The Sultan Sa Ramain speaks, 1934

August 8, 2008 by mlq3
Filed under Daily Dose

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I have been working on 20 Speeches That Moved a Nation Volume II for some years now, and one of the speeches I decided to include was this one, taken from the Constitutional Convention records. It was delivered by Alaoya Alonto, the Sultan Sa Ramain, convention delegate representing Lanao. By way of putting the speech in its historical context, here is an extract from a paper by Rizal G. Buendia:

In the 1934 Constitutional Convention that framed the 1935 PhilippineConstitution (used as the fundamental law of the Commonwealth and 1946 Government of the Republic of the Philippines [GRP]), several elected Muslim Constitutional delegates, led by Alauya Alonto, called upon their fellow delegates not only to cease calling Muslims Moros but also to accept Muslims as part of the Filipino nation.

This turn of events is a classic case of shifting self-definition, attaching new value and meaning to oneâ€™s identity in the prospect of advancing its political interestsand exigencies of power within the parameters of a newfound state. This is a clear case wherein ethnic identity is simply not fixed but malleable and shaped by oneâ€™s interest in preserving power and access to resources as expounded by instrumentalists Brass and Cohen.

What deepened in almost two decades from the 1950s was the ethnic self-recognition of the masses as Filipino-Muslims (foremost as a Filipino and second, as a Muslim). The legitimacy of the Philippine state to govern the Muslim areas of thecountry was neither questioned nor challenged by any of the Muslim elite. The emergence of new intellectuals and counter-elite among the Muslims and the political events that transpired in the late 1960s until the early 1970s triggered the re-invention of Muslim identity. The massacre of about 28 Muslim military trainees (called â€˜Jabidah commandosâ€™) on Corregidor Island in March 1968 rekindled the quest of Muslims for independence, almost 50 years after it was first clamored for inthe 1920s.

Here is the speech:

SPEECH OF MR. ALONTO ON THE PROBLEMS OF MINDANAO

(Interpreted from Moro to English by Datu Mariaga Sa Ramain Alonto)

Constitutional Convention Record, Journal No. 18, August 21, 1934.

MR. ALONTO. Being one of the elected Delegates from the Province of Lanao, which I have the honor to represent in this Convention, I appear before you in a mood of enthusiasm to present to you the problems that confront the people of Mindanao and Sulu. You are aware of the fact that I am a Mohammedan by birth and by blood, that I am one of the Delegates representing one of the provinces in the Islands of Mindanao and Sulu. The Island of Luzon and the Visayas are predominantly inhabited by Christian Filipinos, the Islands of Mindanao and Sulu are also inhabited by Christian Filipinos. Mindanao, one of the three islands, is inhabited by Mohammedan Filipinos.

Prior to the Spanish regime in the Philippines the Mohammedan Filipinos had been living a life in an independent way. They had their own activities and civilization, the so-called Mohammedan civilization. History tells us that Spaniards failed to penetrate their civilization in that part of the Philippine Islands because the Mohammedan Filipinos refused to fly the Spanish flag in their midst. The Mohammedan Filipinos fought against the Spaniards, brandishing their bolos and kampilanes. Also it is to be regretted that the people of Luzon and the Visayas had been subjugated by Spaniards, but in the Islands of Mindanao and Sulu the people resisted until the Spanish regime in the Islands was ended. Although there has been propaganda that Mohammedans are against the independence of our country, during the Spanish regime they also demonstrated their love for liberty because some of the sons of Mindanao and Sulu died for no other cause than the immortal glory of our country. Now came the American regime. You are aware of the facts of history of the Moroland under the American and Filipino governments. Due to the diplomacy and farsightedness of the American people they adopted the policy of attraction and won the confidence of the Mohammedan Filipinos. The Americans came to our shores with a promise that as soon as we are able to maintain self-government they will grant us independence. This is manifested by the approval of the Tydings-McDuffie Law which grants our cherished dream to be free and independent.

I wish to bring to the attention of the Members of this Convention as representatives of the Filipino people that the Mohammedan Filipinos have been protesting against the name â€œMoroâ€. We do not like to be called â€œMoroâ€ because when we are called â€œMorosâ€ we feel that we are not considered as part of the Filipino people. You als know that the name Moro was given to us by the Spaniards because Morocco had been under the rule of Spain like Mindanao and Sulu. Therefore, I would like to tell the Members of this Convention that we prefer to be called Mohammedan Filipinos, and not â€œMorosâ€ because if we are called Moros we will be considered as enemies, for the name â€œMoroâ€ was given to us by the Spaniards because they failed to penetrate the Islands of Mindanao and Sulu. Another fallacious theory that I would like to invite your attention to is the impression that the Moros are warlike marauding criminals branded as â€œjuramentadosâ€. That is not true, my friends. In the Islands of Mindanao and Sulu there are many Christian inhabitants and they can get along all right with the Mohammedan Filipinos. It is natural that even among brothers, there is a quarrel; so, how much more among people? I would like to call your attention to the fact that we expect much from the Members of this Constitutional Convention; that the customs and traditions of the Mohammedans are granted to them by the present government should not be ignored to them by the Members of this convention. Religion does not in any way bar us from joining one another, for anybody can profess any religion he wishes to. It is true that the men assembled in this historic hall are going to draft the Constitution for the future Philippine Republic and it is true that the Constitution to be drafted is not to last for only one year but for all ages; and upon us rests the serious responsibility to give to our beloved country an enduring constitutional foundation in this period of transition. The Constitution to be drafted must not only be for the satisfaction of a tribe or of a particular group of people but must be for the satisfaction of the while Filipino people.

I also demand the permanent and final solution of the so-called â€œMoro problemâ€ which has been confronting the Filipino people time and again, and if we fail to solve this problem it will be interpreted that we are incapable of managing our local affairs. We also demand that the Mohammedan Filipinos be given equal rights in the Constitution, because, as it is now, we are not given equal rights. We can count by the tip of the fingers the Mohammedan Filipinos who are thinking whether or notâ€”now that our independence is being givenâ€”we shall be given more rights by our Christian brothers. It is a fact that in Luzon and the Visayas, you have good roads, good hospitals, good schools, etc., but in the Islands of Mindana and Sulu, my friends, there are no good roads, no good schools and hospitals. A beautiful Manila will not make a beautiful Philippines if Mindanao and Sulu are behind in improvements. To be frank with you, there was a time when not even a soul among the Mohammedan Filipinos was for the independence of our country. I was the only one who worked for the independence of our country, sacrificing everything, and I have never turned traitor to my country, because I believe that through independence the higher destinies of our people can be attained.

The Government has not been expending much money on the islands of Mindanao and Sulu, but if the Government will spend money on these islands, the returns will be great, because you are aware of the fact that the natural resources of Mindanao have not been developed; and if these natural resources are developed, they will be sufficient to support the whole Philippine Islands.

I am also, in behalf of Mindanao and Sulu, inviting our Christian brothers in Luzon and the Visayas to migrate to Mindanao and Sulu, if they have no lands of their own. In these most trying days in our history, we must advocate national unity among the Christian and the Mohammedan Filipinos, especially during the transition period, because if there is going to be trouble, that will be interpreted in America that we are not yet capable of independent existence.

However, I have faith and confidence in the Members of this Convention, because I know and I am certain that you will not ignore our rights, customs, practices and traditions. I know that you will work for the welfare not only of the Christian Filipinos, but also of the Mohammedan of Mindanao and Sulu.

I appeal to the Members of this Convention that if there is something to be incorporated in our proposed Constitution, like the customs, practices, rights and traditions of the Mohammedan Filipinos, I believe that we should be asked with respect to any changes regarding them.

Last week, my co-Delegate, Mr. Cabili, spoke about the extension of suffrage to Mindanao and Sulu. With respect to that, I think the Delegates representing Mindanao and Sulu should be asked as to whether complete suffrage should be extended to the people of Mindanao and Sulu.

You are aware of the fact that polygamy has been existing among the Mohammedan Filipinos because it has been sanctioned by our religion; that is, each man is allowed to marry four during abnormal times. I think when something is to be done with regards to the practice of polygamy among the Mohammedan Filipinos, i.e., if you are going to stop it, that needs and should be given serious deliberation by the Members of this Convention. I am also a Mohammedan like them, but allow me to tell you that I have only one wife, and if there is a way to abolish polygamy without encountering the contrary opinion of those people, I will be the first man to do it; but, my friends, we have to be patient and so we have to do it in a gradual way, step by step, because if we are going to surprise them by abolishing polygamy immediately, I am sure that there will be trouble among the Mohammedan Filipinos. Although there is nothing wrong with polygamy because, if polygamy is to be practiced as provided in the holy Koran of the Mohammedan Filipinos, it should only be permitted during abnormal conditions. Take for granted in time of war when there are so many women and so many men die, it is natural for a woman to crave for a companion. It is also a fact that although my Christian brothers do not practice polygamy, they have what they call the querida system and yet the law does not say anything about the querida system; hence, my friends, the law must not be sentimental. A Mohammedan can have four wives legally in accordance with Mohammedan rights but polygamy is only sanctioned by the Koran under certain conditions in the life of a man, as for example, a man marries a woman and she turns out to be not capable of bearing him a child. With the Mohammedans a man having a family without a child is like a man in the grave, and so it is natural for a man to marry another woman who will bear him such child.

Mr. President and Members of this Convention, I appeal to you again to reiterate once more that the final and permanent solution of the Moro problem must be made at last. More appropriations should be given to Mindanao and Sulu in order that they may have more schools to educate their children and that they may have good roads so that there will be easy transportation, and so that the Mohammedan Filipinos may go to Luzon and the Visayas and exchange ideas with their Christian brothers.

What we often forget is how relatively unpopulated the Philippines was at the time the Sultan Sa Ramain made his speech: 14 million (see historical demographical data of the whole country). tis is why he could invite Christians to settle in Mindanao and why tensions would reach crisis proportions in the 1960s, by which time the population was 31 million.
I’d like to propose that you consider the following maps.
The first is an ethnographic map, available at Virtual-Museum.com, based on the research of Ferdinand Blumentritt, the great and good friend of Rizal. It’s an ethnographic map, and note the distribution of the Moro population, marked in green (Christians are marked in pink; mixed Christian and Pagan populations, that is, areas with Christians but also the area inhabited by what we call Indigenous Peoples today, are marked in yellow.

Since the MILF agreement with the government basically establishes the end of the Spanish era and the American conquest as the timeline for defining the ancestral homeland of Filipino Muslims, it’s interesting to compare the Blumentritt map, with the proposed territorial expansion of the present ARMM.

As the Inquirer color-coded version of the official agreement map (below) shows, you must consider the maximum aims of the MILF to comprise three objectives:

First, the present ARMM (in red) as the nucleus of the BJE;

Second, the annexation, by means of plebiscite, of the areas marked in green, within 12 months or by August, 2009;

Third, the annexation, after suitable investments have been made by the national government, of the areas marked in yellow, within 25 years.

If I knew how to do overlays it would be interesting how the proposed BJE and what was mapped as Muslim territory in 1890 coincide or diverge -as well as the areas defined by the Supreme Court as IP areas.

Finally, here is a a map of ethnic groups per province, from Wikipedia, to compare to the 1890 Blumentritt map and the BJE map. You will see, immediately, why tensions have been caused by the proposed BJE.

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Comments

77 Comments on "The Sultan Sa Ramain speaks, 1934"

Lester Cavestany on Fri, 8th Aug 2008 1:53 pm

A much-needed blast from the past, so that we may all realize na iisang bangka tayo.

Eugene on Fri, 8th Aug 2008 2:12 pm

Very interesting speech. And very interesting maps. I think the Blumentritt map is out-of-copyright, right? If so, I think that map can be included in Wikipedia.

nash on Fri, 8th Aug 2008 3:48 pm

Sobra naman mag-multiply yang mga Cristiano…masyado silang prolific baby-makers!

Scary.

hvrds on Fri, 8th Aug 2008 3:57 pm

Upon achieving independence all the princely states in India and Pakistan joined the new nations and those that did not were simply annexed by the two nations divided by religion.

It is noteworthy that Pakistan divided by geography (West and East) later broke up into Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Pakistan a complete figment construct of some Ali Jinnah and his group will probably break up between Sindh/Punjab from the tribal areas which have more in common with Afghanistan. (The Pushtus or Pathans. )

Some of them with the other ethnic groups little changed since the time of Alexander.

BrianB on Fri, 8th Aug 2008 7:46 pm

Tausug ang may ari nang gustong angkinin nang MILF.

supremo on Fri, 8th Aug 2008 9:07 pm

‘Prof. Lingga, Executive Director of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, pointed out that it is important for the Bangsamoro to assert their right to self-determination â€œto determine their political status since their incorporation to the Philippine state was without their plebiscitary consentâ€.’

Since Alonto participated in the Constitutional Convention and the Filipino Muslims probably voted in the referendum that followed then Prof Lingga’s statement is not true.

iloilo city boy on Fri, 8th Aug 2008 11:24 pm

Fascinating speech. Is this the same Alonto who became a senator? I remember when I was growing up we referred to Filipino-Muslims as Moros and as a kid in the 1970s, I didn’t have any conception then that it was a derogatory word. It was just how the adults in our area referred to Muslims in general. Now, you can hardly hear anyone in Iloilo use that word.

I don’t get why the MILF insist on calling themselves the Bangsamoro people. I thought Muslims feel insulted and don’t like the word “Moro” because it’s degrading?

BrianB on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 5:16 am

Here’s something worth talking about: CERN scientists may create mini Big Bang and destroy earth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j50ZssEojtM

BrianB on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 5:27 am

Iloilo City Boy, it’s like a black man calling another black man the N word. Muslims can but Non-Muslims can’t. My two cents.

leytenian on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 7:01 am

Identity Crisis :
http://www.quezon.ph/1932/the-march-of-folly-in-mindanao/#comment-905515

BrianB on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 7:37 am

OMG!

http://imagechan.com/img/images/bath%20time.jpeg

mindanaoan on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 9:32 am

the predominant language in zamboanga del norte, zambo del sur and in lanao del norte is the same, yet it’s colored differently on the map. duh!

hvrds on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 11:27 am

Observers have commented that India has the most undemocratic peoples on the planet. Yet their government is bound by the votes cast in a free broad based electoral process.

That binds the state to representative democratic government.

Compare it to the theological state that is Pakistan. One man rule backed by the military for most of its existence.

Look at the situation in Muslim Mindanao. The tribal elders have been transformed into political warlords that found themselves dependent on a corrupt system of political patronage based on the number of votes they could deliver during national elections.

Sometimes they could even deliver votes after elections are over. Just ask Zubiri….

“A much-needed blast from the past, so that we may all realize na iisang bangka tayo.” confused pundit

Wala pa nga ang bangka. Kaya may gulo…. Self realization or self awareness cannot be imposed. It comes with time for a community to realize it.

Fore that to happen the community has to be vested with the land. They all have to be a part of it and have an interest in it. Then and only then will they defend it.

The Pinoy is individually and collectively lost because he has never had control or possession of his own land. (His own country)

You will not fight for what was never yours.

The so called Christians and so called Muslims are fighting for possession and control of land.

Kaya most of the Pinoys will fight, steal, lie and perhaps die to get a green card.

BrianB on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 11:42 am

hvrds,

That part of Mindanao has legitimate owners. These owners bought these lands from indigenous tribes or married into these tribes – married inheritors to get the land. All fair and square, by the book, unlike the occupants in Tarlac and Negros. I dunno why media do not give proper air time to these people. These areas the MILF are claiming are occupied by Christians – Christians are the majorty in this area, and unlike soldiers who sometimes are clueless when they go to mindanao and mis-informed (deliberately perhaps) by their commanders and therefore easily get killed by REBELS, these civilians know how to fight off invaders with minimal loss. All they need are guns and enough ammo.

WAN tester on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 12:16 pm

to BrianB: ang ibig mong sabihin, hindi totoo iyong sabi noong peace-panel na land-titles will be respected in the BJE?

BrianB on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 12:34 pm

Meaningless even if true. They can enforce their own land reforms or impose heavy land taxes and demand job quotas for Muslims.

hvrds on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 12:36 pm

“That part of Mindanao has legitimate owners. These owners bought these lands from indigenous tribes or married into these tribes – married inheritors to get the land. All fair and square, by the book, unlike the occupants in Tarlac and Negros.” clueless punditry?????

Possession and control of land is not to be equated with ownership at any level ……

No one has an absolute right of ownership….

The state allows usufruct rights for all based on a set parameter of rules and regulations.

The absolute right to own land was an old outdated concept under Roman law.

The state today reserves its right over absolute ownership of land within its boundaries.

In China under a leasehold system the state owns all the land.

The Philippines does not have a comprehensive land use policy.

Theoretically it is the state even under the freehold system that decides who is a legitimate title holder.

Ownership is another more complicated matter altogether.

It is also the state that decides which are alienable and inalienable rights.

The resolution of both systems of laws -Roman laws and Anglo Saxon Common law is a major challenge in the Philippine setting.

If they cannot be arbitrated peacefully then by historical precedent armed struggle becomes the only legitimate means for resolution of this very basic fundamental for struggle. It is not cultural but it is based on historical materialism.

You see it is the economy stupid……..

â€œBut in the present state of Europe, when small as well as great estates derive their security from the laws of their country, nothing can be more completely absurd. They are founded upon the most absurd of all suppositions, the supposition that every successive generation of men have not an equal right to the earth, and to all that it possesses, but that the property of the present generation should be restrained and regulated according to the fancy of those who died perhaps 500 years ago.â€ Adam Smith (the guy was no commie)

hvrds on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 12:44 pm

My personal belief in this MOA is simply this. The agreement will have to pass Congress and then a plebiscite. In the meantime the U.S. and other countries have promised aid.

Judging by past experiences there is money to be made once again.

A new set of political entrepreneurs will be created. I can almost see Dureza salivating.

The reason is plain and simple. The national government does not have viable development plans apart from Jollibee, casinos and call centers.

Mining and logging will further devastate what is left of Mindanao’s virgin areas.

This is about big money that has been committed.

WAN tester on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 1:02 pm

hvrds: Not relevant the phrase “â€œBut in the present state of Europe… blah-blah-blah

the issue is land ownership in Pinas, not Europe nor China. In particular, the issue is bangsamoro-kuno BJE land-grab (for which you do not seem to know any details), .

Kutkkut on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 5:48 pm

Who wants land? All want land. Give everyone his own residential lot for his home free in any place of his choice. It will go back to the government upon his demise. Anyone who wants more? Let him rent all he can develop. Fair enough. So whats the fuss if we follow this scheme. Saves us a lot of wars and squabbles on land disputes. And there will be no more religious wars, just poligamy and queridas. That sounds better, eh? Priests can be democratic on that..

Non-biased on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 8:04 pm

An unfinished business….

The past is hunting the present, leaving only a greater question for the future to hopefully justify what will be decided today. We fooled ourselves that time will remedy itself with silence, covering the unresolved issues with a mantle hoping that after enjoying the food and the banquet, people will forget the dirt that was hidden covered below the linens. Little did we know, through time, it harbored bacteria and time will only tell when it will surface to contaminate and poison our food.

We cannot deny that our Mohammedan brothers have existed long before the great conversion took place. We cannot deny either, development of the present “argued” land are brought upon by the Christian settlers. Both sweat and blood of Christians and Muslims have settled deep into the soil of Mindanao. Mixed to a point that not even a centrifuge could separate it.

Co-existence is not impossible. It does not literally mean that the only solution is to settle and to live together. But the deeper meaning of co-existence is to understand, respect, and to give what is due.

There is unrest between muslim tribes. Who is going to lead the so called ancestral land? Maguindanaoans doesn’t want the Tausugs nor the Maranao’s to rule over them. That holds true even if you turn the triangle to either side. If we mention about ancestral domains, who should or rightfully should claim between the 3 tribes? Should we revive and trace the ancestry of the “12 Bornean Tribe”? Who is rightul to claim the land? Surely not the MILF. ARMM is not even their labor. MNLF does not qualify either for the ancestral land. If we talk of ancestry, then it is only the right prerogative to dig the tomb of the “12 Bornean Datus”.

It is disheatening to see that the Arroyo government (may I stress “not the Philippine Government”) have been encouraging indifference and chaos in Mindanao. Promoting false hope to the blinded and deceived Muslim Filipinos. The Government who is empowered by the people “should” be an arbiter and not to use its authority to promote the interest of some individuals of great power. Working these issues in secrecy only unveils the ulterior motive of the Arroyo government.

Non-biased on Sat, 9th Aug 2008 8:04 pm

An unfinished business….

BrianB on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 2:44 am

“The absolute right to own land was an old outdated concept under Roman law.”

Point is, the Ilonggos can take arms too. If they respect the Muslims because they are willing to kill and be killed, then it only makes sense that they think about giving the quiet Ilonggos more respect. Honestly, we can take Metro Manila if we want.

BrianB on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 2:45 am

If no one respects the law then what’s stopping us from taking over everything?

hvrds on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 6:27 am

Yup, the Ilocano Liberation Movement, Illonggo Liberation Movement, Cebuano Liberation Movment, and the Tagalog Liberation Movment should all organize immediately.

That way you could gain beligerency status and gain recognition for the purpose of gaining aid.

But to get ther attention of the rich countries you have to crash your banka’s versus their warships. or somehow get their attention by declaring a holy war versus the English, French and German speaking peoples of the world.

Also you have to organize your own shaheeds.(martyrs)

Dialects or languages are the perfect thread to organize a people by. The term Al Qaeda literally means “the base.” Maybe the term “El Barrio” or its counterpart in the many dialects could serve as brand.

Just think of the support of all the Pinoys in the U.S. who speak or come from the provinces who are already organized abroad along the same lines.

Proof that we are a combination of nations already.

There is no ethnic identity of a Fil Am or Fil Euro. Abroad we are Ilocano, Illonggo, Cebuano etc.

Even the MILF and the MNLF are separate tribes. So separate nations.

Hint for the organizers. You could already set up your customs zones. May kita diyan.

If needed I could give you a list of private bankers (very discreet) where you could deposit your earnings.

BrianB on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 7:28 am

No, think about warfare with everything to gain. The entire archipelago. We’re too many anyway.

BrianB on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 7:30 am

There has to be an end to all of this, a light t the end of this crazy, irrational tunnel. Even if it means the worst, we’ll have to get there.

Kutkkut on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 7:32 am

Copied this one from the other blogs with minor edtition..
Sa totoo lang wala pa tayong masabing territory. Our territorial limits is not yet recognized by the United Nations. We are even in a quandary where to find our own land. It could be that what the MILF ancestral land claim is very valid. It may not be a part yet of the Philippines undecided territory. What was sold for $20,000,000 were Spanish undisputed occupied territories that did not include Mindanao and Sabah.

BrianB on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 7:48 am

Just the utter stupidity of this MOA for the Bangsamoro. When does it fucking stop. From broken promises, lying directly to our faces, cheating (caught in the act, with tape) to the ZTE to this massively fucking piece of disrespect. I understand that the politicians and powerful businessmen do not have relatives in that part of Mindanao, that is why they feel nothing but apathy about the development. But what about our government as an entity? Jesus Fucking H Christ. It’s i-fucking-logical, know what I mean. What if me and a thousand other folks take up arms and demand something from you, say the entire Forbes Park and a couple of decent-size malls. Say, we are an unstoppable force, killable but unsnuffable… just like these clueless rats that call themselves Bangsamoro? Would you fucking give in? Now people have to pack up and leave the area. What if I threw some of you out of your apartments and houses? I can do that. Just email me your address and I’ll drive by ASAP and show you what respect means. This is all fucked up.

BrianB on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 8:07 am

hvrds,

If what you’re saying is true: Our leaders hate us. They despise this country.

BrianB on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 8:09 am

kutkut, katangahan. Hindi UN ang gumagawa nang territorial boundaries. At kung di sa Pinas yan eh walang karapatan ibigay nang gubyerno sa mga MILF. Diba?

BrianB on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 8:27 am

Another illogical tripe, this time from the Inquirer:

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/editorial/view/20080809-153677/Last-bulwark

The writer thinks the SC is a scale weighing in Foreign expectations and the constitutionality of the deal. Utter rubbish. SC is not a thinking body but an interpretive body. It has no choice but to uphold the constitution.

“In a word: since no one, including the nations of the world, cares for our Constitution, then it remains for our Supreme Court to decide the matter with true integrity and the utmost fidelity to constitutional precepts. As Jose P. Laurel famously declared, â€œNo one can love the Filipinos better than the Filipinos themselves.â€

OPINIONs like this make my hair stand on end. You’re again putting the entire burden on the SC. What if, for some freaky reason, the SC decides to be unconstitutional, what then?

pushprojectileagainstpropellant on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 8:40 am

Salman Rushdie’s “Satanic Verses” read it and laugh…

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/anglophone/satanic_verses/svnotes.pdf

pushprojectileagainstpropellant on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 8:45 am

BrianB,

The SC will never decide to be unconstitutional, as lawyers are taught, they will find a law, a loophole, a provision, if not make one, to justify as “legal” whatever their puppet master tells them to do.
What we have is legalized dictatorship, something new perhaps, but nevertheless very real. KILL ALL LAWYERS!!!

WAN tester on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 9:00 am

push-propel: Had you read the Constitution, you would have known that

If the current members of the Supreme Court do some thing illegal or, shudder…. unconstitutional, then, by the Constitution, one or all of them can be impeached.

BrianB on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 9:55 am

The point is that the Inquirer states it that way, that it’s actually a hold-your-breath scenario, which isn’t.

supremo on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 10:18 am

‘Section 5. Before they enter on the execution of their office, the President, the Vice-President, or the Acting President shall take the following oath or affirmation:

“I do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President [or Vice-President or Acting President] of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God.” [In case of affirmation, last sentence will be omitted]. ‘

It’s still GMA’s head on the chopping block whichever way the Supreme Court decides.

UP n student on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 11:06 am

During the run-up to the plebiscite (if it evern were to happen), someone should run an ad as a reminder:

“I prefer a country run like hell by Filipinos Tausugs to a country run like heaven by Americans Luzon Christians. Because, however bad a Filipino B-J-E government might be, we can always change it.”

UP n student on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 11:07 am

“I prefer a country run like hell by Filipinos Tausugs to a country run like heaven by Americans Luzon Christians. Because, however bad a Filipino B-J-E government might be, we can always change it.”

UP n student on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 11:11 am

“I prefer a country run like hell by ~~Filipinos~~ Tausugs to a country run like heaven by ~~Americans~~ Luzon Christians. Because, however bad a ~~Filipino~~ B-J-E government might be, we can always change it.”

cvj on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 1:57 pm

UPn (at 11:11am), the difference is that Tausugs and their counterparts in Luzon are both Filipinos. When MLQ made that infamous remark, he was directing it at the Americans who are a separate Nation.

justice league on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 3:12 pm

In a recent episode of CSI New York; a wedding was disrupted by a fight among wedding guests which later revealed a murdered groom.

The detective investigating remarked about it being a Hatfield-Mccoy incident.

Though there were very few casualties involved, the Hatfield Mccoy feud was extremely notable in that it went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Interestingly enough, each family was located on different adjacent states (Kentucky and West Virginia).

One of the bones of contention in that feud turned out to be ownership of a half wild pig (this is however not the case that went before the U.S. S.C.).

The situation of the feud went so bad as far as their state officials were concerned that governors of each state got involved.

One went so far as to sanction “raiding parties” on the other state so they can get “justice” for their own citizens as obviuosly it felt the other state wasn’t doing enough to police their own.

U.S. Supreme Court got involved due to unlawful arrests and illegal extraditions between the two states, and/or as the governors of Kentucky and West
Virginia themselves engaged in some saber-rattling, threatening to invade the otherâ€™s territory to
put a stop to the violence.

I think after about a hundred years the descendants formally declared a formal truce and declared the fued over.

One could wonder what could happen if one cow or even one chicken went from one side of the fence to the other in our case.

Mike on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 3:32 pm

Friends, I think each of us now needs to think about what he or she will do in the event martial law is declared. I am very concerned that the following sequence of events is all too likely:

1. The MOA will be defeated either by an SC decision or by inability to change the constitution due to widespread opposition.
2. Violence erupts: bombs detonate in the capital and key cities in Mindanao; key critics of the deal (e.g., Mar Roxas, Chiz Escudero) are assassinated. All of these are attributed to the MILF. This could well be accompanied by skirmishes between armed civilians and the MILF in Mindanao.
3. The Palace declares martial law and nabs all opponents, ostensibly to “protect” them from liquidation. It then proceeds to formulate a new constitution which is widely “ratified” while under martial rule. The new constitution is, of course, parliamentary, with no term limits for officials.

If you think this is far-fetched, please remember: it’s happened before.

cvj on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 3:41 pm

Mike, i may be getting too cynical, but i think after step 3 above, someone in the Middle Class will write an open letter that will say “Let’s Move On” or “Let’s Wait for 2020″.

vic on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 5:09 pm

One could wonder what could happen if one cow or even one chicken went from one side of the fence to the other in our case.

well, it should have been anticipated before among everything else that every individual should should have the Right to Mobility within the Union and that may have to be extended to the cows and chickens too..don’t you think so?

leytenian on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 9:25 pm

MILF: Build on trust, not on mistrust and hatred

“PiÅ„ol urged the government never to agree to sign a peace agreement, saying if the MILF is in power it would buy planes, tanks, and ships and use them to secede from the Republic of the Philippines.”

â€œThese are childish statements and should not be heeded seriously by the national leadership,â€ Ameen said.”

Let’s keep them honest: To buy planes, tanks and ships
will be coming from either 3 sources: Alqueda , USAID /Philippine government or the Moderate Muslim org. in the world.

I agree with Ameen… Pinol is childish and insecure.

justice league on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 11:31 pm

Leytenian,

Truth to tell, I can’t determne if you actually agree with Ameen or just trying to be sarcastic.

Anyway you might find the Tamil tigers interesting.

TonGuE-tWisTeD on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 11:45 pm

PiÃ±ol is also a vigilante group leader in North Cotabato.

I made this conclusion after I watched in a GMA public affairs show some years back which featured him as N. Cotabato governor. In a succeeding segment, the show featured a vigilante leader whose face they blurred with a mirage and whose real voice was masked by synthesizing; the “minor” detail they didn’t notice was that both persons wore the same stunning Rolex Oyster and the same wedding band.

The point then was, PiÃ±ol and the “mystery” vigilante leader were capable of providing security to N. Cotabato folks when military and police seem to have neglected them. With their armed followers, they managed to keep criminals, including the Moro rebels, at bay.

I’d rather have a “childish and insecure” PiÃ±ol who has the balls big enough to lead and protect his people the way he does.

leytenian on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 12:21 am

“There is no single cause of the rise of religious extremism in the Muslim world. It reflects, first of all, the FAILURE of secular governments to promote GOOD GOVERNANCE and ECONOMIC advancement in most Muslim countries.

“Law and order approaches” to the problem of extremism generally are INEFFECTUAL because they offer NO POSITIVE alternatives to the disaffected young who swell the ranks of extremist groups.”
http://www.usip.org/peacewatch/2002/6/extremism.html

“The point then was, PiÃ±ol and the â€œmysteryâ€ vigilante leader were capable of providing security to N. Cotabato folks when military and police seem to have neglected them. With their armed followers, they managed to keep criminals, including the Moro rebels, at bay.”

Pinol is brave and protective but he doesn’t need to make a big statement out of it. That is his job to keep peace and order. That’s his big responsibility for the people of North Cotabato- peace between region. What is he trying to advocate? that he is against the peace process? he must be out of his mind. I will confiscate his rolex.

What is really the real solution of all this fuss?

PSI on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 12:32 am

mlq3,

Its good that you posted this speech.

However, an important declaration might have been overlooked: the Dansalan Declaration. The Moro population of Mindanao are still invoking this.

http://www.bangsamoro.info/

On March 18, 1935, one hundred twenty Bangsamoro datus of Lanao came up with the historical document popularly known as the â€œDansalan Declarationâ€. This statement expressed to the U.S. colonial government their desire to be excluded from the proposed â€œindependenceâ€ to be granted to the Filipinos in the North of the archipelago. This declaration is perhaps unmatched in its clarity.

â€œShould the US government grant the Philippines independence, the islands of Mindanao and Sulu should not be included. Our public lands must not be given to other people. The practices, laws and decisions of our Moro leaders should be respected similar to what the Americans have extended to us. Our religion should not be curtailed in any way. All our practices that are incidental to our religion Islam should be respected because these things are what a Muslim desires to live for. Once our religion is no more our lives are no more.

justice league on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 1:18 am

Vic,

I certainly won’t disagree with the mobility idea.

If however you were able to read my previous comments a long time ago on the actions of Cebu city mayor Tommy “the gun” Osmena; we both know that you can certainly teach him a thing or 2 about this mobility thing among individuals.

However going to your issue of mobility of cows and chickens; a thing to consider is the possible reaction of certain people should livestock or what have you from one area go to their area (not that I don’t think such happens presently but redrawn and “strengthened” borders might influence things quite a bit) .

I remember a western cowboy film starred by Glenn Ford as a sheepherder. He was a newcomer in town and brought his herd of sheep with him. The town was mostly a cattle raising area. His sheep would be feeding on what the cattle in the area was supposed to be feeding on.

At any rate, what possibly happened in the Hatfield Mccoy was that Floyd Hatfield was retrieving their pig that went astray into what the Mccoy’s believed was their area. What the Mccoy patriarch however saw was a Hatfield (they had some arguments before) running away from their area with what is presumably one of their pigs.

The case went to trial and it went down to the testimony of William Stanton (relatives of both families) who testified that the pig had been ear pierced previously before by Floyd Hatfield so it was indeed a Hatfield pig.

Perceived betrayals by relatives as either eyewitnesses or jurors left bitter marks that was to surface later on in a feud that would later even involve their highest state officials and could have involved their state militia.

So again, one could wonder what could happen if one cow or even one chicken went from one side of the fence to the other in our case.

vic on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 1:42 am

justice league, I’m not familiar with the case you stated above, and the cows and the chickens mobility rights i mentioned are just an afterthought as to add the emphasis on one of the most important Fundamental Rights of every Individual. Mobility Rights is one of the Rights that we considered most important granted to us as we can move in and out of the country without losing the benefits and the rights of a Citizens, live anywhere in the world and entitled to the Protection of the country, move within the Autonomous provinces without losing the Status and benefits from one province to another and it is just like moving from one neighborhood to another. And since Criminal Law is uniform all over, there is no such thing as State Lines or extraditions between autonomous Provinces and Territories…That Rights should be among the Rights in The Constitution…Time for the chicken to jump the fence without causing a heckle..

leytenian on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 2:12 am

American Imperialism Period:
” The Legislative Act #4197 or Quirino-Recto Colonization Act was enacted on 12 February 1935. The Commonwealth considered the Act as a lasting solution to Mindanao colony. The Act invites massive arrival of settlers from Luzon and Visayas with the added support from the Government. On 18 March 1935, Hadji Abdulmajid Bongabong led 120 Maranao Chieftains and passed a manifesto known as Dansalan Declaration to the US President opposing the annexation of Mindanao to Luzon and Visayas. ”

Manolo , is this correct?
The Commonwealth Period:
President Quezon signed the Commonwealth Act #141 with Section 84 declaring all Moro ancestral lands as public lands. The Moros and Lumads became landless and deprived of lands once owned by their forefathers. An individual Moro may apply for a parcel of land not exceeding 4 hectares while Christian settlers was allowed to have 24 hectares and Filipino Corporations may apply up to 1,024 hectares.
On June 1939, President Quezon signed Commonwealth Act # 441, another settlement law creating NLSA or National Land Settlement Administration(9). The Act distributed lands but giving priority to settlers who completed a preparatory military training to anticipate the impending Japanese invasion. 3 major settlements were opened with 2 in Cotabato Valley. 200 Christian families from Luzon and Visayas benefitted with 12 hectares each and a financial assistance as a start up.

The japanese Period:
“There were also sided with the Japanese as a response to Japanese Officials’ invitation to join the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere(13). Among them Sultan ALAUYA ALONTO, Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, Datu Minandang Piang, Datu Ombra Amilbangsa, Datu Gulamu Rasul, and Datu Salih Ututalum. They believe that working with the Japanese will serve the best for the many and Japan may grant Independence for Mindanao. ”

THE LIBERATION:
After the war, President OsmeÃ±a appointed Salipada Pendatun as Governor of Cotabato and Datu Manalao Mindalano as member of Executive Committee of Philippine Veterans Legion. In 1946 elections, Salipada Pendatun was elected Senator and Datu Ombra Amilbangsa and Manalo Mindalano as Congressmen.

The Independence:
The influx of settlers and corporations continued and were able to secure vast lands after the war.

http://www.geocities.com/mindanaoproblem/new_page_14.htm

Land Declaration is not a legal title of the Land. It has something to do with property taxes, a duty to one’s country. If not paid, the land is legally owned by the government.

BrianB on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 2:26 am

Tongue Twisted,

Thanks for the note. MILF has more deference to the CVO than the military. The military, I’m afraid, are often made into sacrificial virgins by their commander, for money probably.

justice league on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 2:36 am

Vic,

With regards to the case that you are not familiar with; I was referrng to the Cebu City mayor’s actions on who can and who cannot use the SRP road. You can read on that for another time though.

But are you in fact telling us that the criminal law that the proponents of the BJE want to enforce in their area are but the same as the criminal law that is enforced in the country now?

Unless you are sure of such; how sure are you that a chicken jumping the fence would NOT cause a heckle?

leytenian on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 2:48 am

The real chicken is already jumping over the fence…

Foreign miners to participate in Mindanao mining summit
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/112536/Foreign-miners-to-participate-in-Mindanao-mining-summit

leytenian on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 2:59 am

But the government is slow to catch the chicken. The real heckle :

Bishops challenge mining companies
http://www.cafod.org.uk/mining/bishops-challenge

Indigenous tribe warns Canada of mining in Central Mindanao
http://intercontinentalcry.org/indigenous-tribe-warns-canada-of-mining-in-central-mindanao/

and the peace process solution includes a 25% and 75% split..
in

vic on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 3:10 am

justice league, the MILF if Autonomy is all they wanted should be willing to under the authority of the Government of Republic in administration of the Criminal Justice. It could be given exclusive well-defined power over its resources, its civil administration, and its civil law in accordance to the country constitutions, which maybe amended to accommodate their Religion and Freedom of Conscience, but for Military and Criminal Justice, Monetary, Foreign Policy and as a matter of representing the Country it should only be by the National Government, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, otherwise it would be an Independent State, a Republic on its Own. And the Chicken will be in trouble once she jumps over the fence and that is for sure…

grd on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 3:39 am

even adel tamano is against the MOA-AD. the last time i check he is still a muslim… a good muslim i believe.

justice league on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 3:39 am

Vic,

Did you know that the MOA indicates that the BJE will have their own “internal security force” among other conditions?

Leytenian

Your earlier mining story was kind enough to point out at least one area of mining interest which is in the Compostela valley; which won’t be asked whether it wants to join a BJE for the next 25 years or so.

So that chicken won’t be jumping any fence for the next 25 years.

leytenian on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 4:03 am

hi justice,

oic.. what about the australian mining in 1998. and the land bought by private firms… is it not in BJE?
may be the peace process is to find out if there’s more fences for the chicken to jump? what do you think?

grd on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 11:21 am

justice,

as usual, vic is talking in reference to his beloved canada. never bothered to check what are those unique BJE provisions.

vic on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 11:22 am

justice league,

Yes, I am, that is why the MOA is a very bad start to the proposed BJE treaties and I am very confident it will not be considered by the SC, as it is the trademark of the start of the Breakup of the country not into autonomous regions but a totally separate States. That was the primary aim of theMILF and it will set a precedent to the other groups, political or religion and it is not even constitutional as the Government is proposing to amend the Constitution after the facts…that should be the other way around.

Perhaps that is one reason why it has encountered so much troubles for the chickens and the cows.

mlq3 on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 11:24 am

leytenian, i will be posting the law in question in full, online. but a quick scan suggests the law stipulated that what would not be recognized as valid were roya (sultan, datu, etc)l grants concerning lands considered in the public domain. anyway you can refer to the law in toto once i’ve posted it.

mlq3 on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 11:37 am

leytenian, let me just give yuou the opening line of sec. 84 of CA 141, An Act To Amend and Compile the Laws Relative To Lands of ther Public Domain, November 7, 1936:

Sec. 84. Upon recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce, the President, may by proclamation, designate any tract or tracts of the public domain for the exclusive use of the non-Christian Filipinos, including in the reservation, in so far as practicable, the lands used or possessed by them, and granting to each member not already the owner, by title or gratuitous patent, of four or more hectares of land, the use and benefit only of tract of land not to exceed four hectares to each male member over eighteen years of age or the head of a family. As soon as the Secretary of the Interior shall certify that the majority of the non-Christian inhabitants of any given reservation have advanced sufficiently in civilization, then the President may order that the lands of the public domain within such reservation be granted under the general provisions of this Act to the said inhabitants, and the subdivision and distribution of said lands as above provided shall be taken into consideration in the final disposition of the same. But any non-Christian inhabitant may at any time apply for the general benefits of this Act provided the Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce is satisifed that such inhabitant is qualified to take advantager of the same: Provided, That all grants, deeds, patents and other instruments of conveyance of land or purporting to convey or transfer rights of property, privileges, or easements appertaining to or growing out of lands, granted by sultans, datus, or other chiefs of the so-called non-Christian tribes, without the authority of the Spanish Government while the Philippines were under the sovereignty of Spain, or without the consent of the United States Government or of the Philippine Government since the sovereignty of the Archipelago was transferred from Spain to the United States, and all deeds and other documents executed or issued or based upon the deeds, patents, and documents mentioned, are hereby declared to be illegal, void, and of no effect.

That’s provision and based on your question it established exactly the opposite of what the article you cited claimed. What the provision did was emphasize the provisions of the elimination of the secular power of the sultans under the Bates Treaty. The law actually provided for a kind of protection of Muslim property even in areas considered part of the public domain.

leytenian on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 12:31 pm

thanks Manolo for taking the time, I have to ask because I have doubts with the article. I actually like “PUBLIC LANDS”

Sec. 84 explains the definition of “Highest and Best Use of the Land”

One can only acquire legal title of the land either by government grants or by transfer of deeds. Either type is still subject to local governing laws such as payment of property taxes. Failure to pay is subject to foreclosure and the government has the right to take the land back…
So, I’m not so sure if there’s such thing as ancestral land for the MILF. There’s no free ride in this world.
When they have given nothing, ask for nothing.

mlq3 on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 12:34 pm

Here is Commonwealth Act 141 in full:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/4673327/Booklet-CA141

mlq3 on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 12:34 pm

Or try:

Booklet CA141 – Upload a Document to Scribd

justice league on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 12:49 pm

Leytenian,

Hi.

I am one of those who believe that the MOA, though initialed; is NOT binding.

So though the core of the proposed BJE will be made up of the ARMM and the pulled municipalities of Lanao Del Norte; I am one of those who believe that there is NO EXISTING BJE at the moment.

And that goes for 1998 up to the present.

So that mining firm and land acquired by private companies you are referring to were done in the context of the law of the Republic of the Philippines whether they be inside the ARMM or even in the proposed BJE.

If YOU BELIEVE that the BJE is existing right now or even in 1998 as per your idea that that Australian mining firm and land acquired are IN THE BJE; please do share your reasons for thinking so as I’m very much interested.

Vic, Grd,

Sorry but I have little time right now so I’ll just read your statements to me later.

hvrds on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 12:56 pm

You have to forgive functionally illiterates when they fail to take cognizance of the word “reservations.” They already think of fiscal policies -(property taxes) when the social format of the period is still pre-capitalistic and pre-monetary. Mahirap talaga yung mahina ang ulo.

Most of tribal Indian territories were taken over the the white men. The remaining Indian tribes were given small sections of their own ancestral lands and these were called reservations. Naturally losers can’t be choosers.

Under U.S. Federal law the Indian reservations became plots of land outside the ambit of U.S. federal and state laws. Therefore outside the ambit of fiscal policies. Lots of my friends buy duty and tax free cigarettes from Indian reservations.

The colonizers basically drew the boundaries of the Philippines. The Commonwealth then also recognized the “reservations” where the Muslims held sway.

But what the act said was simply the power of the chiefs or datu’s over land use and ownership was canceled. Even the lands on the reservation belonged to the commonwealth state.

The Philippine commonwealth state canceled the feudal rule over absolute property rights of datu’s and chiefs. (Similar in substance to the feudal rules in Europe.) Nation states abolished monarchies. Our tribes were still communal feudal tribes. There was no evolution to more evolved forms of feudalism like in Europe.

The state then moved to grant homesteading rights and after a period of time (they called it becoming civilized) legal titles would be then given.

Meg on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 3:02 pm

an appealing speech. this is not related to the topic but i want to share it though because it is still related to us all about sharing our insights:

Press Release: August 11,2008
For more info: Eero Brillantes, 09276702831, mindbullet45@gmail.com

Young Generation of Politicians Barnstorms Schools, Connects with the â€œInternet Nationâ€

A multipartisan political group called â€œYoung Turksâ€ led by Genuine Opposition Spokesperson and Pamantasan Lungsod ng Maynila President Atty. Adel Tamano has started to go the rounds of colleges and universities all over the country. Tamano, along with other young political personalities Nacionalista Party spokesperson and former congressman Gilbert Remulla, English Professor Danton Remoto, Congressman Erin Tanada, and San Juan mayor JV Ejercito are doing the rounds of campuses advocating for youth involvement in governance.

The kick off started at Silliman University in Dumaguete City Last July 10-11, 2008.
Tamano described the event. â€œThe bright students of Silliman University asked questions and we tried to answer them with substance and with style, with wit and cheer and laughter intact. It is because their questions seemed to deal with lack of hope, of being betrayed by their leaders, of abandonment. I hope we kept the spark plug of hope alive. We spoke in a chapel, a presentation room for business students, and the great church â€” all in one day. We hope the Sillimanians had a grand time, the way we did too, in our first campus tour.â€
Eero Brillantes, CEO of Mindbullet Marketing and Public Relations, and maintains the young turkâ€™s blog http://www.oppositeofapathy.wordpress.com says that the blog has become hyperactive after the Silliman activity. Based on site metering, he noted interest in what the group has to say. â€œThe blog has just recently been put up. Yet it has already been visited almost 10,000 times. It is currently ranked number 13 for politics and government by topblogs.com.ph. Its just one notch lower to the â€œMar Roxas for President 2010 blog which is at number 12. The blog definitely has momentum. With the campus tour catching fire, the blog is poised to be a prominent fixture in new politics for the country. The Young Turks and the Internet Nation has become properly introducedâ€.

For his part Remoto was upbeat about the launch and how the internet was able to disseminate the event exponentially. â€œSkycable showed the complete proceedings that night of July 10, and we also had coverage from two radio stations, two newspapers and the Sillimanian college paper as well as its website. Not to mention the many blogs of the bagets from Silliman, which are now being read and re-sent and re-read all over the borderless world of cyberspace. â€
Congressman Tanada, emphasized the need for dialogue between the young batch of political leaders and the youth. He said that it is important for the youth not to loose hope and for them to assert their rights. Remulla asserted that there is still hope and it resides in the youth and the young generation should not be afraid to stand for what they believe in.
On August 26, 2008, the Young Turks will visit the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance. This will be followed by a tour to University of the Philippines at Los BaÃ±os in September. xxx

anthony scalia on Mon, 11th Aug 2008 11:54 pm

Meg,

the youth should be involved in entrepreneurship and job creation, not in governance

justice league on Tue, 12th Aug 2008 12:40 am

Vic,

Well it seems we can move on on these issues as far as we both are concerned.

Grd,

Cheers.

justice league on Tue, 12th Aug 2008 12:41 am

Vic,

Well it seems we can move on on these issues as far as we both are concerned.

Grd,

Cheers.

grd on Tue, 12th Aug 2008 3:19 am

One can only acquire legal title of the land either by government grants or by transfer of deeds. Either type is still subject to local governing laws such as payment of property taxes. Failure to pay is subject to foreclosure and the government has the right to take the land backâ€¦

So, Iâ€™m not so sure if thereâ€™s such thing as ancestral land for the MILF. Thereâ€™s no free ride in this world.

When they have given nothing, ask for nothing… leytenian

i think that’s why they are called rebels. i haven’t heard of any rebel group yet who pay their own taxes to the govt. they don’t recognize. infact, they collect their own taxes.

grd on Wed, 13th Aug 2008 1:32 am

Justice,

Cheers.

anthony scalia on Fri, 15th Aug 2008 6:02 am

leytenian,

“So, Iâ€™m not so sure if thereâ€™s such thing as ancestral land for the MILF. Thereâ€™s no free ride in this world”

the MILF is supposedly acting in behalf of Muslim Pinoys. though ancestral lands are recognized and protected by our laws, many of the lands being claimed as “ancestral” by the MILF aren’t really ancestral.

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