Muslim leader to Leonen: Stay as government peace negotiator

A MUSLIM leader of the House of Representatives urged government chief peace negotiator Marvic Leonen to finish the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) instead of aspiring for a Supreme Court (SC) post.

Leonen is one of the candidates for the post vacated by Associate Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno. Sereno was appointed in August by President Benigno Aquino III to replace ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Sulu Representative Tupay Loong, chairman of the House committee on Muslim affairs, said Leonen should finish his duty as government chief peace negotiator.

"He should finish his job first. If his post will be passed on to another person, the peace process can go the other direction," Loong said.

"The peace process is not yet over. His services are still needed. The Transition Commission will still be formed, and he has a crucial role in this process," the lawmaker added.

Under the framework agreement, a Transition Commission shall be created to craft a Bangsamoro Basic Law, which shall then be submitted to Congress.

Once the Bangsamoro Basic Law is signed by the President, a plebiscite shall be conducted in the envisioned core territory of the Bangsamoro.

House Deputy Majority Leader Romero Quimbo, for his part, said that Leonen, who was his professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, is "born for the Supreme Court".

"His academic acumen, sense of country and patriotism is direly needed in the High Court," Quimbo said.

The Judicial Bar and Council, which screened the nominees for the post of Associate Justice, will meet again on November 7. The shortlist is expected to be released by then.

Malacanang earlier assured that the peace talks with MILF won't be derailed if Leonen is appointed as member of the Supreme Court. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)