COTABATO CITY – The wife of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Mujiv Hataman on Wednesday filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayorship of Isabela City in Basilan.
Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman filed her COC at the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) office in Isabela City at about 9 a.m. She was accompanied by her husband, who filed on Tuesday his COC for congressman representing the lone district of Basilan.
In a statement, Turabin-Hataman said she was “guilty” of reneging on her word to stay out of politics after resigning in October last year while on her second term as Anak Mindanao (AMIN) party-list representative.
“I offer no excuse for doing now what I vehemently and repeatedly said I will not do. No, I will not parrot the traditional politician’s statement, ‘Gusto kasi ng tao’ (because this is what the people want). I take full responsibility for this decision,” she said.
Turabin-Hataman, who is running under the Liberal Party, said she is offering herself as an option, and not to challenge anyone that she can do better for she has never been a mayor before.
“I am only here as an alternative to what Isabela City has now, and for the last decades. I have no intention to change your mind. I am only here for those who say, we want something else,” she said.
Turabin-Hataman also sought forgiveness from her surprised relatives and friends for failing to inform them earlier of her decision.
“Know how deeply rooted I am here, for it is from these roots that I claim my stake. This is my home,” the native of Basilan said.
The city of Isabela, though strategically located in the north side of Basilan, does not form part of the ARMM, which comprises the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao.
In a plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law slated in January next year, Isabela City and Cotabato City in Maguindanao are among the new areas proposed to be included in the expanded Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which would replace the decades-old ARMM setup. (Noel Punzalan/PNA)
