JEDDAH, 19 April 2004 — More community leaders in Jeddah have thrown their support behind Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s bid for a fresh term, the incumbent president’s lead campaigner in the Western Region claimed yesterday.
Ben Garcia, president of the Jeddah-based OFW-4-GMA group, said the new supporters were led by prominent sheikhs and datus from the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur in the southern Philippines.
Garcia said the support is not only for Arroyo but extends to her vice presidential running mate, Sen. Noli de Castro, and her K-4 senatorial ticket.
He said the groups, mostly from the southern part of the country, switched their “full support” to Arroyo after an exhaustive and extensive dialogue held recently at the La Parilla Restaurant.
“We finally managed to convince these groups that no one can match GMA’s (the president’s initials) immeasurable experience as a true leader. Given another chance in office, she can uplift the standard of living of every Filipino,” Garcia said.
The identified leaders representing various organizations in the Western Region were Ali Ditucalan, Ewaton; Mohammad Al-Bani Maungco and Ali Nasser Radiamoda, Diwan; Usman Islao, Clarie Macaraya, Abdullah Mindalano and Melvin Bayabao, Shakba; Mitchell Hadji Omar, Malumbay; Apo Pascan, Darosalam; Yusoph Admain and Nanie Maki, Baloi; Sakic Abas, Lanao Laker; Ismael Sagusara, Amboloto; Datts Alonto, Malabang; Sol Diampuan, Tarakanians; Abdulfatah Mogawan, Marantao; Sonny Tala and Khum Matanog, Saguiaran.
OFW-4-GMA’s additional officers were also chosen. They were Usman Islao, vice chairman; Ali Ditucalan and Mohammad Al Bani Maungco, vice presidents. The other officers are Rudy Dianalan, Romy Bani, Gil Manese and Jauhari Usman.
