Sandugo Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination Co-chairperson Amirah Lidasan announces her senatorial candidacy on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. (Photo from Amirah “Mek” Lidasan/Facebook)
MANILA, Philippines — Sandugo Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination Co-chairperson Amirah Lidasan is the 11th senatorial candidate to run under the Makabayan slate in the 2025 elections.
Declaring her senatorial candidacy on Tuesday, Lidasan emphasized the need for representation of Moro and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the government.
“Mahalaga sa akin na kasama ko ang mga kababayan ko sa laban na ito. Kasama niyo ako sa Bayan Muna at Suara Bangsamoro, hindi tayo nakapasok, ngunit narito na naman tayo muli dahil kinakailangan marinig ang boses ng Moro sa gobyerno,” Lidasan said in a statement.
(It is important that I will be with my fellow citizens in this fight. I was with you in Bayan Muna and Suara Bangsamoro, we did not win, but we are here again because the voices of the Moro need to be heard in the government.)
Lidares was the Bayan Muna Partylist’s third nominee in the 2022 elections. The partylist lost its bid for reelection.
The Moro activist also shared how her experiences in the Bangsamoro region shaped her advocacies.
“Niluwal ako sa mundo kung saan kaliwa’t kanan ang masaker na nangyayari sa Bangsamoro. Kaya ako naging manunulat dahil gusto kong ipakita na ang mga Bangsamoro na hindi kami masama, hindi dapat katakutan,” Lidasan added.
(I was born in a world where massacres in Bangsamoro are prevalent. The reason why I became a writer is because I want to show that Bangsamoro people are not bad and we should not be feared.)
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Lidasan also said she will be campaigning for rights and representation of the marginalized sectors.
“Importante na magkaisa at importante rin na tayo ay makipagkaisa sa iba pang lahi, dahil pareho tayong inaapi at pareho ng ipinaglalaban,” she noted.
(It is important to be united and it is important for us to unite with other races because we all experience oppression and we stand up for the same thing.)
Furthermore, Makabayan Coalition co-chairperson and former Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares said that Lidasan’s “unwavering commitment to justice and her tireless advocacy for the rights of the marginalized and indigenous people make her an invaluable asset to our team.”
“Amirah’s candidacy is a testament to the diversity and strength of our coalition. Her voice will amplify the issues of the Moro and Indigenous Peoples in the Senate, ensuring that their struggles and aspirations are heard and addressed,” Colmenares added.
Her senatorial bid was also welcomed by Moros, IPs, and advocates. Beverly Longid, a Bontok-Kankanaey and Katribu Alliance national convener, shared that Lidasan showed solidarity towards the plight of IPs.
“Ipinakita ni MEK ang kanyang malalim na pakikiisa sa laban ng mga katutubo para sa karapatan sa lupa at sariling pagpapasaya, habang ipinapahayag din ang kalagayan at katulad na adhikain ng mga Moro. Naipapaliwanag niya sa amin na ang mga Moro ay nakararanas din ng pang-aapi tulad ng mga katutubo,” Longid said.
(Mek demonstrated her deep solidarity with the indigenous people’s struggle for land rights and self-determination while also highlighting the situation and similar aspirations of the Moro. She explains to us that the Moro people also experience oppression similar to that faced by the indigenous groups.)
The other ten senatorial bets under the Makabayan slate are:
- Alliance of Concerned Teachers Representative France Castro
- Gabriela Partylist Representative Arlene Brosas
- Kilusang Mayo Uno Secretary General Jerome Adonis
- Former Gabriela Partylist Representative and former National Anti-poverty Commission Chairperson Liza Maza
- Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo
- Bayan Muna Representative and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Chairperson Teddy Casiño
- Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Chairperson Danilo Ramos
- Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) Chairman Mody Floranda
- Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) Mimi Doringo
- Filipino Nurses United Secretary General Jocelyn Andamo
READ: Makabayn unveils 10-man senatorial slate