By: Jeremiah Monreal
As the first Mindanaoan president of the Republic of the Philippines Pres. Rodrigo Duterte arrived, it’s an interesting thing to know on who was the first Mindanaoan and Muslim senator.
Meet Hadji Butu, the first Muslim senator of the Philippine Senate.
Appointed on year 1915 by then Governor General Francis Harrison, Hadji Butu raised the Muslim pride by being a great example for his fellowmen. Leading the way to a new hope for the Mindanaoans and giving honor to his Muslim roots, Butu also led small districts in Mindanao island specially Sulu and reached his lowly neighbors just to serve them for free.
He was also the first sponsor of the bill introducing the establishment and strengthening of the Philippine Military Academy, Philippine Naval Academy, and all the military colleges in the country by that time. As a senator, he also raised and produced valuable projects for the Filipinos like free medications in health centers and hospitals, provided needs for school constructions, cleaning the path on making roads, villages, highways and bridges mostly in Mindanao.
He served not just once but twice after his reappointment in 1928 and continue his serving legacy towards the needy Filipinos.
Died from a kidney failure in 1937 at the age of 72, Butu will always remain as an honorable and patriotic Muslim senator ever served in Philippine public service history.
Young ECHO 
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