Interfaith group for peace agenda

MANILA, Philippines - Amid controversies hounding a proposed territory pact with Moro rebels, Malacañang Sunday announced it is considering an interfaith group to spearhead peace efforts in Mindanao. "The Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) an interfaith group composed of bishops and ulamas [Islamic scholars] in Mindanao, is being considered to lead civil society to see through efforts to bring peace in Mindanao," said Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza in a statement. "[Davao] Archbishop Fernando Capalla, one of the convenors of the BUC, said that they are among its leaders and members to take on this role." The announcement came after Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr. said the government is open to renegotiating the controversial agreement on ancestral domain with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which had been hit by some Supreme Court Justices last Friday for its supposed constitutional flaws. It remains uncertain, however, if the naming of the BUC is being groomed as an alternative to the much-criticized agreement, which was supposed to lead to a final peace deal with Muslim rebels but ironically triggered armed encounters recently. Mr. Dureza was not available to elaborate on Sunday. In the same statement, Mr. Dureza said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had requested the BUC to look into peace efforts to ensure that all stakeholders will be given the chance to air their views. As this developed, Mrs. Arroyo has designated the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) System as a means to address regional concerns. The directive is embodied in Administrative Order 234 signed by the President on Aug. 4. The CORD will identify and report regional concerns and discuss with stakeholders ways to address them. The CORD is a Cabinet member who is assigned, in addition to his higher duties, to discharge functions and duties related to regional development. - BusinessWorld