Tubbataha Reef of the Philippines

PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND NATIONAL PARK.. Saint Paul subterranean River

Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement

Maximum Understanding, Sobriety & Tolerance (MUST): Our Call

In the midst of fear, suffering and hysteria generated by the abortive signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA AD) between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM) appeals to the GRP and the MILF and all sectors for maximum understanding, sobriety and tolerance and calls on all to contribute to the enlightenment of everyone on the issues surrounding the MOA AD.

The Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM) is a grassroots tri-people multi-sectoral peace alliance/network/ coalition of human rights and peace groups, non-government and peoples’ organizations, schools, churches, civic groups as well as professionals and businesspeople in Mindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan (MinSuBaTaPa) . Since MPPM’s founding in June 2000, we have committed to the search for a genuine and lasting peace in MinSuBaTaPa. Our search has led us to conclude that unless the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro people is effectively addressed, no agreement will ever be fully realized.

We believe that the MOA AD contains the basic ingredients for addressing the root cause of the Mindanao conflict. However, its timing especially in light of the attempts of the incumbent President to amend the Constitution for purposes other than simply accommodating the provisions of the MOA AD has beclouded the peoples’ appreciation of the MOA AD.

We therefore appeal to the GRP and MILF to respect the existing Ceasefire Agreement, for both parties to go back to their respective barracks, and cease and desist from making provocative acts that could lead to another armed confrontation;

Re-impose and recognize ceasefire mechanisms so that the civilian populations who are now displaced from their homes will be able to go home without fear and anxiety that another attack will happen;

We condemn the atrocities committed not only in the siege in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte but as well as in North Cotabato and other areas like the killing and mutilation of the bodies of innocent civilians- women, men and children, and the burning of their houses and livelihood. Again, the civilians have become the collateral damage to this resurgence of armed conflict in Mindanao ;

We demand that an impartial investigation be conducted on the above-mentioned atrocities and that justice should be done to whoever will be found guilty;

We also call upon the national government and the local government officials to stop and not encourage the arming of the civilian populations. These weapons can and will be used indiscriminately and irresponsibly by unscrupulous sectors and groups to further create chaos, insecurity and division in the communities. The duty to protect its citizens lies primarily upon the State and its instrumentalities like the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP);

In view of the above appeals, MPPM would like to reiterate the grassroots peacebuilding framework that it continuously advances and adheres to.

Peacebuilding is a complex process and not merely a list of disconnected activities like disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants; it is a long term process and over a long term, there must be a mechanism to ensure that the peace building process is supported with coherent policies to address the sustainability gap on the ground.

What is happening right now is just repeating history. History tells us that because of unaddressed root causes of conflict, the recurrence of armed conflict and violence is inevitable. Ever since, the Philippine government applied the military-victory, pacification and demobilization approaches in its dealing with the liberationist forces in Mindanao and so-called insurgents, it has only displaced thousands of the civilian population and the greatest affected are the women, children, and the elderly; subjecting them to severe insecurity.

If all stake holders, especially the government, are serious about preventing the recurrence of armed conflict, peace-building should be institutionalized to facilitate the consolidation of genuine democratic participation of the constituency, social and economic reforms, gender and equity, and equal participation of the national minority in all aspects and levels of the society. Thus, while the MoA-AD is the ultimate expression of the Bangsamoro people’s aspiration for their Right to Self-Determination and freedom, it should have also ensured and clearly defined the Indigenous Peoples’ Right to self-determination and claims over their ancestral territory with equal rights as the Bangsamoro even within the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) framework;

In doing this, the basic framework should be the transparency of our intention and process of which peace building is initiated. The strategic objective of the above is to attain human security and promote human development.

Alvaro O. Senturias, Jr. Amabella L. Carumba Habbas S. Camendan

Chairperson Secretary General Council Chair for Bangsamoro

Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM)

Cotabato City , Mindanao , Philippines

August 25, 2008

Tarsiers comment:- From my understanding and of course i could be wrong, there are many people , even muslims that do not want to be included inside of the extended ARMM, just about everyone in Palawan for an example. What about their rights?....nothing is simple, nothing is easy, the MOA, in itself seems to be all the people of ARMM, would want to aspire too, but it does not comply with the present Philippines constitution, an example would be Comelec is the only body that can run elections...so GMA wants charter change, so that the MOA, can be implemented, this would make it possible for her to stay in office past 2010, does everyone /anyone want that??

Better to keep peace till 2010 elections, then after the people have all spoken at an election where hopefully there is no rigging of votes , thats a very big hope, and fair election results are obtained that give the peoples correct choice of government. Maybe thats just a dream!!

How many years have the bangsamoro and the indigenous peoples of Mindanao already waited, would another 18 months or so be too much, take this time to reflect

Coco Loco island Roxas Palawan

Please remember we have two properties for sale in the Roxas area, just go check them out at our Bahay.ph website

KAYA NATIN

KAYA NATIN! Stand on Charter Change:

Focus on Alleviating Poverty not on Charter Change

We, the founding members of Kaya Natin! A Movement for Genuine Change and Ethical Leadership strongly oppose any moves to amend our present constitution or charter change before the 2010 National Elections. We believe that amending the constitution now will only serve to promote the self-interests of a few of our political leaders who are bent at staying in power and extending their present terms. Although we believe that there are certain provisions within the constitution that may need to be amended, we believe that any move to push for charter change now will only cause further divisions within our country. We believe that the 2010 National Elections should continue as scheduled because postponing it will deprive the Filipino people of its mandated right to choose the right leaders that it can trust and will further weaken our democratic institutions. Finally, we believe that the form of government system whether we shift to a Parliamentary or Federalist form of government will not matter if we will continue to have leaders who will only promote their self-interests and continue to corrupt the Filipino people.

Instead of pushing for charter change now, we call on our national leaders, our congressmen and senators to open their eyes to the plight of the millions of Filipino families who are living in poverty. We call on them to focus on developing and implementing policies and programs that would improve the quality of life of every Filipino and promote genuine and lasting development for our country.

We call on our President and her cabinet members to focus their efforts on curbing the rampant graft and corruption present in our government, improving the quality of basic education, generating jobs especially for the poor and providing access to quality healthcare for every Filipino.

We call on our congressmen and senators to create sound economic policies that would help stabilize the prices of basic commodities and make it affordable for every Filipino family to eat at least three square meals a day. Moreover, we call on our legislative leaders to focus their efforts in working for genuine land reform in our country by passing the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law.

We call on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to do its best to prepare for the upcoming 2010 National Elections by ensuring the full automation of the elections.

We call on other Local Government leaders especially our fellow Mayors and Governors to listen to the true voices of our constituents and join us in opposing any attempts to amend the constitution before the 2010 National Elections.

Finally, we call on every Filipino to make your voices heard and join us in taking a stand against charter change by sending us an email with your complete name and address to kayanatin@yahoo.com.

(Sgd.) HON. EDDIE PANLILIO (Sgd.) HON. GRACE PADACA (Sgd.) HON. JESSE ROBREDO

Governor Governor Mayor

Pampanga Isabela Naga City

(Sgd.) HON. TEDDY BAGUILAT, JR. (Sgd.) HON. SONIA LORENZO

Governor Mayor

Ifugao San Isidro, Nueva Ecija

(Sgd.) HARVEY KEH (Sgd.) CRISTYL SENAJON (Sgd.) KARLA PASTORES

Director for Youth Leadership & Youth Leader Youth Leader

Social Entrepreneurship
Ateneo de Manila-School of Government

For more information on Kaya Natin! Please feel free to contact the Kaya Natin! Secretariat at (02) 426-5657 and look for Kai Pastores.

Tarsiers comment:- The MOA below has parts that are contrary to the Philippines constitution and therefore in its present state cannot be acceptable, it appears that by changing the constitution to a parliamentary or federal one that perhaps these obsticles can be overcome???. However it can also lead the way for certain politicians to run for the 2010 elections...it is far better to avoid these same politicians who are only there to serve there own interests, and concentrate on the 2010 elections running as they should with no attempt at charter change until afterwards.. to concentrate instead on the poor people, to make sure that they have three meals a day, creating jobs, education and basic healthcare

MOA on the Ancestral Domain Aspect (Full Text)

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT ON THE ANCESTRAL DOMAIN ASPECT OF THE GRP-MILF TRIPOLI AGREEMENT ON PEACE OF 2001

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) herein referred to as the "Parties" to this Agreement,

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Agreement for General Cessation of Hostilities dated July 18, 1997 Between the GRP and the MILF, and its Implementing Administrative and Operational Guidelines;

The General Framework of Agreement of Intent Between the GRP and the MILF dated August 27, 1998;

The Agreement on the General Framework for the Resumption of Peace Talks Between the GRP and the MILF dated March 24, 2001;

The Tripoli Agreement on Peace Between the GRP and the MILF dated June 22, 2001;

The Tripoli Agreement Between the GRP and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) dated December 23, 1976 and the Final Agreement on the Implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement Between the GRP and the MNLF dated September 2, 1996;

Republic Act No. 6734, as amended by R.A. 9054, otherwise known as "An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)";

ILO Convention No. 169, in correlation to the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, and Republic Act No. 8371 otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, the UN Charter, the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and internationally recognized human rights instruments; and

Compact rights entrenchment emanating from the regime of dar-ul-mua'hada (or territory under compact) and dar-ul-sulh (or territory under peace agreement) that partakes the nature of a treaty device. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "treaty" is defined as any solemn agreement in writing that sets out understandings, obligations, and benefits for both parties which provides for a framework that elaborates the principles declared in the Agreement.

HAVE AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED AS FOLLOWS:

CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES

It is the birthright of all Moros and all Indigenous peoples of Mindanao to identify themselves and be accepted as "Bangsamoros" . The Bangsamoro people refers to those who are natives or original inhabitants of Mindanao and its adjacent islands including Palawan and the Sulu archipelago at the time of conquest or colonization and their descendants whether mixed or of full native blood. Spouses and their descendants are classified as Bangsamoro. The freedom of choice of the Indigenous people shall be respected.

It is essential to lay the foundation of the Bangsamoro homeland in order to address the Bangsamoro people's humanitarian and economic needs as well as their political aspirations. Such territorial jurisdictions and geographic areas being the natural wealth and patrimony represent the social, cultural and political identity and pride of all the Bangsamoro people. Ownership of the homeland is vested exclusively in them by virtue of their prior rights of occupation that had inhered in them as sizeable bodies of people, delimited by their ancestors since time immemorial, and being the first politically organized dominant occupants.

Both Parties acknowledge that ancestral domain does not form part of the public domain but encompasses ancestral, communal, and customary lands, maritime, fluvial and alluvial domains as well as all natural resources therein that have inured or vested ancestral rights on the basis of native title. Ancestral domain and ancestral land refer to those held under claim of ownership, occupied or possessed, by themselves or through the ancestors of the Bangsamoro people, communally or individually since time immemorial continuously to the present, except when prevented by war, civil disturbance, force majeure, or other forms of possible usurpation or displacement by force, deceit, stealth, or as a consequence of government project or any other voluntary dealings entered into by the government and private individuals, corporate entities or institutions.

Both Parties acknowledge that the right to self-governance of the Bangsamoro people is rooted on ancestral territoriality exercised originally under the suzerain authority of their sultanates and the Pat a Pangampong ku Ranaw. The Moro sultanates were states or karajaan/kadatuan resembling a body politic endowed with all the elements of nation-state in the modern sense. As a domestic community distinct from the rest of the national communities, they have a definite historic homeland. They are the "First Nation" with defined territory and with a system of government having entered into treaties of amity and commerce with foreign nations. The Parties concede that the ultimate objective of entrenching the Bangsamoro homeland as a territorial space is to secure their identity and posterity, to protect their property rights and resources as well as to establish a system of governance suitable and acceptable to them as a distinct dominant people.

Both Parties affirm their commitment to mutually respect the right to one's identity and the parity of esteem of everyone in the political community. The protection of civil rights and religious liberties of individuals underlie the basis of peace and justice of their totality of relationships.

Both Parties agree that the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) shall have the authority and jurisdiction over the Ancestral Domain and Ancestral lands, including both alienable and non-alienable lands encompassed within their homeland and ancestral territory, as well as the delineation of ancestral domain/lands of the Bangsamoro people located therein.

Vested property rights upon the entrenchment of the BJE shall be recognized and respected subject to paragraph 9 of the strand on Resources.

TERRITORY

The Bangsamoro homeland and historic territory refer to the land mass as well as the maritime, terrestrial, fluvial and alluvial domains, and the aerial domain, the atmospheric space above it, embracing the Mindanao-Sulu- Palawan geographic region. However, delimitations are contained in the agreed Schedules (Categories) .

Toward this end, the Parties enter into the following stipulations:

The GRP and MILF as the Parties to this Agreement commit themselves to the full and mutual implementation of this framework agreement on territory with the aim of resolving outstanding issues that emanate from the consensus points on Ancestral Domain.

The Parties confirm their understanding that the mutual goal of reaching an agreement on Bangsamoro territory specific to mapping the outlying borders and the boundaries affecting local government units will lead to consolidation of the agreed texts on the Ancestral Domain Strands.

The Parties affirm that the core of the BJE shall constitute the present geographic area of the ARMM, including the municipalities of Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal in the province of Lanao del Norte that voted for inclusion in the ARMM during the 2001 plebiscite.

Without derogating from the requirements of prior agreements, the Government stipulates to conduct and deliver, using all possible legal measures, within twelve (12) months following the signing of the MOA-AD, a plebiscite covering the areas as enumerated in the list and depicted in the map as Category A attached herein (the "Annex"). The Annex constitutes an integral part of this framework agreement. Toward this end, the Parties shall endeavour to complete the negotiations and resolve all outstanding issues on the Comprehensive Compact within fifteen (15) months from the signing of the MOA-AD.

The areas covered by Category B are reflected on a map and list attached herein as agreed to by the Parties. Category B (the "Special Intervention Areas") refers to conflict affected areas outside the BJE which shall be the subject of special socio-economic and cultural affirmative action implemented by the Central Government pending the conduct of a plebiscite not earlier than twenty-five (25) years from the signing of the Comprehensive Compact to determine the question of their accession to the BJE. The areas reflected are subject to further negotiations by the Parties. The Annex constitutes an integral part of this framework agreement.

Internal Waters:
The BJE shall have jurisdiction over the management, conservation, development, protection, utilization and disposition of all natural resources, living and non-living, within its internal waters extending fifteen (15) kilometers from the coastline of the BJE area.

Territorial Waters:
(1) The territorial waters of the BJE shall stretch beyond the BJE internal waters up to the Republic of the Philippines (RP) baselines south east and south west of mainland Mindanao. Beyond the fifteen (15) kilometers internal waters, the Central Government and the BJE shall exercise joint jurisdiction, authority and management over areas and all natural resources, living and non-living contained therein. The details of such management of the Territorial Waters shall be provided in an agreement to be entered into by the Parties.

(2) The boundaries of the territorial waters shall stretch beyond the 15-km. BJE internal waters up to the Central Government's baselines under existing laws. In the southern and eastern part of the BJE, it shall be demarcated by a line drawn from the Maguling Point, Palimbang, Province of Sultan Kudarat up to the straight baselines of the Philippines. On the northwestern part, it shall be demarcated by a line drawn from Little Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga City, up to Naris Point, Bataraza, Palawan. On the western part of Palawan, it shall be demarcated by a line drawn from the boundary of Bataraza and Rizal up to the straight baselines of the Philippines.

The final demarcation shall be determined by a joint technical body composed of duly-designated representatives of both Parties, in coordination with the appropriate Central Government agency in accordance with the above guidelines.

Sharing of Minerals on Territorial Waters:
Consistent with paragraphs 5 and 6 of the provisions on Resources, all potential sources of energy, petroleum in situ, hydrocarbon, natural gas and other minerals, including deposits or fields found within the territorial waters, shall be shared between the Central Government and the BJE in favor of the latter through production sharing agreement or economic cooperation agreement.

Activities Allowed on Territorial Waters:
(1) The Parties shall have authority to carry out the following activities within the territorial waters:
(a) Exploration and utilization of the natural resources, whether living or non-living, within the territorial waters;
(b) Establishment and use of artificial islands, installations and structures;
(c) Marine scientific research;
(d) Protection and the preservation of the marine environment;
(e) Conservation of living resources;
(f) Regulation of shipping and fishing activities;
(g) Enforcement of police and safety measures, including interdiction of the entry and use of the waters by criminal elements and hot pursuit of suspected criminal elements;
(h) Regulation and control of contraband and illegal entry of prohibited materials and substances, including smuggling; and
(i) Such other measures as the Parties may otherwise mutually agree.

(2) Activities relating to exploration and utilization of non-living resources, as well as paragraphs (c) and (d) of the Authorized Activities will be carried out on a joint basis agreed by the Parties which may be in the form of production sharing agreements or joint development pacts.

Establishment of a Joint Commission:
(1) The Parties shall establish a Joint Commission, which shall elaborate the modalities for the implementation and the carrying out of the Authorized Activities and the measures adopted in cases of allegation of breach, and carry out any other functions which may be assigned to it by the Parties for the purpose of implementing the joint management of resources.

(2) The Joint Commission shall consist of one representative from each Party, who are assisted by advisers as may be needed. The conclusions of the Joint Commission shall be adopted by consensus and shall only be recommendatory in nature. Only when the conclusions of the Joint Commission are adopted by the Parties do they become binding on the Parties.

Demarcation and Status of Territorial Waters:
The demarcation and status of the BJE territorial waters shall be finally determined together with the demarcation and final status of Category B territory of the BJE.

From and after entrenchment of compact rights over the Bangsamoro homeland and the territorial jurisdictions for associative governance shall likewise embrace those under proclamation for agricultural and human settlements intended for the Bangsamoro people, all alienable and disposable lands, pasture lands, timberlands together with all existing civil and military reservations, parks, old growth or natural forests declared as forest reserves, watersheds, mangroves, fishponds, wetlands, marshes, inland bodies of water; and all bays, straits and channels found within the BJE.

All territorial and geographic areas in Mindanao and its adjacent islands including Palawan, and the Sulu archipelago that have been declared recognized, and/or delineated as ancestral domain and ancestral land of the Bangsamoro people as their geographic areas, inclusive of settlements and reservations, may be formed or constituted into political subdivisions of the Bangsamoro territorial jurisdictions subject to the principles of equality of peoples and mutual respect and to the protection of civil, political, economic, and cultural rights in their respective jurisdictions.

For purposes of territorial delimitation, the Parties have agreed to the joint determination of geographic areas encompassed within the territorial borders of the Bangsamoro homeland and territory based on the technical maps and data submitted by both sides as provided above.

RESOURCES

The BJE is empowered with authority and responsibility for the land use, development, conservation and disposition of the natural resources within the homeland. Upon entrenchment of the BJE, the land tenure and use of such resources and wealth must reinforce their economic self-sufficiency. Among the purposes or measures to make progress more rapid are:

Entry into joint development, utilization, and exploitation of natural resources designed as commons or shared resources, which is tied up to the full setting of appropriate institution, particularly affecting strategic minerals;

Stimulation of local economy by a range of mechanism, in particular the need to address unemployment and improvement of living conditions for the population in the BJE;

Intensification of measures needed to uproot the cause of poverty in the BJE through responsible harnessing and development of its natural resources; and

Undertaking program review of public services, industrial or trade-related and agrarian-related issues in situations of different sectors of the society in the BJE, which acquire communal character deriving from the special nature of their industry.

The Bangsamoro People through their appropriate juridical entity shall, among others, exercise power or authority over the natural resources within its territorial jurisdiction:

To explore, exploit, use or utilize and develop their ancestral domain and ancestral lands within their territorial jurisdiction, inclusive of their right of occupation, possession, conservation, and exploitation of all natural resources found therein;

To conserve and protect the human and natural environment for their sustainable and beneficial enjoyment and their posterity;

To utilize, develop, and exploit its natural resources found in their ancestral domain or enter into a joint development, utilization, and exploitation of natural resources, specifically on strategic minerals, designed as commons or shared resources, which is tied up to the final setting of appropriate institution;

To revoke or grant forest concessions, timber license, contracts or agreements in the utilization and exploitation of natural resources designated as commons or shared resources, mechanisms for economic cooperation with respect to strategic minerals, falling within the territorial jurisdiction of the BJE;

To enact agrarian laws and programs suitable to the special circumstances of the Bangsamoro people prevailing in their ancestral lands within the established territorial boundaries of the Bangsamoro homeland and ancestral territory within the competence of the BJE; and

To use such natural resources and wealth to reinforce their economic self-sufficiency.

The BJE, and the Central Government agree on wealth-sharing based on a mutually agreed percentage ratio in favor of the BJE through an economic cooperation agreement or arrangement over the income and revenues that are derived from the exploration, exploitation, use and development of any resources for the benefit of the Bangsamoro people.

The BJE is free to enter into any economic cooperation and trade relations with foreign countries: provided, however, that such relationships and understandings do not include aggression against the Government of the Republic of the Philippines; provided, further that it shall remain the duty and obligation of the Central Government to take charge of external defense. Without prejudice to the right of the Bangsamoro juridical entity to enter into agreement and environmental cooperation with any friendly country affecting its jurisdiction, it shall include:

The option to establish and open Bangsamoro trade missions in foreign countries with which it has economic cooperation agreements; and

The elements bearing in mind the mutual benefits derived from Philippine archipelagic status and security.

And, in furtherance thereto, the Central Government shall take necessary steps to ensure the BJE's participation in international meetings and events, e.g. ASEAN meetings and other specialized agencies of the United Nations. This shall entitle the BJE's participation in Philippine official missions and delegations that are engaged in the negotiation of border agreements or protocols for environmental protection, equitable sharing of incomes and revenues, in the areas of sea, seabed and inland seas or bodies of water adjacent to or between islands forming part of the ancestral domain, in addition to those of fishing rights.

Jurisdiction and control over, and the right of exploring for, exploiting, producing and obtaining all potential sources of energy, petroleum, in situ, fossil fuel, mineral oil and natural gas, whether onshore or offshore, is vested in the BJE as the party having control within its territorial jurisdiction, provided that in times of national emergency, when public interest so requires, the Central Government may, during the emergency, for a fixed period and under reasonable terms as may be agreed by both Parties, temporarily assume or direct the operations of such strategic resources.

The BJE take or profit split from total production shall be shared with the Central Government on a percentage ratio of 75:25 in favor of the BJE. All royalties, bonuses, taxes, charges, custom duties or imposts on natural resources and mineral resources shall be shared by the Parties on a percentage ratio of 75:25 in favor of the BJE.

The legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people arising from any unjust dispossession of their territorial and proprietary rights, customary land tenures, or their marginalization shall be acknowledged. Whenever restoration is no longer possible, the GRP shall take effective measures or adequate reparation collectively beneficial to the Bangsamoro people, in such quality, quantity and status to be determined mutually by both Parties.

All proclamations, issuances, policies, rules and guidelines declaring old growth or natural forests and all watersheds within the BJE as forest reserves shall continue to remain in force until otherwise modified, revised or superseded by subsequent policies, rules and regulations issued by the competent authority under the BJE.

Forest concessions, timber licenses, contracts or agreements, mining concessions, Mineral Production and Sharing Agreements (MPSA), Industrial Forest Management Agreements (IFMA), and other land tenure instruments of any kind or nature whatsoever granted by the Philippine Government including those issued by the present ARMM shall continue to operate from the date of formal entrenchment of the BJE unless otherwise expired, reviewed, modified and/or cancelled by the latter.

The Parties recognize an immediate need to establish a five-member BJE economic-expert mission (the "Mission") bearing in mind that the functioning of the economy and the operation of institutions involve financial and other resource management as well as parallel or complementary means, by which the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) will manage and administer resources acquired for the above purposes, especially in coordinating strategies and programs for cooperation in all fields.

The Mission acts as a link in the conduct of BJE's associative parallel relationships and shall cooperate fully with all organizations involved in implementation of the peace settlement. It shall launch a plan and joint international appeal for the reparation and development of the conflict affected areas in Mindanao. Persons appointed thereto must be familiar with the specific economic, political and legal characteristics in the Mindanao-Sulu- Palawan region and must possess recognized competence, integrity, and high moral standing.

Cognizant that the Mission will benefit from international expertise, both the Central Government and the BJE hereby join the Third Party facilitator in inviting international funding institutions or equivalent entities for reconstruction and development to appoint two members and to designate one as the Chairman. The BJE shall designate one member as Co-Chairman. The remaining two members shall each be designated by the Central Government and the BJE.

GOVERNANCE

The recognition and peaceful resolution of the conflict must involve consultations with the Bangsamoro people free of any imposition in order to provide chances of success and open new formulas that permanently respond to the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

The ultimate objective of entrenching the Bangsamoro homeland as a territorial space is to secure their identity and posterity, to protect their property rights and resources as well as to establish a system of governance suitable and acceptable to them as a distinct dominant people. The Parties respect the freedom of choice of the indigenous peoples.

The Parties agree to invite a multinational third - party to observe and monitor the actual implementation of the comprehensive compact which will embody the details for the effective enforcement of this Agreement. The participation of the third – party shall not in any way affect the status of the relationship between the Central Government and the BJE.

The relationship between the Central Government and the BJE shall be associative characterized by shared authority and responsibility with a structure of governance based on executive, legislative, judicial and administrative institutions with defined powers and functions in the Comprehensive Compact. A period of transition shall be established in a Comprehensive Compact specifying the relationship between the Central Government and the BJE.

In the context of implementing prior and incremental agreements between the GRP and MILF, it is the joint understanding of the Parties that the term "entrenchment" means, for the purposes of giving effect to this transitory provision, the creation of a process of institution building to exercise shared authority over territory and defined functions of associative character.

The modalities for the governance intended to settle the outstanding negotiated political issues are deferred after the signing of the MOA-AD.

The establishment of institutions for governance in a Comprehensive Compact, together with its modalities during the transition period, shall be fully entrenched and established in the basic law of the BJE. The Parties shall faithfully comply with their commitment to the associative arrangements upon entry into force of the Comprehensive Compact.

The Parties agree that the mechanisms and modalities for the actual implementation of this MOA-AD shall be spelt out in the Comprehensive Compact to mutually take such steps to enable it to occur effectively.

Any provisions of the MOA-AD requiring amendments to the existing legal framework shall come into force upon signing of a Comprehensive Compact and upon effecting the necessary changes to the legal framework with due regard to non derogation of prior agreements and within the stipulated timeframe to be contained in the Comprehensive Compact.

The Parties agree that the BJE shall be empowered to build, develop and maintain its own institutions, inclusive of, civil service, electoral, financial and banking, education, legislation, legal, economic, and police and internal security force, judicial system and correctional institutions, necessary for developing a progressive Bangsamoro society, the details of which shall be discussed in the negotiation of the Comprehensive Compact.

The Parties further agree to undertake activities which will enhance the capacity of the government institutions during the transition through technical assistance, information- sharing and human resource development.

Matters concerning the details of the agreed consensus points on Governance not covered under this Agreement shall be deferred to, and discussed during, the negotiations of the Comprehensive Compact.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the representatives of the Parties hereby affix their signatures.

Done this 5th day of August, 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

FOR THE GRP:

(SGD) RODOLFO C. GARCIA
Chairman
GRP Peace Negotiating Panel

FOR THE MILF:

(SGD) MOHAGHER IQBAL
Chairman
MILF Peace Negotiating Panel

WITNESSED BY:

(SGD) DATUK OTHMAN BIN ABD RAZAK
Special Adviser to the Prime Minister

IN THE PRESENCE OF:

(SGD) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Republic of the Philippines

(SGD) DATO' SERI UTAMA DR. RAIS
BIN YATIM
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Malaysia

Initialed by:

Sec. Rodolfo Garcia
Mohagher Iqbal
Sec. Hermogenes Esperon

Witnessed by:

Datuk Othman bin Abd Razak
DATED 27TH JULY 2008
The controversial Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain which was not released by the Philippine government until, August 11, 2008. The agreement was initialed on July 27, 2008 and was scheduled to be signed on August 5, 2008 in Malaysia. However, on August 4, 2008, the Philippine Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order.

The Filipino

Blooey P. Singson

The Philippines is a popular setting for mass market novels, such as Neal Stephenson’s "Cryptonomicon,’’ Alex Garland’s "The Beach,’’ Vendela Vida’s "And Now You Can Go,’’ Shohei Ooka’s "Fires on a Plain,’’ and even a chapter of Yann Martel’s "Life of Pi.’’

Quite often, Filipinos also make it to the printed page as random domestic helpers: Filipina househelps can be found in John Lanchester’s "Fragrant Harbor," Sophie Kinsella’s "The Undomestic Goddess," Margaret Atwood’s "Robber Bride," Plum Sykes’ "Bergdorf Blondes," Tom Wolfe’s "A Man In Full," Holly Petersen’s "The Manny," and Helen Fielding’s "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason." There is even a Filipino waiter during the company dinner scene in Kurt Vonnegut’s "Player Piano." However, there is also a wealth of Filipinos featured as protagonists, pivotal characters, or supporting roles in popular novels.

PIVOTAL CHARACTERS

In Mitch Albom’s novel "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," the final person that the protagonist Eddie meets in heaven is a Filipina girl named Tala, who died in the battleground in World War II when Eddie was assigned in the Philippines. Tala is only one of the many Filipinos that have made their way into popular novels, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven is only one of many novels that has references to the Philippines.

Hunt for Filipino cameos in the latest titles from your favorite authors available from over 100 exhibitors at the 29th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), the biggest and longest-running book fair in the Philippines, slated on Sept. 12-16, at the SMXConvention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

With the theme "Words without Borders," the MIBF celebrates the power of literature to cross the boundaries of time, place, and culture, showcasing the largest and most varied collection of literature, textbooks, educational supplements, general references, religious and inspirational titles, self-help books, management books, Filipiniana, coffee table books, popular novels, children’s books, art books, graphic novels, rare and hard-to-find titles, magazines, audio and e-books, multimedia, teaching supplies and services, publishers’ technology, and travel materials.

Robert Heinlein’s "Starship Troopers,’’ winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1960, is considered a sci-fi classic, adapted many times into games, films, and is a great influence for a host of other military science fiction novels. Few Filipinos know that the protagonist of the Starship Troopers novel is a young Filipino soldier named Juan "Johnnie" Rico, as the more popular 1997 adaptation blurred this fact and cast Casper Van Dien in the starring role.

"Starship Troopers’’ traces the story of Juan Rico and his exploits in the mobile infantry, a military unit of the future trained for combat in interstellar wars between humans and an alien species of giant arachnids known as "the Bugs." Juan Rico rises in the ranks in the military as the war progresses, while Heinlein explores war’s moral and philosophical aspects.

Another military science fiction novel in the tradition of Starship Troopers is Orson Scott Card’s "Ender’s Game,’’ where one of the military geniuses is a Filipino named Fly Molo. He is the protagonist Ender’s left-hand man in battle training, and is a recurring character in Card’s later books, where he ends up as the country’s main commander in taking over Taiwan.

Tom Robbins’ "Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas’’ is a comedy starring a half-Filipina half-Irish broker named Gwen Mati, whose life is turned around by a weekend trip filled with madcap incidents and wacky characters.

Caleb Carr’s "Angel of Darkness’’ features a series of murders of young children 19th century New York. El Niño, a mysterious Aeta is discovered as a loyal servant of a Spanish diplomat whose daughter has been abducted. He later on joins the team of investigators and kills an enemy with a poisoned dart.

A host of Filipino characters also add color to Michael Chabon’s detective story, "The Yiddish Policemen’s Union’’: the main character’s informant, Benito Taganes, an ex-boxer turned doughnut shop proprietor; a boy who delivers lumpia to the detective; a gossipy maid, a family driver, and even a couple of hired thugs.

In the bestselling novel "Kite Runner,’’ a Filipino was shopping at the flea market just before Baba, Amir’s father, had his seizures.

Find these books and more at the MIBF, which showcases the largest and most varied collection of literature, textbooks, educational supplements, general references, religious and inspirational titles, self-help books, management books, Filipiniana, coffee table books, popular novels, children’s books, art books, graphic novels, rare and hard-to-find titles, magazines, audio and e-books, multimedia, teaching supplies and services, publishers’ technology, and travel materials.

The 29th Manila International Book Fair is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Communicators, Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines. For details, e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com.

"Forest LOVE"

This is cool...a video about trees (and love)..the video is a little bit naughty.. he he..if you get offended dont watch it... if you like it .. please ..please put it on your blog and or website..lets show our forests some love as opposed to cutting them down..it will make all the difference.tarsier

Show the forests some love

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The European Commission has delayed a vital vote on protecting forests from illegal logging till September. We want to make sure the commissioners don't forget about it during their summer holiday. We need you to help us make an extra impression before the September vote.

We all love the forests, and we would like to showcase all that love to the EU (and we know for a fact that the EU doesn’t have anything against some loving). The forests already have made an effort themselves!

KAYA NATIN LAUNCES

Yesterday (July 30,2008), on the eve of the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government formally launched Kaya Natin! A Movement for Genuine Change and Ethical Leadership at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezin City.

Kaya Natin's founding members include inspiring local government leaders of our country such as Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City, Governor Grace Padaca of Isabela, Governor Ed Panlilio of Pampanga and Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. To read more about Kaya Natin! Please refer to the links below from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star and the Manila Bulletin:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080731-151768/Islands-of-hope-to-go-on-campus-tour

http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080730143

http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN20080731131222.html

Kaya Natin! is currently looking for volunteers that will help in working and pushing for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership in our country. Kaya Natin! believes that there is much Hope in our country if Filipinos can work together and contribute in his or her own small way in building a better Philippines. To know more about or volunteer for Kaya Natin, please feel free to get in touch with Kai Pastores at (02) 426-5657 or you can send an email to kayanatin@yahoo.com .

Kaya Natin! will be going on a campus tour starting this August, among the schools that it will visit are Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, Philippine Normal University and Miriam College.

Help us bring Hope to every Filipino by sharing this with your friends.

SEVEN CURSES OF A PRESIDENT

The 'seven curses' of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Source: www.pcij.org
Posted by Isa Lorenzo

EVEN before she could deliver her eighth state of the nation address (SONA) this coming Monday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already been weighed and found wanting by over 80 former senior government officials.

In their own take on the state of the nation after seven years of the Arroyo administration, the former officials, who served in the four post-Marcos governments and collectively called FSGO, castigated the President for being "the worst threat to the state of our nation."

"The person pretending to tell us about the dire state of our nation next Monday," FSGO said, "is the very same same person who has done the most to destroy the very foundation of our nation, sell its future to its exploiters and abusers, and consign the poor and middle class to deeper poverty and worse despair."

The group identified seven curses that it said Arroyo has wrought upon the nation.

1. The curse of a country unable to feed its own people

FSGO noted that rice self-sufficiency was a priority in Arroyo's first SONA in 2001 and that she reiterated the promise of food on every table in her 2003 address. "Yet, in every year throughout her administration thus far, the country was importing increasing quantities of rice every year, that this year the Philippines achieved an odd milestone in rice self-sufficiency: our becoming the world's largest rice importer."

The government has also failed to implement the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization program, says FSGO. It adds that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has never received P17 billion in incremental funds provided for by law. Worse, the President "let loose" people like Jocelyn 'Joc-Joc' Bolante in the DA. A former agriculture undersecretary, Bolante has been implicated in diverting P728 million in fertilizer funds allegedly for Arroyo's 2004 election campaign.

Furthermore, the agricultural trade deficit ballooned to over P1.5 billion in 2006.

"The high food prices pushing more people into hunger and poverty are a direct result of our government's neglect of agriculture," the group added.

2. The curse of worsening poverty and increasing disparity between the rich and poor

This, said FSGO, is due to "economic mismanagement that ignores the needs of the many to serve the interests of the few." It pointed out that the ranks of the unemployed number 2.9 million, while another seven million are looking for additional work to supplement their income.

Poverty incidence increased to 26.9 percent in 2006 from 24.4 percent in 2004. This means that there are 4.6 million poor families. Elementary school attendance fell to 83.2 percent in the school year of 2006-2007 compared to 90.3 percent just three years ago.

Again, the group said, the government is to blame. "Public education's ability to rescue poor families from the poverty trap has suffered due to severe underspending by the government."

The Estrada administration had a "more constrained" budget, but it spent P5,830 per student from 1998-2001 while the Arroyo government spent only P5,304 per student from 2001-2006. The country remains one of the lowest spenders on education in Southeast Asia, FSGO pointed out. Once a leader in education-for-all indicators during the 90s, the country now lags behind Indonesia, Mongolia and Vietnam.

3. The curse of deteriorating basic social services essential to the survival and welfare of the people

"Our current fiscal state was improved, not by sold revenue effort, but by deep cuts in social and economic spending," FSGO said, pointing to the government's allocation of resources for development expenditures which has been the lowest in the region. Worse, the group said, the allocation, management and use of public funds are "marked by such greed and disregard of the public good that can only be condemned as scandalous."

While much of Visayas was being devastated by Typhoon Frank last month, Arroyo and her entourage were on a "junket" to the U.S., said FSGO, estimating the cost of the Philippine delegation visit to be at least P300 million. "In contrast, how much did our government spend on relief for the typhoon victims?" asked the group. Of the eight million people affected by disasters from 2004 to 2006, it said, only half received assistance from the government and private sector.

Meanwhile, a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, already contracted and delivered in 1997, has yet to be implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communication.

4. The curse of the national government gripped by a metastatic cancer of corruption

The Philippines has made a dismal showing in global corruption rankings. In 2007, it was reported as the "most corrupt" among ten of East Asia's leading economies by the World Bank. In 2005, Transparency International ranked the Philippines in the category of countries perceived to suffer from severe corruption, the 117th most corrupt out of 159 countries.

"Corruption has become pervasive, persistent, prolific. And the President, instead of fighting it, has become its prime practitioner and protector," said FSGO, accusing Arroyo of corrupting "the already weak" electoral process, "the already diminished" civil service, and the "already politicized" public investment and fiscal programs.

5. The curse of wanton abuse of presidential prerogatives

FSGO said that the balance of power within the Arroyo administration between its "dark and bright sides" has tipped radically in favor of the dark side. "A new type of presidential appointee along the Joc-Joc Bolante brand dominates. The appointments of others already rejected by the electorate in 2007 will further darken the complexion of her Cabinet."

Social Security Services administrator Romulo Neri merits special mention. Neri, a former socioeconomic planning secretary and higher education chairman, "became one of the keepers of evil secrets, protected by the talisman of 'executive privilege' as long as he remains in a Cabinet position."

The government has also been packed with ineligible bureaucrats.

6. The curse of an illegitimate president

The president has consistently promised clean, computerized elections — in her 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006 SONAs. But the group said that after seven years, she has yet to take any sure steps toward this. Nor does her recent appointment of unknown commissioners to the Commission on Elections bode well for future elections.

"President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promised us a strong Republic. We have realized that she is running a stolen Republic. Thus far, we have seen her trying to keep only what was stolen."

7. The curse of a nation robbed of its dignity, unity and future

Aside from the country's "global reputation for pervasive corruption, " the Philippines has also been investigated by international organizations for extra-judiical killings. FSGO said that our national patrimony, from mineral resources to possible oil deposits have been peddled to foreign interests like ukay-ukay (used clothing). "The loss of our country's good international standing and credibility has been a sad victim of Arroyo's bad governance."

While the President cites the legions of overseas Filipino workers as an achievement of her administration, the group warned of the ills of a remittance-driven economy, including reduced competitiveness of manufacturing and tradeables from export and impot-competing sectors, and less demand on infrastructure, which has led to less necessary public investment.

FSGO described this type of economy as "limited and self-undermining because remittances cannot be expected to remain high and grow at an increasing rate."

In response to the FSGO statement, Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde told the Inquirer: "These people would know how difficult and how challenging governance is…this administration can stand on its record, and its record is better than how [they] managed their respective government positions during their time."

FSGO, however, disagreed. In an internal survey among its members, the former government officials rated the current administration a dismal 1.1 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest.

Despite its bleak assessment, however, FSGO remains hopeful. It plans to continue working with political institutions as "instruments for reform and justice, not parties to anomalies and scandals," and to continue the "search for a presidency that fights the enemies of social justice instead of serving its cronies."

"We can re-imagine the nation as something far better and more capable than the one that the President will paint in her SONA this Monday," the group said. "This administration may have stolen the Republic, but it will not rob us of our hopes."

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