BANGSAMORO: a sigh of
relief but no real reason to be euphoric
The goal of the movement must have been lost in the mist of
time because after reading the framework, some call it a road-map to peace; I
realize that this is a win for the government and little for the movement but
on the whole; it is a win-win for all. We have finally brought sensible people to
negotiate in the real world; not bargain in the realms of dreams.
I am afraid though that when the euphoria have finally settle
down; those who fought so long and hard may find themselves sidelined by the
same political system they fought so hard to reform if not replace completely
but then; there is really no alternative. This is the best they can squeeze
from the government who have likewise given away as much as it can. There is no Utopian alternative to what the two sides have agreed to ink with their names
for posterity.
Those who fought long and hard will have to become astute politicians
to survive in a parliament where members are elected and whose majority block
then chooses a ‘prime minister’ and a figure-head ‘president’ as the case
maybe. The “Brotherhood” (Al Ikhwanun) of Egypt won a majority in parliament
because despite Hosni Mubarak; they remained a political force to reckon with
so that when Mubarak and his men fell; they are the ones that remain standing in the middle of the storm that swept Egypt’s political landscape.
MILF’s inexperience in the real world of politics is a plus
for the MNLF whose experience in the field far outweighs the MILF (my opinion).
Unless the MILF and the MNLF join political forces; they will be overwhelmed by
the same political “trapos” that in the end with their money and well grounded political
roots and tentacles will lord it over in the parliament.
With charter change still a burning issue in congress; the
BANGSAMORO federalized system of government will prove to be an experiment that
will determine the future of the Philippine’s upcoming CHA-CHA. If it works
well; people may vote in a plebiscite for charter change that will make P-Noy
the last president in the present scheme of things.
NLK
My dear Nosca, Your expressed thoughts once more reconfirms the oneness of our class as one of the same breed. Just to add to your ideas, from the crafting of the autonomous region charter to its form today in the organic act, everything looks like an "experiment" in many ways. A step to federalism will definitely be another huge experiment which only God knows its outcome for the Muslims. What happens in the ground is only a product of the degree of the sincerity and interests of the political honchos in Imperial Manila. However, those who represent the Muslims in the various 'dialogues' are rightly treading the path to be heard: whether it spells out success or failure. It is important that each one does his/her share of the responsibility that we will all be accountable for both in history and to our people without underscoring the Hereafter. I am watching and reading your blog. Kudos, Dr. Nonnie.
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