Sulu sultans reject Kiram's candidacy

COTABATO CITY – A group of Sultans in Mindanao rejected the candidacy of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III who is running for senator under Team Unity. The group said Kiram's candidacy is an "embarrassment to the Sulu Sultanate" because sultans have "sovereign power" and thus should not be under the authority of another government. "Being a Sultan, (Kiram) has a sovereign power and state (under) his kingdom, so he must not submit himself to any other government," Datu Rajamuda Ladjamura Bantilan Wasik, a new claimant to the throne of Sulu Sultanate, said in a statement Sunday. Wasik said they will not support the candidacy of Kiram III because he is now "subservient" to the Philippine government and has already "abdicated his throne". Being the only Muslim candidate, Kiram became a standout when Team Unity announced its 12-member senatorial slate on February 12. Kiram said once elected, his work priority will be on peace and development in Mindanao. -GMANews.TV