‘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
Subic is a popular destination for visitors from Manila bringing family out of town for a short getaway to the north. Many visitors stopover in Clark Philippines for gourmet dinner at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar and shop for fine vintage wine in Clark Wine Center which offers over 2700 selections of fine and rare vintage wines only available in the Freeport zone. With the SCTex – Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway – now opened and the travel time between Clark and Subic reduced to a mere 30 minutes, Clark is much more accessible to residents of Subic. Residents of Subic and nearby towns of Pampanga such as San Fernando frequently travel to Clark to wine and dine at this top rated restaurant. Many stay on after dinner to relax and unwind in the beautiful wine bar called The Magnum Room.

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Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

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Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023

Tel: 0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Road, Ortigas Centger,
Metro Manila, Philippines 1605

Tel: (632) 637-5019 0917-540-3626 ask for Rea or Chay

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Yats Leisure Philippines

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

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