Samira Gutoc

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Samira Gutoc

| image = Samira Gutoc in 2012 (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Gutoc in 2012

| office1 = Member of the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly

| 1blankname1 = Sector

| 1namedata1 = Women

| birth_name = Samira Ali Gutoc

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|12|19}}{{cite web |title=Eleksyon 2019 candidate's profile: Samira Gutoc |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/eleksyon2019/candidate/35/samiragutoc/ |website=gmanetwork.com |publisher=GMA News |access-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814013158/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/eleksyon2019/candidate/35/samiragutoc/ |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |date=2019 |url-status=live}}

| birth_place = Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Filipino

| party = Aksyon Demokratiko (2021–present)

| otherparty = Liberal (2018–2021){{cite news |last1=Lalu |first1=Gabriel Pabico |title=Gutoc on alliance shift: I waited for LP, but it did no large-scale organizing |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1493816/gutoc-clarifies-alliance-shift-i-waited-for-lp-but-it-didnt-do-mass-organizing-at-a-large-scale |access-date=September 28, 2021 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=September 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928102936/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1493816/gutoc-clarifies-alliance-shift-i-waited-for-lp-but-it-didnt-do-mass-organizing-at-a-large-scale |archive-date=September 28, 2021}}

| spouse = {{marriage|Abdul Maomit Tomawis|2004|}}

| relations =

| children = 1

| residence = Marawi
Iligan

| alma_mater = University of the Philippines Diliman (AB, MIS)
Arellano University (LL.B)

| occupation = {{flatlist|

Activist
environmentalist
journalist
politician

}}

| signature =

| website = {{URL|https://www.samira-gutoc.com}}

| appointer1 = Benigno Aquino III

| appointer = Rodrigo Duterte

| termstart = February 10, 2017

| termend = May 29, 2017

| termstart1 = May 8, 2012

| termend1 = June 30, 2013

| office = Member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission

| status1 = Officer in Charge

}}

Samira Ali Gutoc{{cite web |title=Mindanaoan civic leader Samira Gutoc lodged her candidacy... |url=https://www.facebook.com/pcijdotorg/photos/pb.154464587936032.-2207520000../4555132791202501/?type=3&theater |website=Facebook |publisher=Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism |access-date=October 3, 2021 |date=October 3, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211003215632/https://www.facebook.com/pcijdotorg/photos/pb.154464587936032.-2207520000../4555132791202501/?type=3&theater |archive-date=October 3, 2021}} (born December 19, 1974) is a Filipina civic leader, journalist,{{cite web | url=https://thephilbiznews.com/author/samira-gutoc/ | title=Samira Gutoc, Author at the Philippine Business and News | date=July 11, 2021 }} environmentalist, women's rights advocate and politician.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pcid.com.ph/personnel/samira-ali-gutoc-tomawis/|title=Samira Ali Gutoc-Tomawis|last=Galapon|first=Aldwin Llacuna|date=February 2017|website=Philippine Center on Islam and Democracy|access-date=October 12, 2018}} She served as a member of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao{{cite news |last1=Bompat |first1=Lerio |title=PNoy names 27 ARMM assemblymen |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/05/09/12/pnoy-names-27-armm-assemblymen |access-date=August 14, 2021 |work=ABS-CBN News Central Mindanao |publisher=ABS-CBN News |date=May 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626164537/https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/05/09/12/pnoy-names-27-armm-assemblymen |archive-date=June 26, 2021}} and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, which was tasked to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/213942-samira-gutoc-tomawis-running-senator|title=Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc-Tomawis running for senator|last=Ranada|first=Pia|date=October 10, 2018|work=Rappler|access-date=October 12, 2018|language=en}}

She is the founder of Asian Peace Alliance associated with Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association, writes for Asian Muslim Action Network, and established Ranao Rescue Team, a volunteer group that helps civilians displaced by the Battle of Marawi offering relief missions to civilians.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2018/03/marawi-camps-congress-marawis-streets/|title=From camps to Congress and to Marawi's streets|work=MindaNews|access-date=October 12, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/05/22/remembering-marawi-crisis.html|title=Remembering the Marawi crisis|last=Cabato|first=Regine|date=May 28, 2018|work=cnn|access-date=October 12, 2018|language=en|archive-date=October 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012094446/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/05/22/remembering-marawi-crisis.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://cmfr-phil.org/womensvoices/features/peace-is-key-in-rebuilding-marawi-bangsamoro-women/|title=Peace is Key in Rebuilding Marawi – Bangsamoro Women|last=Mendoza|first=Diana G.|date=September 25, 2017|work=Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility|access-date=October 12, 2018|language=en-us}}

She resides in Marawi, belongs to the Maranao ethnic group, and is a follower of Islam.{{Cite web|url=https://cmfr-phil.org/womensvoices/features/peace-is-key-in-rebuilding-marawi-bangsamoro-women/|title=Peace is Key in Rebuilding Marawi – Bangsamoro Women|last=cmfr|website=CMFR|date=September 25, 2017|language=en-US|access-date=April 15, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/07/22/Martial-law-Mindanao-Marawi-human-rights-violations.html|title=Maranao turns emotional as she cites human rights violations in Marawi|last=Tan|first=Lara|date=July 22, 2017|work=CNN Philippines|access-date=October 12, 2018|language=en|archive-date=October 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012134838/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/07/22/Martial-law-Mindanao-Marawi-human-rights-violations.html|url-status=dead}} She unsuccessfully ran for the Senate in 2019, under the Otso Diretso coalition, and in 2022, under Aksyon Demokratiko.

Early life and education

Samira Gutoc's father, Candidato Gutoc, was a diplomatic officer who rose through the ranks.{{cite news |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2019/04/18/1910840/samira-gutoc-and-her-showbiz-connections |title=Samira Gutoc and her showbiz connection}} As a result, Samira spent much of her childhood in Saudi Arabia, where her father was posted, before she went on to study at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP Diliman) for college.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in broadcast communication at the UP where she became the president of UP Muslim Students Association and the Metro Manila-wide Muslim Youth and Students Alliance. She then earned a Master's in International Studies from the University of the Philippines Center for International Studies, in UP Diliman, then earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Arellano University School of Law in 2006. She acquired her Fellowship from the Oxford Center in United Kingdom.

Career

=Legislation work in Mindanao=

File:Samira Gutoc Oath-taking Ceremony 5-8-2012 3-36 screenshot.jpg ARMM Assembly]]

7th ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly

Gutoc was one of the 27 officer-in-charge (OIC) members of the 7th ARMM Assembly appointed by President Benigno Aquino III on May 8, 2012. The OIC officials served until the 2013 elections.{{cite news |last1=Canlas |first1=Jomar |title=High Court accedes to Aquino wish on ARMM appointments |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2012/02/29/news/national/high-court-accedes-to-aquino-wish-on-armm-appointments/790329 |access-date=August 14, 2021 |work=The Manila Times |date=February 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814051743/https://www.manilatimes.net/2012/02/29/news/national/high-court-accedes-to-aquino-wish-on-armm-appointments/790329 |archive-date=August 14, 2021}}

Bangsamoro Transition Commission

On February 10, 2017, Gutoc was appointed by the Rodrigo Duterte administration as a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission tasked to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law.{{cite news |title=Bangsamoro Transition Commission members named |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/10/1670856/bangsamoro-transition-commission-members-named |access-date=August 14, 2021 |work=The Philippine Star |date=February 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124010358/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/10/1670856/bangsamoro-transition-commission-members-named |archive-date=November 24, 2020}} However, she resigned on May 29 that year, citing her disapproval of the government's handling of the Marawi siege, the declaration of martial law, and Duterte's joke that he would take the blame for soldiers who commit rape during martial law.{{cite news |last1=Ranada |first1=Pia |title=Bangsamoro member resigns over Duterte rape joke, martial law |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/samira-gutoc-tomawis-bangsamoro-resignation |access-date=August 14, 2021 |work=Rappler |date=May 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112043049if_/http://www.rappler.com/nation/samira-gutoc-tomawis-bangsamoro-resignation |archive-date=November 12, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Alconaba |first1=Nico |title=Bangsamoro commission member quits over Duterte rape joke, Marawi assault |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/901275/bangsamoro-commission-member-quits-over-duterte-rape-joke-marawi-assault |access-date=August 14, 2021 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=May 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227010624/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/901275/bangsamoro-commission-member-quits-over-duterte-rape-joke-marawi-assault |archive-date=February 27, 2019}}

=Senate electoral campaign=

==2019 election==

On October 11, 2018, Gutoc-Tomawis announced and filed her candidacy for senator for the May 2019 election.{{Cite web|url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/11/marawi-civic-leader-opposition-aspirant-samira-gutoc-tomawis-files-senate-candidacy|title=Marawi civic leader, opposition aspirant Samira Gutoc-Tomawis files Senate candidacy|website=Manila Bulletin News|language=en-US|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415094430/https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/11/marawi-civic-leader-opposition-aspirant-samira-gutoc-tomawis-files-senate-candidacy/|url-status=dead}} She was a member of the political ensemble Otso Diretso, a Liberal Party-led opposition coalition against the Duterte administration.{{Cite web|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1043782/opposition-senatorial-slate-2019-elections|title=Opposition completes 8-member senatorial slate for 2019 polls|last=Ramos|first=Christia Marie|website=newsinfo.inquirer.net|date=October 16, 2018|language=en|access-date=April 15, 2019}} However, the whole ticket failed to secure a seat in Senate.

She signaled her agenda for peace education, divorce, Muslim rights, women's rights, and children's rights. She is against the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility and has taken the position against the ongoing martial law in Mindanao.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/176366-marawi-resident-martial-law-human-rights-abuses|title=Marawi resident makes emotional plea vs martial law abuses|last=Cepeda|first=Mara|date=July 22, 2017|work=Rappler|access-date=October 12, 2018|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/22/17/in-tearful-plea-maranao-civic-leader-alleges-abuses-under-mindanao-martial-law|title=In tearful plea, Maranao civic leader alleges abuses under Mindanao martial law|date=July 22, 2017|work=ABS-CBN News|access-date=October 12, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/619019/maranao-leader-tells-congress-of-abuses-under-mindanao-martial-law/story/|title=Maranao leader tells Congress of 'abuses' under Mindanao martial law|last=Alvarez|first=Kathrina Charmaine|date=July 22, 2017|work=GMA News Online|access-date=October 12, 2018|language=en-US}}

On July 19, 2019, the PNP–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed charges against Gutoc and other members of the Otso Diretso electoral for "sedition, cyber libel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal, and obstruction of justice". The accused including Gutoc, were alleged to be linked to "The Real Narcolist" video series of Bikoy which the PNP-CIDG said contained "false information" meant to rally people against the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and ensure Leni Robredo's acension to the vice presidency.{{cite news |title=Robredo, ilang taga-oposisyon kinasuhan ng PNP-CIDG ukol sa 'Bikoy' videos |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/07/19/19/robredo-ilang-taga-oposisyon-kinasuhan-ng-pnp-cidg-ukol-sa-bikoy-videos |work=ABS-CBN News |language=Tagalog}}{{cite news |title=Sedition raps: Solons, bishop hit 'stupid' PNP |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1143908/sedition-raps-solons-bishop-hit-stupid-pnp |access-date=July 20, 2019 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}

==2022 election==

File:Samira Gutoc (cropped).jpg

Gutoc-Tomawis joined Aksyon Demokratiko on August 9, 2021, and was made part of its national executive board. She was admitted to the party as a representative of Filipino Muslims, the marginalized, and women. According to Gutoc, she joined the party because she is a fan of Aksyon's founder Raul Roco and his Agenda of Hope manifesto.{{cite news |last1=Domingo |first1=Katrina |title=Ex-Otso Diretso bet Samira Gutoc joins Aksyon Demokratiko |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/13/21/ex-otso-diretso-bet-samira-gutoc-joins-aksyon-demokratiko |access-date=August 13, 2021 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=August 13, 2021 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813061341/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/13/21/ex-otso-diretso-bet-samira-gutoc-joins-aksyon-demokratiko |archive-date=August 13, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Santos |first1=Eimor |title=Marawi's Samira Gutoc now with Isko's party, hopes for unity with Robredo |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/8/13/Samira-Gutoc-Aksyon-Demokratiko-Isko-Moreno-Leni-Robredo.html |access-date=August 14, 2021 |work=CNN Philippines |date=August 13, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813110455/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/8/13/Samira-Gutoc-Aksyon-Demokratiko-Isko-Moreno-Leni-Robredo.html |archive-date=August 13, 2021}} On October 3, she filed her candidacy for the 2022 Senate election.{{cite news |last1=Yumol |first1=David Tristan |title=Senate hopefuls Estrada, Gutoc highlight lean Day 3 of COC filing for national posts |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/10/3/coc-filing-day3-estrada-gutic.html |access-date=October 3, 2021 |work=CNN Philippines |date=October 3, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211003142226/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/10/3/coc-filing-day3-estrada-gutic.html |archive-date=October 3, 2021}} She was also named as a guest candidate of the Labor and Ecology Advocates for Democracy (LEAD) senatorial slate of another presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman.{{Cite web |last=Mendoza |first=John Eric |title=Socialist presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman bares senatorial line up |date=October 16, 2021 |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1502706/socialist-presidential-aspirant-ka-leody-de-guzman-bares-senatorial-line-up-which-includes-de-lima-diokno |access-date=June 1, 2022 |language=en-US}} However, she lost once again, ranking 39th.

= Marawi siege=

Gutoc-Tomawis was a resident of Marawi when the 2017 Marawi siege took place. Towards highlighting the evacuees' situation, their rights and humanitarian situation, she has been a resource person to the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, New York Times and has also appeared on Al Jazeera.{{cite news |last1=Neil Jerome Morales, Tom Allard |title=The Maute brothers: Southeast Asia's Islamist 'time bomb' |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-militants-maute-idUSKBN19302Q |access-date=June 12, 2017 |date=June 12, 2017}}

== Organizations ==

During the 2017 Marawi siege, Gutoc-Tomawis established Ranao Rescue Team, a volunteer group that helps civilians displaced by the Battle of Marawi offering relief missions to civilians.{{Cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/19/17/pagkain-hiling-para-sa-naipit-sa-bakbakan-dignity-kit-bigay-sa-mga-bakwit|title=Pagkain, hiling para sa naipit sa bakbakan; 'dignity kit', bigay sa mga 'bakwit'|website=ABS-CBN News|date=June 19, 2017|access-date=April 15, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/civil-groups-appeal-for-ceasefire-in-mindanao/79418|title=Civil groups appeal for ceasefire in Mindanao|website=ucanews.com|language=en|access-date=April 15, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/muslims-appeal-for-end-to-disinformation-in-marawi/81647|title=Muslims appeal for end to disinformation in Marawi - ucanews.com|last1=Torres|first1=Joel|date=February 27, 2018|work=UCANews|access-date=October 12, 2018|publisher=Union of Catholic Asian News Ltd.|last2=Sarmiento|first2=bong|publication-place=Hong Kong}}{{Excessive citations inline|date=August 2021}}

In 2020, she co-founded Ako Bakwit, Inc. with Nazh-Far Mariwa Berganio, an organization that aims to promote and protect the rights and welfare of the internally displaced persons in the country.{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Ma. Angelica |title=Ako Bakwit calls on Senate to prioritize IDP rights bill amid pandemic |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/756514/ako-bakwit-calls-on-senate-to-prioritize-idp-rights-bill-amid-pandemic/story/ |access-date=September 21, 2020 |agency=GMA News |publisher=BM, GMA News}}

Other affiliations

Gutoc-Tomawis currently writes the column "A Girl From Marawi" that comes out every Saturday on The Philippine Business and News.{{cite news |last1=Gutoc |first1=Samira |title=A Girl from Marawi By Samira Gutoc |url=https://thephilbiznews.com/a-girl-from-marawi/ |access-date=August 3, 2019 |date=August 3, 2019}}

She also anchors The Voice and The Voiceless at the Filipinos World in partnership with The Manila Times and Mafe Management Consultancy.{{cite news |title='The Filipinos World' launches Season 2.0 on social media |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/07/14/public-square/the-filipinos-world-launches-season-20-on-social-media/1850927 |access-date=July 14, 2022 |date=July 14, 2022}}

Awards

Cited as one of the World's Most Influential Muslims - The Muslim 500 by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.{{cite news |url=https://themuslim500.com/profiles/samira-gutoc-tomawis/|title=Samira Gutoc-Tomawis }}
2019 The Outstanding Women in Nation's Service Awardee for Peace Advocacy by TOWNs Foundation.{{cite web |last1=ARGUILLAS |first1=CAROLYN |title=2 Moro women among 12 TOWNS awardees |url=https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/10/2-moro-women-among-12-towns-awardees/ |website=Mindanews |date=October 12, 2019 |access-date=October 12, 2019}}
2018 United Nations Development Programme N-Peace Awardee for Activism.{{Cite web|title=Samira Gutoc|url=https://www.facebook.com/SamiraSaSenado/videos/232274171057102/|access-date=April 15, 2019|website=www.facebook.com|language=en}}
2001 The Outstanding Youngmen (TOYM) Honoree for Youth Development by JCI Philippines.{{cite news |last1=Sepe |first1=Fernando Jr. |title=TOYM awardee Samira Gutoc tells youth: 'Be game-changers' |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/05/23/19/toym-awardee-samira-gutoc-tells-youth-be-game-changers |access-date=May 23, 2019 |agency=ABS CBN |date=May 23, 2019}}