Over 250 Muslim leaders' representatives and delegates to the First Metro Manila Muslim Tripartite Conference in Pasay City on Tuesday have showered with applause "presidentiable" and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani "BF" Fernando, who challenged them to uphold the law and vowed to help them.

"Gusto kong maging Bayani sa aking mga kapatid na Muslim (I want to be a hero to my Muslim brethren)," said Fernando, an obvious play with his surname.

Fernando spoke in Pilipino and English on July 22 at the three-day forum organized by the Markazzoshabab Al-Muslim Fil-Filibbin, Inc. at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) that brought together Islamic, business and community leaders to address issues confronting Islam and Muslims, particularly in Metro Manila.

"I want to leave you something, something to give you, my principle in my 17 years of government service, my political platform," he said.

Fernando then proceeded to impress upon the Muslim men and women attending the forum that the "law is the solution" and that members of the Moro community in Metro Manila should understand this.

"The law is the solution and it is not partial to anyone," he said, asking the forum to include respect for and upholding the law part of their discussions.

Some mayors and governors, he said, are afraid to implement the law due to political considerations, but not him and the MMDA.

He said there are laws for the people's needs and problems. So why can we not follow them? Fernando asked.

"Only 20 percent (of) Filipinos follow the law, dahil galit tayo sa batas. If nagpatupad ka ng batas, Hitler ang tawag sa iyo. They will call you a dictator if you imposed the law," he said.

One of the applauses came when the MMDA chairman revealed his personal connection with Muslims. He said his eldest sister Ligaya is married to an Islam believer, Punjungan Amilbangsa of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

He said Ligaya embraced the Muslim faith and wrote two books about the Muslim Moros.

He asked the organizers to give him the results of the forum which ended Thursday and promised to show them to mayors of Metro Manila and try to act on them.

Without showing any hurt, Fernando said six MMDA personnel had already been killed due to conflicts with Muslim vendors in Baclaran arising from the implementation of the law.

"They were shot in the head," he said, allayed any fears of getting back at the Muslims.

"We are not going to take revenge for their deaths," the MMDA head said, stressing though he will not tolerate chaos on the streets of Metro Manila caused by vendors.

Since he was mayor of Marikina City when he started serving government, he said he has not sent anyone to prison, much less had someone killed.

"It pains me to see my Muslim brothers on the streets (hawking their goods). I will help you get into the markets. Rent land and I will build you a market," he said.