The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) through Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghazali Jaafar on Tuesday welcomed the openness of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) in amending the 1987 Constitution to forge a peace agreement in the Mindanao peace process.

"We welcome the statement. It is a good development heading into the resumption of the peace talks, hopefully, after the Ramadan," said Jaafar, a former radio broadcaster.

Jaafar added that as far as the MILF is concerned, it's final that Malaysia remains the third-party facilitator.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile expressed support to Malacanang’s proposal to amend the 1987 Constitution saying a shift to federalism could finally help achieve sustainable peace in Mindanao.

Enrile said he believes a federal form of government, a proposal former Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. had pushed, would finally bolster peace for Muslim Filipinos in the South as it would give them autonomy.

“Yes. Give them the right to govern themselves, raise their own taxes, provided they are within or maintain the integrity of the country and under the sovereignty of the Republic,” Enrile said.

The senator added that under President Aquino’s administration, any talks of a term extension for the President would no longer be a major concern.

“Wala ng (There’d be no) term extension but a change in parliamentary form (form of government),” Enrile said.

“Those are the possibilities, but if you open the gates for Constitutional revision or amendment, anything can be introduced but it all depends on the temper of the country,” he added.

Earlier, the MILF expressed willingness to resume negotiations even during the Islamic month of fasting.

"That is what the government should do (agree and work for amending the Constitution)," the MILF leader said.