Samira Gutoc Biography

Samira Gutoc is Filipino Muslim activist, writer, and politician. On October 11, 2018, she filed her certificate of candidacy for senator in the May election in the Philippines. However, she failed to make it to the winning 12 candidates for senator in the 2019 election.

Latest Update
Samira Gutoc is reportedly running again for senator in the 2022 national election under Aksyon Demokratiko Party which is now headed by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno who has declared his intention to run for president.

Samira Gutoc-Tomawis (Credit: Facebook Page)

Personal Information

Samira Gutoc is a Maranao who resides in Marawi, a city located on the norther shore of Lanao lake in Lanao Del Sur Province, Philippines. She is married to Engr. Abdul Maomit Tomawis and thus her complete name is Samira Gutoc-Tomawis. The couple has been blessed with a son.

Educational Background

Samira Gutoc studied at the University of the Philippines-Diliman where she acquired a degree in Communications. She also holds a Master in International Studies degree from the same university. Later, she studied law at the Arellano University School of Law in Manila. Subsequently, she attended a fellowship program at the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies.

Work Experiences

* Director – Marawi Resort Hotel, Inc. in Marawi City.
* Member – Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), formed to help draft the Bangsamoro Organic Law (Appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte)
* Representative – Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Assembly for Women Sector (Appointed by President Beningno Aquino III)
* Director – Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (2008 – 2012)
* Member – Local School Board in Marawi City

Other Engagements

* Volunteer (Electoral advocate) – Namfrel for the past 20 years in Marawi.
* First female Muslim president of the UP Muslim Students Association
* First female Muslim president of the Metro Manila-wide Muslim Youth and Students Alliance
* Focal person of the Ranao Rescue Team, a group of volunters helping Marawi City recover from the destruction of the war.
* Convenor – The Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, an organization dedicated to the study of Islamic and democratic thought
* In a speech to Congress in July of 2017, she detailed alleged military abuses in Marawi City.

Nominations and Awards

* The Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) – Nominated
* The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awarded for leadership by the Junior Chamber International (JCI)
* One of the 500 Most Influential Muslims by Georgetown University’s Center for Muslim, Christian Understanding.
* N-Peace Award of the United Nations Development Programme – Nominated