From the Website of CBCP
Catholic Church ‘supportive’ of BBL – MILF negotiator
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MANILA, April 11, 2015 -– Backing from a major institution. This is how MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal sees the Catholic Church’s “support” for the hotly-debated Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
“The Catholic church is supportive of the BBL, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Ateneo de Davao President Joel Tabora, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo at Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, Jr. [support it],” Iqbal told the foreign correspondents and a sprinkling of diplomats and a couple of officers from the American Chamber of Commerce recently.
MILF Chief Peace Negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the Catholic Church, as well as other faith-based groups are supportive of the BBL. In a briefing with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, Iqbal said there lies a need to go on a massive information campaign for the people and to engage lawmakers as the "real battle" is in Congress. To his right is Chief Government Negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer. (Photo: Melo M. Acuña)
Iqbal said there is also growing support from other Christian churches such as the Protestant groups, specifically the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches along with civil society organizations and non-government organizations.
‘Real battle in Congress’
“There is an overwhelming support from Moro groups including traditional leaders, politicians and ordinary people,” he added.
Despite this, however, Iqbal said there is a need to increase and strengthen the support base for the BBL pending at both Houses of Congress, saying “the real battle now is in Congress.”
Despite this, however, Iqbal said there is a need to increase and strengthen the support base for the BBL pending at both Houses of Congress, saying “the real battle now is in Congress.”
Speaking before the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines Tuesday, Iqbal said in his opening statement that BBL supporters need to be identified thoroughly and ways have to be found to strengthen and consolidate partnerships with them.
He went on to describe international support for the BBL as “very strong.” Iqbal also shared he looks forward to further developing close relations with the business community such as the Makati Business Clun and the Mindanao Business Council.
He went on to describe international support for the BBL as “very strong.” Iqbal also shared he looks forward to further developing close relations with the business community such as the Makati Business Clun and the Mindanao Business Council.
Pulse of the people
Iqbal said there should be a massive information campaign on the salient provisions of the proposed BBL and the “need for peace in the country.” He added more often than not, “the attitude of politicians are conditioned by the pulse of their electorates.”
“We have to rally educational institutions and academicians behind the BBL’s passage,” he stressed. He also mentioned future engagements with 18 surviving members of the 1987 Constitutional Commission.
Iqbal likewise cited the challenge of engaging those who are against the BBL’s passage, including the “majority of media practitioners”, especially after the Mamasapano incident. He said some politicians and opposition groups are using the BBL as “tool of politics”, while majority of the Filipinos have not read nor studied the draft law.
Strong biases
He bewailed the fact there still lies anti-Moro biases and prejudices which he described as “very strong in Luzon and the Visayas as there are hostile opinion-makers, columnists, talk show hosts and a lot more.”
Should the BBL fails to be passed, the MILF’s clout, popularity and effectiveness will sink to the lowest level as there will no longer be decommissioning of its weapons and combatants and no Exit Agreement will be signed.
He candidly said the radicals “will have greater say on how the situation develops in Mindanao.” (Melo M. Acuña/CBCPNews)
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Tagle: Risen Lord’s words for Pinoys also
Filed under: Headlines |
MANILA, April 11, 2015—One of the country’s leading churchmen has observed how some of the words the Risen Christ spoke when He appeared to various people seem to be addressed to Filipinos in their present situation, inviting each one to listen to what the Jesus wants to impart to them.
Manila Archbishop Luís Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle (Photo: CBCPNews)
“To the disciples gathered in a room, He asked, ‘Why are you frightened and why do doubts arise in your hearts?’ (Luke 24:38). To a troubled Mary Magdalene he said, ‘Why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’ (John 20:15),” says Manila Archbishop Luís Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle in the recent Easter message to the Filipino faithful.
He points out the Risen Lord offers the same questions to them, especially in times of fear, doubts, distrust and grieving, enabling them to reflect, explore, and find meaning.
Reflection, meditation
According to him, outbursts of panic, phobia, worry and sorrow need the calming influence of reflection and meditation given that the Resurrected Christ asks questions that make them pause and look into the reasons (or lack of reason) for their terror and anxiety.
Tagle recalls how Jesus asked those disciples still unable to believe that He was indeed alive and standing before them if they had anything to eat (Luke 24:41), adding that the glorious Lord comes to the faithful through their humble, simple, poor and suffering brothers and sisters.
Lord of the lowly
He stresses that even while possessing all authority and power, the Lord deems it worthy to reside among the lowly, those who lack basic necessities of life, calls on all not to let worries and cynicism to blind them to the needs of the poor.
“Let us behold the Risen Jesus in every needy person and see a neighbor, a brother or sister,” he says.
Tagle explains the annual commemoration of Jesus’ resurrection and glorification gives believers a glimpse of the eternal life that He, who became human, now possesses a life that will not be touched by sin, destruction, and death again.
Tagle explains the annual commemoration of Jesus’ resurrection and glorification gives believers a glimpse of the eternal life that He, who became human, now possesses a life that will not be touched by sin, destruction, and death again.
Hope, glory of Easter
“His risen life is our hope, the pledge of our future glory,” he declares.
The prelate underscores that Jesus’ resurrection does not cut the faithful off neither from their earthly life nor from their concerns, saying they cannot afford to ignore and be indifferent to the world.
Missionaries of peace
“Rather the light from Jesus’ resurrection makes us see more clearly the truth about our complex human condition while urging us on towards a glorious future,” notes Tagle.
“I pray that this Easter we may promptly respond to the Risen Lord’s greeting, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ (John 20:21). Let us go to all the corners of our country as missionaries of peace,” he adds. (Raymond A. Sebastián/CBCP News)
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