President Aquino says government pushes for
passage of Bangsamoro Basic Law for peace and progress in Mindanao
President Benigno S. Aquino III said his
administration is working hard for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law by
2014, paving the way towards a peaceful and prosperous Mindanao.
In his speech during the dinner in celebration
of Eid’l Fitr held at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall in Malacanang Palace on
Tuesday, the Chief Executive underscored the importance of the passage of the
Bangsamoro Basic Law to end the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao.
"The Framework Agreement that we forged
with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front stands today as a testament to the
meaningful change that can be borne of true partnership and a willingness to
sacrifice," the President said.
"Now, our goal of a peaceful and prosperous
Mindanao has come into view. We still have some steps to go, as we work to pass
the Bangsamoro Basic Law by 2014. For this reason, let us continue to find in
our hearts the trust and goodwill necessary for the fulfillment of our dreams
of peace, bearing in mind not the interest of the few, but the betterment of
the majority," he said.
The President vowed to deal with all the
obstacles that hinder the efforts of the government, the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) and peace advocates to end the armed conflict in
Mindanao and bring progress in the region.
"I ask you to do even more to attain our
shared goals. Just as we are committed to do the right and to work together to
advance the common good, there are those who are committed to perpetuating the
conditions that lead to the misery of many, and enrich a powerful few," he
said.
The President said his administration is
stepping up its efforts to stop a few groups who are trying to disrupt the
peace process in their bid to advance their own interests.
"Therefore all of us, who are people of
good will, must overcome every obstacle they place in our path. Every effort
they make to disrupt the peace process should be met by our superior effort. In
this manner, we will ensure that, just as we are in the right, our just cause
will prevail," he said.
The President also lauded the Filipino-Muslim
community for their efforts and sacrifices to work together with the government
to achieve genuine peace and progress in Mindanao.
"Our commitment to positive change will
therefore determine the outcome of our endeavors. Just as you have all fasted
and fulfilled one of the great obligations of your faith, it is my hope that
every Filipino will find in your example the kindness, humility, and devotion
to sacrifice, which are fundamental to establishing lasting peace in our
country," the President said.
Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan) is celebrated by
the Muslim World for three (3) days after the end of the month of fasting.
Ramadan is the month when Muslims observe strict
fasting for a period of 12 hours daily, from sunrise to sunset.
Ramadan is also a month of sacrifice and
purification as the Muslims worldwide fast, pray and act with kindness towards
the poor and the less fortunate. PND (js)
Malacanang puts infographic materials and
articles online about former Senator Ninoy Aquino to mark 30th Death
Anniversary
Malacanang makes available online infographic
materials and articles about former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.
in line with the observance of his 30th Death Anniversary, a Palace official
said on Wednesday.
"August 21, 2013 marks the 30th anniversary
of Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr.’s return to the Philippines and his martyrdom.
In fulfillment of its mandate as custodian of institutional memory, the
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO)
is spearheading an online commemoration which will feature an interactive page
with a comprehensive timeline, music of the era, infographic maps, essays, and
testimonials on Ninoy and his sacrifice, on the Presidential Museum and Library
website," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement
during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday.
The government called on the Filipino people to
participate in the online commeration which seeks to keep the spirit of Ninoy’s
martyrdom alive as an example of the selfless sacrifice of a man who gave up
his life to free a shackled country, Lacierda said.
"We call on Filipinos to participate in
this campaign, which will source and publish short statements from those who
had lived through that watershed event in our history," Lacierda said.
"We will also be featuring a remarkable
collection of interviews of Ninoy’s family and close associates, gathered by
Ms. Cynthia Sycip and published in 1984. We will also put online, for the first
time, the majority and minority reports of the Agrava Commission on the
Official Gazette," he stressed.
Lacierda asked the Filipino people to join the
commemoration by posting on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #Ninoy or by
sending an email to heritage@pcdspo.gov.ph.
"The nation once again marks Ninoy’s
sacrifice, and your recollections and opinions will play a vital role in
enabling a new generation of Filipinos to understand that period of martial
law, and the turning point that was August 21, 1983," he said. PND (js)
China-ASEAN Expo to further boost trade and
economic ties between the Philippines and People’s Republic of China
The Philippine hosting of the 10th China- ASEAN
Expo (CAEXPO) in China this September will further boost trade and economic
cooperation between the country and the People's Republic of China, a Palace
official said.
"This is one proof of the multi-faceted
relationship with China. We’re focusing now on trade and the economic
agenda," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular
press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday.
Lacierda said the Philippines will host the 10th
CAEXPO to be held in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,
China from September 3 to 6, this year.
This year's CAEXPO aims at further developing
cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in trade, investment, economy and
technology, as well as in projects and labor sourcing.
Chinese and ASEAN government officials, business
leaders and scholars are also expected to attend the event.
Lacierda said the Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA) will announce whether President Benigno S. Aquino III will attend the
event this September.
"We’ll wait for the DFA to confirm. We have
not received any word kung tuloy na siya. Whether pupunta or not si Presidente
is just a subject of confirmation yet. May Philippine delegation pupunta doon
dahil tayo ang host ng ASEAN-CAEXPO," said Lacierda, stressing that
economy is primarly the focus of the CAEXPO.
"It’s a primarily economic ang agenda. Wala
kaming nakikitang pag-uusapan tungkol sa situation natin with China on the West
Philippine Sea. It is primarily an economic and trade event," he said.
"Our concern with the West Philippine Sea
is already being handled in the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea) arbitral tribunal. The discussions on that area with respect to our
situation in the West Philippine Sea has been reserved to the arbitral tribunal
to decide," he said. PND (js)
Malacanang confident Mindanaoans will not be
swayed to counter importance of Bangsamoro Framework Agreement
Malacanang expressed confidence on Wednesday
that the people of Mindanao will not be easily swayed by moves to counter the
importance of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement (BFA) saying Mindanaoans were
cognizant of the hard work put in by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front to draft the BFA and its Annexes.
In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential
Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the government and the MILF had put in
“earnest efforts” to draft the peace accord and now that it is nearly ready to
be implemented, peace and development are at hand.
“They (Mindanaoans) saw how difficult it was for
us to come up with the Framework Agreement. They saw our earnest efforts – from
both sides: from MILF and from the government to come up with a workable,
doable Framework Agreement and also the Annexes. This shows sincerity on the
part of government. This also shows sincerity on the part of the MILF to come
up with a doable solution to the decades-old problem of conflict and
underdevelopment in Mindanao,” Lacierda said.
“You don’t need to tell someone that there’s a
prospect for progress, (that) there’s a prospect for peace. Peace is at hand
right now. Once we finish with the comprehensive agreement, the benefits will
redound to the entire Muslim Mindanao,” he added.
The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro is a
preliminary peace agreement signed in Malacanang last October 15, 2012. The
Framework Agreement calls for the creation of an autonoumous political entity
named Bangsamoro, replacing the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
which was described by President Aquino as "a failed experiment."
It also outlines general agreements on major
issues, including the extent of power, revenues and territory granted for the
new Muslim autonomous region. PND (rck)
