Charter change, key to Mindanao peace process

CAGAYAN DE ORO City, Jan. 19, 2011—Changes in the present Constitution that recognizes the rights of the Bangsamoro people would be a key factor in achieving a viable peace accord with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)," according to a policy adviser of the think-tank Institute of Autonomy and Governance (IAG).

The “Cory Aquino Constitution of 1986” is the “single biggest stumbling block to a comprehensive political settlement with the MILF," said lawyer Camilo “Bong” Montesa, who is also former assistant secretary at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

“A viable peace agreement in the future would essentially require new arrangements that recognize the Bangsamoro people as a distinct, separate yet equal to the Filipino people, acknowledge historical injustice, allow the Bangsamoro people to freely determine their political status, pursue their political, economic, social and cultural goals, and manage and dispose natural resources within their domains while, at the same time, being citizens of the Philippines. All of these are not possible under the present setup,” he further explained.

In his electronic mail to Kusog Mindanaw, which is being chaired by Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado Jr., OMI, Montesa asserted that “the MILF will only sign an agreement that would radically alter and restructure the basic relationship between the Philippine Government and the Bangsamoro people.”

Montesa averred that Charter amendments should not be set aside just because President Benigno Aquino is busy with other concerns such as fighting corruption, eradicating poverty, achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and other matters.

“Clearly, the challenge is not to set aside these equally vital concerns but to put the issue of peace negotiations with the MILF on the table together with these other concerns,” he said.

“We need then to amend the Constitution to allow and accommodate these new ‘rule
sets’,” he added.

Montesa said that “it is sad” that President Aquino, whose mother started the peace negotiations with rebel groups, is not giving priority to charter change.

“It only means that the President has not been fully informed that a viable political settlement with the MILF requires, as a minimum, amending the present Constitution,” he said.

However, Montesa admitted that PNoy’s peace advisers and negotiators will be facing an uphill battle in convincing him to change his mind and give charter change a go because this early, the President seemed “to be not open to changing the Constitution” which means that he has closed himself “to the possibility of peace in Mindanao.”

“I think the tougher negotiations for Dean Leonen and his team will be the one with Aquino (and his Cabinet) and not with the MILF,” he added.

He also admitted that charter change “is a Pandora’s box that could potentially set free all the misfortunes for the Aquino government” such as shift to parliamentary system, among others.

“Opening Pandora’s box of charter change will also set free hope—hope for peace in Mindanao, peace in our land,” he concluded. (Bong D. Fabe)