JOLO, Sulu – Support for the gubernatorial bid of Sulu 2nd District Rep. Munir Arbison has snowballed after a large group of political leaders here and Lakas-Kampi-CMD partymates drafted him as their standard bearer in next year’s elections.

This developed after prominent officials and local leaders led by former Sulu Gov. Ben Loong, Sulu Vice Gov. Nur Anna “Lady Ann” Sahidulla and Sulu 1st District Rep. Yusop Jikiri earlier have chosen Arbison as standard bearer during a grand meeting of party leaders held in Zamboanga City recently.

Also in the meeting were eight provincial board members, four regional assemblymen, and nine municipal officials who all vowed to push for Arbison and his massive reform agenda.

“Hulog talaga kayo ng langit, nagbibigay kayo ng pag-asa sa ating mga kababayan. Tunay kayong mapagkakatiwalaan,” Sahidulla said referring to Arbison before hundreds of school teachers who attended the 1st Division Policy Conference of Teachers in Luuk, Sulu on October 23.

Sahidulla also said that they will cross partylines in supporting Arbison in the gubernatorial race “because this is the result of a continued consultation with different sectors of the society, the religious, academe, youth and civic organizations to determine who would best lead the province.”

Arbison who is 2nd District Lakas Kampi-CMD chairman accepted the draft initiated by Loong to be the gubernatorial candidate as Loong acceded to slide down as the group’s vice gubernatorial bet in the coming elections.

Loong explained that his decision to slide down was for the interest of his province mates saying that their newfound unity will spell victory for the group.

He said that Arbison is “winnable” and cited his leadership qualities and track record in public service. “It is time to set aside vested interests. We should promote the welfare of our ‘bangsa’ (ethnic group). They deserve only the best,” he said.