Muslim community vows 8T votes

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and his complete slate are assured to get at least 8,000 votes after the Muslim community in the city has vowed to fully support the candidates.

The Lumad Alimaong Supreme Council of Datus-Alimaong (SCODA) has also assured to support Rama in his reelection bid. 

Hadji Rasul Abangon, president of the Cebu Muslim Association CMVA Corporation, said there are 9,320 registered voters of Muslims in the city and they can assure to get at least 8,500 votes for Team Rama.

Abangon explained that they will support the full slate of Rama because the mayor has been fully supportive of their sector. 

 “Sa katong vice mayor pa siya, ni suporta na sila namong mga Muslim, sayon ug dali ra kayo siya duolon, dili magduhaduha nga muaksyon, maong gipalangga siya sa mga Muslim. Dili pareha sa uban nga pasagdaan lang mi, kami kay gisuportaan gyud niya maong nakaangay ang mga Muslim sa Cebu City,” he said.

Abangon added that before voting on May 9, they will gather their Muslim brothers and sisters and orient them on whom to vote.

Further, Flodo Velarde Jr. known as Ha Datu “Tatay” Hadar, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Datus-Alimaong (the holy Warriors) (SCODA), said that while their tribe is a non-sectarian and non-political organization and will not have a party to support, they will choose a candidate who accepts them.

He said that they will support Rama, but did not mention if they will support the full slate of the mayor.

Velarde said they have 10,624 members, including families and relatives. He did not assure though of how many votes they can deliver for Rama.

 “Ang misyon ug function sa activity karun kay ang kahiusahan, ug balik kultura. Kaning atong gibuhat karun kay ang kahiusahan, nagkahiusa kita ang balik kultura na kaagi na ta ug development, dili ingun nga mubalik kita nga magbahag, ang atong kinaiya sa atong igsuon nga Cebuano ka yang pagkamatinud-anon ang pagkamatinud-anon, layo ra sa kurapsyon,” he added.

Velarde said that if Rama will win this coming election, they will not ask for anything except if they need assistance when it comes to demolitions and other community problems.

Rama said he has had a very good relationship with the two groups even before, especially when he started overseeing the Sinulog in 2001.

“It will always be the warmest and it becomes delightful that we have been consistent in developing our team, me, Edgar labella, with the rest of north and south. If we talk about the usual Sinulog fair at Osmeña Blvd, they all come from the Muslim community, especially from Mindanao whose relatives are from Cebu City,” Rama said.

“Since I organize UMC for United Multi-Sectoral Cebu City coordinating council we ended up Series of activities which is in line with economic growth and that is the Night Market a very much economic program that we have bringing in not only the Muslim but also the street traders. I feel so proud that they did not abandon me, thank you to the Muslim community, thank you to the Alimaong,” Rama said.

Earlier, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in Cebu City declared full support for mayoral candidate Tomas Osmeña. INC has at least 5,000 members in the city.

Rama said that he has fulfilled his service as a public servant giving no distinction to any religion, and he does not take it against the INC if they will not support him and his slate.

He added that he has helped INC in terms of assistance in not having their buildings destroyed.

"It was merely for me to stand for them so I made representation, that alone I am very happy having the Iglesia ni Cristo that their structure has not been destroyed and that is for me. I have become fulfilled as a public servant giving no distinction of any religion,” he said.

Rama added that he has been helping the INC ever since.

“There is this event that I allowed them to have in Fuente, event that I allowed them in South Road Properties (SRP) I am also very fulfilled having help them and it improve only that I don’t distinguish and I stand in the platform that Mike Rama exist in the service of God, in the name of God and in the name of service, no distinction only existing on the maxim public office is a public trust. — (FREEMAN)