The election season is in full swing in the Philippines. And several among the candidates come from the same families which have been in Philippine politics since the American colonial period.
Here’s a quick look from UP sa Halalan 2013 on how these dynasties have flourished through the years and how much influence they have over the country.
Imagine that… Just 250 families dominating national and local politics in a country of about 100 million people.
Manila, Philippines (December 14, 1897) - And peace has been restored at last. Filipino revolutionary leader Emilio Aguinaldo signed a peace agreement with Governor-General Fernando Primo de Rivera on Friday at Biak-na-Bato, San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan.
Under the agreement, the Filipino…
The Diario is back! And it is reporting on the peace agreement signed between Aguinaldo and Primo de Rivera. Of course, in our history books, this is known as the Pact of Biak-na-Bato.
Join the Diario in covering what might be the end of hostilities between the Filipino revolutionaries and Spanish forces (or not).
If you’re not yet following the Diario de Filipinas, we suggest you do and if you’re on Twitter, you can follow the @diariofilipinas there too.
President Benigno S. Aquino III (right) receives the Gong of Peace from Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim (center) at the Palace Music Room. With the MILF Chairman was MILF Peace Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal.
MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim met with President Aquino before the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro this afternoon, a landmark in the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (Photo by Malacañang Photo Bureau)
Learn more about the Framework Agreement here: http://www.gov.ph/the-2012-framework-agreement-on-the-bangsamoro/
“Assalamu alaikum wahrahmatullahi wa barakatu.” The peace, blessings, and mercy of the Almighty be unto you - a phrase I often hear then from radio anchors on early morning shows in Mindanao. And a phrase which captures the essence of the historic moment in Malacanang.
May the Framework Agreement usher in a just and enduring peace in Mindanao.
Kalinaw Mindanao.
By Raïssa Robles
The Constitution has long been used as a reason for not granting Muslims widespread powers. During the administration of Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos, government peace negotiators told Muslim rebels that the charter would have to be amended for their wishes to be granted. And then they would add that it was next to impossible to amend it.
I used to think the 1987 Constitution had to be amended in order to let our brother and sister Muslims exercise autonomy and their right to self-determination.
Not anymore.
I realized one day, while reading the Constitution, that the problem is with Congress, not with the charter.
The Organic Act for the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is the way it is because our lawmakers chose to drastically limit the Muslim autonomy laid out in the 1987 Constitution: First on August 1, 1989 through the enactment of Republic Act No. 6734 or the Organic Act; then it further watered this down in 2001 by enacting RA 9054 or the amended Organic Act.
The 1987 Constitution in fact provides genuine autonomy.
Another insightful read by veteran journalist Raissa Robles.
Coming from Mindanao, I do think that enough blood has been spilled over the centuries. And history has shown that despite the use of arms, the conflict remains unresolved.
It is evident that use of violence to preserve the integrity of the country or to advance the rights of a discriminated people, does not resolve the differences of two people separated by a colonial past in tradition and religion.
It is high time that peace built on just terms be made.
Kalinaw Mindanao.
