Top Muslim and Christian Mindanao leaders belonging to various political blocs yesterday called for a respite in the protracted political intramurals between anti- and pro-administration quarters in view of the coming Yuletide season and in reflection of the teachings made during the recent Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
Seven provincial governors, 13 congressmen, and 60 mayors in the four southern administrative regions and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) expressed a common belief that demonstrations in Metro Manila are affecting the whole country, including Mindanao, the perennial "Land of Promise."
Christian Mindanao leaders, with differing party affiliations, said the recent call of Malacañang for momentary political respite is "worth heeding" because the majority of Filipinos "deserve to enjoy even temporary peace of mind" during the rest of the current year, especially during the Yuletide season.
Malacañang, through Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, called last week for a respite in the current intramurals among political quarters and other sectors so that the public can observe a peaceful and meaningful celebration of the Christmas season.
But Christian leaders from the south said a political respite is "possible" only if officials and spokesmen of administration and opposition parties, including leftist and rightist groups, would "shut up momentarily."
Their Muslim counterparts said their communities have been "silently suffering" from the divivisive effects of the "Metro Manila brouhaha."
But ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan said if all people would abide by the teachings of Islam, notably those espoused during Ramadan, tranquility and harmony would prevail everywhere.
"Islam teaches every Muslim to sow faith where there is doubt, love where there is hatred, pardon where there is injury, mercy where there is selfishness, joy where there is pain, and peace where there is discord," Ampatuan said.
Lanao del Sur Gov. Bashier Manalao, a charismatic Islamic theologian, shared Ampatuan’s observation, saying he would also like to extend his "hands for unity and reconciliation" to all sectors, especially to his political adversaries.
The vice governor and the 11 Sangguniang Panlalawigan members of Lanao del Sur have filed administrative charges against Manalao, prompting the office of the Deputy Ombudsman to order a six-month preventive suspension against Manalao last Oct. 5.
But on Manalao’s motion, the Court of Appeals issued an order for the observance of a "status quo" in his favor pending hearings on a petition for a temporary restraining order against the suspension ruling.
Last Nov. 11, Deputy OmbudsmanVictor Fernandez also amended his Oct. 5 joint order by holding in abeyance the implementation of the preventive suspension of Manalao pending determination of which body should implement the sanction, said lawyer Sumdad Dalidig, a legal counsel of the governor.
Lawmakers seek for political truce until next June
Lawmakers urged yesterday all political and national leaders to observe a moratorium on excessive politicking until June next year so the country could build on its current economic gains.
Lakas-CMD Reps. Eduardo Zialcita (Lakas, Parañaque) and Joel Mayo Almario (Davao Oriental) led their colleagues in calling for the adoption of a common national development agenda and the shelving of destabilization attempts as well as political intramurals until next June.
The House members said a political ceasefire is practical. Anyway, opposition members could file a new impeachment case against President Arroyo in June next year if her administration does not deliver on its promises or if they feel they have a strong case against the President, they said.
Zialcita, chair of the House committee on housing and urban development, urged everyone from the House, Senate, and the Executive department to focus their energies on passing the P1.05 trillion proposed national budget for 2006.
"There should be a concerted effort to raise more revenues to rein in the budget deficit and provide more and better basic services, cut graft and corruption by filing and expediting cases versus big fish. In tandem, we should also work hard and in united fashion to conclude the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and leftist insurgents, materialize the opening of the NAIA 3 and speeding up of the North rail project and other pending crucial infrastructure projects," Zialcita said.
Almario, chair of the House committee on games and amusements, said a seven-month political ceasefire would allow the government to accomplish crucial tasks. "If the executive and legislative are united, then the common goal to improve the lives of all Filipinos regardless of their political leaning, religion or locality becomes achievable. After all, this is what people expect and demand from their elected and appointive leaders," said Almario.
Almario said the common national agenda should also include a united effort to prevent and contain a possible bird flu entry, boost agricultural production, attract and sign more investment deals especially on basic infrastructures like power, transport and communications and in foreign exchange-earning enterprises, cut red tape for new businesses, and promote tourism to generate more activity and foreign exchange earnings other than the remittances sent by overseas Filipino workers.
Equally important, Almario said, are the efforts to finalize the Charter change model to give the best chance for the country’s 21st century development with more social justice and equitable development for all Filipinos, and parallel developments to boost the administation of justice with the appointment of credible personalities to be the new Ombudsman, Chief Justice, and other Court of Appeals and Supreme Court officials.
"A political ceasefire may sound like wishful thinking. But if we only give it a try, certainly we can achieve more than the present environment of political confrontation," said Almario.
