Mindanao leaders call for champion in the Senate
ANGARA BATS FOR DEVELOPMENT, CALLS FOR PEACE IN MINDANAO

SHARIF AGUAK, MAGUINDANAO - Political leaders of this province today called for a "champion in the Senate" to voice out the causes of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), mainly the delivery of and access to basic social services.

Led by Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan and ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, the political leaders called on reelectionist Senator Edgardo J. Angara to become their "political spokesperson" in the Senate for education, health, social welfare, infrastructure and ARMM structure.

"Mindanao needs a voice in the Senate. We need someone to advocate for the education of our children, health care for our sick, roads to connect us to the rest of the country," said Ampatuan.

Angara accepted the challenge, and further called for peace in Mindanao in order to bring development to this part of the country.

"Peace in Mindanao means peace for the Philippines. And peace means more jobs for Filipinos," said Angara, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.

The leaders appreciated Angara's call to expedite the peace pact, especially in areas of conflict between government and the MILF.

"The only way we can begin to develop Mindanao is by bringing peace here. Every year, we spend over P10 billion trying to counter the insurgency in Mindanao. Imagine what we can do with that money: build roads, classrooms, and a railway circling Mindanao, acquire textbooks, and provide health care for Mindanaoans," Angara said.

Angara also said that investments will flow once peace is assured. The governments of the US, Japan, EU and the World Bank and ADB, have pledged a $25-billion peace divided once a peace pact is signed.