President Arroyo's formation of an all-Mindanaoan panel in the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was welcomed Thursday by the MILF, calling it a good start in Mrs. Arroyo’s last three months in Malacañang.

At the same time the Moro separatist group through Atty. Lanang Ali, a long time peace negotiator, expressed reservation on the peace team of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines's (GRP) ability to push for a successful conclusion of the 133-year-old Mindanao negotiations.

The GRP panel is composed of individuals who all hail from Mindanao such as Ambassador Rafael Seguis, chairman, and members Secretary Nasser Pangadamen, Dr. Ronald Adamat, Dr. Grace Jimeno Rebollos, and Atty. Antonio La Vina.

Seguis comes from San Francisco, Anao-on, Surigao del Norte; Pangandaman is a native of Masiu, Lanao del Sur; Adamat is from North Upi, Maguindanao; Rebollos from Zamboanga City; and La Vina hails from Cagayan de Oro City.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID) headed by lead convenor Amina Rasul Bernardo also welcomed the entry of Rebollos and La Vina into the GRP panel as a boost to the Mindanao quest for peace.

"While we hold no illusion that a peace agreement will be finalized before the May elections, PCID holds the view that the discussions must continue. Peace negotiators and the various peace stakeholders must continue the process of searching for a solution to the problem of conflict in the southern Philippines," the PCID said.

Last March 19, Arroyo named Rebollos, and La Vina, to the GRP panel to complete the five-man team.