‘Meaningful autonomy is collective, democratic’

Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Marvic Leonen underlined that “meaningful autonomy,” which the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been eyeing to achieve for the Bangsamoro people, is “collective” and “democratic.”
“Meaningful autonomy is and has always been a collective effort of all Moros with the various other identities represented by the National Government complementing their roles,” Leonen said in his opening statement during the 28th formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday.
The peace negotiations between the two panels officially started on Wednesday, after Tuesday’s executive session with only the Malaysian facilitator present.
The GPH and the MILF have embarked on the substantive agenda, such as wealth and power sharing between the National Government and the envisioned new autonomous political entity (NPE), following the signing of the Decision Points on Principles during their last round of negotiations in April.
In the decision points, both sides have agreed to create an autonomous area with a democratic arrangement replacing the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).
Sharing his insights from the recent consultations with various sectors in preparation for this round of talks, Leonen said many of those they have consulted fear whether “the government, in saying that the status quo is unacceptable, is ready to marginalize the many other efforts done in the past and still continuing in the present in order to sign a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.”
Allaying such fears, he stated that “any democratic arrangement, even within an autonomous area, always concedes tolerance.”
“Negotiated political settlements with armed insurgencies therefore should be careful that we do not supplant, devalue or marginalize the efforts of the good souls who… worked valiantly to achieve the laudable aspirations of those who took arms,” he explained.
He also said efforts of civil servants and some political leaders “who have painstakingly engaged in the many other different struggles needed to put some of the conditions for meaningful democratic autonomy in place” should not be forgotten.
Leonen also stressed that economic viability is necessary for political autonomy to succeed.
“There will always be a failure of political autonomy if the conditions for economic viability of the autonomous area are not given as much priority,” he said.
The panel chair explained that for one, poverty distorts the people’s democratic choices as indigent voters tend to be enticed with the offer to purchase one’s vote without realizing how this can affect their livelihood opportunities.
“Provision of social services and economic development therefore plants the seed for good governance,” he said.
Further, Leonen said that along with good governance, “economic development should enable the autonomous government to be less dependent on national fund transfers.”
“Less dependency on national fund transfers matters in the continuing negotiations for competence between the national and autonomous government,” the panel chair added.
He related that the government has been implementing various socio-economic projects that have been neglected in the past.
“I am certain that this will complement the political and legal adjustments that we can agree to in this negotiating table,” Leonen said. “When we sign a comprehensive peace agreement, the two components will then be in place to ensure that this time around we will have a meaningful and democratic autonomous government in place.”
As the GPH and the MILF continue to discuss substantive issues on the table, Leonen expressed hopes that both parties will come up with a peace agreement soon.
“We remain optimistic that the sincerity of both sides will pull us through what we expect would be difficult conversations ahead.”
The five Armm governors arrived in the Malaysian capital to provide full support to the ongoing peace negotiations, citing the primacy of the peace process especially in Mindanao.
“We are here to provide support,” Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said. “There will always be one of us sitting there (referring to the room where the negotiations is taking place) as an observer.”
“We want to show everybody including the MILF that the five executives of the Armm are one in supporting the peace efforts of the government with the MILF,” Tan added.
Joining Tan are Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Basilan Governor Jum Akbar and Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali.
North Cotabato 1st district Representative Jesus Sacdalan, chairman of the House Special Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation also joined the GPH contingent as a consultant of the peace panel.
Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation – Peace Committee in Southern Philippines (OIC-PCSP) sent Ali Demirci, political officer of the office of the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanuglo, to observe the proceedings of the GPH-MILF peace negotiations.
“Since our last formal exploratory talks, our panel was naturally besieged by calls, invitations for forums and dialogues not only on the content, concept and rationale of the Decision Points on Principles as of April 2012, but likewise what our expectations were of the next round of talks,” Leonen said.
The GPH panel conducted 96 public consultations with stakeholders about the ongoing peace process.
“The results of these consultations have been presented in part as proposals and counterproposals in this round. As always, we assume that all our positions from both panels should be regarded as works in progress,” he said.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/05/30/meaningful-autonomy-collective-democratic-224185

Some of the good resorts in Pampanga offer clean and safe outdoor facilities for Manila families to bring their children along for a nice picnic ideal as a form of family bonding. Clearwater is one of the best hotels in Clark Pampanga that offer outdoor picnic spots and facilities that are suitable for teambuilding and other corporate and social events near Manila. This is also one of the best resorts in Pampanga for family bonding, anniversaries and other celebrations. This hotel in Clark is also one of the best resorts near Manila for families to relax, unwind and enjoy the outdoor facilities of this popular resort in Clark Philippines. Clearwater appears frequently on the top of a list of the best hotels in Pampanga. Wedding pictures can be taken in one of the beautiful resorts near Manila for a wedding album. This hotel in Clark is also a favorite holiday destination near Manila during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and New Year holidays.