Adding more responsibility on his shoulders, Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Garcia Dominguez III has been proclaimed as datu by the Sultan of Lanao, HRH Sultan Firdausi Ismail Yahya Abbas. The secretary is the first recipient of the royal grant of datu since the enthronement of Sultan of Lanao Sultan Abbas in 1996.
The conferment event held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City was also a showcase of the Maranao culture, with the procession of Sultans and Datus accompanied with the rhythm of ethnic sounds.
Present at the ceremony were HRH Sultan of Sulu and Sabah Sultan Mohammad Fuad Abdullah Kiram, and his son, Rajah Muda Al Mezzheer Kiram, CEO of the Sultan of Lanao Foundation Sitti Khadija Rahma Abbas, lawyers Datu Yasser Ismail Abbas and Bai Joanna Abbas, Datu Jaime Ismail B. Abbas, eldest grandson of Sultan Abbas and Datu Luis Agimuddin Delgado III, great grandson of Sultan Jainal Abirin of Sulu and North Borneo who ruled from 1936 to 1950. Also gracing the ceremony were Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers and Muslim Concerns Secretary Abdullah Mamao and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Caesar Dulay, including other Datus, Sultans, and Bai-a-labis.
As part of his proclamation as a datu, Dominguez was presented the scroll of conferment, signifying his status as a datu, a gold-plated Kandit, and a gold-plated Gonong which symbolizes his authority and duty. The proclamation ceremony was concluded by Rajah Muda Firdausi Ismail Abbas.
Dominguez vowed to protect and embody the honor of the Maranaws and its Sultans. The secretary also assured that he will aid in helping the people of Marawi return to their homes and improve their livelihood.
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