Monday, August 11, 2008 Mongaya: Controversy over peace pact By Anol Mongaya
THE possible formation of a Bangsamoro state from the MILF perspective could be seen as victory at the negotiating table. However, forging a document acceptable to both panels of the MILF and the Republic of Philippines is the easier part. The harder part is getting the rest of the country to accept the agreement.
Forging peace is not only getting the guns to cease firing and getting protagonists to talk at the dialogue table. It also involves creating constituencies that support the peace effort and the programs that might result from the talks.
Unfortunately, the negotiating panel for the republic failed to conduct consultations with various sectors from Mindanao to Luzon. Now, I’m afraid the memorandum of agreement the peace panels have signed has created a storm that could sweep it out into the dustbin.
Former senator Franklin Drilon who visited Cebu Friday met and exchanged notes with Cebu House leaders Reps. Pabling Garcia and Pablo John along with Rep. Erin Tañada on the issue.
Drilon explained that he is for peace in Mindanao and autonomy for our Moro brothers within the context of a federal state. However, the MOA wants to create a separate Moro state within the Philippines.
First the government peace panel nor even the Arroyo administration has no constitutional power to cause the creation of a separate Moro state. Second, the very idea of a separate Bangsamoro state violates our Constitution.
Advocates for the MOA are now saying that the proposal will entail the amendment of the Constitution. But the astute constitutionalist Pabling Garcia said that all laws were supposed to emanate from the Constitution. However, in this case, the Arroyo administration now wants the Constitution to conform to the MOA.
I understand Liberal Party leaders are one with the Garcias on this controversy. Liberal Party boss and presidential bet Sen. Mar Roxas had expressed the same objections in a separate statement e-mailed to media. According to Drilon, President Arroyo is exposing herself to the possibility of impeachment. A storm is brewing.
I think the peace panel could have avoided this controversy had it strived to conduct consultations with various stakeholders on what should be the position of the Republic of the Philippines on proposals of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The final agreement should be acceptable not just to the leaders of both sides. There must be a broad constituency for an agreement arrived at after a lengthy process of consultations.
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The Drilon-Tañada meeting with the Garcias also signals the continuing alliance between the Liberal Party and the Garcia camp. To recall, the small but cohesive Liberal Party camp within the House remained loyal to the elder Garcia in his failed bid for the post of House Speaker last year.
It seems the progressive liberals agree with the Garcia camp on several issues. But will the unity last until after 2010? Strategic unity and not merely tactical cooperation will be beneficial to both camps.
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George, the Chinese businessman engaged in selling cheap smuggled goods that passed through other ports, reportedly has the support of a big corporation. Local wholesalers and retailers have a hard time keeping up with the competition. They are asking what the appropriate government agencies are doing?
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Sulpicio Lines should use the granting of permits on two of its cargo vessels as an opportunity to improve its performance if the company wants to regain the trust and confidence of several sectors. As of now, the call for its operations was based on the need to provide more vessels to transport to facilitate inter-island trade. Ordinary folk, on the other hand, look at Sulpicio ships with suspicion.
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How will the Philippines fare in the Beijing 2008 Olympics? I don’t have high expectations for our athletes who will be competing with people scientifically trained since childhood. I would also not be surprised that more sports officials joined the junket than athletes. Our country seems not to take sports as seriously as others. I expect the Beijing 2008 Olympics will primarily be a China spectacle not only in pageantry but also in athletic performance.
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