Former Sen Nene Pimentel (extreme right) and Usec Lesley Cordero accept the plaque of appreciation from Dr Dixon Yasay, director of the Governance and Leadership Institute, Dr Hilly Quiaoit, VP for Research and Social Outreach, Fr Eric Velandria SJ, Director of RCE-NorthMin and Ms Gail De la Rita, assistant to the VP-RSO, Peace Program Coordinator
“One thing that the government must never forget is the identity of Muslims based on their culture and tradition.”
This was the message of Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr at a forum on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and its Implications to Local Autonomy held on Dec 15 and facilitated by XU’s Governance and Leadership Institute, Regional Center of Expertise – Northern Mindanao, and the Peace Program.
The former senator and author of the Local Government Code lauded the peace efforts of the Aquino administration but said that “like any positive effort, [the FAB] needs fleshing out.” Pimentel is keen on the adoption of the federal system as a reasonable solution to end the Moro secessionist problem.
Speaking with Pimentel was Usec Lesley Jeanne Cordero of the Presidential Communications Operations Office. While Pimentel focused his discussion on the history of the Muslim-Christian conflict, Cordero shed light on the FAB which was signed on Oct 15, 2012. She said that the agreement is only the beginning of a long journey and that many more exploratory meetings will be held. The agreement is the first step to what she referred to as the “Roadmap to Peace in Mindanao by 2016.”
The discussion drew crowds from various sectors, such as the academe, religious groups, government agencies, non government organizations, and the media who voiced their concerns and opinions on the framework agreement.
Pimentel and Cordero concurred that cultural practices of Muslims should be given proper attention in the framework for peace.
The Undersecretary assured that the justice institution will be strengthened and that cultural forms of mediation and the Shari’ah Law, the legal code of Islam, will be accepted to harmonize with the Philippine Constitution. She added that in future consultations, the side of women, PWDs and other sectors will be considered in crafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Although Pimentel stressed on upholding Muslim cultural and religious practices, he also pointed out that certain provisions in the Shari’ah Law, such as stoning to death, directly conflict with the country’s justice system and cannot be supported even with a grant of an autonomous political entity.
XU’s public discussions about the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement will continue throughout 2013. This initiative aims to engage various stakeholders in the dialogue and promote information sharing and understanding on the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement to advance peace in Mindanao. Click here for the presentations given by Usec Cordero and former Senator Pimentel.