SECRETARIES Ging Deles (left), Presidential Peace Adviser, and Edwin Lacierda (center), Presidential Spokesperson, present the new chair of the government peace panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Atty. Marvic Leonen (right), dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law, during a press briefing at Malacañang Palace on Thursday, 15 July 2010. (Click photos here and below for higher resolution)

MANILA – Putting the peace negotiations back on track, President Benigno Aquino III has named the chair of the newly-reconstituted government peace panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“I have taken a constitutional oath to ‘do justice for all.’  I intend to do just that.  I am aware of our history, our different cultures and the many just aspirations of our peoples.  Therefore, I have asked the current Dean of the UP College of Law, Dean Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, who understands what this may mean, to facilitate the discussions with the MILF and to chair the government’s negotiating panel,” the President said in a statement read by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda during a press briefing at Malacañang Palace on Thursday.

Further, he stated that he has directed the new panel to revisit past agreements and recommend how to move forward with the peace talks mindful of the limitations both parties have to deal with.

“I view the negotiations as a dialogue to ensure that we can fully apprehend the problem and provide lasting solutions,” President Aquino said, stressing that the government will learn from the past mistakes “by ensuring that consultations be done at the soonest and most appropriate time” with all stakeholders.

“This includes not only the peoples in Mindanao but also the local governments involved, the legislature and those who keep watch over the pronouncements of our Supreme Court,” he added.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Q. Deles, who was also present in the briefing, said the designation of Leonen is an advancement of “the process of picking up the pieces of a tattered peace process and resuming the quest for a just peace for the peoples of Mindanao.”

“He (Leonen) brings to this critical task a varied and rich experience and expertise in advancing people’s rights, having worked on various concerns ranging from agrarian reform, access to justice, ancestral domain, health, environment, international economic law to the Mindanao question,” Deles stated.

A constitutional expert, Leonen has substantial experience on addressing land tenure issues.

In his efforts to promote peace, he recently took part in convening a consortium of universities, many of which come from Mindanao, to examine the next phase of the peace process under a new administration.

Deles related that Leonen has worked with civil society and engaged all branches of government, including local governments. 

“In the rigor and dedication of his efforts to bring a just resolution to issues faced especially by marginalized sectors and communities, he has earned the respect of the peoples in Mindanao,” she said.

Meanwhile, MILF information chief Mohagher Iqbal, in an interview on ANC’s On the Scene, stated that they welcome Leonen’s designation as chief negotiator.

He said that Leonen is suitable for the job since he has extensive knowledge on issues such as indigenous peoples’ rights and ancestral domain.

Earlier, Deles identified several measures that need to be addressed in the meantime.

These include the reaffirmation of ceasefire with the MILF and beefing up of the ceasefire mechanisms to resolve flashpoint issues on the ground to set the right environment for the resumption of peace talks

“We also need to look into the plight of our displaced communities, particularly in Mindanao, as well as convene a multi-sectoral mechanism to generate public consensus in the peace process,” Deles added.