MARAWI CITY (PIA) - The young members of the Bangsamoro Civil Society have called on leaders to set aside partisan politics and political interests and promote the interests of the Moro people instead. In a joint statement, the group expressed disappointment with the recent fighting over government positions stressing the negative impact of divisive politics. The group believes that the way forward is to focus efforts and work for the Moro people through "masuwara" or consensus-building, public-private partnership, and supporting a Moro agenda. "Unity and peace prompted us to write in public because we cannot remain silent in the presence of the deafening noise of politics brought about by the privilege speech of Representative Tupay Loong of Sulu questioning the process of appointment in the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)," the group said.
"While we support Loong's assertion for preferential appointments of Moros in the national government with recommendations from politicians as provided in the Organic Act creating the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), we are also aware that Muslim appointees in Cabinet must bear the trust and confidence of the President," the group also said. The said statement also reiterated that Moros with proven competence, education, merit, and experience should be appointed and that an Islamic leadership background is advantageous in the NCMF because of its administrative management in the conduct of religious obligations of Hajj (pilgrimage), and Umrah, among others.
They also believe that the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is ably administered by a secretary who has a strong background in civil society and a deep concern for Muslim Mindanao. And as an institution under the Office of the President, OPAPP should be given the same opportunity to recommend the said appointment in the NCMF. The group also welcomed the new appointment of the chairperson in the NCMF which completed the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) peace panel saying it is the last act to put the peace process in motion. They also hoped for the development of mechanisms for the consultation of Muslim Filipinos in the selection of the commissioners of the NCMF. The statement also demanded the ARMM government, the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) to attend to the pressing needs of the people and to address good governance, development and anti-corruption among other issues.
