MANILA, Philippines – Bangon Pilipinas Party, through its Secretary General, Atty. Ted Pascua clarified earlier reports of a covenant allegedly forged between Bangon Pilipinas Party and the MILF which, among others, was supposed to include an agreement on federalism.
Pascua affirmed that there is a covenant, that the same was written, but clarified that the covenant was unilateral on the part of Bangon Pilipinas Party, signed by its full slate led by presidential candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva and his running mate erfecto Jun Yasay Jr., after a conference with key members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in an initiative of Bangon Pilipinas to understand more comprehensively the aspirations of the Muslim brothers for Mindanao.
"After a sincere and lengthy discussion, Bangon Pilipinas understood the aspirations of the Moslem brothers under the MILF, and since the aspirations were consistent with the Bangon Platform which already proposes a presidential-federal form of government long before the meeting with the MILF took place, the Bangon leadership felt that the commitment to take up federalism in a constitutional convention which shall then be submitted to the people for ratification can be made by Bangon Pilipinas as a separate covenant with the MILF," he said.
Pascua further explained that the signed unilateral covenant was submitted to the MILF leadership who received the same with thanks.
"The mutuality was in the understanding between the parties of the problems besetting Mindanao and the aspirations of the Muslim brothers, and the goodness of the spirit by which the parties painstakingly discussed the issues and the possible solutions to the need for long term justice, peace and progress in Mindanao," he added.
Pascua said that the MILF discussants did not sign the covenant, the same being unilateral on the part of Bangon Pilipinas.
Bangon Pilipinas affirms its solidarity with the Muslim brothers and all stakeholders, including the MILF, for the attainment of genuine justice, peace, and progress in Mindanao."
