Rep. Mangudadatu named to PDP-Laban Senate slate

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has announced the inclusion of Maguindanao second district Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu in the 2019 senatorial slate of ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

The announcement was reportedly made by Alvarez in a recent mass oathtaking of new party members in Bacong, Negros Oriental.

Alvarez, who sits as secretary-general of PDP-Laban, claimed that Mangudadatu's inclusion in the ticket was backed by President Rodrigo Duterte, himself. Duterte is PDP-Laban chairman.

The Speaker said that aside from Duterte, key party leaders were united in endorsing Mangudadatu, noting the solon’s sincerity and hard work in pursuing peace in the south, particularly the heroic role he played in averting an escalation of violence in the wake of the bloody 2015 Mamasapano clash.

Mangudadatu, vice chairman of the House Committees on Muslim Affairs and on Mindanao Affairs, accepted his party’s decision even as he thanked Duterte, Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III for trusting him the role of spearheading the cause for Muslim concerns and Mindanao peace as PDP-Laban senatorial bet.

“I am humbled by the vote of confidence given to me by PDP-Laban, Speaker Alvarez, and President Duterte. I will work hard so that there will be proper representation for Filipino Muslims in the Senate,” he said.

The Davao-educated lawmaker added: “My main thrust and motivation will be towards long lasting peace and progress not just in Mindanao but the entire Philippines. I pray and hope that the entire Filipino people will give me the trust and break the barrier of religious beliefs that has hindered long-lasting peace and sustainable progress in major parts of our country.”

Mangudadatu is the fifth congressman to be included in the supposed 12angles man PDP-Laban senatorial line up for next year's midterm elections.

Pimentel, the party president, earlier named Reps. Karlo Nograles (Davao City) Geraldine Roman (Bataan), Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Negros Occidental), and House Majority Leader Rudy Fariñas (Ilocos Norte) to the PDP-Laban senatorial slate.

Mangudadatu is a member of the group the lawmakers tasked to consolidate the four Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) proposals authored by former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Deputy Speaker and Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, Lanao del Norte Rep. Khalid Dimaporo, and House leaders headed by Alvarez.

In the 17th Congress, Mangudadatu authored two measures that have been passed on final reading; House Bill 5707 or “An Act Rightsizing the National Government to Improve Public Service Delivery” and HB 6893 or “An Act Regulating the use of Treatment Technology for Municipal and Hazardous Wastes, Repealing for the Purpose Section 20 of the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999.”