Yusop Jikiri
Encyclopedia
Yusop Jikiri is a Filipino
politician, leader within the Moro National Liberation Front
(MNLF) and former governor (2001–2004) of Sulu Province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM). He also served as a representative from Sulu's 1st District (2007–10) and ran again in 2010, but lost to Tupay Loong. He has been the beneficiary of shifting political alliances between the Tan and Loong families.
. However, in 2000 he joined 14 other MNLF officials to sign a manifesto leading to the ouster of Misauri as its leader. The so-called Council of 15 accused Misuari of being incompetent as governor of the ARMM.
, a party affiliated with the MNLF. In 2001 he won, with his party (the PPC-MNLF) winning eight of the ten seats in the provincial board. His running mate was Abdel S. Anni and his campaign coordinator was Omar Bailang. It was his second try for the governorship of Sulu since the MNLF joined mainstream politics after the 1996 GRP-MNLF peace agreement. He claimed upon his victory that he only had P100,000 when he first decided to run, attributing the rest to a "modest contribution" by former Governor Tupay Loong.
Announcement of official lection results were initially delayed by several contests on the results to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Responding to news of the delay, Jikiri's supporters stormed the gates of Camp Teodulfo Bautista (104th Army Brigade), where the COMELEC canvassing office was located. Tens of minibuses were arranged to transport supporters from different municipalities to the base.
Jikiri was sworn into office by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
in Malacanang. In his victory speech, he vowed to emancipate the province from "poverty and ignorance" and called on the people to help it regain its historic past as a "great nation of a great people." He also urged his fellow Tausugs to move forward with peace, devoting their time and efforts on education, agriculture, infrastructure and transport development, counter-narcotics, sports development, and health services.
""My government is your government, for truly I belong to you, I am among you, a son of a poor family. To this land I give my life, body and soul. Let me, therefore, seek your cooperation. Come to me as your elder brother, (or) even as your father and together we can make this land great once more in history."
The two congressional seats in Sulu province went to Jikiri's party mate Munir Arbison (2nd district) and Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) representative Hussin Amin (1st district).
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
politician, leader within the Moro National Liberation Front
Moro National Liberation Front
The Moro National Liberation Front is a political organization that was founded by Nur Misuari in 1969. The MNLF struggles against the Philippine Government to achieve independence of the Bangsamoro Land...
(MNLF) and former governor (2001–2004) of Sulu Province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan , Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government...
(ARMM). He also served as a representative from Sulu's 1st District (2007–10) and ran again in 2010, but lost to Tupay Loong. He has been the beneficiary of shifting political alliances between the Tan and Loong families.
Background
Jikiri was born in 1954 as the son of a poor farmer in Indanan, named after a famous Moro leader/bandit under the American occupation. He attended Indanan Elementary, National High School, and attended college but did not finish his bachelor's degree due to the outbreak of war in 1970. He married four times and has several children; one of his sons, Thong Jikiri, is a provincial board member in the 1st District of Sulu.Involvement in the MNLF
Jikiri joined the Moro National Liberation Front and became one of their top commanders, eventually rising to become Chief of Staff under Nur MisuariNur Misuari
Nur Misuari is a moro politician and former leader of the Moro National Liberation Front. He completed his education through academic scholarships at the University of the Philippines and became a student activist...
. However, in 2000 he joined 14 other MNLF officials to sign a manifesto leading to the ouster of Misauri as its leader. The so-called Council of 15 accused Misuari of being incompetent as governor of the ARMM.
Governor in 2001
Jikiri ran for governor of Sulu in 1998 and again in 2001 as a candidate of the People Power CoalitionPeople Power Coalition
People Power Coalition ' was the Philippine administration's coalition party in the May 14, 2001 midterm Legislative elections. The coalition was created after the EDSA Revolution of 2001 that ousted Joseph Estrada from the presidency on January 20...
, a party affiliated with the MNLF. In 2001 he won, with his party (the PPC-MNLF) winning eight of the ten seats in the provincial board. His running mate was Abdel S. Anni and his campaign coordinator was Omar Bailang. It was his second try for the governorship of Sulu since the MNLF joined mainstream politics after the 1996 GRP-MNLF peace agreement. He claimed upon his victory that he only had P100,000 when he first decided to run, attributing the rest to a "modest contribution" by former Governor Tupay Loong.
Announcement of official lection results were initially delayed by several contests on the results to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Responding to news of the delay, Jikiri's supporters stormed the gates of Camp Teodulfo Bautista (104th Army Brigade), where the COMELEC canvassing office was located. Tens of minibuses were arranged to transport supporters from different municipalities to the base.
Jikiri was sworn into office by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
in Malacanang. In his victory speech, he vowed to emancipate the province from "poverty and ignorance" and called on the people to help it regain its historic past as a "great nation of a great people." He also urged his fellow Tausugs to move forward with peace, devoting their time and efforts on education, agriculture, infrastructure and transport development, counter-narcotics, sports development, and health services.
""My government is your government, for truly I belong to you, I am among you, a son of a poor family. To this land I give my life, body and soul. Let me, therefore, seek your cooperation. Come to me as your elder brother, (or) even as your father and together we can make this land great once more in history."
The two congressional seats in Sulu province went to Jikiri's party mate Munir Arbison (2nd district) and Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) representative Hussin Amin (1st district).