President Aquino 'Happy' that GRP and MILF
finally agreed on wealth-sharing annex of Framework Agreement on the
Bangsamoro, Malacanang says
President Benigno S. Aquino expressed elation
over the news that the peace panel represented by the members of the Government
of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) have finally agreed on the composition of the wealth-sharing annex of
the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, Malacanang said on Sunday.
In a press briefing aired over government-run
station radio dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail
Valte said this breakthrough showed the commitment of both parties to
fulfilling the aspirations of the agreement.
“Masaya ang Pangulo na napirmahan na rin yung
wealth sharing annex,” Valte said.
“…both sides (GRP and MILF) were able to
demonstrate their commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the Framework
Agreement on the Bangsamoro that was signed,” she added.
The wealth-sharing annex was signed by both
parties Sunday morning after concluding the 38th series of exploratory talks in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In a joint statement released by both panels,
the GRP and MILF said the wealth-sharing annex will “provide sufficient
guidance for the crafting of the Bangsamor Basic Law’s provision on wealth
sharing and revenue generation for the Bangsamoro as envisioned by the
Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).
“The Negotiating Panels of the Government of the
Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front today closed the 38th round
of Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the signing of the Annex on
Wealth Sharing to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).
In a show of true commitment, the Parties
extended the meeting, originally scheduled for four days to six days to be able
to overcome their concerns and reach an agreement on the said Annex. The
Parties believe that the Annex, which forms part of the FAB, will provide
sufficient guidance for the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law’s provisions
on wealth sharing and revenue generation for the Bangsamoro as envisioned by
the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
Progress was also made by the Technical Working
Group on Normalization and the special team on power sharing. The Third Party
Monitoring Team (TPMT) which will be responsible for monitoring the
implementation of the agreements held its first organizational meeting, led by
its Chair Mr. Alistair MacDonald. The Parties gave special thanks to Dr. Steven
Rood who transitioned from the International Contact Group to the monitoring
team.
The Parties expressed their appreciation to
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for his commitment to a just and lasting
peace in Mindanao, to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun
Haji Abdul Razak for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH-MILF
Peace Talks, and to the members of the MILF Central Committee headed by
Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for their continued commitment to the peaceful
resolution of the Bangsamoro Question.
The Parties also extend their gratitude to the
members of the International Contact Group, namely Japan, The Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, Republic of Turkey, the United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue,
Conciliation Resources, Muhammadiyah, and The Asia Foundation. They also thank
the members of the Technical Working Groups of both Parties which had worked on
the Annex on Wealth sharing.” PND (rck)
President Aquino to keynote 67th Founding Anniversary
of UP Beta Sigma Fraternity Alumni Association
President Benigno S. Aquino III will be the
guest of honor and keynote speaker at the celebration of the 67th Founding
Anniversary of the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity Alumni Association that will be held
at the Grand Ballroom of the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City on Monday.
Joining the President will be Agriculture
Secretary Proceso Alcala, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Environment
Secretary Ramon Paje and UPBSFAA president Rolando Reyes.
This year’s theme is “The Good and Noble Man in
Nation Building.”
The U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity was the first
post-war fraternity in the Philippines - a brotherhood transcending the
barriers of regional origins, creed and social status. It is currently one of
the largest fraternities in the country in terms of the number of established
university based and alumni chapters.
The name was derived from the Greek letters Beta
(β) and Sigma (Σ) which stands for "Brotherhood of Scholars".
Scholastic excellence, one of the core ideals of the fraternity, is a
requirement to qualify for membership. PND (rck)
