MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles said Monday she remains hopeful the government's efforts in the negotiating table will soon bear fruit despite challenges in the peace process.

Deles said the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) are still on track despite the current obstacles.

“Discussions are still happening. We have issues on the tables, but neither has said no, tapos na ito (this is finished). Miracles will happen at the table,” she said.

“I persist in believing – that on the peace table are miracles waiting to happen,” she added.

Deles also thanked the public for its support to the government’s peace efforts, particularly in conflict areas where aid is needed the most.

Peace talks with the MILF and the CPP-NPA-NDF are currently being initiated by government peace panel chairmen Marvic Leonen and Alexander Padilla, in efforts of achieving lasting peace for the country.

Leonen, in a separate interview, affirmed that both parties are still committed to the process despite recent issues hounding the peace process. In fact, informal talks were recently held in Kuala Lumpur where both parties agreed to formally meet again “very soon,” he said.

“In spite of what has happened on the ground, both parties decided that it’s time to move forward on the substantive agenda,” Leonen said.

Leonen also clarified some issues particularly on the P5-million funding assistance given to the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI), a training center whose establishment has been agreed by the government and the MILF during the 10th formal exploratory talks held in February, 2006 in Port Dickson, Malaysia.

On this, Leonen reiterated that the check, which was a commitment from the government to jumpstart the institute’s operations, was granted to the BLMI, not to the Moro group.

Commenting on Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr.’s plan to file an impeachment complaint against President Benigno Aquino III for allegedly violating the Constitution and betraying public funds by giving such amount to the MILF, Leonen said: “I’m not sure on what basis it is an impeachable offense, but it is something that the administration should be congratulated for because it is recognizing the need to capacitate Moros to become good leaders,” he said.

On the matter of MILF fugitive commander Dan Laksaw Asnawi, whom the MILF has refused to surrender to government authorities, Leonen declined to comment on the ongoing operations.

“We will leave the statement to the military. Suffice it to say, there is a difference in opinion between the government and the MILF.”

Asnawi is allegedly involved in the ambush and killing of 23 soldiers in Basilan in 2007.

“We have a warrant of arrest on Asnawi,” he continued. “But regarding the facts on the incident, dadaanin na lang natin sa (we will course them through the) CCCH.”

When asked if there is a possibility for peace talks to collapse should the MILF fail to surrender Asnawi, Leonen answered: “We will deal with it when it happens. I cannot speculate.”