DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 21 December) — I had my own share of challenging times myself in the so-called “Maguindanao massacre”. Getting Datu Unsay to peacefully surrender to prevent more carnage and loss of lives was the most unforgettable and
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 07 January) — I am not a Moro but I am a Bangsamoro. I grew up from childhood and lived in the Moro homeland of Mindanao. I know the BOL (Bangsamoro Organic Law) will be a
(Statement of Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza on peace talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF) In our common effort to make sure that we achieve a conducive and enabling environment for peace, President Rodrigo Duterte instructed us last night to engage
(Transcript of the remarks by Philippine Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 24 Apri 2018. Transcript courtesy of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process)
Former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Roy Cimatu, special envoy for OFW refugees, takes his oath as Acting Environment Secretary before President Rodrigo Duterte and the Cabinet on Monday, 08 May 2017 in Malacanang. Secretary Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on
(Speech of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dureza at the Army Governance Forum on 7 February 2017 in Fort Bonifactio, Taguig City) Men and women of valor, we now stand at a time when we, thus far,
(Opening statements of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dureza and Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. at the third round of the GRP-NDF peace talks in Rome, Italy on 19 January 2017). Thank you very much and
STATEMENT Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dueza Washington, DC, 4 December 2016 Earnest efforts have been ongoing on the releases of prisoners. But necessary legal processes take awhile as cases are within the jurisdiction of the judiciary,
[Keynote Speech of Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza at the Global Autonomy, Federalism and Governance Forum 2016 on 19 October 2016 at Dusit Thani hotel in Makati City. Secretary Dureza could not make it as he was a member
(Opening statement of Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza during the formal resumption of peace negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF in Oslo, Norway , 9:30am , at Holmenkollen Park Hotel, August 22, 2016) On this crispy cold Oslo morning, we are
(Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza delivered an extemporaneous speech at the August 13, 2016 launch of the implementation phase of the GPH-MILF peace process under the Duterte Administration. Venue of the launch was the Unity Room 2
I almost fell off from my seat when I read the Sunday newspapers reporting that a SUSPECTED (caps to highlight) North Korean cargo vessel “Jin Teng” docked in Subic port delivering palm kernel for farm animal feeds was impounded as part of
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/14 June) — Many have now serious doubts about the future of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) given Congress’ failure to pass it on time. I have a few thoughts I wish to share, coming from my
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/07 June) — I read reports saying that Mindanao is well and “ok” on power needs due to the many new power plants being put up. True? Not really! Mark my words. In a year or so, there
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/17 May) — I talked on the phone last Saturday with Zambales Gov. Hermogenes ” Jun” Ebdane who was a colleague in the Arroyo Cabinet. He has set up a high-tech coastal watch monitoring system in his province, in
JANIUAY, Iloilo (MindaNews/10 May) — A few days ago, I got reminded, during a recent clan reunion in my late father Martin’s hometown JANIUAY in Iloilo, that I have American blood in my veins. I was one year old and born in
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/27 April) — AMEND ARMM LAW — I read similar positions of two (2) eminent persons who are proposing that in lieu of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the more expedient way forward, while the BBL is getting stuck
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/05 April) — Christianity’s traditional annual “Calvary” is over now. But for the peace workers and the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, the long road of Calvary is still continuing. When Philippine chief peace negotiator, Prof. Miriam “Iye” Coronel – Ferrer called
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 March) — “Never having to say I’m sorry” is a title, by the way, of an old favorite song. That reminds me of this growing call for the president to say “I’m sorry” for Mamasapano. If you
DAVAO CiTY (MindaNews / 01 Feb) — For those many of us who are watching from the sidelines and from a distance the events unfolding, it’s been an emotionally draining week due to the Mamasapano incident. It’s a mixture
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 21 Jan) – Last night, I had a dream. The Philippines has turned federal and is one of the federated states of the Vatican. And its regions have also gone federal – where the concentration of powers
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/11 January) — I was glued to TV’s CNN over the past few days, a far cry from my usual. I have to admit this: I sparingly watch TV these days. Why? It’s just to be free from
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/06 January) — As I sat on my favorite siesta lounging chair on lush green bermuda grass by the beach looking out blankly at the blue waters in front of me on a lazy Saturday two days after
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/22 December) — During my call on former President Fidel V. Ramos recently in his Makati office, he wondered what kind of security contingency measures were in place for the Pope’s visit. He recalled how “Operation Bojingka” of foreign
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/30 Nov) – OVERSPENDING. I am reading in the news that the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) is starting to prosecute election “overspending“. In fact, Gov. ER Ejercito lost his seat in Laguna recently for exceeding the limits. By all means let’s run after all violators. But the
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 November) — Last Thursday from Manila, I took Tiger Air (recently acquired by Cebu Pacific) en route to Cagayan de Oro to visit the STEAG coal-fired plant in Villanueva town inside the PHIVIDEC industrial estate. I thought I
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/09 Nov) — Over the past few days, I came across both good and bad news about the Bangsamoro peace deal. A reality check of some sort. “Good” because the government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the prospective
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/27 October) — When former President FIDEL RAMOS and Davao Mayor RODRIGO “Digong” DUTERTE met in Davao City a few days ago, the several events where they were seen together, their public body language and the reports that
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/19 October) — It was not planned. But I unexpectedly walked into a consultation forum on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in a downtown hotel in Iligan City a few days ago. I had really wished earlier
BOOM TOWN. I revisited the Caraga region these past few days. How it lately transformed to what it is today is just remarkable. Surigao City is booming with new establishments. A new, plush towering TAVERN HOTEL faces the calming sea. It used
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/05 Oct) — My previous work as “negotiator” was varied. Let me recall some. I dealt with hostage takers at the Davao Penal Colony where eight hostage takers were “neutralized” and the stand-off resolved; I helped in the surrender of prison
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/28 Sept) — We know the popular catch phrase: “From rags to riches.” But there’s a new one now we should watch out for: “From rags to riches to ruins”! This is otherwise known as the 3rd Generation Phenomenon.
(Author previously served as chief government negotiator and presidential adviser on the peace process) DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/14 Sept) — I have two initial suggestions to Congress, if I may, as it works on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/01 September) — Indeed, there are many reasons why we need to take another look at our Constitution, not only those pertaining to the economic provisions, but including the political and the whole gamut of our basic law
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/24 Aug) — I sat over a few bottles of SanMig lites a few nights ago with a friend who just arrived from abroad. He asked several pointed questions about the still ongoing MILF peace talks: why can’t the
REFORMS – Pope Francis made drastic reforms in the finance sector of the Catholic Church in Rome by firing the long-staying cardinal who had long controlled the Church funds. In the Philippines, President P-Noy refused to fire Budget Secretary Butch
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews 11 August) — Last Friday was a reunion of sorts for me with former colleague in Malacanang Gabby Claudio (who served both FVR and GMA) and Journalist Julie Yap Daza, the irrepressible columnist whose luscious book on
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/03 August) — When I wrote last time mentioning about President Aquino holding back tears during the SONA (State of the Nation Address), I got several comments from Facebook. One of them recalled how reputedly hardy, and steely
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/30 July) — When President Aquino choked a bit trying hard to hold back tears towards the end of his SONA last Monday he was obviously emotion-filled. Contrary to what critics say, I think it was normal and
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/14 July) — Being ready to make apologies, admit mistakes or say “I’m sorry” are traits that show humility and good character. It also re-affirms human vulnerability and remorse. In some instances, it can be a badge of
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/08 July) — Over the weekend, I travelled by bus for the first time to Baguio City, the country’s summer capital 5,000 feet up in the sky for a “green” event. No, definitely not the “green” you naughty
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/29 June) – WORRISOME. The latest word on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with the MILF is worrisome. President Aquino met discreetly with KAGI MURAD for the second time in Hiroshima, Japan in the last few days where
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/26 June) — Last week, I attended a “round-table chat” (except that the tables were rectangular) on culture and arts with some Davao editors which included event prime mover Amy Cabusao of the TIMES, Tony Ajero of EDGE,
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/26 May) — While several sectors are encouraging Mayor Rody Duterte to run for Philippine president, he has a way of saying: “THANKS, BUT NO THANKS!” His reason: “Filipinos somehow send to prison presidents starting from Erap, now
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/18 May) — By this time, I can tell that we are all either so bored or agitated — and yes, angry — with Janet Napoles, PDAF, corruption in high places, that perhaps we all need somehow some refreshing
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 28 April) – I always take a taxi coming from or going to the Manila airport. This one last Saturday morning with taxi driver Lando was interesting. He was talking all the way in Cebuano nonstop
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/20 April) — There are many questions that since have arisen after the signing of the comprehensive agreement for the Bangsamoro (CAB). Most of them are questions projecting worse case scenarios. Or are just plain and simple
