Thursday, May 10, 2007 Thousands of Christians, Muslims assure party-list victory By Bong Garcia
ANAK Mindanao (Amin) Representative Mujiv Hataman urged the electorate to vote wisely by electing candidates based on qualifications and not on mere friendship and popularity.
At the same time, Hataman urged the hundreds of people attending the rally Wednesday to prioritize candidates from Mindanao who are seeking election to the Senate.
Hundreds of different organizations - civic, peoples', non-government organizations, including barangay associations - threw their unwavering support to Amin party-list during the grand rally in Plaza Pershing to ensure Mindanaoans' victory in the May 14 elections.
Dubbed, "El Victoria del Amin, Victoria para Paz y Unidad," more than 300 motorbike riders from various organizations joined the motorcade that attracted people from the west coast, city proper, and the east coast.
The Zamboanga United Bikers Association, Inc. (ZUBAI), an umbrella organization of motorbike riders in this city, led the long-line of motorcade that started from Normal Road in Baliwasan and moved around the main thoroughfares of the city, culminating with the Grand Rally at Plaza Pershing.
ZUBAI has a contingent of 21 motorbike associations, whose membership runs to some 2,000 bikers.
Abdulkarim "Cocoy" Beltran, deputy spokesman for ZUBAI and spokesman of XTreme Riders Union League of Zamboanga (XRULZ), said, "We believe in the sincerity and advocacy of Amin and its fair representation in the House of Congress."
He also said that the track record of Amin has been tested and its representation on issues affecting the tri-people of Mindanao is genuine and credible.
Aside from Hataman, among the array of speakers during the rally were Prof. Moy Edding, Amin national president, Edris "Ed" Lim, candidate for City Council of Nuevo Zamboanga, Claro Nuesca, representing the youth sector, and Ray Tangalin, representing the students' organization, among others.
Lim, a credible religious moderate Muslim leader and with involvement and affiliation in inter-faith dialogues, has been noted for his stance for just and fair approach, and unity for Muslims and non-Muslims by providing better picture of Muslims in various communities.
In his speech, Lim said he vowed to promote proper understanding and unity with mutual respect and respect for diversity in faith and practice.
Boy Arabi, lead convener of the rally, said he joined Amin because of its political ideology in helping people, especially Mindanaoans, regardless of creed and religion. Amin was founded in 2001 by Hataman.
Arabi, aside from being lead convener, has mobilized the participants and delegation to the rally.
Among the projects Amin implemented in the different parts of the country include construction of multi-purpose buildings, providing computers to public schools, various scholarships, and livelihood for the needy.
Hataman said he would continue his programs and projects for the benefit of the people in the country in general and Mindanao in particular.
