I had second thoughts about writing anything even loosely related to the BJE MOA-AD for fear of making a mistake on writing a take on a very critical issue that’s been in existence for as long as I can remember, four decades — so the reports say. Aside from the fact that this is all too complicated to research on, much less write about, the issue of peace in Mindanao and the many factors surrounding it is too sensitive an issue to even put into writing, if only for the fact that everything that ultimately requires “peace” is most of the time — an uphill battle — and many a writer wouldn’t want to get caught in the crossfire. Now, I’m no politician. I have no degree in Political Science. I’m no political analyst. So, yes, I probably don’t have the Continue Reading

This is in response to Patricio Mangubat‘s article “On The Bangsamoro Question” over at Filipino Voices.com. This was intended to be a comment on that article as well as a response to the other commenters. While I was writing the comment though, it turned out longer than I expected it. And because I didn’t want to appear as if I am writing a post there, I decided to write an entire post about it here on my blog. This is a preserved/unedited version of it. Here it is: Continue Reading

So, it’s not a “done deal” yet — insofar as the government is concerned, although the MILF Vice-chair for Political Affairs claims otherwise. Presidential Peace Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. even calls it a mere “meeting of minds” and “initialing of documents” so as to preserve its authenticity.

Oral arguments in the Supreme Court are scheduled on August 15, Friday. The BJE MOA is expected to be staunchly defended by Rodolfo Garcia, chair of the government panel. Continue Reading