Monday, September 29, 2008 Piñol respects SC decision on MOA-AD
NORTH Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol is not contesting the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) on his petition against the controversial memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
In a statement, Piñol said that according to SC decision, there is no need anymore to rule on the constitutional issues raised against the provisions of MOA-AD since the Philippine government has already submitted a written manifestation to the court that it will no longer sign the document.
"As the main petitioner in this case, it is a decision that I will no longer contest and will humbly accept with a happy heart. There will be no more motions for reconsideration. I will bow to the wisdom of the Court," he said.
The vice governor said the SC's swift action on his petition, which stopped the signing of the MOA-AD in Malaysia last month, was already "a great victory for us and a manifestation that the High Court listens to the cries of the Filipino people however distant they are from the Center of Government."
"The timely intervention of the Supreme Court prevented a bloody civil war that would have erupted in Mindanao had the questionable document been signed. Its decision not to rule on the Constitutionality of the Provisions of the MOA AD could also be considered as a wise move to contribute to the healing process in our land," he said.
He called on other petitioners to do the same in respecting the SC decision.
"Let us take cue from the Supreme Court decision and together as One People of One Nation longing for peace, let us gather the pieces of a shattered dream and heal the wounds once more," he said.
The vice governor added though that the lessons of MOA-AD must never be forgotten. He enumerated the lessons as:
Lesson No. 1: Government and its officials, however mighty they may be, must never assume that they alone have the right to decide what is right for the people they govern. The sentiments of the people, discerned through an exhaustive consultative process involving all sectors, must be the main source of the guiding principles of governance.
Lesson No. 2: There is no single magic formula for peace. It will never be achieved by just signing a piece of paper. Peace is a beautiful tapestry woven out of threads representing the dreams and desires of our people -- freedom from hunger and poverty, education, justice and equal protection of the law, a better future for the children and the liberty to enjoy the blessings of life.
Lesson No. 3: A Supreme Being, Greater than all of us and more powerful than all governments in the world, cares for all of us.
It was He who led us to the discovery of the MOA AD, made us realize the grave implications of a sinister plot, moved us to act fast and made sure that all the actions that we did were done just at the right time.
It was His guidance that prevented the partition of our beloved country and the segregation of our people based on religion.
It was His love that helped us avoid bloodshed of unequaled proportions. To Him we should give thanks and praise. (Press release)
