SC wants GRP panel to justify draft domain agreement with MILF

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court has given government peace negotiators until Monday noon to submit their comments defending an agreement on ancestral domain with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In a radio interview, North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol disclosed this Monday, as he voiced optimism the High Court's quick action may yet prevent Tuesday's signing of the deal in Malaysia. "We filed our petition last week and today at 12 noon binigyan ang GRP panel to submit their comments. Right now we are happy a lot of people are seeing things our way (We filed our petition last week and the high court has given the GRP panel until noon today to submit their comments. We are also happy many people are seeing things our way)," Piñol said in an interview on dwIZ radio. Last week, Piñol questioned the deal before the High Court, saying there was a lack of consultation with residents of the areas to be covered by the "ancestral domain." Piñol said he asked the High Court to compel the government to explain the contents of the agreement, and defer the signing of the agreement on Tuesday while the explanation is "pending." "The good thing is, mabilis din ang Korte Suprema (The good thing is that the Supreme Court acted quickly)," Piñol said, adding that he is optimistic the High Court will act quickly enough to issue a temporary restraining order against the signing of the agreement. "Under our Constitution kaming mamamayan may karapatan to information (Under our Constitution the people have a right to information). Nothing should be kept secret from us," he added. Piñol said they have yet to get an assurance from the MILF that after it has been given so much concessions, "walang panibagong grupong sisibol pa at maguumpisa ng kaguluhan (there will be no new group that will come out and wreak havoc)." "Di dahil pangulo o mataas na opisyal they can decide for us (Just because you are a president or high official does not mean you can decide arbitrarily)," Piñol said. - GMANews.TV