Senators welcome SC decision on MOA-AD

MANILA, Philippines - Crossing party lines, six senators welcomed on Tuesday the Supreme Court's decision declaring the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) between the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as unconstitutional. Senator Manuel Roxas II, one of those who questioned the legality of the agreement, congratulated the High Tribunal for "slamming door on politics of adventurism, for rejecting partition of the country and backdoor Charter change." Roxas added the Supreme Court has shown the government that the approach of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's "I will do what I want, go to court if you don't agree" is foolish. "The government's irresponsible and cavalier attitude towards the law has cost nearly hundred lives lost and half million refugees," Roxas said in a text message to GMANews.TV. He believed the SC decision is the beginning of real peace in Mindanao based on truth and justice. "We must keep up the continuing fight for peace, justice and responsible governance," Roxas said. But he quickly stressed that the SC vote was close so the people should remain vigilant against manipulation by the Executive department. Senate Majority Leader Francis Panglinan shared the same views. Pangilinan said the public should remain vigilant as “a motion for reconsideration" can still over turn the decision. "While the Palace claims that the decision is moot and academic, the underlying message here is that we will not solve the problem in Mindanao if we will use tired methods. The only way to solve this problem is for both camps to show their good faith in such huge measures," he said. He added that the SC's verdict on this controversial peace pact should serve as a lesson to the government "that if you promise more than what is possible, that if you deal in secrecy, and that if you push for an agreement that is full of legal incongruities, then everything is bound to backfire." "Hindi lulusot ang palpak, kahit na ipilit," Pangilinan said. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr said it is a good thing that majority of the SC justices still call things as they are "without playing footsie to Malacanang power brokers who only see things of propaganda and material value to advance their stay in power." Senator Francis Escudero, for his part, expressed hope that with the SC decision, "the parameters for negotiating a peace agreement is now clear." On the other hand, Senator Panfilo Lacson said there could not have been another ruling. "Maliwanag naman kahit sa nag-aaral pa lang ng batas na talagang labag sa Constitution ang mga nilalaman ng MOA-AD (It is clear even to those studying law that the provisions of MOA AD is against the Constitution)," Lacson said. The senator said the next step is to hold accountable those who drafted the memorandum. But Senator Benigno Aquino III is wondering why it was a close decision when it is clear that the MOA is unconstitutional. "I understand it was a close decision. To my mind the MOA is clearly unconstitutional hence I wonder why it was a close decision," Aquino said. - with a report from Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV