OPAPP Sec. Ging Deles: Bangsamoro peace deal a 'breakthrough'

From GMA News (Jul 16): OPAPP Sec. Ging Deles: Bangsamoro peace deal a 'breakthrough'

Months after the landmark peace agreement was signed by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, it is far from being implemented. Nevertheless, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita ‘Ging’ Quintos-Deles went on record Tuesday to say that the very existence of the agreement is a “breakthrough.”

“It was a breakthrough because it was a roadmap. May commitments na as how this is going to happen. Kung ano yung aspiration, ano yung end result na gusto, talagang na-layout na. So no question, it's a breakthrough talaga,” Deles said in an interview on GMA News TV’s News to Go.

Deles explained that the two peace panels had much to accomplish before the Bangsamoro could become a reality, including the signing of four annexes to the framework which will guide the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The most recent breakthrough came Sunday dawn when, after an extension of several days, negotiators of both panels finally reached agreement on wealth-sharing in the future Bangsamoro in their latest round of talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

After initially proposing a 50-50 deal, the government agreed to more favorable terms for the Bangsamoro: 75 percent of taxes collected in the Bangsamoro, as well as 75 percent of income from metallic minerals, would go to the Muslim-governed region.

Three aspects of ‘wealth’

The wealth-sharing annex, the second of four to be completed, was signed four months after the Transitional arrangements and modality annex was signed in February.

Deles explained that the wealth-sharing aspect became contentious due to the different components of the particular annex.

“Actually, hindi ‘yan iisang regime sa natural resources. In fact, nakatukoy diyan: tatlong klaseng natural resources ang pinag-uusapan. Ang isa non-metallic minerals na alam natin LGU na gumagawa niyan,” Deles explained, adding that under the signed annex, the local government units will most likely retain control of the non-mineral wealth of the region, particularly in quarrying.

“Lahat ng shares ng local government, hindi gagalawin yan. Dito sa framework, sinasabi hindi magagalaw ang mga karapatan ng LGU,” Deles said.

In terms of metallic minerals like gold and nickel, Deles explained that the Bangsamoro will receive an increase in percentage profits.

“The next one is metallic minerals. ‘Yan ay 75-25 inclusive of the share of LGU. This is an increase of 5 percent from the current law,” she said.

Finally Deles explained that the last aspect of the wealth sharing annex was of fossil fuels and other energy resources.

“Pangatlo ay fossil fuels, which means natural gas, coals, oil, petroleum at binanggit din ang uranium na hindi natin alam kung meron tayo noon,” she said.

However, Deles clarified that the exact amount of the wealth in the Bangsamoro has yet to be determined, noting the longstanding conflict in the region has rendered exploration of the resources impossible in the past.

“All of this is in the future. All of this, ‘pag tinatanong exactly the amount we are talking about, we don’t know, the fact na is that this armed conflict has made any exploration not even possible. So, you’re really talking something about kung magta-translate nga into actuality, it’s going to take a while,” she said.

Revenues

Deles also made a distinction between the division of resources and their ownership, noting that the wealth-sharing refers to revenues to be extracted from the existing resources.

“Let me also clear, kasi ‘pag sinasabi hatian sa resources, this is not ownership. Pangalawa, this is a share in the government revenues. Ibig sabihin, na menos mo na ang actual cost of having developed those resources,” she said.

Deles also explained that the perceived delay in the signing of the wealth sharing annex was due to both parties’ desire to flesh out the entire annex.

“Just to explain ‘yung delay dito, maari mong sabihin it is a good concept but the reality is...we have to put in technical language that had to be explained. So, that’s just to explain why some of these things took a little longer. In principle, may agreement kayo, pero for government to say na talagang magagawa ‘yan, we have to put the language in that there are technical requirements here, otherwise i-cha-challenge ito, nagpa-promise kayo, hindi naman ‘yan magagawa,” she said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/317720/news/nation/opapp-sec-ging-deles-bangsamoro-peace-deal-a-breakthrough