Moro woman Amirah Lidasan named Makabayan’s 11th senatorial bet

The Makabayan Coalition has named a Moro representative, Amirah “Mek” Lidasan, as its 11th senatorial candidate for Eleksyon 2025.

According to a statement on Tuesday, Makabayan said Lidasan’s platform will focus on the rights and representation of marginalized sectors based on her own experiences as a human rights activist in the Bangsamoro region.

“Niluwal ako sa mundo kung saan kaliwa’t kanan ang masaker na nangyayari sa Bangsamoro. Kaya ako naging manunulat dahil gusto kong ipakita na ang mga Bangsamoro na hindi kami masama, hindi dapat katakutan,” said Lidasan.

(I was born in a world where massacres in the Bangsamoro occur left and right. That is why I became a writer, because I wanted to show that the Bangsamoro are not bad, and should not be feared)

“Mahalaga sa akin na kasama ko ang mga kababayan ko sa laban na ito . . .narito na naman tayo muli dahil kinakailangan marinig ang boses ng Moro sa gobyerno,” she added.

(It's vital that the people are with me in this battle....we are here again because the Moro people need a voice in government.)

Former party-list representatives Liza Maza and Satur Ocampo, officials of Makabayan, welcomed Lidasan in their slate in a community gathering in Salam Compound, Brgy. Culiat, Quezon City, commemorating the 1947 Palimbang Massacre, where dozens of Muslim Moros were murdered.

In August,  Makabayan announced its 10 prospective candidates for senator for Eleksyon 2025, describing them as "true advocates for the Filipino people."

They are ACT Teachers party-list Representative and House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro;  Gabriela Women’s Party party-list Rep. and House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas, Mody Floranda of PISTON transport group;  Mimi Domingo of Kadamay; Jocelyn Andamo from Filipino Nurses United; Jerome Adonis of Kilusang Mayo; former National Anti-Poverty Commission chairperson Liza Maza; former Bayan Muna party-list Representative Teddy Casiño; Pamalakaya vice chairperson Ronnel Arambulo, and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairman Danilo Ramos.—Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News