Languyan town mayor is now governor-elect of Tawi-tawi province

Goverrnor Yshmali "Mhang" Sali

TAWI-TAWI --- This province in the Sulu Archipelago will have a new governor on July 1 in the person of Yshmael “Mhang” Sali, the outgoing mayor of the Municipality of Languyan.

        Local government chief executives will start their three-year term of office on July 1 following the May 13 elections.

 The Commission on Elections proclaimed “Mhang” Sali (National Unity Party) as Tawi-tawi governor-elect after garnering 92,795 votes against political kingpin Sadikul “Dick” Sahali (LDP) who managed to get only 62,887 votes.

Tawi-tawi province has 11 municipalities with more than 250,000 registered voters.

Governor-elect Sali is thankful to his supporters and other stakeholders for his election as the next provincial chief executive, saying: “I should say nothing more, except reiterating my commitment that I have mentioned during the campaign period. We hope to accomplish  the construction of more school buildings in the island-municipalities and municipal hospitals, the upgrading of the Rural Health Units per municipality down to the barangay level… and uplifting the living conditions of the people through education.”

He said the provincial government has to look on the priority needs of the poor sector, especially the senior citizens needing care and attention.

“I also look forward to the infra-projects that the constituents of this province would benefit most… We have to further advance in development with sustainable peace and order as always a top concern in our desire for progression… We also support the advocacy of our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the campaign against illegal drugs.”

The Commission on Elections  also proclaimed  Michail ”Tati” Ahaja (NUP) as vice governor-elect, Sali’s running mate. Ahaja garnered a total of 87,042 votes against his opponent, former assemblyman of the Regional Legislative Assembly, Hji. Anwar Abubakar, with 55,162 votes.

Proclaimed as congressman-elect is Rashidin Matba, also of NUP, with of 87.035 votes against the outgoing Congresswoman Ruby Sahali (PDP-Laban) with 69,033 votes.

Almost all proclaimed candidates from congressional down to municipal level of this province are affiliated with the NUP.  (Anne Acosta)          

Editorial

Loving our dear flag 

News have it that four vendors were arrested at Luneta Park in Manila for selling Chinese flags but which the National Parks Development Committee said had been “staged.” It came at a time when the nation celebrates June 12 as Philippine Independence Day and in a situation where our country is at rift with China over territorial claims on the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea.

The NPDC said the vendors were “seemingly being paid to pose as if they were selling Chinese flags.” Is it because of the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day? Will there be also selling of American flags on July 4 in observance of the Philippine-US Friendship Day, the date when USA celebrates its Independence Day and also the date when our country was granted independence in 1946 as promised by America after the Philippine Commonwealth period? 

But who ordered the staging of the selling of the Chinese flags for a fee? Isn’t this an act of treason?  These vendors should instead sell Philippine flags for the June 12 Independence Day celebration, the day when we reflect on the state of our independence as a nation and to what extent we have imbibed in us that high sense of nationalism and patriotism.

Our flag represents and symbolizes our dear country and the nation’s sovereignty, the same way other countries do likewise of their own. We give due respect to the national emblem as an act or show of love of one’s country and never desecrate it lest we face the penalty of law. We stand at attention and vehicles halt when there is flag raising-retreat ceremony because we give reverence to our flag while we join singing the National Anthem and put substance on the lyrics. Take note, too, when we dishonor the flag of other nations, we are also castigated and howled with indignance… this is how sacred is the national flag.

Let it be a lesson, we don’t sell other nation’s flag. Better, we buy our own Philippine Flag and keep it home and have it displayed when we celebrate Independence Day to show our sense of nationalism and patriotism. Remember, our forefathers fought with their lives to free us from colonialism and for our country to be free as a sovereign state as other countries would also defend their own against threat to security and annihilation.

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us renew our sense of duty and dedication to one’s country in whatever way we can even so simple it could be. Respect to our Philippine National Flag and being a good citizen would be the best there could be. Love our Flag.