Governor-elect Mujiv Hataman Reflects on House of Representatives

Governor-elect Mujiv Hataman Reflects on House of Representatives

Governor-elect and outgoing Basilan Lone District Rep. Mujiv Hataman expressed heartfelt emotions as he prepared to leave the House of Representatives, his home for six years. In a recent Facebook post, he shared the moments and experiences he will dearly miss from the House of the People.

Ngayong linggo, dumalo ako sa aking huling session bilang miyembro ng House of Representatives. Malungkot man tayo at medyo nostalgic, pero handa na rin akong bumalik sa aming lalawigan. Sa July 1, magsisimula na ang panibagong yugto ng serbisyo natin bilang gobernador ng Basilan, he wrote. (This week, I attended my final session as a member of the House of Representatives. Though there is a sense of nostalgia and bittersweet emotions, I am ready to return to our province. On July 1, a new chapter of service begins as we take on the role of governor of Basilan.)

Hataman said, “Mami-miss ko ang Kongreso. Mami-miss ko ang plenary hall, lalo na ’yung pagtayo natin sa tuwing tayo ay mag-privilege speech, at ’yung halos anim na taong pagbubusisi sa national budget para tiyaking may espasyo at pondo para sa mga kababayan nating nasa malalayong rehiyon.” (I will miss Congress. I will miss the plenary hall, especially standing to deliver privilege speeches, and those nearly six years of meticulously reviewing the national budget to ensure funding and allocations for our fellow citizens in remote regions.)

Years of Dedicated Service in Congress

Serving as Basilan’s congressman during the 18th and 19th Congress, Mujiv Hataman was eligible for another term in the 20th Congress. However, he chose to run for governor in the recent elections instead. His political journey began in 2001 when he was first elected as a representative of the Anak Mindanao Partylist. He served three consecutive terms in the 12th, 13th, and 14th Congress.

“Noong 2001, unang beses akong nahalal sa Kongreso bilang kinatawan ng Anak Mindanao Partylist, at nakapaglingkod ng tatlong sunod-sunod na termino sa 12th, 13th at 14th Congress. Pagkatapos noon, ating tinahak ang panibagong landas bilang Regional Governor ng noo’y ARMM, hanggang sa ako’y bumaba sa puwesto noong 2019 at muling bumalik sa Kongreso, ngayon naman bilang kinatawan ng Basilan,” he shared. (In 2001, I was first elected to Congress as the representative of the Anak Mindanao Partylist and served three consecutive terms in the 12th, 13th, and 14th Congress. After that, we took on a new path as the Regional Governor of the then-ARMM, until I stepped down in 2019 and returned to Congress, this time as Basilan’s representative.)

The now-defunct ARMM refers to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, a region that has since been replaced by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Hataman’s transition marks the start of a fresh chapter of leadership as he prepares to serve his province as governor starting July 1. Local leaders noted his commitment to public service and the hope that he will bring positive change to Basilan.

For more news and updates on Basilan politics, visit Filipinokami.com.