Former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Nur Misuari has joined the Bangon Pilipinas Movement and endorsed the candidacy of its presidential bet, televangelist Eduardo Villanueva.

Misuari, who used to chair the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), said in a press conference in Manila that he decided to join Bangon Pilipinas because he finds credible Villanueva's intention to resolve the volatile peace situation in Mindanao.

Misuari is running for governor of Sulu against incumbent Abdul Sakur Tan and second district Congressman Munir Arbison.

Bangon Pilipinas also issued a certificate of nomination to Misuari’s slate that includes vice gubernatorial aspirant Sodesta Abdujarak and congressional bets Samsula Adju and Ahmad Jinnul for Sulu’s 1st and 2nd district, respectively. Villanueva’s senatorial slate includes a Muslim, Zafrullah Alonto.

"I have decided, after pondering over and over again for quite a long period of time, to associate myself with our presidential candidate Brother Eddie Villanueva and his party,” Misuari said. “I saw that among all the presidential aspirants Brother Eddie is the only one who has credibility.”

Villanueva said they accepted Misuari because of the role he can play in ending the conflict in Mindanao. "We believe he has a very important historical role in this much awaited successful implementation of the no-nonsense peace negotiations.”

He referred to Misuari as the “next governor of Sulu” and “incoming Sulu governor.”

"He is mandated by God and by history in attaining the elusive peace," Villanueva said as he endorsed Misuari's gubernatorial bid.

Misuari ran in 2007 for the same post, but he finished behind Sakur Tan and former Governor Benjamin Loong.

Now, he said, "we have a big chance there.... They have all the money but the people have learned their lesson that money has their own limitation."

Misuari was elected as ARMM governor in 1996. He is facing rebellion charges for an uprising of his supporters in Zamboanga City and Sulu, where they torched houses in 2001, but is out on bail. 

He recently asked the Commission on Elections to conduct a special registration in Sulu because many voters failed to register supposedly because of clashes between the government forces and rebels. (Newsbreak)