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Can we trust the MILF?

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My take on the rage and the fears over the BBL

By Raïssa Robles

It looks like the Philippine government is about to arrive at a momentous peace settlement and agreement with the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Congress is likely to pass the the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which will put in place a new regional autonomous government with expanded revenue-making powers, a bigger purse and more say in running its own affairs.

It’s a major stepping stone on the road to peace in Mindanao, which has been torn by war for decades.

The BBL has met bitter opposition from some quarters. Opinion surveys show that many Filipinos are against the BBL. But what’s interesting is that recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) surveys indicate that the opposition seems to be based on ignorance. Those respondents who knew nothing at all about the BBL are the ones most opposed to it.

In fact, it seems most of the critics of the BBL have not bothered to read the BBL at all.

I would guess that at the heart of a lot of opposition to the BBL is prejudice and mistrust.

Can we really trust the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to do right by this peace deal which they are about to receive and not use it as a stepping stone to secession?

This piece will try to answer that question as well as  the following questions:

  • Is the proposed BBL  unconstitutional because it calls itself the “Basic Law”; and it sets up a sub-state governed by a Parliament with a Chief Minister?
  • Is the MILF a terrorist group?
  • Will the BBL turn Muslim Mindanao into a terrorist playground?
  • Should the head of the Bangsamoro government be given police control despite the deaths of the 44 police commandos partly in the hands of MILF rebels?
  • Will women’s rights be protected in the Bangsamoro regional autonomy?

To make this piece easier to understand and to follow, I will answer these questions while discussing SIXTEEN key points about the MILF and the BBL.

One. Critics warn that the MILF cannot be trusted.

If you ask me, my frank reply would be – Not completely.

My reply is based on the initial BBL draft that was submitted to Congress and on my personal knowledge of the rebel movement,

But hear me out on why we should still pass the BBL.

This picture of Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal (L), of me and of then MILF military commander now chief Ebrahim Murad (R) was taken sometime in 1997 when I interviewed them all alone in one of their camps in Maguindanao for Philippine Star newspaper.

Muslim separatists have been fighting for “independence” from the Philippines for decades. It would be probably too much to expect all of these separatists to simply extinguish that cause abruptly..

My photo of MILF rebels in one of their camps in 1997.

What you CAN do is hold them to a contract. And in this case that contract is called the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

If they break that contract, that’s the time you bomb them to smithereens.

The BBL is the contract between the MILF – acting on behalf of residents of the Bangsamoro region – and the rest of us. In the draft contract submitted to Congress, the MILF made a promise to adhere to autonomy and abandon rebellion and secession as the means to achieving the Muslim Filipinos’ right to self-determination.

Readers will probably remind me that the rebels killed the #SAF44 (or Special Action Force police commandos) with impunity. How can they now be trusted with the powers spelled out in the BBL?

I agree there was impunity. The MILF leadership should have reined in their men the moment they realized that police commandos were involved. The fact that it took the MILF nearly a day to command their men to stop shooting is one of the most tragic mistakes the rebels have made during their 18 years of off-and-on negotiations with the government.

And they are paying dearly for it with the delayed passage of the BBL and the threat of having it scrapped altogether.

The death of the #SAF44 is being pointed to as the proof that the MILF cannot be trusted with political power. This is reflected in a recent Social Weather Stations survey. After the #SAF44 died, the MILF’s trust ratings plummeted, the SWS found.

 

But it is precisely for this very reason that the BBL is urgently needed.

The deaths of the #SAF44 are part of the never-ending cycle of violence tormenting parts of Mindanao for the last half-century. After the #SAF44 deaths, one of the questions I asked my Mindanao sources was – didn’t the MILF rebels know they were police commandos? And if they knew, why kill them instead of taking them prisoners?

One of the answers I got was that the rebels did recognize they were policemen and not soldiers by their uniforms. And that was why they were killed.

I was told by a highly reliable source in central Mindanao who knew the situation in the area that villagers were angry at policemen because they were previously used by by certain political kingpins for land-grabbing.

We can only begin to stop the cycle of violence in Mindanao if we squarely address the root causes of Muslim rebellion.

It is NOT poverty nor government neglect and underdevelopment, as Senator Grace Poe’s final “Committee Report on the Mamasapano Incident” would like us to believe.

It is injustice. (The Poe report is totally silent on this aspect even though MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal raised this point in his testimony during the senator’s probe on the #SAF44. While Poe mentions the Jabidah massacre, she does not explain what it is and who was to blame for it.)

Unlike previous Senate probes on deaths of government troops, the Poe committee never left the air-conditioned halls of the Senate to bring the #SAF44 probe into the Muslim Mindanao heartland. This is what deeply bothers me. If the committee members had gone to Maguindanao, they would have found a different explanation for the roots of the Mindanao conflict. They would have been told that for years, the rebels and their communities had snubbed government funding because they viewed it as tantamount to colonization and surrender. They wanted a political solution and admission of the injustice first before agreeing to accept state aid. In central Mindanao, injustice has been aggravated by rampant land-grabbing.

If government neglect is the only reason for the Muslim rebellion, as Sen. Poe would want us to think, then their rebellion has no leg to stand on since government neglect can be felt in so many non-Muslim areas outside Manila. That is the implication of Poe’s report.

Look at page three of the Poe report yourself, attributing the problem of Muslim Mindanao mainly to government neglect:

II. BACKDROP/FRAMEWORK
A. Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Peace Process.

Maguindanao is one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines. Poverty incidence in the province is pegged at 54.5% (as of December 2013), which is more than twice the national average of 19.7%.1 Other social development indicators for Maguindanao have consistently been dismal: literacy rate is very low (66.27%); maternal and child mortality rates are very high; and life expectancy (62 years for males and 64 years for females) are among the lowest in the country.2

It has been argued that the underdevelopment of Mindanao has been largely due to neglect by the national government. This has spurred the separatist movement to continue their struggle for self-determination. The conflict and violence have, in turn, become obstacles to development. The Moro secessionist movement traces its beginnings in 1969 when Nur Misuari, together with other Muslim dissidents like Hashim Salamat, formed the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the aftermath of the Jabidah Massacre. What followed was a long period of intermittent war in Mindanao, broken only by periodic cessation of hostilities and peace initiatives like the 1976 GPH-MNLF Peace Agreement. This agreement, also known as the Tripoli Agreement, was entered into during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos (“President Marcos”).

I know that by writing this I am bound to anger a lot of people, including some of those who read my blog or are my Facebook friends.

But it is time to make a stand.

I have refrained from writing what I really thought out of respect for the fallen police commandos. But now it is time to put their deaths in the context of the long, bloody history of Mindanao.

Almost 34 years before the Mamasapano bloodbath, another Pope came to visit Manila. It was around the time of that papal visit that a massacre of 118 Philippine army soldiers occurred on the island of Pata, Sulu on February 12, 1981.

The military calls it the “Pata Island Massacre” and remembers it to this day as the “most recorded [soldiers’ deaths] in a single encounter” with Muslim rebels.

The army contingent had found itself surrounded by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels, who ordered them to lay down their arms.

The soldiers complied.

A hail of bullets mowed down 118 of them.

What the army hardly mentions is what happened to the island residents when the navy and air force bombed and shelled Pata for weeks. Several thousand civilians, including women and children, died.

The Muslims also call this the “Pata Island Massacre”.

The soldiers’ version of the events was reported in the Marcos-controlled press.

But it was the MNLF version that reached the Islamic foreign ministers’ meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). The massacre angered the Arab nations into continuing OIC support for the Muslim rebellion.

Do we really want this violent cycle to continue?

Senator Miriam Santiago has criticized the peace deal with the rebels. A press statement released by her office May 21 Thursday said:

“In Santiago’s view, this [BBL] is a peculiar situation because, ordinarily, peace is discussed between the sovereign and the rebels only after the former has militarily imposed its will on the latter. “Peace negotiations are not a substitute for military success,” she said.

So it seems Sen. Santiago would like the military to defeat the rebels first. (Something they’ve been trying to do since 1972, with a singular lack of success.) And she also frowns on the 1996 peace deal with the MNLF. Her approach would assume a willingness on the part of government to commit massive human rights abuses for a prolonged period.

But such abuses could give the rebels the very reason to accuse government of genocide and petition the United Nations for independence. Is this the outcome that Senator Santiago wants?

TWO. Some critics are urging an all-out war instead of the BBL as the solution. 

Those who want to scrap the BBL say it is forcing the rest of the nation to agree to rebel demands under the barrel of a gun.

They also say the government is negotiating from a position of weakness.

Lost in all these arguments is the fact that Muslims ARE Filipinos. The war in Mindanao isn’t a rebellion, it’s a civil war. Even if they are citizens, Muslims for decades have been treated as second-class citizens, mainly because of the religious and racial bias that Christian Filipinos inherited from their Spanish colonizers.

Sen. Santiago perhaps forgot that Congress already enacted a law a decade ago that in effect legitimized the demands of the Muslim rebels and called these the “just aspirations of the Bangsa Moro.”

This is Republic Act 9054 which expanded the law governing the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

THREE. Senator Santiago, who chairs the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of laws, says the BBL is unconstitutional because its uses the words “basic law”. She said this “is a synonym for ‘constitutional law’ and ‘organic law’.”

To Santiago,

…the use of “the name [’basic law’] is intended to have the same effect as ‘constitution’ or ‘constitutional law’ of the Bangsamoro territory, in the same manner that the 1987 Constitution is supreme in the territory of the Republic of the Philippines.”

“It goes without saying that two different constitutional instruments cannot have legal effect at the same time and in the same territory. The proposed BBL must be consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Philippines,” she said.

My observation regarding Sen. Santiago’s position – In her press release which can be accessed here, she equated “basic law” with “constitutional law” and “organic law.” In other words,

basic law=constitutional law=organic law

RA 9054 or the present ARMM Law already uses the words “Organic Act” and the word “Act” is also synonymous with the word “law”.

Would this then make RA 9054 also constitutionally infirm? It seems not because Article X, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution states that “The Congress shall enact an organic act for each autonomous region.”

Sen. Santiago perhaps needs to clarify whether she equates the word “Act” with the word “law”. If she does, then it follows that since she believes  the “basic law” is the same as “organic law”, then “basic law” can interchangeably be used with the word “organic act” – which is provided for by the 1987 Constitution.

FOUR. Senator Santiago also objects to the use of the phrase “Bangsamoro territory”. She says it implies “that although it is under the jurisdiction of the Philippines, it is a separate part.”

However, the draft BBL clearly stipulates the following [underlining mine]:

Article III
TERRITORY
Section 1. Definition of Territory – Territory refers to the land mass as well as the maritime, terrestrial, fluvial and alluvial domains, and the aerial domain above it. The Bangsamoro territory shall remain a part of the Philippines.

Earlier, other critics also slammed the use of the word Bangsamoro because they said it meant “Moro Nation” which was but a step to secession and becoming a separate nation. The word “bangsa” means “nation.”

My observation – The present ARMM Law [RA 9054] is the first Congress-enacted law to use the term but as two words – Bangsa Moro.

Article 3, Section 6 of RA 9054 talks about the “just aspirations of the Bangsa Moro” while Article 10, Section 3 defines the Bangsa Moro people as “citizens who are believers in Islam…”

The main amendment of the BBL to RA9054 is that it expands the word “Bangsamoro” to mean not just Muslims but

“Those who at the time of conquest and colonization were considered natives or original inhabitants of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago and its adjacent islands including Palawan, and their descendants, whether of mixed or of full blood, shall have the right to identify themselves as Bangsamoro by ascription or self-ascription. Spouses and their descendants are classified as Bangsamoro.”

In other words, the term embraces even the indigenous people (IP) who are neither Muslims nor Christians.

In an exclusive interview with MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, he agreed with my observation that the term “Bangsamoro” in the draft BBL does not pertain only to Muslim residents.

“It’s not…It’s not about religion. It’s a political term rather than a religious term,” Iqbal told me.

FIVE. Critics of the BBL have raised alarm bells that once Muslim Mindanao is under the MILF, it will turn extremist and become a fertile breeding ground for the terrorist international group ISIS

And so I decided to take the bull by the horn and ask Iqbal about this. His instant reaction was laughter.

“No, do not laugh, please,” I told Iqbal.

“No, I’m serious,” he replied.

Now Iqbal is used to my frank questions as I am used to his blunt answers after having interviewed him countless times for over a decade.

He then explained to me why he had laughed:

“To me that’s a funny apprehension. If we follow our imagination nothing will limit us. It can even reach the outer space. So there has to be – yung mga wishful thinking. Palagay ko hindi yan very educational.”

Tingan natin kung konkreto situation. Hindi mag-iimagine tayo. Let us look at the concrete situation. Let us not imagine things.) Fears are unending. With the BBL, the government tatakbo (will run) on the basis of the Bangsamoro basic law, I don’t think that would happen.”

I would like to share with you all the rest of my interview with Iqbal on the subject of the MILF and extremism:

RAISSA: One of the things that has stumped me. They call you (MILF) extremists, and they link you to ISIS and ISIL. Can you explain to me sir, how different are you compared to ISIS and Isil ?

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Well, they don’t have a clear political agenda. And their brand of Islam is extremist

RAISSA: How do you define extremist when it comes to Islam?

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Well, even civilians are fair targets. Women, children, old men, they don’t discriminate. They persecute people on the basis of religion. That’s not how we view Islam. Islam views religion as something private to people. Meaning there is no compulsion in religion.

RAISSA: But then – the (BBL) form of government will have Muslim characteristics.

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Are you talking about the BM (Bangsamoro) government? Well, The BBL speaks of that.

It did not say the head of state will be Muslim. Everybody can qualify, even Christians, even IPs (Indigenous people). But of course there will be more Muslims in the BM. Then necessarily, the consequence will be that in all probability the head or the Chief Minister will be Muslim because most of the people there are Muslims.

RAISSA: Under the BBL is it possible a Christian could become the Chief Minister?

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Yes, Yes, Yes, because it is the party in power that selects the Chief Minister. Although the election would be done by Parliament.

RAISSA: And also a member of the IP could become Chief Minister?

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Yes, Yes. They can qualify. They are qualified.

RAISSA: I was wondering. I was looking at the definition of BM. Your definition of Bangsamoro is not Muslim, ah.

MOHAGHER IQBAL: It’s not. It’s an identity. A self-ascription.

RAISSA: Those who live there

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Yes, since time immemorial.

RAISSA: So It’s not Muslim

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Yes, It’s not. Because by freedom of choice, if the IPs choose to become Bangsamoro then they can qualify. And IPs are mostly non-Muslims and non-Christians. It’s not about religion. Although Moro is equated to Muslims during the time of the Spaniards. But it’s a political term rather than a religious term.

RAISSA: I see. That’s the difference between your law and the present ARMM (Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao) law (or RA 9054).

MOHAGHER IQBAL: That’s it, that’s it. Because The ARMM law is more religious in character. Bangsamoro is is more political.

RAISSA: That’s what I do not understand, Sir. You are Islamic, you are more Islamic than secular compared to MNLF. And yet the political group that you are proposing is not Islamic in character.

MOHAGHER IQBAL: I think that, modesty aside, that’s where our maturity lies compared to other groups.

My personal observation on this matter – The fact that the MILF is negotiating with a Christian government and is willing to form a political party already demonstrates its non-ISIS character because ISIS does not negotiate with infidels (non-believers). To the ISIS, only the Koran is the law. But the MILF is willing to abide by the Philippine Constitution and the BBL over and above the Koran when it comes to political behavior.

To further test the Islamic nature of the political structure being proposed by the MILF under the BBL, I asked Iqbal four other questions –

First, will female Muslims be forced to wear the hijab or veil, because I noticed that some don’t?

Second, will women’s rights be protected?

Third, might there come a time when there would be a segregation of men and women in restaurants and shops similar to that in Saudi Arabia?

Fourth, will movie houses and cinemas be allowed in the autonomous region, because the Abu Sayyaf dislikes movie houses and likes bombing them.

Here are Iqbal’s answers:

First, will female Muslims be forced to wear the hijab or veil, because I noticed that some don’t?

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Well, that’s a religious obligation. And as a Muslim you should do that without coercion from external force. As a Muslim it’s part of belief na kailangan talaga magwear ng hijab 9wearing the hijab is necessary) As a Muslim it’s obligatory on them to do that. Pero (But) administratively I don’t think we will pass an administrative code that would punish those people not wearing the hijab.

Second, will women’s rights be protected?

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Certainly.

My personal observation – Iqbal is right. Section 10 guarantees the right of women to engage in lawful employment [and] be protected from exploitation, abuse or discrimination.” Women have a reserved seat in the legislative assembly and a Cabinet post.

Third, might there come a time when there would be a segregation of men and women in restaurants and shops as what happens in Saudi Arabia?

MOHAGHER IQBAL: “No, that’s too much. There would be no free mixing. They can mix – anything can be done by both people (men and women) but no free mixing. That’s what we do not like. But we cannot support segregation.”

Fourth, will movie houses and cinemas be allowed in the autonomous region?

MOHAGHER IQBAL: “It depends. If the film is about nothing but crimes, sex, I think its not good to watch that. Maybe in private people can watch that. But in public, I don’t think that would be recommended.

SIX. I wasn’t done yet. I needed to ask Iqbal about the hisbah – a new office to be created under the BBL

One of the “exclusive powers” proposed in the BBL is the creation of the “Hisbah office for accountability as part of the Shari’ah justice system.”

I was curious about the “hisbah” since I never heard it mentioned before by my Muslim rebel sources. An online search turned up the following:

In medieval times, the hisbah was the market supervisor or person in charge of ensuring that goods in public markets were sold at approved prices, and in proper weight and measure; that wine was not sold and gambling not allowed.

In Pakistan, however, the Northwest Frontier Province passed the “Hisbah” or accountability law in 2005 which would have greatly expanded its role beyond the economic. The law, among others, would have discouraged the playing of music and  videos and businesses from operating on Fridays. It would have set up a watchdog body with “sweeping powers to reform society in accordance with ‘Islamic values’ and enforce the observance of such values in public places.”

In Solo, Indonesia, a group calling itself the Hisbah Team (Tim Hisbah) evolved from carrying out anti-vice operations into vigilante-style actions.

In the autonomous region of Aceh, Indonesia, the hisbah has been cracking down on women they consider wearing “tight pants”. 

In Nigeria, the hisbah in Kano State evolved from a volunteer patrol group into some kind of religious police. In 2005, Hisbah volunteers seized 2,000 motorcycles found to have carried lone women passengers on board because under Shariah law, women can only travel in public transport with male relatives.

For a longer discussion on this, please go to this link.

And here’s a mention of the hisbah in a study by global security.

Because of all these reports on the hisbah, I decided to ask Mohagher Iqbal about it.

Here is our discussion about it.

RAISSA: What is the hisbah office in the BBL? Is that native to Mindanao?

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Hindi (No.) It’s borrowed from Islamic practice noon (then) . Ang hisbah. Kung baga kung may market. Yung hindi tataas ang presyo ng market. Parang superintendent yan. Ang tumitingin wala bang, halimbawa, yung scale hindi tinataas. Yung presyo ng bilihin hindi tinataas. Not justified na pagtaas. (The hisbah. If there’s a market. It’s meant to control the price in the market. That’s like a market superintendent. For example, the scale would be correct. The prices of goods will not be manipulated upwards. When the rise is not justified.)

RAISSA: You’re saying its purely economic.

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Purely economic in the sense that it started as a superintendent of the market. Parang ganoon yan. (It’s like that).

RAISSA: Let me explain my apprehension about the use of the word hisbah.

MOHAGHER IQBAL: O bakit? (Why?)

RAISSA: If you google it, you come up with a definition. In Africa, shariah police ang lumalabas (it’s tantamount to a Shariah police).

Yung sa (In) aceh – there is such a thing as tom hisbah – that is also the youth volunteers who go out and they make sure that a – parang, well, they have been accused of going on rampages sa (in) Aceh at saka (and) I think sa (in) Kenya. So I’m very apprehensive that the use f the word – you know there are a lot of people on Facebook that are trying to link the BBL and your group the MILF with the extremism that is happening in the Middle East and Africa.

MOHAGHER IQBAL: That is an undue apprehension. Kasi alam mo – lahat na malagay yan sa BBL gagawan yan ng ng administrative rules. Hindi naman puwede discretion lang yan ng tao. Merong administrative guidelines yan. (Because you know everything that’s placed in the BBL will have administrative rules. That cannot be left to the people’s discretion. They will have administrative guidelines.)

RAISSA: But is it possible to put the definition of words that are not – right now – parang (it’s like) you are now negotiating with the Filipino Christians, to put it straight. A lot of people have misconceptions.

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Yung nga ang problema natin. Kasi idefine natin lahat ang mga terms, baka hindi na basic law ang lalabas diyan. Administrative law na. Code na. (That’s the problem. Because if we define all the terms, maybe that’s no longer the basic law but the Administrative law. A Code.)

Huwag na muna diyan sa BBL. Ang BBL parang Constitution yan. Hayaan na lang natin yan ilagay sa Administrative Code. (Let us not put it in the BBL. Because the BBL is like a Constitution. Let us just put it in an Administrative Code.)

RAISSA: I will quote you as saying this has something to do with economy. This has nothing to do with religious practice?

MOHAGHER IQBAL: In Islam you cannot separate economics from politics to religious practice. They are all packaged into one. Ibig sabihin (It means) you cannot do something purely in economic terms without necessarily relating that to the religious. Originally it was mainly an economic approach or economic arrangement. Yung (the) Superintendent titingnan nila yung (they will look at the) market. Kamukha ng sinabi ko kanina. (Like what I said earlier) That is how hisbah originated.

RAISSA: Do you foresee for instance in the BM, having a religious police, looking specifically at how people are observing Islam.

MOHAGHER IQBAL: Not in the sense of religious beliefs. But administratively, the hisbah can be organized and can be controlled by the administrative code. That’s how it would move forward.

My personal observation on this matter – Administrative guidelines can always be changed. Because of this, it would better for the hisbah office contemplated in the BBL  to be defined to avoid any undue expansion of its powers.

SEVEN. Because of the #SAF44 tragedy, critics of the BBL do not want the leader of the autonomous region to exercise police control.

My personal observation – The present ARMM Law RA 9054, enacted in 2001, already gave the ARMM regional governor extensive powers over the regional police force, including the power “to exercise operational control and general supervision and disciplinary powers over the Regional Police force.”

If the removal of such a power is meant to punish the MILF, it’s a step backward in governance. The MILF will not always be there at the helm. Whoever heads the region would need police powers to govern effectively.

Besides, the military will take care of national security concerns of the region.

EIGHT. If enacted into law, the BBL will be the first-ever piece of legislation backed by a Muslim rebel group.

I’m not kidding.

It is for this reason that I find the brief history of negotiations included in Sen. Poe’s report misleading and filled with factual errors. Sen. Poe stated in her committee report on the #SAF44 deaths that:

In 1986 President Corazon Aquino (“President Cory”) met with Nur Misuari and resurrected the peace talks. Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) No. 6734, the Organic Act of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and by 1990, the first-ever ARMM elections were held in the 4 provinces that opted for ARMM inclusion, namely; Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

In 1996, President Fidel Ramos (“President Ramos”) signed the Final Peace Agreement (FPA) with the MNLF. The peace pact with the MNLF, however, resulted to the birth of the MILF. Led by Hashim Salamat, the break-away MILF faction asserted that the peace agreement deviated from the framework of the original Tripoli Agreement and thus rejected the FPA. Despite this, the Ramos government succeeded in negotiating a General Cessation of Hostilities Agreement with the MILF in 1997.

The first paragraph gives the impression that RA 6734 was the result of the Misuari-Aquino peace talks. The truth of the matter is that the peace talks broke down almost as soon as it started because Mrs Aquino could only offer a Regional Consultative Commission to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

However, Mrs. Aquino’s chief government negotiator Emmanuel Pelaez averted  hostilities by throwing a farewell dinner party for the MNLF negotiators – led by Habib Mujahab Hashim and Misuari’s late wife Desdemona Tan. It made the parting amicable.

Hashim later told me he could not sign the peace deal “with the blood” of his slain brothers.

Former Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez was President Corazon Aquino’s chief negotiator. He could only offer an RCC (Regional Consultative Commission) to the Moro National Liberation Front. I took this photo of him in 1987, hugging a Muslim boy whom he had sent to a government hospital for treatment.

In 1989, Congress unilaterally enacted RA 6734 creating the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in order to meet the the constitutionally-imposed deadline of 18 months. Misuari protested and rejected RA 6734.

However, in 1996 when Misuari signed a peace deal with Ramos, he agreed to recognize RA 6734 on the condition that it would be amended according to their agreed terms.

MNLF chair Nur Misuari (R) shakes hands with one of Prsident Fidel Ramos’ negotiators Eduardo Ermita.

Before Ramos could fulfill his promise, his term expired. It was only in 2001 during the first months of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s presidency that RA 9054 amending RA 6734 lapsed into law. Misuari denounced the changes which he said were done without the participation of the MNLF and fell short of Ramos’ promises. Arroyo refused to endorse Misuari’s candidacy for ARMM governor that year due to growing criticism over his frequent absences in Mindanao, delayed teachers’ salaries and his lack of governance skills. Misuari’s men staged an armed attack in Zamboanga City in November 2001. They held hostage 118 civilians and killed over 100 people. Misuari fled through the southern backdoor but was arrested in Malaysia, deported back to Manila and detained by Mrs Arroyo.

Later, however, the court threw out his rebellion case due to lack of witnesses.

Misuari was never charged for corruption by the Arroyo government.

Senator Poe’s report asserts that “the peace pact with the MNLF, however, resulted to the birth of the MILF.” She was clearly referring to the 1996 peace pact  because her next sentences stated:

“Led by Hashim Salamat, the break-away MILF faction asserted that the peace agreement deviated from the framework of the original Tripoli Agreement and thus rejected the FPA. Despite this, the Ramos government succeeded in negotiating a General Cessation of Hostilities Agreement with the MILF in 1997.”

Contrary to what Poe wrote, the break-up between Misuari and Salamat occurred over 20 years before Misuari signed the 1996 peace deal. Sen. Poe is right, though, when she said that Salamat also rejected Misuari’s 1996 peace deal with Ramos. However, to use the connective phrase “despite this” places the chain of events in an erroneous context.

The main reason that Salamat objected was that the Ramos government totally ignored the MILF and concentrated on a peace deal solely with the MNLF for two reasons. First, the MNLF was viewed as the more important entity since it was officially recognized by the OIC as a “permanent observer.” And second, the MNLF would have been pissed off if the government had negotiated with the MILF at the same time.

I snapped this picture of MNLF chairman Nur Misuari when I interviewed him for the second time in the Velayo mansion in Quezon City where Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s government had detained him.

Thanks to President Arroyo’s National Security Adviser and Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, I was able to interview MNLF chief Nur Misuari twice – one while he was in detention and a second time after the court had thrown out his case but he still lived in the Velayo mansion in Quezon city where he had been detained. This is my photo with him inside the Velayo mansion.

To summarize, in the 31-year history of negotiations between the Philippine government and the Muslim rebels (the MNLF and the breakaway MILF), all three laws granting Muslim autonomy – including President Ferdinand Marcos’ decree creating two autonomous regions – were unilaterally passed by the central government without the support or agreement of either the MNLF and MILF.

In short, although the Muslim rebels negotiated a peace deal thrice, the end result in the form of a decree and two enacted laws were done without their consent and fell short of their expectations.

This is the flip side of the question whether we can trust the MILF. From their viewpoint, the question is, can they trust the government or is this just another Moro-Moro?

NINE. Critics say the parliament proposed under the BBL violates the presidential character of government stipulated in the Philippine Constitution.

Senator Santiago further elaborated in her recent press release:

“Proof that the BBL would create a sub-state is the proposal for a parliamentary form of government despite the constitutional provision on Mindanao autonomy which limits the regional government to an executive department and a legislative assembly, she said.”

Personally, I don’t agree with her conclusion.

Based on my personal experience and my coverage of local governments, I believe our national government is presidential in character but a hybrid of the presidential and parliamentary forms of government at the local level.

The main characteristic of a presidential form of government is the check and balance system and the separation of judicial, executive and legislative powers through the three branches of government.

That is not the case at the local government level. The provincial vice-governor and city vice-mayor – who are both with the executive arm – act as the presiding officer of the legislative council and cast a vote in case of a tie.

At the barangay or village level, the Barangay Captain not only heads the executive arm but also acts as the “village judge” in local disputes. In concrete terms, if you happen to be in a restaurant and someone punches your nose, you cannot bring your lawsuit to the fiscal’s office. You have to file the complaint in the barangay that has jurisdiction over the restaurant. The Barangay Captain hears both sides and renders a decision.

From this example, it is clear that local governments have the characteristics of both the presidential and parliamentary forms of governments.

And frankly, I do not understand the outcry against creating a sub-state because that is what the Constitution in fact creates – a sub (meaning ‘under’) state.

The Constitution only allows two such sub-states – in “Muslim Mindanao” and in the Cordilleras – to which it gave more powers than a province or city.

TEN. Critics of the BBL say the MILF will have a lock on power

Critics of the Bangsamoro have this mistaken notion that the MILF will always control the autonomous region.

It is also for this reason that Muslims in the MNLF-controlled areas remain UNDECIDED whether or not to support the BBL.

I asked Mohagher Iqbal whether the MILF would have a lock on political power in the Bangsamoro territory and whether MNLF chair Nur Misuari could head the Bangsamoro.

Iqbal instantly replied:

“Yes, if he (Misuari) forms a political party and if his political party wins majority seat in (the Bangsamoro) government, then he can form the government in the Bangsamoro.”

But will the MILF have a lock on power?, I persisted.

“No, we don’t,” Iqbal said. “It’s not an exclusive right of the MILF to form the Bangsamoro government. We are only up to the Bangsamoro transitional authority.”

And how long will that take?, I asked.

“That’s only one year or even less than one year (because) there has to be election in 2016,” Iqbal told me.

In short, what Iqbal is saying is that the MILF will lay the ground structure for the BBL, but there is no guarantee built into the proposed BBL law that the MILF will control that structure for a long time.

In fact, the MILF will have to submit itself to an election in order to continue running the Bangsamoro after the transition period.

Because of elections, a Christian or an IP or even Misuari can end up heading the government there. The only condition, Iqbal said, is “if he (Misuari) forms a political party and if his political party wins majority seat in government, then he can form the government in the Bangsamoro.”

Some critics might say that’s not going to happen.

My reply is that this has already happened.

In 2001 or five years after Misuari’s 1996 peace deal, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo refused to back Misuari’s election as governor of ARMM.

Mrs. Arroyo instead fielded Parouk Hussin, leader of a new breakaway faction against Misuari and his long-time “foreign minister”. In 2005, Arroyo dropped Hussin for Zaldy Ampatuan even though the Ampatuan clan had sided with the strongman Ferdinand Marcos in his war against the Muslim rebels.

This precedent shows that the proponent of a peace deal does not have a lock on power.

ELEVEN. At least one retired Supreme Court justice has warned that the BBL will not bring peace to Mindanao.

He’s right. Not at once.

In fact the situation might get worse before it gets better as those opposed to the BBL stage armed protests and kidnappings. And as those who think the BBL grants them leave to get back the land that was grabbed from them try to drive away the occupants in that land.

However, I believe that in the medium term the BBL can lay the framework for lasting peace.

The important thing is to prepare for extreme possibilities in the near term.

I will put the problem of peace this way. If someone had warned us in advance that staging the 1986 Edsa people power uprising would not bring peace to the country, would you have joined? In fact, the last 20 years have been chaotic in varying degrees for the country.

In the same manner, the passage of the BBL will not bring peace AT ONCE to Mindanao because of all the other smaller armed groups still operating in the area.

Still, I believe that at no other time in the last 30 years is peace more attainable than today because many, many more people are engaged in the peace process.

When the MNLF forged a peace deal in 1996, its partners for peace could be counted on one hand – there was the national government, the Organization of Islamic Conference (now called Organisation of Islamic Cooperation or OIC) and the United Nations. That was it.

In the last five years of the MILF negotiations, the MILF has managed to gather an impressive array of international and local peace partners. Aside from the Catholic Church and NGOs like the Mindanao Peaceweavers and the Young Moro Professionals, there are other countries deeply involved like the United States, Japan, Canada, Malaysia, even Libya, Brunei, Norway, the European Union and lately the OIC and the UN.

One notable proof that the MILF’s multinational partnership is working is that despite the frequent travels of top foreign diplomats to and from central Mindanao – which is otherwise known as kidnap country – not one foreigner working for these peace partners has been kidnapped. Not one American soldier has been injured by an armed rebel.

That is because US President George W. Bush himself promised MILF chair Salamat in writing that the US government would help in the peace process.

TWELVE. Critics of the BBL have warned that Malaysia will ask the Philippine government to drop Sabah in exchange for aiding the peace process.

The critics demand that Sabah be inserted in the BBL, when Misuari’s 1976 Tripoli Agreement and his 1996 peace deal never mentioned Sabah at all.

Iqbal himself said in a recent forum at the University of the Philippines that “whoever drops the Sabah claim, magkakaroon ng (will suffer from) karma.” He also said that “Organizationally, we would not agree to the dropping of the Sabah claim.”

You can read more about this in my previous post entitled “I will not drop Sabah claim, President Aquino told me.”

My personal observation – While the nation is deeply grateful to Malaysia, the claim cannot be dropped because that is part of the ancestral homeland of the Tausug.

Personally, I would suggest that the post-monitoring of the BBL implementation be headed by a country with no conflict of interest in the situation.

THIRTEEN. Critics of the BBL claim Malaysia paid President Benigno Aquino’s government US$750 million for the approval of the BBL

My personal observation – This has got to be one of the most trollish, fantastic claims made on this issue.

FOURTEEN. Critics of the BBL claim the government will hand P75 billion to the MILF once the BBL is passed.

They warned the money would be stolen, or worse, diverted to buy arms with which to mount a secessionist bid.

It took a certified public accountant (CPA), businessman and former agriculture secretary to knock down this piece of propaganda and set the matter straight. Senen Bacani denied that the MILF would get P75 billion.

He said the Bangsamoro government would get the usual yearly national government allotment intended for the ARMM, which would be replaced by the Bangsamoro (BM) government.  This year the allotment is P25.2 billion. Next year, this will be raised to P26.8 billion in order to include a P900 million pension fund.

He said the only fresh money the BM would get amounts to P18 billion broken down as follows: A one-time Bangsamoro Transition Authority Fund of P1 billion: and a P17 billion Special Development Fund of which P7 billion will be released in the first year and P2 billion every year for the next five years.

To summarize, the BM will get P34.8 billion in the first year of operation, not P75 billion.

Critics of the BBL, however, who include senators have pointed out that the math does not take into account the internal revenue allotments (IRA) from the national government to the provinces, cities and towns comprising the Bangsamoro region.

They conveniently don’t tell the public that all of that goes directly to the LGUs and not to the BM government.

As for the spending of national agencies like the police, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (for the Conditional Cash Transfer) and the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) for roads and other infra projects, Bacani pointed out that these activities have not been “devolved” to the BM; therefore the budget and the spending stays with these national agencies.

My personal observation. Those who say the national government is spending too much in Muslim Mindanao have obviously never gone there. There are very few roads and bridges there.  There is hardly any water piped into individual homes like what we have in Metro Manila. THERE ARE NO MALLS THERE, PEOPLE.

There is no insurance company in the Philippines that would routinely insure people and their homes in that area, unless you pay a vast premium. I’m not kidding.

And if you look at the latest United Nations Human Development Index on the Philippines, many of the poorest live there. This means, poverty in the country will be greatly eased if you bring development to that area.

If the MILF, as the head of the BM fails to deliver, then it will suffer the same fate that Misuari did.

FIFTEEN. Personally, I believe the BBL needs a fail-safe mechanism to cope with an extreme event – for instance, if the leadership of the autonomous region turns rogue and declares an independent state.

Perhaps this was overlooked. The BBL provides that the President exercises “general supervision over the Bangsamoro Government to ensure that laws are faithfully executed.” The Bangsamoro is after all still a local government unit.

The present ARMM law or RA 9054 provides that “The President may suspend the Regional Governor for a period not exceeding six (6) months for willful violation of the Constitution, this Organic Act or any existing law that applies to the autonomous region.”

This provision has been dropped in the BBL. In fact, there seems to be no way to suspend the “Chief Minister”. He can be replaced, but only by Parliament.

But what if Parliament backs the Chief Minister’s actions?

Surely, a fail-safe mechanism could be found that would maintain regional autonomy while protecting the integrity of the entire system from a rogue leadership and assembly.

SIXTEEN. Critics say the BBL will throw out the MNLF peace deal, which is recognized by the UN. 

My personal observation. The BBL will amend the MNLF peace deal drastically, but for the better.

This is why I believe due recognition should be given to the leaders of both the MNLF and the MILF as well as to President Fidel Ramos for their role in the peace process.  The negotiations form a continuum, with each one building on the other. 

MNLF chair Nur Misuari agrees to pose with me in the last interview with him.

Finally, I am ending this piece with the hope that the BBL will pass with amendments that will not water down the enhanced powers but will refine sections that need some clarifications.

I am hoping that the Bangsamoro government will succeed. Because then, it will plant the seed of federalism.

I hope one day the Philippines will amend its Constitution to subdivide the country further politically into three large federal states consisting of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

This is why to me, the BBL is a bold experiment worth trying.

Comments

  1. THE BIG QUESTION IS WHEN DID GRACE POE LOSE HER U.S. CITIZENSHIP?

    U.S. law provides specific conditions to be met before anyone loses his/her U.S. citizenship:

    ELEMENTS OF RENUNCIATION

    A person wishing to renounce his or her U.S. citizenship must voluntarily and with intent to relinquish U.S. citizenship:

    1.appear in person before a U.S. consular or diplomatic officer,
    2.in a foreign country (normally at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate); and
    3.sign an oath of renunciation

    Renunciations that do not meet the conditions described above have no legal effect. Because of the provisions of Section 349(a)(5), U.S. citizens cannot effectively renounce their citizenship by mail, through an agent, or while in the United States.

    http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/legal-considerations/us-citizenship-laws-policies/renunciation-of-citizenship.html

    • Under RA 9225, Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003, before Grace Poe could be appointed chair of MTRCB, she had to comply with this requirement:

      “3) Those appointed to any public office shall subscribe and swear to an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and its duly constituted authorities prior to their assumption of office: Provided, That they renounce their oath of allegiance to the country where they took that oath;”

      However this act alone, if duly performed by Grace Poe, did not automatically cause her to lose her U.S. citizenship – she still had to fulfill the legal requirements mentioned in above Post #43.

      • So @Yvonne if GRACE did not undergone those procedures then DUAL CITIZEN pa din sya…lalong gumulo @yvonne..if we carries dual citizenship ( formerly Filipino citizen ) in the US ,we are Naturalized American citizen while in the Philipppines we are still Natural Born Filipino Citizen? Ganoon ba ito mga CPMERs atty’s? But if properly renounced your US citizenship then NATURALIZED FILIPINO citizen kanalang?

        Lalong gumugulo….HINDI na ako FAVOR sa DUAL citizenship na iyan kasi imagine our brother’s (MUSLIM ) who will become the citizen of Bangsa MORO Republic, pweding Filipino padin sila pag nasa let us say Davao city ( ayaw mag OPT IN sila halembawa ).. Dont you think that DUAL citizenship will now be INIMICAL to the Philipppines,to our National Interest….

        • There is a very recent case by the SC, 2013, the Court said:

          “Citizenship is not a matter of convenience. It is a badge of identity
          that comes with attendant civil and political rights accorded by the state to
          its citizens. It likewise demands the concomitant duty to maintain allegiance
          to one’s flag and country. While those who acquire dual citizenship by
          choice are afforded the right of suffrage, those who seek election or
          appointment to public office are required to renounce their foreign
          citizenship to be deserving of the public trust. Holding public office
          demands full and undivided allegiance to the Republic and to no other.”

          By using – a US passport for traveling- after renouncing US allegiance, a recantation of the act of renounciation takes place. One therefore is not a Filipino citizen. One is disqualified even to run for a public office. The Court ruled. Maquiling vs Comelec, Arnado and Balua, April 16, 2013 En Banc.

      • Its a bit more complicated than that, yvonne. Dual citizenship allowed Poe to recover her Filipino citizenship which she gave up when she became an American citizen because thats how Philippine laws worked then. As a dual citizen, pretty much everything a natural born citizen is granted except to run in an election because immigrants and dual citizens with potentially conflicting allegiances are expressly prohibited from doing so under the omnibus election code. What Poe and other dual citizen election candidates had to do was to follow the renunciation procedures as you under the omnibuscelection code. The US renunciation procedures are not a requirement to run as a candidate in Philippine elections but the main motivation is usually to avoid continuing taxation by the IRS on worldwide income of US citizens and immigrants. In fact, the US will continue to treat snd tax those they decide gave up thrir citizenship primarily to evade taxes.

    • There is a provision on american citizenship that once an american citizen works for a foreign government
      that person’s american citizenship is automatically revoked. So if we apply this provision to Sen.Poe, she revoked her american citizenship when she runs and got elected as a Philippine senator.

  2. [email protected]….6.5 years plus 3 yrs = 9.5 yrs so we had a difference of 6 months…my question is Can POE rectify or correct that NIMBER of YEARs ( residency ) to 10 years or more when SHE will finally file her candidacy at CPMELEC? kasi atty @RENE , sa Pro -Forma ang fill up ni Grace noon nagkandidato syang pagka Senadora …I thought that in running for Senator, President or VP,,,RESIDENCE was synonimous with DOMICILE and that for as long that POE had returned in the Phili. and never intended to change her domicile.. , ther was no legal interruption of his residence…Kaya [email protected] ang residence nya here in the Philipppines was still continous…

    Pag nag file ka ba ng candidacy mo ay sinasabi ba nang election officer na ang RESIDENCE is synonimous to DOMICILE ? And even if accompanied by a lawyer , pweding magkamali ang lawyer ?

      • @Victinluz,

        Talagang worried ka kay Grace Poe ha.

        If I were Grace’s lawyer, I could offer an easy explanation to the discrepancy in her residency period that Rene-Ipil pointed out (regardless of whether the explanation is accurate, or not), and still qualify for the 10-year residency period. Now, don’t think that I’m pro-Grace.

        On the other hand, I have a copy of an official document relating to Grace’s expatriation, but that is all I can disclose as this time. Ok, now don’t think I’m anti-Grace.

        (Rene-Ipil is welcome to bookmark this page for future discussion.)

        • [email protected]…after the end of this school year , i travelled a lot Davao, Cagayan ang my home town In La union joining/supervising engineering survey party’s for a while some were cadastral other big landed propertiies, so i talked to many Barrio folks and really with Binay’s GRAFTs in the open still they prferred Him than Roxas but if Grace come’s in they will go with Grace and will dump Binay…..ang mahirap kung si Grace choices to be the VP of the other sied rather than Roxas,, malamang Presidente natin si Binay nyan sa 2016…

          But for me , i will never vote for Binay …di bale nang matalo ako i will go with Roxas ..

          Magulo naman talaga ang issue ni POE RE:citizenship from birth….atty @RENE explained everything and we understand HIM,, kaya lang as we said it will be the SC who will decide.. Madami nilang corrupt sa SC hanggang ngayon so pwede din syang makalusut ( GRACE )

          pero dyan sa expatration mo na hawak sa aking pananaw ang FROM BIRTH will be cut the moment you choiced another citizenship and reacquired later as NATURALIZED citizen kanalang nyan so not qualified even to run for Senator ,much to a president…

        • Ako rin, Roxas for P whether he’s the LP standard bearer or not, ROXAS!

          He will WIN!

          VP Binay must be impeached before October 2015 or sometime thereat because no impeachment during election time. Trial at Senate is not ‘impeachment’ anymore.

          It is a MUST that Lower House make the move to impeach BINAY if LP wants ROXAS to WIN for President.

          Impeach VP Binay SOON.

        • I agree. Although Binay may not be convicted by 16 senators, the trial would expose the corrupt senator-allies of Binay. And the prople will be informed extensively of the anomalies of Binay via television.

          My forecast is that Binay will be convicted against the will of his allies in the senate. This happened in Corona case where Enrile, Jinggoy and company were ready to vote for Corona but did otherwise due to pressure of public opinion, not to mention Raissa’s blog.

        • Correct! Plus the confession of Corona of his guilt Halls of the Senate hearing.

          Trial at the Senate on VP Binay should be finished no later than April 2016.

          Sweet 16 VOTES! Who are the possible 8 votes for acquittal?

          Beef it up!

        • I don’t think VP Binay will be impeached.

          Senate is too divided for that and Aquino can’t muster the votes. Also once the campaign period starts, impeachment is meaningless and might even prop-up Binay, since the Masa loves the underdog.

          If they wanted the positive effect of impeachment, it should be done before October 2016, after that the effect is just a slap on the wrist.

          The better way is to file charges at Sandiganbayan/SC and let the media saturate the news with Binays’ corruption.

          The problem with Aquino is he is that BBL is being railroaded and helping Binay by taking away the focus on Binays.

          The best move that will satisfy the Taumbayan and even further erode Binay’s popularity is by making FOI as a priority now and making BInay’s corruption as an example that could have been checked earlier if we have FOI.

          FOI is a legacy taht unites and is supported by the majority of the Filipino People, BBL is divisive. Aquino should know his and the FIlipino Peope’s priorities.

        • Done. Bookmarked the page. Copied and pasted your comment in pages and notes. I intend to email it to myself later.

    • One may say a palusot that 6.5 was rounded-off to 7 for easier math.

      —–

      Another palusot is that the 6y-and-6m residence was actually up to the time of COC filing. That would be from April 2, 2006 to October 2, 2012.

      • @baycas

        Yes, one palusot is to claim that the 6.5 months was counted only up to the time of her COC filing when she signed the document because Grace intended to leave for the U.S. thereafter for a short period of time to attend to some unfinished business. But she eventually changed her mind and did not push through with her purported U.S. trip after she filed her COC, hence she is still good for the required 10-year residency.

        • Yep, April 2006 to April 2016 is a clear 10-year span…with one more month to spare.

        • No, it’s not April 2006. It must be from November 13, 2007 to May 12, 2013 for senator COC and from November 13, 2007 to May 9, 2016 for P or VP COC. Which could not be more than 9 years and 6 months or its equivalent in days.

        • You have to show here the actual start of her 6y-and-6m residence as she reported in her COC.

          The palusot is if she was thinking at the time of filing (while counting back the years) and not on Election Day 2013. Inadvertence, I don’t know kung lulusot in Comelec.

        • October 2, 2012 was the day she filed her COC.

          Unless namalikmata ako…my eyes may be have failed me last night…

        • Baka you would like to amend your “November 2007” start.

          As an aside,

          Counting is when you count 1, 2, 3…

          Accounting is when you do it a-1, a-2, a-3….

        • Palagay ko tama yung November 13, 2007. Kasi ang day of reckoning ay Election Day o May 13, 2013. Hindi yung date of filing of COC na October 1-5, 2012.

        • Maybe a case in point:

          ‘Petitioner Coquilla [candidate for mayor] was born on February 17, 1938 of Filipino parents in Oras, Eastern Samar. He grew up and resided there until 1965, when he joined the United States Navy. He was subsequently naturalized as a U.S. citizen.’

          ‘Subsequently, petitioner applied for repatriation under R.A. No. 81715 to the Special Committee on Naturalization. His application was approved on November 7, 2000, and, on November 10, 2000, he took his oath as a citizen of the Philippines. Petitioner was issued Certificate of Repatriation No. 000737 on November 10, 2000 and Bureau of Immigration Identification Certificate No. 115123 on November 13, 2000.’

          ‘On November 21, 2000, petitioner applied for registration as a voter of Butnga, Oras, Eastern Samar. His application was approved by the Election Registration Board on January 12, 2001.6 On February 27, 2001, he filed his certificate of candidacy stating therein that he had been a resident of Oras, Eastern Samar for “two (2) years.’

          The Court said: ‘The term “residence” is to be understood not in its common acceptation as referring to “dwelling” or “habitation,”21 but rather to “domicile” or legal residence,22 that is, “the place where a party actually or constructively has his permanent home, where he, no matter where he may be found at any given time, eventually intends to return and remain (animus manendi).’

          and said: ‘In the case at bar, petitioner lost his domicile of origin in Oras by becoming a U.S. citizen after enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1965. From then on and until November 10, 2000, when he reacquired Philippine citizenship, petitioner was an alien without any right to reside in the Philippines save as our immigration laws may have allowed him to stay as a visitor or as a resident alien.’

          Citing the case of – ‘In Caasi v. Court of Appeals,25 this Court ruled that immigration to the United States by virtue of a “greencard,” which entitles one to reside permanently in that country, constitutes abandonment of domicile in the Philippines. With more reason then does naturalization in a foreign country result in an abandonment of domicile in the Philippines.’ ‘He lacked the requisite residency to qualify him for the mayorship of Oras, Eastern, Samar.

          Also the Court said – ‘The statement in petitioner’s certificate of candidacy that he had been a resident of Oras, Eastern Samar for “two years” at the time he filed such certificate is not true. The question is whether the COMELEC was justified in ordering the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy for this reason. We hold that it was. Petitioner made a false representation of a material fact in his certificate of candidacy, thus rendering such certificate liable to cancellation. ‘

          Petitioner’s petition is dismissed.

      • Baycas&Yvonne
        Maliwanag ang sinumpaang niyang COC sa No. 7:

        7. PERIOD OF RESIDENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES BEFORE MAY 13, 2013

        06 No. of Years 06 No. of Months

        The span of time is specific, determinate and certain as to number of days including leap years in 2008 and 2012. The most that Grace could make “palusot” was the number of days. For example, she would palusot that her figures were not exact because they were really 6 years, 6 months and 29 days. Or 6 years, 5 months and 29 days.

        In other words, 6 years and more or less 6 months. She could not stretch or contract the figure to 6 years and 7 months or 6 years and 5 months. Numbers don’t lie. And even the area of an irregular object is determinable through differential and integral calculus. Let’s ask Victin or Nherrera.

        • Kaya nga palusot.

          Day, month, or year is of no matter.

          Unless you know the start.

          Sabi mo nga “January 2007 to May 2013.”

          Tama ba na 6y and 6m ‘yun?

        • To satisfy the documentary support of the 10 year residency period, she must scan the immigration stamp on her passport (and have it Certified by the DFA) on the 10 year period. For now, her answer in her COC was 6 years and six months residence up to May 13, 2013. From there, we add 3 more years up to May, 2016 and that would total 9 years and 6 months, a half year short of the 10 year residency period requirement.

          COMELEC. please do your job in properly screening the satisfaction of the qualifications of each presidential candidate.

        • The “residency requirement” is minor compared to her statelessness up to today.

          Her being a senator right now is put to question in several mini-threads here and previous blog posts (c/o @Rene-Ipil’s initiative) simply because of that.

          If she decides to run for higher office and if she files her COC come October 2015 she must prove she is eligible. If not, she must be disqualified.

          I await the process. Legal ‘swordsmanship’ I would like to witness in the near future…

        • At kung applicable naman ang U.N. Convention…

          Masalimuot pa rin dahil sa dalawang required options:

          (a) Citizenship at birth by right of blood, or

          (b) By applying for citizenship…(may rekisitos pa ito)

        • After almost six decades, finally, ratification was done…

          Based on the conclusions of the inter-agency round-table discussions in 2010 and 2011, all the concerned agencies of the Government issued their Certificates of Concurrence for the ratification of the 1954 Statelessness Convention and the President signed the instrument of ratification on 30 May 2011. The Philippines became party to the Convention on 22 September 2011, when it deposited its instrument of ratification at the United Nations Annual Treaty Event in New York.

          http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/553f617f4.pdf

        • It appears that the Philippines has ratified only the 1954 UN Convention because our country is a signatory to said Convention. And we are now acceding or moving to become party to the 1961 UN Convention because we are not signatory to same Convention.

          So we have now pending bills in congress that would empower the
          Immigration Board “to act on supplications for recognition of Philippine citizenship of foundlings.

          Sa ngayon ay malabo pa yata na maging Filipino citizen si Grace hanggang hindi pa batas yung pending bills. Wala munang passport. Travel documents puede.

        • [email protected] RENE,, reckoning date will be May 13, ….pababa ang bilang for the residency then ,paakyat naman ang bilang ( from May 13, ) for expenses incurred after election iyong 30 days to submit ba….Ang gusto kung malaman @attyRENE ang paglagay ni GRACE ng 6 and 1/2 months of residency before May 13, ,,ang November 13, 2012 baga atty pwede ba syang magkamali sa pagkasulat nya o nagkamali lang sya ? Kasi mga ang pagka alam ko for election purposes RESIDENCY is synonimous to DOMICILE , so without any FIXED LLEGAL PERIOD to contravene GRACE COC before …pwede nya bang palitan ? and not for the COMELEC to disqualify her or to the extent KASUHAN si GRACE?

        • IMO yung “domicile” ay puede sana kung hindi siya “istetsaid.” Kaso US citizen na siya kaya yung domicile niya ay US hanggang maging dual citizen at nagumpisang manirahan sa Pinas.

          Hindi applicable yung Imelda case kasi kailanman ay hindi naging “istetsaid” si Imelda.

    • May I? Okay yun if one just keeps transferring ‘residences’ within the Philippines – the “domicile’ theory still is the thing against ‘residence(s) requirement.

      But when one was ‘naturalized’ abroad, like US citizenship, one lost her/his ‘domicile’ in the Philippines. When repatriated because one applied for it to become a Filipino, one starts anew the 10 year-period for ‘domicile’ purposes specially if one will run for P, for VP, Senator, etc. Yes, one is a Filipino but the 10 year period compliance is crucial to be qualified.

      My opn.

        • [Federal Register Volume 77, Number 145 (Friday, July 27, 2012)]

          DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
          Internal Revenue Service

          Quarterly Publication of Individuals, Who Have Chosen To Expatriate, as Required by Section 6039G

          AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.
          ACTION: Notice.

          —–

          SUMMARY: This notice is provided in accordance with IRC section 6039G of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996, as amended. This listing contains the name of each individual losing United States citizenship (within the meaning of section 877(a) or 877A) with respect to whom the Secretary received information during the quarter ending June 30, 2012. For purposes of this listing, long-term residents, as defined in section 877(e)(2), are treated as if they were citizens of the United States who lost citizenship.

          —–

          Last Name First Name Middle Name
          LLAMANZARES MARY GRACE POE

        • Oh ayan, may inilabas na si @baycas.

          On that quarterly publication, Grace’s name was included in the quarter ending June 30, 2012.

          Grace name was not in any of the quarterly publication in the last ten years.

        • DATE OF RELINQUISHMENT OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP:

          You are considered to have relinquished your U.S. citizenship on the earliest of the following dates.

          1.The date you renounced your U.S. citizenship before a diplomatic or consular officer of the United States (provided that the voluntary renouncement was later confirmed by the issuance of a certificate of loss of nationality).

          2. The date you furnished to the State Department a signed statement of your voluntary relinquishment of U.S. nationality confirming the performance of an expatriating act (provided that the voluntary relinquishment was later confirmed by the issuance of a certificate of loss of nationality).

          3.The date the State Department issued a certificate of loss of nationality.

          4.The date a U.S. court canceled your certificate of naturalization.

        • The operative act when Grace started residing in the Philippines is the date she was recognized or conferred Philippine citizenship IAW RA 9225.

          I believe that in accomplishing her COC for senator in 2012 she indicated the most lengthy period or earliest time that she could have resided in the Philippines following her “reacquisition” of Philippine citizenship. Although she needed only two years to qualify as senator, Grace maximized the period by declaring that her period of residence in the Philippines would be six years and six months before Election Day on May 13, 2013.

          So that in the absence of her repatriation papers, specifically her Oath of Allegiance to the Republic, it is safe to assume that Grace “reacquired” her Philippine citizenship NOT earlier that November 13, 2006 or six years and six months before May 13, 2013. Her act of taking oath of allegiance before the authorities was the final step, and its date would indicate the date of her “reacquisition” of Philippine citizenship.

        • Relax and remove the stress!

          I like to bring out here something on this topic –

          Child abandonment From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

          Maybe with interest and sympathy, unless a cry inside is also okay.

          Child abandonment is the practice of relinquishing interests and claims over one’s offspring in an extralegal way with the intent of never again resuming or reasserting them. Causes include many social and cultural factors as well as mental illness.

          An abandoned child is called a foundling (as opposed to a runaway or an orphan). Baby dumping refers to parents (generally mothers) abandoning or discarding a child younger than 12 months in a public or private place with the intent of disposing of them. It is also known as rehoming, an act still legal in Arkansas where state legislator Justin Harris made national headlines by rehoming two young adopted children.

          Causes – Poverty is often a root cause of child abandonment. People in cultures with poor social welfare systems who are not financially capable of taking care of a child are more likely to abandon them. Political conditions, such as difficulty in adoption proceedings, may also contribute to child abandonment, as can the lack of institutions, such as orphanages, to take in children whom their parents cannot support.

          Another common reason for baby dumping is teenage pregnancies. Pregnant teenagers experience problems during and after childbirth due to social and psychological distress. Abandonment is an alternative to abortion.

          Infant exposure – Although such children would survive if taken up by others, exposure is often considered a form of infanticide—as described by Tertullian in his Apology: “it is certainly the more cruel way to kill… by exposure to cold and hunger and dogs.”

          Moses was abandoned. Superman another in contiuation of the foundling tradition, the lone survivor of an advance civilization. Bamm-Bamm in The Flintstones – movie. Snowhite too abandoned to be put to death.

          Pitiful. Children are often abandoned with birth tokens, which act as plot devices to ensure that the child can be identified.

          Abandonment is an epidemic in Malaysia, where between 2005 and 2011, 517 babies were dumped. Of those 517 children, 287 were found dead. In 2012, there have been 31 cases, including at least one instance of a child being tossed from a window of a high rise apartment.

          Today, abandonment of a child is considered to be a serious crime in many jurisdictions because it can be considered malum in se (wrong in itself) due to the direct harm to the child.

          The largest migration of abandoned children in history took place in the United States between 1854 and 1929. Over two hundred thousand orphans were forced onto railroad cars and shipped west, where any family desiring their services as laborers, maids, and servants used and abused them. Orphan trains were highly popular as a source of free labor.

          Education, family planning, government support, and post-natal services and support for motherhood are available tools for reducing this problem.

          P.s. Source – the Link

        • Ilabas muna @Yvonne ang repatration mo he he..so we can now compute everything …. So that i will also post here the period or year or years when the APO started seeing Rosemarie at Murphy or Crame…. IMHO analysis natin lang ha…

        • @Victinluz,

          Hindi pa ako nagparepatriate noh. Cguro pagmalapit na akong magretire.

          Hmmm, tanungin ko si Dad – about Macoy, not about Rosemarie.

          LOL.

  3. http://www.chicagopcg.com/dual-faq.html#dual4

    I am curious to find out the latest in the ongoung scrutiny of Poe’s eligibility to run for President. She claims she is a natural-born Filipino citizen and she has submitted proof of this to Comelec when she ran for senate. She must have also have been asked to furnish documentation proving her being a naturalborn citizen in order to become eligible for dual citizenship status. The standard documentation required by the DFA to prove this is an NSO certified birth certificate but since she was a foundling hers would show the names of her adoptive parents. So she must have other documentation, perhaps a sworn and notarized affidaviit from her birthmother. This may have been included in the packet she says she gave Comelec to prove her eligibility to run as senator. Someone at the Comelec must have asked her to submit documentary proof as the Certificate of Candidacy only asks the candidate to swear to meeting all the eligibility requirements sans proof.

  4. Ex-CJ Reynato Puno says:

    Puno said the passing of the proposed law will not bring peace, he said. “It is a no-win situation for the people at this time. Whoever wins the debates–pros and cons–will not avert the crisis. You still have the Moro National Liberation Front and other secessionist and criminal groups. And if it is not passed, the MILF will pull out. You’ll have a lot of disorder,” he said.

    Does his message means a vote ‘No’ on the BBL? I think so, no doubt about his quoted remark by abs-cbnnews.com/focus.

    Will he be a resource person at the Senate hearing for this issue? He proposes a Cha Cha, a constitutional Convention on this before the May 2016 elections. Is there enough time?

    Of all so many resource persons, why was Ex-CJ Puno not at the Lower House discussions on this matter? Ex-CJ Hilario Davide, Jr. was there?

    Why?

  5. EXPERIMITOHAN MO KAMI DITO SA MINDANAO KALOKOHAN YAN IKAW KAYA EXPERIMENTOHAN ANG BUHAY MO PAYAG KA?

  6. Grace declared under oath in her COC for senator on December 27, 2012 that her “period of residence in the Philippines prior to May13, 2013” was six years and six months. That would be from January 2007 to May 2013. Up to May 2016 that would be nine years and six months, short by six months to qualify her as president or VP. How about that?

    http://www.comelec.gov.ph/uploads/Elections/2013natloc/COC/Senatorial/Llamanzares,%20Mary%20Grace.pdf

    Was this a case of poor math? Or maybe the presidency was not in her mind when she filed her COC. Or maybe divine providence.

    • On the CoC of Sen. Mary Grace Poe LLamanzares, dated ____. 27, 2012 – referred by Atty. [email protected]:

      Among others, the Bottom portion of the CoC Form with COMELEC: 8. I AM A NATURAL BORN FILIPINO CITIZEN
      9. I AM NOT A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF, OR AN IMMIGRANT TO, A FOREIGN COUNTRY.

      10. I AM ELIGIBLE FOR THE OFFICE I SEEK TO BE ELECTED TO. [ senator ]

      With her signed signature and thumbprint, she declared under oath ‘I AM A NATURAL BORN FILIPINO CITIZEN’ on No. 8.

      If she is not with credible proof of that citizenship requirement, what happens after being elected as Senator?

      But she did categorically assert she is “I AM A NATURAL BORN FILIPINO CITIZEN.”

      Will she run for President for the May 10,. 2016 elections if she decides? Or on any other presidential elections for that matter?

      • It’s best really that her assertion be challenged…sooner, I wish, but later, also acceptable to me. (Sooner, to nullify her senatorial seat; Later, to disqualify her from the race to higher office)

        It’s the legal maneuverings (‘acrobatics,’ ‘engineering,’ or whatever) I am so curious about.

        • Note: “It’s best really that her assertions be challenged…”

          (“Assertion” with an “s”)

        • Baycas, it was probably challenged when she submitted her CoC for senator. The latter submission does not require documentary proof of eligibility as shown in POE’s CoC in Rene’s posting above. Her CoC was probably reviewed and when askec for documentary support, the proof she gave apparently satisfied Comelec and she went on to run and win. If this is the case, then we may not know what documentation she has but apparently it was enough proof for the dfa and comelec.

        • I do not know if this is good, but isn’t it time for the COMELEC Form on CoCs be re-studied that the requirement on ‘Natural-born citizenship’ be supported with credible proofs on candidates for public office so as to AVOID possible violations on constitutional provisions on the matter? I am not directly or indirectly referring to Sen. Poe.

          Simple as that. With a new Chairman at the COMELEC, will he do something on this point?

        • I believe may supporting documents dapat.

          Pero maganda ang mungkahi mo.

          Dean Andy Bautista et all…calling, calling…

      • Baycas posted an article in Philstar dated September 28, 2011 which says:

        “Along with Croatia and Nigeria, the Philippines deposited their instruments of ratification at an annual treaty event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this week.”

        This was confirmed by UNHCR in its publication which was also posted by Baycas.

        So it is clear that the Philippines acceded on both UN Conventions ONLY in 2011 which date marks when our country entered said Conventions into force. Following the provision of Article 12 of the 1961 UN Convention, Article 2 of same Convention, which deals on foundlings, took effect ONLY in 2011 when Grace was already 43 years old.

        Article 12 of the 1961 UN Convention provides:

        “3. The provisions of Article 2 of this Convention shall apply only to foundlings found in the territory of a Contracting State after the entry into force of the
        Convention for that State.”

        Meaning that Grace cannot derive her purported natural-born Philippine citizenship from the UN Convention which my favorite election lawyer Atty. Romy Macalintal foisted to ordinary mortals like us as saving grace for Grace. Or put another way – to save Grace from disgrace.

        • You are right, @Rene…

          Since the 1954 and 1961 U.N. Conventions were obviously belatedly ratified (in 2011), Grace Poe’s citizenship (as you have pointed out in the previous blog post) must be put to question…

          “Art. 39. Effects of Adoption. – The adoption shall:

          (1) Give to the adopted person the same rights and duties as if he were a legitimate child of the adopter: Provided, That an adopted child cannot acquire Philippine citizenship by virtue of such adoption:,”

          http://www.gov.ph/1974/12/10/presidential-decree-no-603-s-1974/

          Back to basics as regards Nationaility, Citizenship, and Statelessness for her.

          Stark reality for Mang Gani who is included in the 18M or so who voted for her as senator.

          Nonetheless, we here are rejoicing for the educational news and for the newly-discovered kuwento “Google has to offer.” Add that again to the numerous kuwentong barberong may saysay we had exchanged the past years. Cheers!

          Abangan ang susunod na kabanata…

        • Back to just curiosity.

          No adoptee can acquire Phil citizenship by virtue of such adoption. [SEC. 39 PD 603 ]

          What then is the citizenhip or nationality of a foundling in the Philippine setting who is later adopted? No citizenship? Alien? Cannot be alien unless there is proof.

          Atty. [email protected], you said if one biological parent is known and is a Filipino citizen, tapos na. If unknown, then no citizenship of any kind? [email protected]?

        • One can never be a Filipino citizen by virtue of legal adoption alone.

          Consistent with the sequence of events I laid out below…which I now know is not applicable (N/A) to Grace Poe:

          1. Foundling

          2. Stateless

          3. U.N. Conventions (ratified 2011), either by:

          a) Filipino Citizen by birth (jus sanguinis: by blood from biological parent/s), or

          b) Filipino Citizen through application of an enacted law (still lacking as of the moment)

          4. Legal Adoption, ‘earning’ parents as well as Filipino citizenship of foster parents

          (Many thanks to @Rene-Ipil for the explanation and Google for some quickly-obtained research items.)

          Thus, in Grace Poe’s Biodata form, I will expect a note “N/A” in the space provided for “Citizenship” because she is still stateless at present.

        • @leona,

          After na ma-ratify ang U.N. Conventions, kinalap ng UNHCR at nila de Lima (yata) ang lahat ng stateless para mabigyan ng pagkakakilanlan dito sa mundong ibabaw.

          Lingid sa kanilang kaalaman na isang MTRCB Chair ay hindi pa pala Filipino citizen magmula noong na-found.

        • Under our laws the child follows the citizenship of the parent. The best proof of filiation comprise of the birth certificate where the citizenship of the parent is specified. A foundling who is adopted by a Filipino citizen becomes prima facie or on the face of the birth certificate a Filipino citizen. Because the birth certificate does not bear any mark that it is an amended certificate, aside from the fact that the adoption process is confidential.

          But in proper cases like that of Grace, the adoption documents as well as the certificates – foundling and amended – on file in the civil registrar can always be produced in court. As of today there is no law that authorizes the government to recognize or grant Philippine citizenship to foundlings. Although the Philippines have ratified the UN Conventions since 2011.

          It is now incumbent on our government to enact a law to implement said US Conventions. Sad to say, foundlings found before the US Conventions took effect in the Philippines could not be granted Philippine citizenship via such Conventions. This involves foundlings who are about four years old and older.

          As of today I believe that Grace and other foundlings found before the US Conventions took effect are stateless. But they could apply for naturalization as Filipino citizen. Another way is to find any of their biological parents. If one of them is a Filipino, their problem of citizenship is laid to rest permanently and forever.

        • You mean ‘UN Conventions’. . .

          That’s what thought . . . ‘stateless’ persons.

          Proof of one biological parent could be at hand by a ‘foundling’ otherwise why say ‘I AM A NATURAL BORN-CITIZEN’. . . at the CoC Form for senator?

        • @ Rene-Ipil

          I’m curious what your comment would be under this scenario:

          Grace was allowed by the U.S. government to immigrate based on the information that she is a Filipino citizenship. While an immigrant she acquired U.S. citizenship. She applied and was granted dual-citizenship. Then she relinquished her U.S. citizenship and became just a Filipino citizen, and is elected senator of the Philippine government.

          Someone goes to the Supreme Court to question Grace’s citizenship (or her natural-born citizenship status). But the Supreme Court refuses to hear the case, declaring plainly that the issue has become moot and academic.

          Of course, the SC has done this many times before, i.e., refuse to hear a case of the account that it has become moot and academic.

          I’m curious what you, or other CPMer, would think about this.
          .

        • The SC won’t act on the case not because it is moot but because it has no jurisdiction. The Senate Electoral Tribunal has SOLE jurisdiction over questions on qualification of an elected senator. Section 17, Article VI of the constitution provides:

          “Section 17. The Senate and the House of Representatives shall each have an Electoral Tribunal which shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of their respective Members.”

          IMO the case could be elevated later to the SC on a question of law, that is, whether or not a foundling found in the Philippines could be a natural-born Filipino citizen in accordance with the constitution and international law.

          When Grace runs as P or VP, somebody could question her qualifications before the COMELEC up to the SC.

        • As long as she is still a Senator, any question on her qualification or disqualification as such , I think will not be ‘moot and academic.’ Either at the SET or SC specially if ‘her official acts’ will be included in the complaint.

          If she = For P or VP, different scenario of course.

        • Since you asked, the Omnibus election code allows a window (I seem to recall up to 15 or 30 days) where a registered voter can petition for cancellation of a CoC efore the Comelec due to misrepresentation. If not done during the window and the candidate wins, then it cannot be reversed. But if done on time, the election court will hold proclamation if the candidate wins until a decision is reached by the court or the SC if it is appealed

    • Rene,

      Thanks for pointing out the the matter of qualification, one of which is being “resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election.”

      The relevant excerpt of Article VII — EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT — of the 1987 Philippine Constitution reads:
      ——————————————————————————————
      Section 2. No person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election.

      Section 3. There shall be a Vice-President who shall have the same qualifications and term of office and be elected with, and in the same manner, as the President. He may be removed from office in the same manner as the President.
      —————————————————————————————–

      What indeed happens if she files a CoC for Pres or Vice Pres with that 10-year residency requirement? Even a Political Science Graduate had arithmetic taught in school or is this not so in Boston?

      She should have said some good months ago: “I am sorry but I don’t need to answer your question. Under the 1987 Constitution, I am not qualified to run for higher office because of the 10-year residency requirement. Ask me again before the 2022 Election.”

      Her legal staff should have done this due diligence thing.

      (If I may add — before that time, quietly she can clear away the natural-born citizenship thing to satisfy the likes of a Rene-Ipil. come the period before May 2022)

      • Nherrera. So I thought that you would reply simply to confirm that 6.5 plus 3 equals 9.5. Who could be better than an engineer to confirm such very difficult mathematical process?

        • The case of Imelda R. Marcos as decided by the SC might apply?. . . residence or ‘domicile’. A person can have many residences but only One (1) domicile.

          Many years of absence from one’s domicile, residing many years in many places, still is domiciled unless clear proof of the changing domicile is shown to the contrary.

          ‘Residence’ in that consti. provision is interpreted synonymously by jurisprudence as ‘domicile’ in election laws.

          Cirilo Roy Montejo [private Respondent ] filed a petition with Comelec against imelda R. Marcos [Petitioner ] questioning her residency for representative of the 1st District of Leyte.

          A bit complex and settling case. Ruling of the SC: ‘As these conceptss have evolved in our election laws, what has clearly and unequivocally emerged is the fact that residence for election purposes is used synonymously with domicile.’

          Petitioner Imelda Marcos was allowed to be proclaimed winner as representative. A somewhat compex case indeed.

          JJ. Padilla, Regalado and Davide dissenting.

        • Mas matindi ang “statelessness” ni Grace kaysa sa “residence.”

          Just watched “Divergent” and “Insurgent.”

          Ang “factionless” sa pelikula, gaya ng “stateless,” ay walang matinong “residence.”

          Kaya nga ang United Nations ay nagbuo ng 1954 at 1961 Conventions para pangalagaan ang mga faction…este…stateless…

        • Saang “residency” ang kikilalanin kapag di maliwanag na matukoy ang citizenship.

        • Maybe it depends: sa Simbahan, DSWD or whoever has custody as temp guardian.

          Atbpa.

        • Rene, I just want you to know that that aside from arithmetic, I know how to get to the 1987 Constitution by googling and seek the particular article/ section about residency requirement for Pres/ Vice Pres. Also, just doing my “due diligence.” Hahaha.

    • Tangna! Para kang si Celso Ad Castillo na nag direk ng Asedillo kung saan namatay si FPJ!

      Itong discovery mo is the most explosive sa current pulitika natin dahil yung silver bullet eh nadiskube mo! Patay ang pag-asa ni Poe sa VP or Pres position sa 2016!

      Pero tulad ni FPJ, yung Asedillo ang huling pelikula na sya ay namatay at lahat ng sumunod eh sya ay living hero lagi! So Poe could be one too in 2022.

      Rene, ito ang trophy mo, though I want Poe to run para magka-alaman, but mahirap ipilit ng mga backers ni Poe yan dahil yan ang requirements!

      Roxas vs. Binay talaga ang nakatadhana!

  7. It feels as if I saw the ongoing discussion on BBL long time ago in a different setting in a different country. Isn’t BBL the first big step in the direction of federalism? In Belgium this step was set decades ago. Not with religion as crowbar, but language. And of course it was much more than language. It was about gain and loss of political powers, economic power and the transfer of money from one region to the other, influence of the church…, and the discussions often was used as a lightning rod to divert attention from other subjects as austerity measures. It would be interesting to compare the past debates of different nations on their way to federalism or separation. Especially to see how the attention is diverted from the real issues to the more emotional aspects.

  8. “Duterte is campaigning for a shift from a unitary presidential form of government to a federal system. He is proposing for the creation of two separate Moro federal states including one for the Moros in the main island and another state for the island provinces.”

    Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/693711/duterte-warns-aquino-on-rushing-bbl#ixzz3bHuzKgWQ

    I agree absolutely. Moros in the island provinces are predominantly Tausugs or Suluks who never considered themselves Filipinos. The least we can do is “federalize” them. Better if we help them form an independent state together with the Suluks of Sabah. Let us also honor the freedom loving spirit of the Tausugs and their desire for self determination.

  9. Don’t you find it odd that she has a degree in Political Science which she got in Boston in 1991, then let’s connect the dots at this present time. Is this a planned venture from long ago?

    Don’t you think that’s odd? Just thinking out loud…

    • Feigning newbie and politically inexperienced (teflon resistance to trapo label). We barely scratched the surface yet.

  10. Timbang mo?/b>

    Nora Aunor – Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang.

    Brenda – Tinimbang ka ngunit Kulang-kulang!

    Binay – Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang sa 20 Bilyones ang kinurakot mo!

    Nancy –Tinimbang ka ngunit panget!

    Poe –Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang ang ebidensya ng pagiging Natural Born mo!

    Duterte – Tinimbang ka ngunit gusto mo kaming lahat is i-timbwang!

    Ping – Tinimbwang mo si Dacer at Corbito!

    Erap – Tinimbang ka ngunit ikaw ay iika-ika, kaya tinumba ka ni Chavit!

    Chiz – Tinimbang ang kalyo sa mukha mo at eto ay 20 kilos!

    Drilon – Tinimbang ka ngunit nasira ang weighing scale!

    Shawie – Tinimbang ka at nag-survived yung yung weighing scale…..ng baboy!

    Krizzy – Diet ka nga! Nagloss ka ng weight wow! Pag pinapapak mo eh maliit na piraso ng meat at sa gabi lang eh talaga effective ang Mini-Bistek sausage diet!

    PNoy – Tinimbang ka ngunit ang bigat ng utak mo ay abnormal!

    Roxas – Tinimbang ka at ikaw ay overweight! Ibaba mo sa likod mo si Korina para matimbang ka ng tama!

    Parekoy
    05-26-2015

  11. On BBL…

    RAISSA: Under the BBL is it possible a Christian could become the Chief Minister?
    MOHAGHER IQBAL: Yes, Yes, Yes, because it is the party in power that selects the Chief Minister. Although the election would be done by Parliament.

    Dangling the possibility, but if this happens then consider Bangsamoro killing fields again. It is better to define now that the Chief Minister should be muslim rather than opening up to future possibilities of the likes of Tingting Cojuancgo to create problems in the future.

    Pag puti na ang uwak!*

    *And you know what, a white crow is indeed existing and found in………………..

    Mindanao! Portent of things to come…

    ***
    I don’t support the provision that Contiguous Territory can opt to join the Bangsamoro. The Bangsmoro Territory shoud be definite and boudaries defined now. Future expansion will be the cause of breaking the peace. When it is open-ended and giving away plenty of possibilities in expanding the Bansamoro Territory, then it is tantamount to aiding and abetting the failure of BBL. It is a loss-loss situation.

    **

    The BBL is a Sottocopy of Malaysian style of government. UMNO is able to control the government with Chinese MCA backing. Bangsamoro might have Chinese backing too in the future through the likes of influence the Chinese is currently doing in Africa for the siphoning their mineral resources. In our country though, there is an additional motive when China use their might in Mindanao, and that is scary.

    Imposing Shariah Law in Bangsamoro Land will be met with a lot of resistance and this will cause trouble for the sitting government who impose that. I believe Filipino Muslims are different for they love their freedom too much and restrictions through Sharia will be another issue that will set back a generation of potential for the well meaning supporters of BBL.

    BBL being railroaded by Aquino in the house leaves a bad taste in the mouth. For me, the approach is entirely flawed. The BBL should first be submitted to referendum so that the direct voice of the Filipino People is heard and not these prostitutes in the House of Representatives selling us out. This is a piece of legislation that has a lasting effect and could bring the country to chaos if not properly formulated.

    Personally, in my gut, I have this weird feeling that the Filipino People are gang-banged by Malaysia, USA, and MILF, while the President and his rah-rah boys in the Congress are pimping us and selling us out in guise of Peace in Mindanao.

    History will judge us if we were taken for a ride…

    Parekoy
    05-26-2015

    • You know, he’s not dangling the possibility.

      Even under the current ARMM Law (RA 9054), you don’t have to be a Muslim to qualify. Here is the section –

      Section 3. Qualifications of Regional Governor and Regional Vice Governor. – No person may be elected Regional Governor or Regional Vice Governor of the autonomous region unless he or she is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter of the autonomous region, able to read and write, at least, thirty-five (35) years of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the autonomous region for, at least, one (1) year immediately preceding the election.

      You know, one of Nur Misuari’s long-time trusted aides is a Christian pastor named Reverend Absalom Cerveza.

      If that’s the way you put it, that “the Filipino People are gang-banged by Malaysia, USA, and MILF” then I’m pimping?

      You know, you call this being railroaded, but when it was the RH Law you rejoiced and you did not call it being railroaded. Ano ba talaga? Nobody is putting a gun to the heads of the congressmen. They are free to vote. But they know they will lose a chance to vote on the right side of history if they reject the BBL.

      Don’t think of the BBL as a purely MILF thing. All Muslims will benefit. Even the Tausug. Even Misuari.

      • I would like RH law to be in the ballot too!

        I would like to humiliate the Catholic Church and be bitch slapped with a direct vote and passing of RH through referendum.

        **
        Malaysia had a turbulent and deadly genocide because the opposition, meaning the Chinese, DAP and Gerakan celebrated their success in the election! Malay pride was deeply hurt and they were in fear that the Chinese Malaysians will take over the government and the celebrations was considered as tantamount to insult, and on the following day UMNO(malay dominated party) also planned a procession or a march to counter the opposition’s show of force, the Malays armed themselves with knives and other weapons and the simmering emotions exploded and the riots began and spread like a deadly inferno.

        In May 13, 1969 riots, most of the dead were Chinese and Indians.

        As I compared BBL to Malaysian style of government, having a Christian Chief Minister will be a powder keg ignited in Mindanao. The possibility in the early phase is remote but later with our usual dirty politics of maneuvering and easily bribed “representathieves” in Bangsamoro Parliament, then a Christian can be the Chief Minister and BOOOOMMMM! History repeats itself.

        *

        I don’t think you are pimping, you are reporting and also sharing your opinions and I respect that. But in a larger scale, I think it is pur obligation to seek the direct voice of our people when it comes to this very critical legislation that has a potential to short-change us adn the worst is break-up of Mindanao. This will start with the BBL, then expansion through contiguous territorriesm, then Federalism, which I think not suitable to a tiny country like ours. Singapore broke-up with Malaysia, because UMNO asserted Malay dominance in Singapore in 1964 and riots followed and then triggered the separation a year later.

        *
        I call a spade a spade. It is railroaded and a half-wit and even a person with poor vision could see what happened when Rufus did his usual PNR operations.

        *
        Nope! BBL is not only an MILF thing and Tausug thing, but in entirety it is a Filipino thing and the direct participation of the Filipinos is neglected, so the BBL is only an MILF thing and some concessions to MNLF.

        Aquino will hurdle the Senate but for a price, and BBL is cooked through these crooks and Filipinos are neglected.

        • No, no. Singspore did not break up eith Malaysis.

          Singapore was kicked out of the federation.

        • You are correct, Singapore was kickout byMalysia due to ideological differences and affirmitativeaction for the Bumis(Malays).

          parliamentary for of government similar to Malaysia and an implicit affirmative actions for the MILF against the rest of inhabitants will also be a potential animosity and break-up of Bangsamoro or the worst possible scenario is that when Malysia arms Bangsamoro government ala-Ukraine and force the carving of Mindanao to Malaysia’s advantage and additional support from China from resources and NPA activities that will make the central governmentof the Republicof the Philippines more weaker and tilts the success of Bangsamoro independent state or joining the Malaysian Federation and further weaken our claim to Sabah with Malaysia’s machinations.

          Do you support this law to be directly voted by the Filipino People? Why?

        • I am suspicious of Malaysians talking directly with the MNLF and the Sultanate. Are they enticing the sultanate with Sabah on condition that sovereignty is transfered, consolidated with the entire sultanate territory in Mindanao, to the Malaysian federation? Now, if we consider that the BBL is also Malaysian sponsored…

        • I have Malaysian friends but their leaders are wily and too greedy!

          Of course BBL is Malaysian sponsored together with USA and MILF and our leaders who are usually the fishes in international game of poker where sharks are just waiting to gobble the shortest stack!

        • I read Raissa at her last part, she wrote –

          ‘This is why to me, the BBL is a bold experiment worth trying.’

          the WHY.

          BBL = Weighing Hot Yun = WHY.

          :-)

        • Pinagsunod ko sila ni Sharon para magaling yung visuals.

          Putcha walang pumansin ng embedded na maling facts. Di artista si Nora Aunor doon, si Boyet Deleon yun at Hilda Koronel. Si Lolita ang pinaka magaling doon sa pag-arte. Tinimbang ka Ngunit Kulang is a classic!

          Anyway dahil Chikaminit ang dating, si D5 ay di na. Screwdriver kasi split na sila ng driver nya kasi miss na nya ang dati nyang boyfie at gusto nya authentic yung 6life nya. Ngayon may ibang glow si future Senadora dahil she is really being screwed a co-lawyer! They say the best 6 is performed by lawyers for they are expert in screwing people!

          :)

        • “This is why to me, the BBL is a bold experiment worth trying” – just because noynoy wants it badly and has set a deadline for congress to approve it?

          What if the bold experiment miserably fail like the ARMM, according to noynoy again? Just like in a poker game, “IT’S ALL IN” and never mine the consequences!

          From Philstar (5/27/15) “Consequently, the BBL has raised not only red flags but also alarm bells. In fact, the Pulse Asia survey done during the first week of March showed 44% out of 1200 survey respondents “disagreed” on the approval of BBL and only 21% agreed. “More than one-third, or 36% of the respondents, said they are still “undecided” on the BBL.”

          “The alarm bells against the BBL reached higher decibels following the report rendered by the Senate committee on constitutional amendments chaired by Sen. Miriam Santiago. After public hearings by her committee, Santiago rendered a report on the BBL bill, enumerating the constitutional “infirmities” in the draft bill.”

          “Santiago called upon her Senate colleagues not to approve the BBL in its present form until the legal and constitutional defects are corrected. Santiago warned the proposed amendments in the House ad hoc panel version of the BBL did not address the constitutional questions on issues of sovereignty, autonomy and territorial integrity.”

        • Agree that BBL is a bold experiment. I will add though that it is also dangerous and volatile and the whole country could burnt by this big bold experiment lacking the buy in of the Filipino People who have the most stake and the ones to suffer if something goes wrong.

        • Since not all nation-wide will vote on the BBL, the alternative will be about only 15 VOTES will vote. . . at the Supreme Court! [if case(s) are filed against it. ]

          :-)

        • 200,000,000×15 =3 Billion eh ipatong na lang yan sa 35 Bilyon na budget eh kuha na yan.

          Tingnan nyo kung pano ka bloated ang budget sa BBL, bakit? Eh dyan din kasi kukunin yung mga budget na pramis sa mga buwaya sa house at Senate! Nilut sa sariling mantika! Tsalap-tsalap sabi ng mga bataan ni Dofus Choo Choo Train!

          Onli in da Pilipins!

        • Ha?

          Kaya pala MABILIS ang passing kaysa LRT at MRT?

          choo choo A Train

          Hey, We’re a choo-choo train waiting at the station
          We want to get going but We’ve got to be impatient
          We just can’t wait until they turn us loose
          But they’re still loading money-luggage under our caboose

          So we’re a choo-choo train waiting at the station
          We’re taking a bbl trip across the nation
          The passengers are coming now through the gate
          We leave at June 16 so we hope we’re not late

          Hey we’re a choo-choo train waiting at the station
          I dofus feel like giving a standing ovation
          Because the conductor said it’s time to go
          Listen to our engine
          Hear our whistle blow

          Now we’re leaving the station we’re moving down the line
          We’re leaving the station right on time
          All aboard!

          Hey we’re a choo-choo train moving through mamapasano terrain
          We’ll be all over in one more day
          We see the wheels pass underneath our wheels
          When we’re going bull speed ahead we love the pay we feels

          Hey we’re a choo-choo train
          We’re moving pretty fast
          The station’s up ahead we’re here at last
          The cashier is calling from us up on top
          We’re ain’t pulling on anyy brake and we’re not coming to a stop

          Now we’re a choo-choo train waiting at the station
          We want to get going and we’ve gotten impatient”

          STOP THAT RUN-AWAY TRAIN!

        • Not so quick, IBRS. Remember my Indonesian classmates. I had also Malaysian-Indian classmates who were Hindus. During field trips the whole class had set menus in various restaurants. When the main course comprised of pork, I got plenty from the Indonesians. When it was beef, I had a hard time consuming everything. Both groups were close to me.

        • Yes, Malaysia and racial tensions. It occurred to me that nearly all places were the British were, you have that. It is because the British had a very clever divide-and-rule approach to colonialism.

          Cyprus, Israel-Palestine, Sri Lanka, India-Pakistan, Malaysia-Singapore – not a coincidence!

        • Yes, one of the gripes of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in his Memoirs at the Brits’ Intelligence reports to the WH before his relief as Commander of the UN Troops during the Korean War by US Pres. Truman.

    • If BBL is really good for the country and for the people of Bangsamoro, then, as I’ve stated before that why not let the next President pass it? What is few more months? That way the govt can explain it more about its benefits because right now there’s too much mistrust especially after the Mamasapano massacre.

      Make BBL a point of debate in 2016 presidential elections and at the same time to give the SC a chance to study its constitutionality. I may have reservations but I guess BBL is a better option right now.

      • Looks like this was 3 decades overdue. If you want things done, put a deadline. After all, the consultation and negotiation phases were not time-constrained.

        • What is another 12 months of waiting? Why rush it? It is nothing compared to 3 decades, di ba? Besides we have to wait for the SC to declare if BBL is within the parameters of our Constitution.

        • The SC can only look at it when the FINAL draft has been sent to Malacanang, and if there are people who would question its constitutionality.

        • Right, pass the law and maski papaano real battle at the SC begins! [email protected]

          In 2008, the SC in those ‘Cases’, as initially started by the Ponente, J. Carpio Morales, said:

          the legal issue involved has a bearing on all areas in the country where there has been a long-standing armed conflict. Yet again, the Court is tasked to perform a delicate balancing act. It must uncompromisingly delineate the bounds within which the President may lawfully exercise her discretion, but it must do so in strict adherence to the Constitution, lest its ruling unduly restricts the freedom of action vested by that same Constitution in the Chief Executive precisely to enable her to pursue the peace process effectively.

          ‘it must uncompromisingly delineate the bounds’ . . . is this relevant to the ‘OPT IN’ [is there OPT OUT? ] in the proposed BBL?

          The Court said:

          At least three pertinent laws animate these constitutional imperatives and justify the exercise of the peoples right to be consulted on relevant matters relating to the peace agenda.

          1. One, E.O. No. 3 itself is replete with mechanics for continuing consultations on both national and local levels and for a principal forum for consensus-building. In fact, it is the duty of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to conduct regular dialogues to seek relevant information, comments, advice, and recommendations from peace partners and concerned sectors of society.

          Two, Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 requires all national offices to conduct consultations before any project or program critical to the environment and human ecology including those that may call for the eviction of a particular group of people residing in such locality, is implemented therein. The MOA-AD is one peculiar program that unequivocally and unilaterally vests ownership of a vast territory to the Bangsamoro people, which could pervasively and drastically result to the diaspora or displacement of a great number of inhabitants from their total environment.

          Three, Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 provides for clear-cut procedure for the recognition and delineation of ancestral domain, which entails, among other things, the observance of the free and prior informed consent of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples. Notably, the statute does not grant the Executive Department or any government agency the power to delineate and recognize an ancestral domain claim by mere agreement or compromise.

          …continuing consultations. BBL as proposed, was taken up by Congress – Lower House. it goes to the Senate. Was there continuing consultations with the areas and people affected prior to Congress’ taking this law?

          …requiring all National Offices to conduct consultations (R.A. No. 7160 Local Government Code). Was there compliance on this by the Gov’t under PNoy Adm and the Gov’t Peace Panel?

          …the Indigenous People Right Act of 1987 requires a clear-cut recognition and delineation of Ancestral Domain, with observance of free and prior informed consent of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples. Was this also complied under the BBL?

          At the end of the decision, respondents’ motion to dismiss is DENIED.

          ‘The Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain Aspect of the GRP-MILF Tripoli Agreement on Peace of 2001 is declared CONTRARY TO LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION. SO ORDERED.’

          Who among were some of the Petitioners that challenged the MOA:

          1.PROVINCE OF NORTH COTABATO. 2. CITY GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBOANGA. 3.THE CITY OF ILIGAN, 4. THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, et.al. 5. ERNESTO M. MACEDA, JEJOMAR C. BINAY, and AQUILINO L. PIMENTEL III,

          6. FRANKLIN M. DRILON and ADEL ABBAS TAMANO. 7. SEN. MANUEL A. ROXAS.
          8. MUNICIPALITY OF LINAMON. 9. THE CITY OF ISABELA, BASILAN PROVINCE,

          10. THE PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT, rep. by HON. SUHARTO T. MANGUDADATU, 11. RUY ELIAS LOPEZ, for and in his own behalf and on behalf of Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao Not Belonging to the MILF,

          12. CARLO B. GOMEZ, GERARDO S. DILIG, NESARIO G. AWAT, JOSELITO C. ALISUAG and RICHALEX G. JAGMIS, as citizens and residents of Palawan,

          13.MARINO RIDAO and KISIN BUXANI.

  12. IS THIS NEWS FACTUAL?

    Residents near ‘Hacienda Binay’ being forced to testify vs VP – UNA

    Yuji Gonzales
    INQUIRER.net
    12:56 PM | Tuesday, May 26th, 2015

    Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/693629/residents-near-hacienda-binay-being-forced-to-testify-vs-vp-una#ixzz3bEYHTRpa

    answer FROM A perceptive reader who can think correctly but have no need for correct spelling.

    Edward Castro • 2 hours ago

    another pr gimick to gain sympathy…lol. try hader please. the headline should be:
    “STO ROSARIO RESIDENTS PAID TO SAY THAT THEY ARE BEING FORCED TO TESTIFY AGAINST BINAY’

    • The reporter Yuji Gonzalez had written the news OF COURSE after asking:
      Who are these residents? How many are they? Did they write letters? Can the letters be published? If not, why not? Or executed Affidavits? To whom did they complain? Who are forcing them ? Are they being threatened? How many times were they approached? Are they government people? Do they look like bad people? Where did this happen? When did this happen? Did they inform their Barangay ? Did they go to the police? What are the things they are being forced to say? Etcetera, etcetera.

    • Probably the news is factual in the sense that they quoted UNA, not that UNA’s account is factual though. I am factual quoting your post that was lifted from PDI which got it from UNA which turned out to be false. He he he. I think the standard used is that half truth would suffice as it was catered for the audience that matters the most.

      • I think this is standard strategy of the UNA to leak out a story that would later on explode feces on their own faces.

        If you will remember, the residents around Hacienda Binay were more than willing to say that it’s Binay’s property, and we know that in the provinces where communities are very close knit, they know who’s who or to who’s property it is if you’re a local in that area.

        So the real meaning of the news is that the residents are willing to testify against Binay, but they are being harassed by people of Unknown National Affiliation.

  13. Great article. I hope critics find time to read it. The proposed BBL is lenthy as it is and its mystery provides an opportunity for uninformed and noisy critics to define the points of debate, points that they themselves have little understanding. My father grew up in a Mindanao that was relatively peaceful and he told me of a time when Christians, Muslims and Lumads coexisted peacefully. Then the wars came and their hardships began. This is an opportunity to look at the proposed BBL, finetune it and submit for approval in a plebscite. This is also a chance for the MILF to demonstrate that it has the capacity to govern by making concessions and reaching compromises.

    The bottom line is that we have to start somewhere. And that isn’t found along the paths that previous administrations have walked on.

    • Thanks for reading.

      Do come back and join in the discussions.

      You’re right. We have to start somewhere.

      • Raissa,

        I have reservations on BBL and my posting is under moderation, titled On BBL

    • “My father grew up in a Mindanao that was relatively peaceful and he told me of a time when Christians, Muslims and Lumads coexisted peacefully. Then the wars came and their hardships began.”

      ______________________-

      Did you ask your father what brought the wars?

  14. Why is there a failure to include to consult sultanates and indigenous peoples in the peace negotiations in forming the BBL?

    There was a LETTER from the Sultanates. It got LOST inside the Palace. Really? Is there a COPY of such letter? Why not present it at the Senate hearing? I hope ithe letter is not with a JANITOR.

    How will this OMISSION of the Indigenous PEOPLE in Mindanao be handled now? By the Senate? Another separate law for them? Or to OPT IN into the BBL?

    Twice OMITTED na sila: in the peace nogotiations with the gov’t and in the Lower House.

    So? What now? Omit them for a third time at the Senate?

  15. When asked if Vice President Jejomar Binay is still “the man to beat in the 2016 presidential elections,” the President said, “The impression has been that he has been at the forefront of the challenge as we look at all of the surveys. But at the same time, I think that question rests on his ability to be able to answer all of the allegations that he is being confronted with at this present time.”

    ‘has been impression.’

    ‘ability to answer all of the allegations’

    In short, PNoy is saying – We will beat up Binay unless Binay answers the allegations of corruptions he is confronted with.

    For VP BInay, why would he answer? To do so will get himself beaten up anyway. Binay’s forthcoming answer is on May 2016 by way of the Condonation Doctrine

    It is now May 26, 2015. Mar Roxas is still on top of the list as candidate for P! PNoy says of Mar Roxas –

    ‘He is a valuable member of the Cabinet. He has been a staunch leader of the party, even during the days that we were in the opposition. And kumbaga, he has demonstrated, even the ability to sacrifice. Previously, for instance, when he gave way to me,” he said.

    a staunch leader of the party.
    he has ability to sacrifice like giving way to me.

    Does anybody still think Grace Poe will be the LP staunch for President? Read those words. Maybe PNoy and the LP have read here Grace Poe’s situation.

    It is already carved in the conrete walls of the LP Camp, it is MAR ROXAS for President for the LP.

    :-)

    • “Does anybody still think Grace Poe will be the LP staunch for President? Read those words. Maybe PNoy and the LP have read here Grace Poe’s situation.

      “It is already carved in the conrete walls of the LP Camp, it is MAR ROXAS for President for the LP.”

      I agree.

    • Yes, Mar Roxas will be annointed and Grace Poe will be his VP. Binay vs Roxas again in 2016.

      • The question is what will happen after VP Poe, as an independent, completes her term and Binay is no longer a threat?

        Her best before date will not be extended.

    • Hair ye! Hair ye!

      Manung Jusip agreed with Mang Gani…

      They wished Grace to run as P for the May 9, 2016 election…

      As independent.