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Sunday, November 06, 2005
Mindanao solons want a say on peace accord with Moro rebels
CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Mindanao lawmakers were one in saying that they should be consulted on the terms stipulated in the peace pact between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as the same would somehow affect their respective legislative districts.
The congressmen agreed to refer this concern to the Committee on Mindanao Affairs led by Representative Manuel "Way Kurat" Zamora from Compostela Valley while Representative Boy Banaag of the first district of Agusan del Norte will deliver a privilege speech on this matter when they resume session this Monday.
The Mindanao Congressmen Forum attended by 19 administration congressmen from Mindanao, Palawan and even with observers from Luzon was held at Pearlmont Hotel Saturday.
During their meeting, Mindanao Congressmen Forum spokesperson, Zamboanga Sur Representative Antonio Cerilles, said they are concern with items included in the GRP-MILF talks.
He said many of these items have been kept from them and it is time to bring these items to public scrutiny.
"This will affect all of us," he said. "And we do not even know who these people who signed the exploratory talks are."
He added that the proposed map even does not spare Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental in the Bangsamoro homeland map as both are formerly part of Bukidnon and Lanao.
Cerilles said the group has agreed to appoint Banaag to do an in-depth research on this concern.
Banaag who admitted that he only took on the job of researching this matter just last Friday presented documents on the 9th Exploratory Talks held in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia last Sept. 15 and 16.
The Agusan legislator said there are several items that need to be clarified such as items on ancestral domain that seems to be taking precedence to the Regalian Doctrine and to the public domain of the country.
Banaag said there is also the issue of territoriality, which is considered part of the Bangsamoro land along with the taxing and political powers permitted to them.
"This will be tantamount to recognizing them as a state within a state," he said.
Banaag pointed out some legislative and administration functions, financial control and auditing, tax base, rates and customs duties among others.
He said there were also talks of a civil service, education, legal, judiciary including items of allowing them national security and a security force.
Banaag said he is prepared to make a privilege speech on this matter before the opening of Congress this Monday.
Representative Prospero Nograles of the first district of Davao moved that these items be referred to the Committee on Mindanao Affairs for further study.
It would also mean calling upon those government peace negotiator who signed to the exploratory talks to explain to the Mindanao congressmen some of the items in the peace pact.
Cerilles later told reporters that the Lower House has to make the move now before it would be too late when the accord may take on the form of a foreign agreement that only the Senate can ratify.
"It might be too late and I am not prepared to accept these items unless Congress gives its imprimatur on this," he said.
The other lawmakers who attended the Mindanao Congressmen Forum are Representatives Manuel Zamora, Compostela Valley; Jeje Romualdo, Camiguin; Antonio Alvarez, first district of Palawan; Roseller Barinaga, second district of Zamboanga del Norte; Acmad Tomawis of the ALIF party.
Also, Tikbong Badelles, first district of Lanao del Norte; Augusto Baculio, Jr., second district of Misamis Oriental; Cesar Jalosjos, third district of Zamboanga del Norte; Guillermo Cua, CoopNatcco; Abdullah Dimaporo, second district of Lanao del Norte; Danilo Lagbas, first district of Misamis Oriental; Constantino Jaraula, Cagayan de Oro city; Prospero Pichay, Surigao Sur; Connie Dy, Pasay City; Cora Malanyaon, Davao Oriental; and Angel Amante, second district of Agusan del Norte. (Lizanilla Amarga of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
(November 6, 2005 issue)
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