Kusug Tausug lawmaker visits Muslims in Pampanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Representative Shernee Tambut, of the Kusug Tausug partylist, held a series of dialogues among Muslims now residing in Pampanga province as she campaigned for re-election for the May polls.

A native of Sulu province, Tambut, accompanied by her husband, John, thanked former President Gloria Arroyo and Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda for the warm welcome during her March 4-5 sorties in the province.

Arroyo, who was also former House Speaker, is running unopposed as Representative of the 2^nd Congressional District of Pampanga which covers six towns, including Guagua and Libao where Tambut campaigned.

Photos released by Kusug Tausug partylist show Rep. Shernee Tambut with husband, John, and former President Gloria Arroyo.

“The Kapampangan are very hospitable and I thanked all the people who welcomed us in Pampanga, especially Madam President Gloria Arroyo, who is like a mother to me; and also Nanay Lilia (Pineda). It was a warm reception and we had dialogues with our Muslim brothers and sisters,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner by phone.

A separate statement from Tambut’s office said the lawmaker attended a consultation with purok leaders in Lubao which was organized by Pineda.

Tambut toured the Muslim communities in the villages of Santo Niño and San Rafael in the town of Guagua and met with Muslim leaders of Arayat town on March 4.

During the meeting, Tambut urged fellow Muslims to help her increase the representation of Muslims in Congress and likewise noted how the Muslims have helped contribute to the growth of their adopted towns and urged them to continue their work as productive residents of Pampanga. Among those who attended the informal meeting were Arayat Mayor Emmanuel Bon Alejandrino and mayoralty candidate Madeth Alejandrino, who both belong to the local political party Kambilan.

While in the province, Tambut witnessed the signing in San Fernando City of the peace covenant and the recitation of the Integrity Pledge of all candidates of Pampanga organized by the Commission on Elections. Tambut then proceeded to the Muslim Center in San Pedro village also in San Fernando City.

After Pampanga, Tambut also attended an interfaith dialogue led by Arroyo in Quezon City which was attended by Senators Richard Gordon, and senatorial candidates Herbert Bautista, Gregorio Honasan, Robin Padilla and Gilbert Teodoro.

Honasan’s Facebook page said the meeting was between the Christian Muslim against Crime and Corruption Incorporated and the BBM-Sara Uniteam for Good Governance. (Mindanao Examiner)