Gobyernong pantay-pantay sa mata ng pamahalaan," Moreno said in a statement.

(For me, we will let the people feel a government that is for Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon; for the poor, the middle class, and the rich. A government that will treat people equally.)

"May equal opportunity and that’s the only way to achieve the long-lasting peace and prosperity in all corners, islands of our country and I will do that, may awa ang Diyos," he added.

(There will be equal opportunities and that is the only way to achieve long-lasting peace and prosperity in all corners, islands of our country, and I will do that, with the grace of God.)

At the mass oath-taking of members of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party in the Bangsamoro Region, Moreno also vowed to support the Bangsamoro government.

“Kung saka-sakali kung mapanghahawakan ninyo ang salita ko na kayo dito sa BARMM pumanatag kayo katulad nung sinabi ni Gov. Toto (Mangudadatu) kanina, ni vice-governor na yung batas na umiiral para sa maayos na proseso ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran para sa pamilyang Muslim dito sa atin sa Mindanao then isusulong ko yun,” Moreno said.

(If you can trust my word, I assure you here in BARMM, like what Gov. Toto and the vice-governor said earlier, that I will continue to advocate for the law for peace and progress for Muslim families here in Mindanao.)

Moreno made the remark when asked if the Bangsamoro Region will not be threatened if he is elected.

"We will always seek for peace for purposes ng prosperity nang tumaas naman ang antas ng pamumuhay ng tao. Kung 'yung ibang kandidato na sinasabi mo ayaw sa mga Muslim eh desisyon nila 'yun,” he said.

(We will always seek peace for purposes of prosperity to improve the standard of living of people. If other candidates say they don't like Muslims, that's on them.)

Moreno was joined in the region by Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial bets Samira Gutoc, Dr. Carl Balita, and Jopet Sison.

Meanwhile, the Manila mayor was also formally introduced in Buluan as the one being endorsed by Maguindanao leaders.

“Unang-una salamat sa Diyos. Alam natin summer ngayon pero nililiman halos 'yung 50,000 na tao na nagpunta sa event na ito," he said.

(First of all, I want to thank God. We know that it is summer right now but there are almost 50,000 people here at this event.)

"I’m really grateful to God and I’m really grateful to our Muslim brothers and sisters at maraming salamat din sa pamilya Mangudadatu, sa ating mga ministers, sa ating mga officers at sa iba't iba pang mga grupo na narinig n'yo naman na on their own nagpunta sila dito at umasa naman sila na susuklian ko na lang 'yan ng paglilingkod nang maayos," he added.

(I'm really grateful to God and I'm really grateful to our Muslim brothers and sisters, and I want to thank the Mangudadatu family, the ministers, the officers, and other groups who went here with the hope that I would give back through good governance.)

The mass oath-taking was led by Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, former Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Zajid Dong Mangudadatu, former Buluan Mayor Ibrahim “Jong” Mangudadatu, and former Maguindanao 1st District Rep. Bai Sandra Sema.

Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al-haj Murad” Ebrahim also welcomed Moreno as their "incoming president."

“Pagbati kay Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, our incoming president, welcome sa Bangsamoro government,” Ebrahim was quoted as saying during Moreno's courtesy call to the Bangsamoro government.

According to Ebrahim, the government must continue the programs and reforms uplifting the plight of the Bangsamoro people.—AOL, GMA News