?Not all solutions to the ongoing conflict in Mindanao can be found in the Constitution,? says Eid Kabalu, an official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. A main reason for the deadlock in the negotiations is the Constitution itself, which makes the issue on ancestral domain unlikely to get resolved soon. Alexander Martin Remollino of Bulatlat explains.
With its trade, mining, and economic interests in the Philippines, it is no wonder that Australia is pushing for the signing of military treaties with the Philippine government.? There were reports that even without a treaty, 20 soldiers from the elite Australian Special Air Service (SAS) were involved in combat operations with AFP and U.S. Special Forces troops in Mindanao. Caesar Ben Basan Baro?a of Bulatlat reports.
Leaders of business, legal and progressive groups are elated over the Supreme Court?s decision junking the petition for a ?people?s initiative? to change the Constitution. But, they warn, the fight to protect the charter from vested political interests is not yet over. Davao Today?s Cheryll D. Fiel and Grace S. Uddin report.
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Ermita: SC Decision on People’s Initiative Not a Total Setback to Cha-Cha Movement
Satur Hails SC Ruling vs. Palace Initiative
?Best News of the Century? ? Pimentel
Beltran Hails Supreme Court Decision Against People?s Initiative Petition
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said today he did not consider as a “total setback” to the Charter change movement the Supreme Court?s rejection of the People?s Initiative in amending the Constitution.
In his weekly press conference in Malacanang this afternoon, Ermita said the High Tribunal?s decision left open other “legal procedures” to appeal the ruling.
That legal procedure, he added, is the filing of a motion for reconsideration in hopes that the High Court would “change its mind.”
Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today hailed the decision of eight High Court justices, including Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, Justices Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, Antonio Carpio, Romeo Callejo Sr., Ma. Alicia Martinez, Conchita Carpio-Morales and Adolfo Azcuna againdt the people’s initiative petition.
“This is very heartening news,” said Beltran. “This gives strong encouragement to the broad anti-charter change movement. The eight justices have done a great service to the Filipino people and the country but resisting Malacanang pressure and thumbing down the bogus signature petition for charter change.”
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