Mindanao leaders back Arroyo

BUTUAN CITY — Mindanao leaders who attended Thursday’s post-inaugural address here appealed to their constituents to give President Arroyo a chance to lead the country for another term.

Former Agusan del Sur governor and former Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) chairwoman Valentina Plaza called for an end to divisive politics so the country could move forward

"If we continue to be divided as a people, it will do no good for us all. We have to unite and heal wounds since politics is over," she said.

Plaza, mother of Agusan del Sur Gov. Eddie Bong Plaza and Rep. Rodolfo "Ompong" Plaza, is the widow of former governor and congressman Democrito Plaza Sr., a populist politician who rose from poverty to become one of the richest members of Congress during his term.

Mrs. Arroyo, who was supported by the influential political clan during her bids for the Senate and the vice presidency, made special mention of the former RDC chairwoman, addressing her as the "Agusan matriarch."

Newly elected Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno, who wished the President "all the best for her six-year term," said the support of all Filipinos is important because the government cannot solve the country’s problems by itself.

Newly elected Pagadian City mayor Sammy Co told The STAR that the inclusion of Mindano in the inaugural made its residents proud and showed the administration’s concern for the island.

"This is the first time in history that the inaugural of the president and vice president is being done in three places," he said.

Agusan del Norte Rep. Edelmiro Amante, who was executive secretary during the term of President Fidel Ramos, had a catchy take on the president’s initials.

He said Mrs. Arroyo should "Give (her) Mind Always" to the people so she could have "the wisdom to solve and surmount the problems of the country."

Amante said that Mrs. Arroyo’s visit gave her the chance to link up with the people and to assure them that she had been elected to serve them.

Both Amante and the late Democrito shared a common history of poverty.

Amante started his political career as a barangay lieutenant of Barangay Ampayon in Butuan City and was later elected as a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention. v