MOA between the Philippines and MILF

One hot issue now in the Philippines is the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) entered into by and between the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). This MOA is supposed to give some parts of Mindanao called “ancestral domain” to the MILF, among others, including setting up its own body to govern the territories that would be given to them.

But because of the timely issuance of Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court, the signing of the MOA did not materialize. The case is now being heard by the Supreme Court. Yesterday’s news mentioned that one Supreme Justice said that the MOA violated some provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.

I suppose you need not be a Supreme Court justice to say that the MOA violates the Constitution. If we based our opinions on the facts presented to the media, even an ordinary college student can say that the MOA is unconstitutional. I am surprise that those who are involve in this MOA are not morons that they don’t know the basic provisions of the Constitution. It is the fundamental law of the land. All other laws and agreements must conform to this basic law of the land. General Esperon, who is a former General, and those who are responsible in the drafting of this MOA are, I presumed, graduates of high caliber schools in Manila. What happened to their intelligence?

One interesting comment made by General Esperon was that this MOA will pave the way for the peace in Mindanao. I think the opposite is happening now. It created tensions in most areas affected by the MOA. General Esperon further said that the MOA is not yet final. A law needs to be enacted in order a referendum can be held in the areas affected. But the good general, perhaps, forgot to tell this to the MILF panel. What happened now is that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is doing its best to clear some areas in Cotabato occupied by the MILF. Sad to know from media reports, houses of civilians were burned by the MILF.  You can just imagine what happens when the MOA’s signing push through. 

I think our government officials should think the welfare of the entire country. They should not compromise its sovereignty. This is precisely their sworn duty: to uphold the laws of the land. If they think only of their own personal interests, then they have no business to stay in the government.