VP Candidate Leni Fascinates Muslim Women by Wearing Hijab
Marani City, Philippines, 21 Rajab 1437/30 April 2016 (MINA) – Vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo of the Liberal Party (LP) fascinated Muslim women by wearing a hijab, a traditional veil, during a campaign sortie on Thursday.
Women who attended the LP rally cheered when they saw Robredo appear on stage in yellow hijab.
“We were so fascinated with her actuations. It sealed her attachment to the women of Marawi City and Lanao del Sur,” Mokendi Samarudin, a mother of three, said in Filipino.
“Respect for our traditions and our religion is very important. Maranaws will value such gesture and reciprocate with utmost hospitality and respect too,” said the reelectionist Vice Gov. Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Robredo first earned the respect and support of Muslim women when she appeared on a campaign stage in Buluan town in Maguindanao early this month with her head covered with hijab, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting Philstar.
Thursday’s engagement of Robredo with LP members and their supporters here was jointly organized by relatives of Lucman, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. and his younger sibling, re-electionist Rep. Ansaruddin Adiong.
Most mayors in the 39 towns of Lanao del Sur belong to the LP and are known for their political loyalty to Lucman and his immediate superior, re-electionist ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman.
Lucman said Robredo’s covering her head with a hijab was proof she fully recognizes the uniqueness of Moro customs and traditions.
Leaders of the Adiong family have vowed to work for Robredo’s victory in Lanao del Sur, home to the conservative Southern Mindanao Maranaw group, whose women strictly adhere to the Islamic dress code.
“When you come to us and show respect for our practices, you become part of the community,” said Lucman, a scion of a Maranaw noble clan in Bayang town in the second district of Lanao del Sur.
Actor John Arcilla, who played the role of Gen. Antonio Luna in the critically acclaimed movie “Heneral Luna,” also joins the growing list of movie and television personalities supporting Robredo.
“Leni’s image is not a product of a public relations group, she’s just being herself. It is her genuine intention and sincerity that will make her an affective public servant,” Arcilla said in a statement.
Other movie and TV personalities who support Robredo’s candidacy are Angelica Panganiban, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, Paula Peralejo, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Juan Miguel Rivera Severo, Cooky Chua, Meds Marfil, Gabe Mercado, Vin Dancel, Cogie Domingo, Edgar Allan Guzman, Yan Yuzon, Shamaine Buencamino and Tutti Caringal.
Earlier, President Aquino’s sister and television host Kris Aquino, Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, Dingdong Dantes, Enchong Dee, Agot Isidro, Bea Binene and singer/composer Jim Paredes expressed support for Robredo.
Star basketball player Kiefer Ravena also endorsed Robredo, saying she’s a “public servant more than a politician.”
“She is sincere, rooted in the basic problems in society, consistent in her actions, and represents what we want in a leader,” Ravena added.
TV Host Endorses Roxas
On the other hand, television host Boy Abunda expressed his full support for presidential candidate Mat Roxas.
“I’m proud to say that our vote is for Mar,” Abunda told thousands of people who attended Let’s Vote 5, the LP’s largest youth gathering, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Thursday.
Abunda explained that Roxas offers “an impressive yet unsoiled track record consisting of 23 years in public service.”
“While Roxas is not perfect, he is the most brilliant, most comprehensive and most thorough among the five running for president,” he said.
As a popular image in the local LGBT community, Abunda also endorsed Roxas because of his support for same sex civil unions and the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill of Robredo. (T/R07/R01)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
