MILF accuses 2 partylist solons of ‘forum shopping’ in filing sedition, treason charges

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 20): MILF accuses 2 partylist solons of ‘forum shopping’ in filing sedition, treason charges

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has scored two lawmakers for “forum shopping” in filing sedition and treason charges against government and MILF peace negotiators for coming up with the controversial Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

The MILF, in its Web site, also raised the belief that partylist Reps. Joselito Atienza of Buhay and Jonathan de la Cruz of Abakada could be using the BBL to obtain publicity — apparently in preparation for next year’s polls.

“Why do they have to resort to ‘forum shopping?’ They can rally their peers in Congress to vote against the BBL on the plenary and not in the courts,” the MILF said.

Atienza and De la Cruz filed treason and inciting to sedition charges against the government and MILF peace negotiators and members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) last May 28 before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office.

“Does this mean they have more faith in the judiciary than the legislature in making correct decisions? Lawmakers are in the business of crafting laws and policies, not in jailing people,” the MILF stated.

The MILF expressed belief that the filing of the cases might be motivated by the upcoming elections, wherein Buhay and Abakada would be participating.

“The second possible motive of the two legislators is that they want free news for Buhay and Abakada party-lists at the expense of the BBL since election is only already in the corner,” the MILF said.

“Weird ways sometimes do not only register and click, but they are at times resorted to by highly ambitious people. Adolf Hitler used lies to consolidate his power and the effective strangulation of the German people,” it added.

Former Sen. Rene Saguisag already filed ethics cases against Atienza and De la Cruz.
Saguisag branded the cases filed by Atienza and De la Cruz as “prosecutorial terrorism” against the proponents of the BBL.

Among those named in the Atienza and De la Cruz complaint were Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles and members of the government peace panel: chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Senen Bacani, Yasmin Busran-Lao, Mehol Sadain and consultant Zenaida Brosas. Former government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen, now Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, was also included in the complaint.

Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator and chairman of BTC, which crafted the first draft of the proposed BBL, was also included.

Other MILF members included in the cases were Michael Mastura, Maulana Alonto and Abdullah Camlian. Alternate MILF negotiating panel member Antonio Kinoc, who died on May 5 due to liver cancer, was also named.

The complaint also named members of the BTC, including Ibrahim Ali, Talib Abdulhamid Benito, Pedrito Eisma, Raissa Jajurie, Froilyn Mendoza, Hussein Muñoz, Akmad Sakkam, Said Shiek, Asani Tammang, Timuay Melanio Ulama and Johaira Wahab. Wahab resigned from the post even before the BBL draft was submitted to Congress.

Atienza and De la Cruz belong to the so-called independent minority bloc in the House of Representatives, which has been critical of the Aquino administration.

The MILF said that it does not take the compliant lightly.

“Any case filed against anyone, much of the sedition and treason nature, should not be taken lightly. The right attitude is to be serious in treating all cases,” the MILF said.

“However, chance of this case losing steam is high. First, members of the court are selected on the basis of not just their competence but also for their integrity; and second, none of the peace-makers resorted to subversive methods to undermine the state and we are not in an active state of war,” it also said.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/milf-accuses-2-partylist-solons-of-forum-shopping-in-filing-sedition-treason-charges