POLITICAL clans in Sulu have joined forces to challenge the present provincial leadership for its alleged incompetence and alleged failure to maintain peace and order in the province.
Rep. Munir Arbison of the second district of Sulu said he and several other political stalwarts and their families from the first and second district of Sulu formed an alliance to “unseat” incumbent Gov. Abdusakur Tan II for the alleged failure of the provincial government to stop alleged incidents of kidnapping as well as proliferation of illegal drugs that had long affected the peace and order situation in the province.
Arbison said other members of the group were former governor Benjamin Loong (Parang), former governor and congressman Yusop Jikiri (Indanan), former governor Munib Estino (Panglima Estino), former congressman and mayor Hussien Amin (Jolo), Mayor Nasser Daud (Tapul), Mayor Wahid Sahidulla (Tongkil) former mayor Tambrin Tulawie (Talipao), former mayor Abdel Anni (Siasi), Vice Mayor Juddin Pantasan (Omar), Vice Mayor Salam Asta (Pangutaran), and Vice Mayor of Maimbung.
“The consensual total discouragement of the group was brought about by reports of very reliable resident-sources about the provincial government’s apparent lack of effort to resolve incidents of kidnapping that has sown apprehension and fear among the residents of Sulu,” Arbison, member for the majority bloc of the House committee on Mindanao Affairs, told reporters.
“And again just recently, two police personnel were kidnapped by unidentified armed group. Moreover, per confidential reports to them, the allied politicians were also one in condemning the proliferation, use and sale of illegal drugs which has not been addressed and stopped by the provincial leadership,” he added. “The drug menace and its deadly effects have already gravely infiltrated the social structures and afflicted especially the youth of Sulu province.”
Arbison, vice chairperson of the House committee on public works and highways, said their alliance was intended “to bring about that much and long-needed change in governance” as the new political landscape also started to take shape in Sulu province.
Arbison, however, did not mention as yet the gubernatorial candidate and others of the newly-formed Sulu political alliance should the mid-term elections push through in 2019.
Last month, the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division ordered Tan Sr., a former governor, to pay a fine of P25,000 following his guilty plea to not filing his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.
Tan Sr. evaded a jail sentence with his guilty plea on the charges that stemmed from his alleged failure to file his SALNs from 2007 to 2011.
Tan’s son, Maimbung Mayor Samier Tan, was also charged with violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standard for Public Officials and Employees for not filing his SALNs for 2010 and 2011.
Section 8 (a) of RA 6713 requires public officials and employees to file their SALNs under oath within 30 days after assuming office, on or before April 30 of every year and within 30 days after separation from the service.