Marawi City civic leader Samira Gutoc
MANILA, Philippines — Former senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc has joined Aksyon Demokratiko’s national executive board—the party that recently elected Manila Mayor Isko Moreno as its president.
Gutoc on Friday said she has been a fan of former Senator Raul Roco—the founder of the party—and considered the senator’s “Agenda of Hope” as an “inspired manifesto.”
“Aksyon’s focus on jobs, hunger, peace, empowerment of the masses and of the youth resonated quite powerfully with me, as these are the same objectives I have set for my work,” Gutoc said.
Ernest Ramel, chairperson of Aksyon Demokratiko, said Gutoc is a “perfect fit” for the party for her “solid record” in public service.
“Si Sam ay perfect fit para sa Aksyon dahil sa kanyang solid record sa serbisyo publiko at sa pagkalinga sa mga komunidad kasama na ang mga bakwit at kababaihan,” Ramel said in a statement.
(Gutoc is a perfect fit for Aksyon because of her solid record in public service and her concern for communities including the evacuees and women.)
“She has initiated community projects that have helped uplift the vulnerable and marginalized. We welcome with pride a highly accomplished woman like her to Aksyon’s National Executive Board,” he added.
Moreno said he was able to meet Gutoc when the latter visited him at the Manila City Hall for the establishment of the first-ever Muslim Cemetery and Cultural Hall in the country’s capital.
“Mahalaga sa ating kasaysayan at sa kasalukuyan ang ating mga kapatid na Muslim. Sabi ko nga, Muslims brought greatness to us even before the Spaniards reached our shores,” Moreno said.
(Our Muslim brothers and sisters are very important in our history and present. Muslims brought greatness to us even before the Spaniards reached our shores.)
“Kaya masaya akong maging kasapi sa Aksyon si Samira Gutoc (We are so happy to have Gutoc in the party),” he added.
Gutoc was part of the Otso Diretso senatorial slate in 2019 but only placed 25th after garnering over 4.3 million votes.
Aside from Moreno, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is also a member of Aksyon Demokratiko.