The Aquino administration welcomed the decision of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to form a political party that will run in future elections, a Palace official said on Monday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday following reports that the MILF led by chairman Al Hadj Murad Ebrahim, will form a political party to field candidates in future elections.
“The government welcomes the political plans of the MILF for 2016. As you all know the road map towards the establishment of the Bangsamoro ends in 2016 and, understandably, the MILF needs to prepare for that to make the necessary preparations,” Valte said.
Valte said the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF are determined to finish during the term of President Aquino the implementation of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the new autonomous political entity that would replace the 23-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
“Well, work on the three annexes are continuing and the panel will provide updates to the media as soon as they are available. Allow us to say at this point that both parties are determined to complete the implementation of the BFA or the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and its annexes within the term of the President so as not to leave any unfinished business for the next administration,” Valte said.
The GPH and the MILF are now working to complete the annexes on Wealth-sharing, Power-sharing and Normalization, to complete the comprehensive peace pact for the establishment of the Bangsamoro.
In December last year, the President issued Executive Order No. 120 creating a Transition Commission that will draft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law provided for in the Framework Agreement signed by the government and the MILF on October 15, 2012.
The EO will provide a mechanism for authentic democratic collaboration in the crafting of a proposed law where the affected people themselves are actively involved.
Among the commission’s major work is to coordinate with Congress and other government agencies to craft the basic law that will pave the way for a Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.
Last February 11, President Benigno S. Aquino III led the formal launching of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro project aimed at accelerating the transition of conflict-affected communities into productive areas in Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao, while the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) iron out the final peace agreement with the Muslim secessionists.
“We’ve seen this in the socio-economic initiatives that we’ve launched the Sajahatra, and I would defer to Secretary Deles and to the members of the panel if any sort of assistance towards their political plans have been discussed among themselves,” Valte said. PND (js)
New political party by Moro Isamic Liberation, ok with Malacanan
