Hataman, Lucman proclaimed

COTABATO CITY - Its official. Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was reelected for his second term along with reelectionist Regional Vice Governor Al Rashid Lucman.The ARMM Regional Board of Canvassers, headed by lawyer Mike Abas, proclaimed Hataman and Lucman at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center Saturday afternoon.Hataman garnered875,200 votes, more than 500,000 votes his rival, Sulu Vice Gov. Sakur Tan, got.After proclamation, Hataman immediately issued statement, as followsand Today, as Bangsamoros, weremember what is important to us. We value reform and good governance. We worked together to change the way we perceive government, and to further empower our government institutions.We value transparency and accountability, working together to bring government closer and answerable to the people it serves.We value peace and justice, and together we moved towards a future where our children and their children can live without fearing for their lives.Together, we moved forward with much respect for the past and even more hope for the future. Our process of healing continues, as we try to erase the lines that were drawn and have divided us throughout the elections. We need to unite, once again, because it was together that we achived much in building a stronger autonomous region.Now we face greater challenges--to further decrease poverty, increase opportunities for our people, and continue on the path of peace.As we welcome a new set of public servants who will lead our nation, it is important to remember what victory truly means, one that goes beyond the elections. Victory means having a true democracy that works for the people, that allows us to claim our rights as citizens, and one that recognizes what it means for us to be Bangsamoro.Today, we must remember that a victory is not just cause for celebration it is a challenge to respond to the needs of the people.Winning the elections is not so much a victory for the candidates who garnered the most number of votes, but should be above all else, a win for the people who believe in the power of collective action and in the value of a true democracy where the will of the people trumps the ambition of a few.Today we claim a greater victory, one that will heal through acknowledgment of the past, unite through mutual respect and understanding, and look to a future where no Bangsamoro will be left behind.By the grace and guidance of Allah, may we, in the days to come, continue to claim victory together.