Mid-Day News Monitoring Report December 16, 2014 GPH-MILF GO SLOW AND NEVER PRESUME – Luwaran / Editorial Writer: Editorial Desk “Go slow and never presume!” This is the unsolicited advice of the MILF to would-be-investors in the proposed Bangsamoro region. This region is not yet normal. Conflicting land claims are not absent in many of its parts. It is not wise to presume that when a company deals with powerful people, everything is fine and in order. There are problems that are not seen in the open. It is the nature of human beings that when confronted with insurmountable odds they usually are dumb and deaf, but deep inside they have a revolting heart. In the end, they have their own special way to vent their anger and get justice on the process. This is not in any way to drive away investors. This is for their protection and for the interests of everybody especially the meek, weak, and faint-hearted. In our previous editorial, we have forewarned companies to be careful in dealing with prospective partners who offer vast tract of lands for pineapple, banana, or palm oil plantations. The truth is that, except those clearly and cleanly titled, lands in the Bangsamoro are classified as timberlands, alienable and disposable, those sold to the government under its program of “voluntary offer to sale”, and those in the category of the same scheme but most if not all the beneficiaries are fictitious. Usually in the last category, the original owner still holds on to these lands, which they sell willingly or otherwise to the powerful and moneyed --- who are usually armed --- at a very low price. A case in point is Delinanas Banana Plantation in Datu Abdullah Sangki town in Maguindanao which mulls to close shop after serious security problems are hitting the company. Three weeks ago, unidentified gunmen ambushed a convoy of company officials, wounding the firm’s chief security officer. A week later, masked men, armed with assault rifles, cut hundreds of banana trees in the firm’s plantation. At this juncture, let it be known as a matter of policy, foreign investments, as long as they are people and environment-friendly, are welcomed in the Bangsamoro. For whose these blessings (rich natural resources) if not for the people’s benefits and disposal? Without doubt, the Bangsamoro Government, once in place, will enter into agreements with investors whether domestic or foreign to tap the natural resources in this region. Initially, we can start preliminary matters but we wait for the Bangsamoro Government to be in place before formalities or actual work can commence. CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF TRANSITION PERIOD INCREASE – Luwaran / News Writer: Super User Proposals for extending the expected transition period for the Bangsamoro continued to grow in number in the last leg of the Mindanao consultations made by the Congressional Adhoc Committee on the BBL. On Dec. 10 at Buluan (Maguindanao), a high-ranking official of DepED ARMM suggested that the first regular elections for the Bangsamoro Parliament be made in 2019 instead of May 2016 as contained in the draft BBL. In the following day at the CAP auditorium in Davao City, no less than Magdalo Partylist Rep. Garry Alejano proposed before his fellow members of the Adhoc committee that the transition period be extended since “a year or less than a year is not enough” to effectively prepare for the regular Bangsamoro government. Alejano, a former soldier, recounted how his combat experience and their group’s advocacy against corruption in the military have ultimately led him to work harder for peace and reforms in the bureaucracy. The Mindanao Peoples Caucus also submitted a formal petition to the Adhoc committee in Davao. A similar sentiment for lengthening the transition time was also expressed by a punong barangay of Butuan City in the 30th public hearing held at the Caraga State University on Dec 13. In Article XVI, Section 1 of the draft BBL, the transition period for the establishment of the Bangsamoro shall begin upon the ratification of the BBL and shall end upon the dissolution of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) which shall be the governing body or interim government during the transition period. BTA shall be deemed dissolved immediately upon the qualification of the elected Chief Minister under the first Bangsamoro Parliament in May 2016. Buluan Maguindanao Provincial Governor Esmael Mangudadatu reiterated his firm support to the BBL and even dispelled rumor that his fellow governors are against the draft law. He said that he does not want a repeat of the bunged MOA-AD in 2008 that plunged Maguindanao in a violent war. Majority of Maguindanao mayors and members of the provincial board attended the hearing that was participated also by more than 5000 people in the jam-packed municipal gymnasium. Davao In a crowd composed mostly of professionals, academicians, businessmen, civil society organizations and indigenous peoples, the Davao consultation was marked by deliberations over legal issues on the draft BBL. Atty. Israelito Torreon, Dean of the Law School of Cor Jesu Colleges in Digos City and former counsel of Cotabato Province in the latter’s petition against the MOA-AD, expressed hope that the proposed law will not suffer the same fate as that of the 2008 agreement. Law students of the Ateneo de Davao University College of Law also raised questions on aerial domain, natural resources, powers over local governments, conflict of laws and excise taxes that would be collected by the Bangsamoro government. Most of the legal issues were answered by Adhoc Committee Chairman Rep. Rufus Rodriguez who is also a lawyer and former law school dean of San Sebastian College. Saying that the draft BBL is an “antidote to independence”, Rodriguez believes that giving more political and fiscal powers to the Bangsamoro would make the latter more attached to the Philippine nation-state, as can be gleaned from the recent referendum in Scotland wherein the latter opted to continue its union with the United Kingdom. Butuan Rodriguez reiterated before a very large crowd in the Caraga State University gymnasium his statement in the Davao hearing that the success of the Bangsamoro would open the gate for a federal parliamentary system in the Philippines, something he is openly advocating in several of the congressional hearings. In assuring the indigenous peoples who dominated the proceedings, Rodriguez said that the BBL respects and protects their rights and provides further additional rights, such as reserved seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament and equitable share in the exploration, utilisation and development of natural resources covered by their native titles. INCLUSION OF 39 NORTH COTABATO BARANGAYS IN BBL HIGHLIGHTS PUBLIC HEARING IN MIDSAYAP – Luwaran / News Writer: Keith Bacongco MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato (MindaNews/13 December) — Questions on the possible implications of including 39 barangays in North Cotabato in the Bangsamoro dominated the House public hearing on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in this town Friday. The 39 barangays belong to the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan and Pikit, which voted for inclusion in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during the 2001 plebiscite. Some of these barangays are not contiguous to the ARMM. Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat said the inclusion of the 39 barangays is perhaps the most crucial for the province because it is not allowed in the constitution. Lobregat argued it cannot be done unless the entire province votes yes for their inclusion in the Bangsamoro region. He cited Article 10, Section 10 of the constitution that states: “No province, city, municipality, or barangay may be created, divided, merged, abolished, or its boundary substantially altered, except in accordance with the criteria established in the local government code and subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected.” But while Lobregat said the issue may cause problems for the BBL, he conceded before the predominantly Moro audience that the bill would be passed “because they have the numbers”. The crowd applauded his statement. Lobregat pointed out that not all of the 39 barangays are contiguous, citing barangay Manarapan in Carmen which sits in the middle of the municipality. “If you need help, where will you go since you will no longer be part of North Cotabato? Where will you run to? They will say, the Bangsamoro Parliament will change the law and only then will they say where you belong,” he said in Filipino. “Hindi sigurista yan, that is your right,” he said, adding they may or may not join the Bangsamoro. His statement drew both applause and jeers from the crowd. “Karapatan nyo na pumalakpak, karapatan nyo na mag-boo,” Lobregat gamely shot back. Opt in, opt out Alamada Vice Mayor Samuel Alim clarified if it is possible for a municipality to opt out after it has joined the Bangsamoro. Government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer responded: “Mas mahirap sumali ang hindi kasali at mas mahirap lumabas kapag nakasali” (Harder to join if you’re not included, and harder to go out if you’re included). During the hearing in Davao City, the local government of Wao in Lanao del Sur appealed to the House ad hoc committee on the BBL to hold a plebiscite in their municipality because they wanted to opt out of the ARMM. Town councilor Al Belotendos told Mindanews that should they opt out, they wanted to be a part of North Cotabato. “But we will not insist on the plebiscite just in case it will not be granted. What is important is that we are showing our position now so that we will not be blamed as well when Bangsamoro government fails, Belotendos explained. False hopes – Manila Times / Opinion Writer: Ma. Lourdes N. Tiquia IT’S looking more like a Season of False Hopes what with the plays on the funding for the Bangsamoro Basic legislation and foreigners investing in publicly listed firms in the country. It has been said, “contrary to popular opinion or the escapist trends of society, false hope is in no way better than a harsh truth. A harsh truth is painful to accept, but there’s healing at the end. False hope, on the other hand, is a very dangerous thing that offers no reward. Not immediately, nor with the passage of time. It never pays off.” So when some public officials say things are turning up to be good for the economy and there is a need to elect someone who will continue policies and programs, a caveat is needed. Take the case of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (PBBL) based on the Framework Peace Agreement signed in the Malacañan Palace on 15 October 2012. The Framework Agreement calls for the creation of an autonomous political entity named Bangsamoro, replacing the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which was described by BSA3 as “a failed experiment”. The administration earmarked P2.7B for the implementation of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) for 2015 despite the non-enactment yet of the organic act. DBM Secretary said the BBL appropriation was proposed “in anticipation of the enactment of the organic act at the end of this year or early 2015.” Secretary Abad, a lawyer and a former district representative is at it again, just like DAP. His creative budgeting packaged as reforms appears to often cross legal lines. From Php2.7B, it became Php8B via an “errata” to the 2015 budget. The deletion was made during the bicameral conference of Congress that endorsed the final approval of the P2.606Trillion National Budget last 10 December. Abad later on justified it as “principle being factored in” during deliberations on the errata. Really? Abad further stated “the P8 billion was deleted by the House. It’s supposed to fund the Bangsamoro government but it is not yet created so we cannot fund it. If it does not exist legally, we cannot fund it.” Why is it always an afterthought Atty. Abad? Was it again a propaganda to show to the stakeholders of the Bangsamoro of your sincerity when you knew it cannot be done? REP. LOBREGAT’S ANTI-AUTONOMY STANCE MARS COMMITTEE’S NEUTRALITY IN 29TH BBL PUBLIC HEARING – Luwaran / news Writer: Abo Hajams Zamboanga City representative Celso L. Lobregat advocated for non-autonomous provisions in the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) during the 29th Public Hearing held at the Municipal Gymnasium, Midsayap, North Cotabato on December 12, 2014. Instead of at the consultation stage, he is as if already deliberating and legislating the proposed law in the Chamber of the House of Congress. He said, operational control on the police force, now under the mayors is being transferred to the Chief Minister under the BBL. That, according to many quarters is misleading and untrue. He refuted the answer of OPAPP representative Atty. Jose Lorena where Intergovernmental mechanism is among those agencies to solve conflict born by ambiguities in laws of the Central Government and the Bangsamoro. He said national law must prevail, without giving regard to the ambiguity. He said, the 10% registered voter that may petition for inclusion of their area in the Bangsamoro will create chaos. He said redistricting power of the parliament is unconstitutional. He also said, power of the Chief Minister to grant recall petition and to appoint a replacement is not proper. The public hearing was presided by Cong, Rufus B. Rodriguez but later, it was continued by Cong. Jesus N. Sacdalan. Other solons present were: Congresswoman Nancy A. Catamco, Congresswoman Bai Sandra A. Sema, Cong. Jose I. Tejada, Cong. Celso L. Lobregat, Cong. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza, and Cong. Rogelio Neil Pepito Roque. Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Talino-Mendoza joined the consultation. GPH Panel Chairperson Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, OPAPP member Jose Lorena, OPAPP member Senen Bacani and MILF Panel member Datu Antonio Kinoc were also in the public hearing. Presentations by the audience were: A representative of the professional sector appealed for support to the BBL, extend the one year term of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority but feared of constitutional obstacles in the future. Barangay Rangeban, Midsayap’s representative requested for inclusion of their barangay in the Bangsamoro territory. He led the crowd in shouting “Allahu Akbbar” many times, meaning Allah is the greatest. The Consortium of Civil Society expressed support to the BBL. C/N/N NPA burns equipment for road construction-Visayan Daily Star / Top Stories Writer: GILBERT BAYORAN Suspected New People’s Army rebels burned and destroyed Sunday night heavy equipment of a private construction firm in Sitio Taoangan, Brgy. Gil Montilla, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental. Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, yesterday said the armed suspects, estimated at 30, some of them wearing bonnets, burned a payloader, grader and a vibratory roller, using a gasoline and other combustible materials. They, however, spared from harm the watchman, irazan said. The destroyed heavy equipment owned by the IBC (International Builders Corporation), were used in the construction and rehabilitation of the national road in Sipalay City, Lirazan said. The extent of damage on the heavy equipment is still being determined by the Bureau of Fire and Protection. But Lirazan said the heavy equipment would cost P25 million if purchased brand new. IBC, an Iloilo-based construction firm, is owned by a certain Alfonso Tan, he added. Lirazan said the armed suspects, however, spared the heavy equipment of the Sipalay City government. Shortly before the incident, he said, Sipalay policemen who had passed the area, were also spared from harm by the NPA. Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said the NPA should stop the destruction of properties, and that the incident could have been triggered by failure to pay revolutionary taxes by the owners. The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division condemned the NPA anew for destroying heavy equipment used in the development of the countryside. *Press CTRL and CLICK the headline to open the complete news story online.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 14:52:42 +0000
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