Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu filed on Monday his certificate of candidacy for senator in the 2019 elections.
Mangudadatu will run under the banner of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which is chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The congressman said it was the President who convinced him to seek a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm elections.
“Sinabi po niya [President Duterte] na kailangan niya ng isang representasyon ng isang Muslim sa Senado upang makatulong sa ating gobyerno,” Mangudadatu said in a press briefing after filing his COC.
Mangudadatu said that if elected, he will push for the unification of Filipino Christians and Muslims and avoid segregation between the two religions.
“Ang hinahangad dito sa adbokasiya natin ay kung paano po magkaisa ang sambayanang Pilipino at let us avoid segregation because segregation of such religious attachments can sometimes cause troubles in our country,” he said.
He also said he would fight to change the perception of Christians towards Muslims to put an end to stereotypes and prejudices being experienced by Filipino Muslims.
“Let’s break the barriers between the Muslims and Christians,” he added. /je
