...The definition of peace is different for each and every individual. According to Johan Galtung, with the agreement of any other peace theorists, peace is not just the absence of war. Peace is obtained through justice in all forms. Peace is different for a country of great power to the developing countries, “’…peace to the people in developing countries means not only the absence of disorder and injustice from the society… but also nonintervention in domestic affairs by big powers and unhampered economic development’” (Diokno 6-7). The Philippines belongs to these developing countries, and a region in this country, Mindanao, has been on pursuit for lasting peace. This is the kind of peace the people in Mindanao called the Bangsamoro people, has been longing for. The conflict in Mindanao between the Government and the Bangsamoro people is the second longest-running in the world. It started more than four hundred years ago during the Spanish occupation. It was then continued by the Americans when Mindanao was not granted independence (Diokno 4). Even after the entire Philippines was granted independence, there were still problems that generated conflict. It carried on over the years through different administrations, including the present one, and it has not yet been resolved. There are still many which seemed as endless counts of infringement of the Bangsamoro that could be heard over the news along with countless reports of hostilities. It is important to identify the root...
Words: 2278 - Pages: 10
...1 (This paper was presented during the SEACSN Conference 2004: “Issues and Challenges for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Southeast Asia”, at Shangri-La Hotel, Penang, Malaysia on 12-15 January 2004) Muslim Minority in the Philippines By Abhoud Syed M. Lingga Executive Director, Institute of Bangsamoro Studies How the Muslims as a minority situate themselves within the Philippine national community is the subject of discussion in this paper. A look into their views on their relations with the national community is helpful in understanding the conflict in Mindanao for this is the impetus in their assertion for their right to self-determination. Minority Communities We find minority communities within the borders of many countries today. These minority communities can be classified broadly into three major categories (Che Man 1990:1). The minority migrant populations are in the first category. During the colonial period, workers were recruited from other colonies to work in plantations, mining and other industries. In recent years, migration of peoples who are induced by pull factors like economic opportunities and liberal policies of countries of destination and the push factors in their own countries like violent conflicts, lack of economic opportunities and repressive government policies are observable. The migrant populations have no attachment to any portion of the territory of the host country. Their concerns are the acceptability by and equal rights with the dominant majority...
Words: 5648 - Pages: 23
...Republic of the Philippines HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Quezon City SIXTEENTH CONGRESS Second Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO. 4994 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC LAW FOR THE BANGSAMORO AND ABOLISHING THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054, ENTITLED “AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,” AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: PREAMBLE We, the Bangsamoro people and other inhabitants of the Bangsamoro, imploring the aid of the Almighty, aspiring to establish an enduring peace on the basis of justice in our communities and a justly balanced society, and asserting our right to conserve and develop our patrimony; In consonance with the Constitution and the universally accepted principles of human rights, liberty, justice, democracy, and the norms and standards of international law, reflective of our system of life prescribed by our faith, and in harmony with our customary laws, cultures and traditions; Affirming the distinct historical identity and birthright of the Bangsamoro people to their ancestral homeland and their right to self-determination – beginning with the struggle for freedom of their forefathers in generations past and extending to the present – to chart...
Words: 26005 - Pages: 105
...LOVE FOR JUSTICE OF JOSE RIZAL Jose Rizal lived his life seeking for justice not just for their family but for all the Filipino people. Even before his childhood, Rizal already witnessed the cruelties done by the Spanish authorities to the Filipinos. In his early childhood, Rizal witness the injustice done through the death of GOMBURZA and the imprisonment of his mother. Because of the desire to Filipinize the Philippine parishes, Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora was executed by the Spanish authorities by the order of Governor General Izquierdo. This desire of the 3 fathers was a threat to the Spanish authorities and they considered it as a revolt against them. The martyrdom of GOMBURZA in 1872 really inspired Rizal to pursue justice and to fight the evil of Spanish tyranny to redeem the Filipino people. And later, in honor of the martyrdom of the GOMBURZA, Rizal dedicated this novel, El Filibusterismo, to them. Also, later that year in 1872, Doña Teodora, mother of Rizal, was suddenly arrested on a malicious charge that she and his brother, Jose Alberto, tried to poison his treacherous wife. For 2 years, his mother was arrested and suffered from the erroneous accusations. Rizal was exposed with this injustices that it became his inspiration to pursue his fight for justice for all the Filipino people. The way Rizal showed his desire for justice is through writing. He believed that through this, many Filipinos will considered these ideas and awaken their...
Words: 2139 - Pages: 9
...Highlights: * The joint session of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives has been called to order at exactly 4pm. * President Aquino started to deliver this 4th SONA at 4:03 pm. * Aquino said it’s his fourth SONA, 2 more remaining. He said he is aware of the challenges facing his leadership. * The President hailed domination of Team PNoy senatorial bets in the 2013 elections. * He cited the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and increase in number of TESDA graduates. * He said the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program will cover families with high school students, not just elementary pupils, starting next year. * Aquino mentioned DepEd secretary Armin Luistro, adding that classroom shortage will be addressed by the education department within the year. * The President said rice self-sufficiency and coconut intercropping, which will boost agricultural growth, are among the administration’s targets. There will be 434 sites for coconut intercropping. * Aquino mentioned Hacienda Luisita, saying determination of lots for beneficiaries started last week. * PhilHealth enrolees, he said, increased from 62% to 81%; benefits were also enhanced. * This year, multi-hazard zone mapping was finished while geohazard mapping of Metro Manila to be completed by next year. * The perennial problem of Metro Manila flooding has been addressed. P6.2 Billion has been allocated for flood control in Metro Manila. * 9,377 housing...
Words: 823 - Pages: 4
...Assessment of Aquino Administration’s policies and achievements The Aquino Administration at the mid of its term: assessment of its policies and achievements in key areas. When Benigno (Noynoy) Aquino was elected in May 2010, it was a huge wave of hope that swept him in a landslide victory into the office of the Philippine President: * hope that he would bring back honesty as guiding principle into the actions and decisions of this office – as it had been the case during the presidency of his revered mother Cory Aquino 1986 – 1992, whose passing away in summer 2009 had plummeted the nation into deep nostalgic mood and initiated the request of the Liberal Party for her son as presidential candidate in the 2010 elections; * hope that the lawlessness, high levels of violence, corruption, human rights violations and impunity would finally find an end; * hope that the hardened poverty of more than 25% of the fast growing population would finally be reduced – following his campaign slogan: “no corruption, no poverty any more”; * hope that he would be able to bring peace to the country which was suffering for more than 40 years from fighting with the Mindanao based Muslim Rebellion and the armed campaign of Maoist in many rural provinces all over the country. Three years later, in the mid of his single six-years term, it is still the hope of the majority of the population which is upholding his high popularity. What has been done, what has been achieved...
Words: 4751 - Pages: 20
...MNLF Position on the Status of the 1996 MNLF-GPH Final Peace Agreement By: Rltr. John R. Petalcorin (MNLF) 7 June 2013 THE MNLF-GPH DISPUTE. We, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), disputes the claim of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) that they have already completely and fully implemented the 1996 MNLF-GPH Final Peace Agreement (FPA). The major issue that MNLF will dispute is on Section 20(a) of the 1996 MNLF-GPH FPA that says: "There shall be a special socioeconomic, cultural and educational program to cater to MNLF forces not absorbed into the AFP, PNP and the SRSF to prepare them and their families for productive endeavors, provide for educational, technical skills and livelihood training and give them priority for hiring in development projects." WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION? The GPH's position is that they believe that they have already completed the implementation of the MNLF-GPH FPA Sec 20(a) through the ordinary GPH projects in what they perceive as "MNLF communities". These ordinary projects include giving direct dole-out Pantawid Pamilya cash allowances, direct dole-out Philhealth cards, direct dole-out housing assistance, and the regular infrastructure projects (say farm-to-market road and fish port) that the community members have free access. WHAT IS MNLF'S ARGUMENT DISPUTING THE GPH POSITION? MNLF believes that GPH giving direct dole-out Pantawid Pamilya cash allowances, dole-out Philhealth cards, dole-out housing assistance...
Words: 5638 - Pages: 23
...PNoy's longest SONA is short on key policy issues by Ira Pedrasa, ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 07/22/2013 10:06 PM | Updated as of 07/22/2013 10:10 PM MANILA - It was President Benigno Aquino III’s longest State of the Nation Address (SONA) so far, and maybe the longest post-1986. Despite a close to 2-hour State of the Nation Address, two analysts still found it short on key policy decisions. They said it lacked depth on issues that mattered to his overall theme of “inclusive growth.” Aquino's first SONA in 2010 ran for close to 40 minutes, his second ran for 53 minutes, and his third ran for around one hour and 30 minutes. Aquino’s fourth, which went on for around hour and 43 minutes, was replete with “melodramatic” clips, University of the Philippines sociologist Nicole Curato noted. “It felt like it was crafted for foreign investors, he’s doing a cheerleader role, but in terms of him playing an elected official to his bosses, it had melodramatic clips that [do not] affect us in real life," she said. UP political analyst Jean Encinas-Franco also noted the “long, boring” speech that did not dig deep into issues that really mattered. For instance, there was no discussion on how he would generate jobs for Filipinos, she said. “There was not anything about job creation, rights of labor.” She said Aquino reiterated too much on the conditional cash transfer program even if it can't solve poverty. “Let us be reminded that the budget for the [CCT] is from a loan from the World...
Words: 6688 - Pages: 27
...Duterte reveals platform of government Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano were set to lay down their platform of government in a forum on Thursday (January 7) at the Plaza Independencia in Cebu City. In a press conference prior to the event, Duterte revealed some plans he had once elected as president. He said that his administration would be "left leaning" and he has a socialist principle. Duterte said that he would push for an end to the insurgency problem with communist rebels, having direct contacts with the NPA-NDF leaders such as Joma Sison. Duterte also said that he was against contractualization of laborers and would push for reforms in the income tax law which will cover more exemptions such as for those earning below P20,000 a month. The Davao chief executive also said that he would not declare martial law — unlike the "doomsday" scenario painted by his opponents. "But I tell criminals not to push me to go the extreme," Duterte warned. Duterte also specifically said that he would end the problem of illegal drugs in just three to six months into his administration. Organizers and supporters of Duterte said that it would be the first time for the tandem to lay down their platform of government. Duterte: Polls on federalism in 2 yrs DAVAO CITY—Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte projected a two-year timetable to submit to a referendum his proposal to dismantle the current presidential, unitary...
Words: 11531 - Pages: 47
...State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III President of the Philippines To the Congress of the Philippines [This is an English translation of the SONA delivered at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, on July 22, 2013] This is my fourth SONA; only two remain. Almost four years have passed since I was approached by various camps to urge me to run for the presidency. They said: “We know that our country’s problems cannot be solved in the blink of an eye, in one year, or even within the six-year term of a President. But just begin, and we will be one with you in nurturing change.” Even then, I was aware of the significant problems that I would have to face. From being a candidate, to being President, or even after I step down from office, the difficulties I will have to face are no joke. Widespread transformation of society is my objective, and I am aware that there are many things and many people I would have to confront in order to achieve this. But I was not raised by my parents to back down in the face of challenges. I would not be able to live with myself if I had refused the chance to alleviate the suffering the Filipino should not have to endure. We have answered the call, and those who have been with us from the start have only grown in number. I believe that if what I have been doing is right, then our allies will only grow. Just this May, I asked you, Boss, are we going in the right direction...
Words: 13442 - Pages: 54
...to Author Rex A. Hudson, “Terrorists are motivated not only by psychological factors but also very real political, social, religious, and economic factors, among others. These factors vary widely”. Accordingly, the motivations, goals, and ideologies of ethnic separatist, anarchist, social revolutionary, religious fundamentalist, and new religious terrorist groups differ significantly. (Hudson, 1999) Therefore, each terrorist group must be examined within its own cultural, economic, political, and social context in order to better understand the motivations of its individual members and leaders and their particular ideologies. (Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, 1999, para. 54) I will use Hudson’s assertion as my theoretical framework to analyze if my findings are compatible with a plausible assertion that terrorism is based off social and political views of the people who see their current state as unjust. The National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional or ELN) is a revolutionary guerrilla army; who have fought in the Colombian Civil War since it began in 1964. The ELN advocate a composite Communist ideology of Marxism and Liberation Theology. The ELN was founded by Fabio Vásquez Castaño and other Colombian rebels trained in Communist Cuba; upon the Vásquez Castaño death, the ELN was headed by a series of Roman Catholic priests, exponents of Liberation Theology. (Brittain, 2010) Most notable was the Priest Camilo Torres Restrepo, a university professor...
Words: 1930 - Pages: 8
...TIMELINE OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY SUBMITTED BY: HIPOLITO, KRISTEL J. 10th century Year | Date | Event | 900 | | End of prehistory. Laguna Copperplate Inscription, the earliest known Philippine document, is written in the Manila area in Kawi script. | | | Rise of Indianized Kingdom of Tondo around Manila Bay. | 11th century Year | Date | Event | 1000 | | People from Southern Annam called Orang Dampuan establish trade zones in Sulu | 1001 | | Song Shih document records tributary delegation from the Buddhist Kingdom of Butuan on 17 March. | 12th century Year | Date | Event | 1175 | | Kingdom of Namayan reaches its peak. | 13th century Year | Date | Event | 1240 | | Tuan Masha'ika, an Arab, travels and introduces Islam to Sulu. | 14th century Year | Date | Event | 1380 | | Karim Al-Makhdum arrives in Jolo and builds a Mosque. | 1400 | | Birth of the Baybayin, Hanunoo, Tagbanwa, and Buhid scripts from Brahmi. | 15th century Year | Date | Event | 1457 | | Sultanate of Sulu founded by Sharif Al-Hashim.[1] | 16th century Year | Date | Event | 1500 | | Rise of Kingdom of Maynila under the Bolkiah dynasty | 1521 | 16 March | Ferdinand Magellan lands on Homonhon with three small ships, named the Concepcion, Trinidad and Victoria. Magellan calls the place the Arcigelago de San Lazaro since March 16 is the feast day of Saint Lazarus | | 28 March | Magellan reaches the Philippines | | 29 March | Blood Compact between Magellan and Rajah...
Words: 6914 - Pages: 28
...February 14th, 2013 : Armed intruders claim to be followers of Sulu Sultan * A group of armed intruders who claimed as the followers of the decedent of the Sultan Sulu have landed in Lahad Datu. * The police have warded and surrounded the area to control the incident. Situation in Lahad Datu under control – Hishammuddin * By the police resource, there is about more than 100 of armed group that suspects as the militant have landed in Lahad Datu. * The situation is still under control and inspection by the police and armed forces as they are negotiating with the intruder’s claims. * Datuk Hishammudin also urged the publics to not worried and makes any speculation regarding to the issue. February 15th, 2013 : Still a stand-off at Tambisan; security personnel on full alert * The intruders is said to be holling up in surau at Kampung Tanduao which mainly localized by Filipinos. * The intruders want to stay in Sabah and do not want to be deported to the Philippines. But they are still confined with tight security by Malaysian army, navy and police. * The villagers nearby in Kampung Tambisan claimed that the intruders were arrived with three boats landed in Silabukan and Sungei Merah that close to Kampung Tanduao. The villagers also said that they were unaffected by the incident and confident with tight security are able to ensure security. * A group of 30 gunmen armed with M16 rifles had entered Kampung Tanduao in Felda Sahabat 20 scheme and...
Words: 9214 - Pages: 37
...THE 2015 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS TECHNICAL REPORT Prepared by: The Office of the President of the Philippines TABLE OF CONTENTS TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE, AND PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE 1. Institutionalized Public Accountability .............................................................. 1 2. Upheld Transparency and Citizen Engagement in Government .................... 11 RAPID, INCLUSIVE, AND SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH 1. Sustained Strong and Broad-Based Economic Growth ................................. 14 2. Increased Opportunities for Employment and Economic Activity .................. 24 POVERTY REDUCTION AND EMPOWERMENT OF THE POOR AND VULNERABLE 1. Invested in the Filipino Workforce for Decent and Productive Work .............. 44 2. Sustained Equitable Access to Affordable and Quality Health Care .............. 50 3. Empowered the Poor and Marginalized towards Self-Reliance ..................... 56 JUST AND LASTING PEACE AND THE RULE OF LAW 1. Protected our National Territory and Boundaries........................................... 61 2. Ensured Public Order and Safety .................................................................. 64 3. Pursued Efforts for Peace and Development in Mindanao ............................ 68 4. Advanced and Protected Human Rights ........................................................ 71 5. Reformed the Justice Sector ......................................................................... 76 INTEGRITY...
Words: 48288 - Pages: 194
...THE EC-PHILIPPINES STRATEGY PAPER 2007-2013 i TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................................... iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................... 7 1. COUNTRY ANALYSIS ............................................................................................ 9 1.1. Analysis of the political situation...................................................................... 9 1.2. Analysis of the economic situation.................................................................. 11 1.3. Trade structure ................................................................................................ 13 1.4. Analysis of social developments...................................................................... 14 1.5. Analysis of the environmental situation......................................................... 16 2. THE PHILIPPINES’ POLICY AGENDA ............................................................ 17 2.1. The Medium Term Philippine Development Plan ........................................ 17 2.2. Assessing the reform process .......................................................................... 17 2.3. Cross-cutting issues: human rights, gender, governance ............................. 19 3. OVERVIEW OF PAST AND ONGOING EC COOPERATION, COORDINATION AND COHERENCE ........................................
Words: 26770 - Pages: 108
