Misuari backs Villanueva’s presidential bid

By Cynthia Balana (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100211-252626/Misuari-backs-Villanuevas-presidential-bid

MANILA, Philippines—Former Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari is endorsing the candidacy of Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas for president in the coming elections.

"He is the only non-controversial politician. Hindi kasama sa katiwalian di ba (He is not involved in anomalies),” said Misuari, a former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, in an interview with reporters during the celebration of Iran's 31st National Day on Wednesday night.

Misuari said that Villanueva's platform to achieve lasting peace for Mindanao, if elected, was the most comprehensive compared to the proposals of other candidates.

Misuari said he has yet to decide whom to endorse for vice president, saying three candidates were close to him.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay was a classmate in political science in the College of Law at the University of the Philippines while Senators Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party and Loren Legarda of the Nationalist People's Coalition were also his good friends, he said.

According to Misuari, many candidates for national and local office seeking his endorsement and “consultancy” but he still had to listen to their platform of government, particularly their policy on Mindanao.

“I want to know their plan for peace in Mindanao. That is our cry in Mindanao. Some shout war and others have no policy on Mindanao," he said, speaking in a mixture of English and Filipino.

Misuari stressed the importance of electing a leader who understands the problems in Mindanao.

He said the conflict in Mindanao could not be considered isolated because it could spill over to other regions in the country and affect people even in the Metro Manila.

Misuari claimed that during his term as ARMM governor, the country was “peaceful” and had the lowest incidence of crime for five years.

Asked what advice he had for the incoming administration on how to achieve peace in Mindanao, Misuari replied, "I cannot advise them because they already have a mindset.”