Two petitions filed vs. peace agreement

Two petitions were filed yesterday at the Supreme Court assailing the constitutionality of a framework agreement that will create a Bangsamoro political entity.

The agreement was signed by government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last October 15.

The petitions were filed by perennial presidential candidate Elly Pamatong and a group calling itself the International Ministries for Perfection and Party Against Communism and Terrorism Inc. (IMPPACT).

They named as respondents President Aquino and former GRP chief negotiator Marvic Leonen, who is now a justice of the high court.

Leonen may have to inhibit from participating in the case.

Also named respondents were Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, and members of the government panel in peace talks with the MILF.

In his 22-page petition, Pamatong also asked the high court to compel Aquino and Leonen to explain why they consented to the negotiation of the framework agreement in an “enemy territory” and why the date for the signing of the accord was set or timed during a political season.

Pamatong also questioned the venue of the exploratory talks conducted by the government and MILF panels, Malaysia, which he said is not a neutral party because of its claims over Sabah which the Philippines also claims.

He said the framework agreement is substantially the same as the 2008 Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain entered by the previous administration also with the MILF. The MOA-AD was stuck down by the SC for being unconstitutional.

He also said agreement is a “unilateral abrogation” of the Tripoli Agreement among the Philippine government, the Moro National Liberation Front, and the Organization of Islamic Conference.

IMPPACT, which claims to lead Davao-based church organizations, said the agreement violates the constitutional provision on the “territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic” which it said are provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays. [More]

SOURCE:

Malaya