Govt won’t rush to form panel for talks with NDF

Malacañang on Saturday hinted it may not be in a position to make public its peace negotiators who will deal with leftist groups before President Benigno Aquino III’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26. Presidential peace process adviser Teresita Deles said the government cannot afford to make haste in preparing to talk peace with the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF). “Kinakausap ko ang nanomina ng iba’t ibang sector na maaring magandang umupo sa panel.... Inaasahan din natin siguro bago matapos ang buwan na ito mabuo ang panel (I am still speaking to some nominees to the panel. I expect we can complete the group before the end of July)," she said on government-run dzRB radio. But when asked if the panel can be completed before Aquino delivers his first SONA on July 26, Deles said it may be a tall order of sorts. “Isang linggo na lang yan. Sinisikap natin pero mas mabuti na di natin madaliin kung di pa handa (That’s just one week away. We are trying to complete the panel soonest but it is best we do not make haste)," she said. “But the public can rest assured we are doing our best to come up with the panel soonest," she added. Nearly one month after its inauguration, President Aquino has yet to name the head of the negotiating panel to talk with CPP-NDF. Earlier this week, Malacañang named University of the Philippines College of Law dean Marvic Leonen as head of the panel that will deal with the MILF. Deles also said the Palace expects to complete before end-July the government peace panel dealing with the MILF. — LBG, GMANews.TV