GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/16 March) — Brownouts or power outages are bad. However, what’s worse is the exploitation of brownouts to raise the price of electricity in the spot market. When disasters strike, profiteers abound – like vultures waiting for
III. Strategic Compromises (1. A Re-View) GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/04 November) – The Aquino III Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front forged the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro through compromises. In fact, negotiated agreements in contrast to the spontaneous are
1st of a series GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/16 October) — In “Mind da News” (MindaNews, October 5, 2012), we cited the Government and MILF panel chairs as referring in their opening statements to fundamental differences they were still trying to
3rd of a series ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/14 October) — I see at least five items in the Framework Agreement that may unmistakably be applicable to the affected Lumad communities or Indigenous Peoples. And all of them are embodiment of the
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/16 September) — Two September 11 news reports in the Philippine Star, one on the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the other about politics in Maguindanao, show how old stuff is rehashed to look new. New
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/31 August) –The refrain, “The President is committed to just and lasting peace”, recalls then President Arroyo in the last year of her administration. She personally asked heads of state in the then Organization of Islamic Conference to help in the peace process; she went public fanning the “hope and assurance” that “the peace process would soon achieve long-term stability and prosperity for the people of Mindanao”.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/ 29 August)– As this piece is being written, the Government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace panels must be already prepared for their 31st exploratory talks – reset from August 27 to 30 to next month,
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/9 Aug) – According to a July 19 report of MindaNews, one of the several consensus points reached by Government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace panels is to let the election in the Autonomous Region in
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/3 Aug) – In truth, what “modest breakthrough” was achieved by the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in their latest (29th) Exploratory Talks last July 16 to 18? The question still nags. We are still
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/27 July) – In his State of the Nation Address (SONA 2012) last Monday, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III said this of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in relation to the ongoing Government-MILF peace negotiation: “Even
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/23 July) — Five days have elapsed since the 29th Exploratory Talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Kuala Lumpur ended last July 18. We are still
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/6 July)–Where is the Philippine Sabah claim headed for? Quo vadis? While the Philippines seems no longer keen in pursuing the claim, the heirs of Sultan Mohammed Jamalul Alam, the original lessor, have renewed their claim and recently urged President Aquino to revive the Philippine claim. But reviving the Philippine claim is not as simple as the sultan’s heirs seem to believe. As already shown, there are complicating circumstances – and still more of their own making which they apparently do not see or want to.
In June 1962, the Philippines under President Diosdado P. Macapagal formally laid claim to North Borneo. This was a year after Malaya Prime Minister Tunko Abdul Rahman had agreed with Great Britain (May 12, 1861) to expand the Federation of Malaya into the Federation of Malaysia by including Sarawak, North Borneo and Singapore which were still British colonies.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/27 June) – Sultan Firduasi Abbas of Lanao is leading a move urging President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to revive the Philippine claim to Sabah. This was reported by Luwaran of June 13, 2012 as gleaned from an earlier story of The Manila Times.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/09 June) — Chief Justice Renato C. Corona pushed his luck too far beyond the limit in that afternoon of May 22. After that fateful episode, Corona and the Defense must have seen the end not boding
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/6 June) – A week after the final vote, we glance back and see the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona as a drama with the plot of the tragedy – Corona the tragic hero
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/18 May) – Both Government and MILF have hailed the “Decision” as a breakthrough; so have the peace advocates – the first upbeat; the second, remaining focused on their original demand.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/13 May) — MILF Panel Chairman Mohagner Iqbal’s opening and brief closing statements strongly state the MILF position as of April 2012 for all to know and for Government to consider in relation to the “Decision” while pursuing the negotiations on substantive issues. Government knows. OPAPP Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, in the April 26 OPAPP report, saw the ensuing negotiations to be “tough and serious”.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/12 May) — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is as eager – or even more – to see a peace agreement coming to stay; but it is cautious. From the statements of its negotiating panel chair and top officials, MILF will engage in the negotiation of substantive issues as agreed in the “Decision” without deviating from the political settlement Government has agreed to in August 1998, June 2001 and June 2010.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, May 11, 2012 – The “Decision” is a “breakthrough”. This is the tone of the popular reaction. Topping the commendation for the Parties in reconciling their positions is the optimism that a peace agreement will soon be reached; an influential leader in the Senate promised to lead in fulfilling the legislative aspects of the agreement.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/30 April) — More than on statements of Government and MILF panel chairmen and members during and after the 27th exploratory talks, what will eventually happen under the “GPH-MILF Decision Points on Principles” hinges on three propositions: (1) what the document intends to happen; (2) what Government wants to happen under the document; and, (3) what MILF wants to happen under the document
GENERALSANTOSCITY,April27,2012–The “GPH-MILF Decision Points on Principles” is exactly just that: ten principles to guide the negotiation starting from the 28th Exploratory Talks. How the ten principles will be used as “guides” is still to be seen. This “How” will determine whether the “Principles” will hasten the negotiation unto the signing of a final agreement or continue to hinder its pace.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/23 April) — More than offering MILF roses with the thorns, Government wants MILF to take the “Reformed ARMM” – that it has long declared a “No-No”. In a special and figurative sense, Government has endeavored to persuade MILF leaders to take what to them is “haram” [Romanized “haraam”] since after the Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional the MOA-AD.
Part 4 of a series GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews /14 April) – If Government has changed the focus or core of the negotiation and has consistently firmed up this change, MILF has tenaciously held on to the talking point agreed
(3. Leonen’s Past Opening Statements) GENERAL SANTOS CITY, April 13, 2012 – As the opening statements of Government and MILF chief negotiators during their 26th Exploratory Talks last March 19 to 21 show, the difference of their positions is so
GENERALSANTOSCITY,March30,2012 – Just like their joint statement, the opening statements of the peace panel chairs of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH nee GRP) and of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during their just concluded 26thformal exploratory talks show no sign of signing an agreement soon.
(I. From Joint Statements) GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 28, 2012 – Will the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH nee GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) be able to sign a peace agreement by the end
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/18 March) — At the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona last March 13 the prosecution called “incredible” the testimony of Demetrio C. Vicente concerning the sale to him of a 1,700 sq. m. parcel
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/15 March) – Chief Justice Renato C. Corona and his defense team can self-destruct as gleaned from their statements and reports in the media after the prosecution had rested its case and as soon as they have
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/11 March) — Cristina Basa Roco-Corona, wife of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona will soon testify at the Impeachment Court (IC) trial as a defense witness to clarify the Corona bank records and the statements of assets,
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/March 6, 2012) – Judging from a Philippine Daily Inquirer report (Aguirrefacesdetention,listeningtoSantiago24/7,March2), the senator-judges were making light of the February 29 Aguirre court “quiet protest” that raised to 190/90 Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’ blood pressure. Of course, they
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/12 February) – After three weeks of impeachment hearing against Chief Justice Renato C. Corona, the evidence the prosecution have so far presented should convince him to resign. That is his best option. At the outset, he
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/07 February) — When God created Eve, He said: “It’s not good that man should be alone. I will make him a helpmate.” Adam and Eve ruled Eden, the First Kingdom. In succeeding generations, Kings had Queens;
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/February 3, 2012) – As a postscript to our last Comment: “Pacquiao the Boxer in Congress” may we offer this unsolicited advice free of charge? Anything for the long lasting good of the giver and the beneficiaries
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/30 January) – Pacquaio is facing his acid test in Congress: First, how well on the way is he in rounding the square peg that he is to fit into the round hole that is Congress? How is he living up to the great expectation cast around him.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/29 January) — As a boxer and Filipino, has Emmanuel Pacquiao done much good for his country? Certainly! He made the sports world, American especially, take notice of the Philippines. He has given boxing in the Philippines the needed boost – inspiring promising Filipino boxers. For these, he deserves honors.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindadNews/28 January) — Riches breed ambition for power fanned by the fame riches naturally brings. Yielding to this ambition, Pacquiao emerges in a new person with a new story.
(First of Four Parts) GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 27 January) – Manny Pacquiao, the multi-titled world boxing champion, and Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, the representative of the lone congressional district of Sarangani, are two persons in one man. As boxing
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/10 January) – Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, who visited Arakan right after the killing (MindaNews, October 26, 2011), said that a task force had been assigned to look into the Tentorio murder case and three angles were being considered as the possible motives. However, he cautioned: “It might be good for us to consider all angles and motives because … there are inconsistencies if you take a closer look at the incidents and initial motive as claimed.”
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/9 January) – The arrest of Jimmy Ato, alleged killer of Fr. Fausto Tentorio, PIME in early morning of December 29, 2011 generated positive reactions. However, after the arrest followed big posers in the wake of conflicting and downplayed implicating and complicating circumstances and incidents.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/12 Nov) — In a situation-saving balancing act, President Aquino III countered his “no to all-out war” option with “all-out justice” for the 19 SF troopers. In so doing under conflicting circumstances, he equivocated to reassure the
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/10 November) — The call to stop Government and MILF negotiation unless MILF surrender their “rogue commanders” who with “criminals” they coddle “slaughtered” the 19 SF troopers and to review — better disregard or scrap — the
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/9 Nov) – President Benigno S. Aquino III thumbed down the all-out-war calls. He incurred severe criticism for that. But he held fast with the peace advocates even if outnumbered by the all-out-war radicals – Senate leaders
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/8 Nov) – With exception of few references to reports from Luwaran, the MILF official website, and to statements of top MILF officials, reports in national media had the military, Malacañang, Senate leaders, and Office of the
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/7 Nov) – Provoking, shooting, blaming each other – that’s playing a dangerous, costly game. The government and Moro rebel armed forces never learn. They had done it many times before. They have just done it again. And many in the country – particularly Manila – cried for blood. Foul! Murder! All-out-war!
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 20 October) – Two weeks after MILF had spurned the “GPH ‘3 for 1’ Proposal” in Kuala Lumpur on August 23, the Government Peace Panel Chair Marvic Leonen and his team held press conferences and
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/11 October) – In reiterating their objections to “GPH ‘1 for 3’ Solution” and their imperatives, MILF wants to steer the peace negotiation back to the course they had set with the Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo administrations.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/04 October) – Right in the morning after the historic meeting in Tokyo of President Aquino and Chairman Murad, Government and MILF issued official statements that showed in principle their understanding. The optimism for a peace agreement to be signed soon that the statements had generated turned out to be a misunderstanding of the understanding in principle.
