Well-prepared Celso joins Dipolog peace Consultation
Mayor Celso Lobregat confers with other local government chief executives in the region in the course of the consultation series on the renewed peace talks conducted by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) at the Top Plaza Hotel in Dipolog City Jan. 7-8. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
With all necessary documents on hand, Mayor Celso Lobregat attended the consultation series conducted by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) in Dipolog City to reiterate Zamboanga’s stand on interim peace agreements.
Unlike the supposed consultation held in Zamboanga City Dec. 15-16, the Dipolog City consultation, intended only for Region 9 local government (LGU) chief executives, was well coordinated with all participants properly informed.
Lobregat brought along with all documents in his possession concerning interim peace agreements starting from the time of the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD)—an agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front, up to the time when Lobregat was interviewed by the government panel led by Ambassador Seguis in Manila last April, 2009.
Lobregat was also carrying with him a letter addressed to Amassador Seguis concerning the conduct of another consultation in Zamboanga City this January and copies of the video documentary that the mayor produced that highlights Zamboangueños’ continuous fight against inclusion in any interim peace agreements.
Lobregat was informed of the Dipolog consultation series last Dec. 22 when he received Ambassador Seguis’ letter dated Dec. 21. On Dec. 28, he received a follow up letter from DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero.
In an interview prior to the start of the consultation yesterday morning he is ready to air the Zamboangueños’ stand as well as air observations concerning the conduct of the consultation series.
Recall that Lobregat strongly protested the conduct of the supposed consultation in Zamboanga last Dec. 15-16 due to very short notice and lack of coordination with panel members and several other observations including the tapping of a member of the Bangsamoro Society, who was one of the respondent-intervenor against MOA-AD before the Supreme Court, as head of the panel secretariat.
Lobregat received his invitation for the Dec. 15-16 consultation only Dec. 14, a day before. Other city mayors in the region also did not receive and did not attend the activity. Even Adelbert Antonino, the government’s panel member representing the local government units, was not informed of the Zamboanga consultation until Lobregat called him through telephone.
“Considering the importance of this “consultation” on the peace process, it is quite a surprise that the coordination of this activity was made on a very short notice, taking into consideration that activities related to the yuletide season are hectic,” Mayor Lobregat said in his letter to Usec Panadero copy furnished to Ambassador Seguis and OPAPP Sec. Annabelle Abaya,
Sec. Abaya shared Lobregat’s concern and in an electronic mail to the chief executive Dec. 29 assured the conduct of a meaningful and credible consultation concerning the peace process in the city this month.
She expressed regrets over the failure of a similar activity conducted by the government panel here from Dec. 15-16. “I read with much sadness your letter informing me that the consultations organized by the GRP panel did not turn out as you would have wished, due to lack of preparations and sufficient notice to participants. I appreciate your concern for proper consultation, as the OPAPP shares your view on the significance of such an undertaking. I have taken Adel Antonino as a special consultant for this effort, and I would like to work with you,” Sec. Abaya’s letter read.
She said, she learned about Lobregat’s plan to convene a consultation on the renewed GRP-MILF peace talks through Antonio, who represents the Mindanao local government units in the peace panel. “He also let me know that you are putting together the people who need to be consulted and had asked my assistance for this.”
“I will be pleased to have the OPAPP provide you its resources in putting this together, and ensuring that it is a credible effort to listen to the people,” Sec. Abaya continued.
Mayor Lobregat Wednesday was able to personally speak with Sec. Abaya and resolved that plans for the conduct of a genuine and honest to goodness consultation in Zamboanga this month will be finalized. (Sheila Covarrubias)