House commits support to government-MILF peace deal

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday committed to support the government's landmark framework peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
 
Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III said the House would pass a resolution before December of this year supporting the work of the Transition Commission, which will draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The commission will be created through an Executive Order to be issued by President Benigno Aquino III.

The framework agreement was formally signed Monday in Malacañang by MILF chief negotiator Mohagqer Iqbal, Malaysian peace broker Dato Tengko Abdul Ghafar and government chief negotiator Marvic Leonon.

"This is the best agreement we've had so far. I beg you to support this particular framework agreement," Leonen said in a hearing jointly conducted by the House committees on peace, reconciliation and unity, Muslim affairs, and Mindanao affairs.
 
Together with presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles, Leonen briefed legislators on the framework agreement, which he said was "doable without a constitutional amendment necessary."
 
The Bangsamoro Basic Law to be drafted by the Transition Commission will likely be finished by the end of the year.
 
It will then be sent to Congress for its enactment into law before a plebiscite is conducted in the envisioned territory of the Bangsamoro.
 
"The Bangsamoro Basic Law will be written by the people themselves but authorized by Congress. This is a democratic process," Leonen said.
 
Meanwhile, Leonen reiterated that the peace panels consulted the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the crafting of the framework agreement.
 
"We did open up our doors in order to talk to MNLF," he said.

MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari earlier expressed his opposition to the Bangsamoro, claiming that 17,000 MILF armed fighters have bolted the group and joined the MNLF after the signing of the framework agreement. 

Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong, a veteran Muslim leader from the House opposition bloc, said Misuari should not derail any effort to end the armed conflict in the region.  

"The best thing to do is support anything that is for peace," he said.
 
"Chairman Nur can already contribute so much by simply supporting this new endeavor to silence the guns in Mindanao. Nobody wins in war. We are all victims of violence," said Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)