OSLO, Norway ― House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Bai Sandra Sema does not want a repeat of what happened to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) when it failed to pass in Congress during the previous administration that is why she wants legislators to be engaged early on in the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF).“We are very pleased that the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is already involving us in the peace process at this early stage instead of later so we can keep track of what is being talked about at the negotiating table,” Sema said.

“We are very pleased that the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is already involving us in the peace process at this early stage instead of later so we can keep track of what is being talked about at the negotiating table,” Sema said.

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She explained that “at the end of the day, whatever agreements that will be forged between the two parties will need the concurrence and support of Congress, especially the proposed amnesty for the rebels and the socio-economic and political reforms package.”

She explained that “at the end of the day, whatever agreements that will be forged between the two parties will need the concurrence and support of Congress, especially the proposed amnesty for the rebels and the socio-economic and political reforms package.”“Taking it from the experience of both the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), it is important that Congress is engaged in the progression of the peace talks between the government and the NDF,” Sema, who is married to MNLF leader Muslimin Sema, stressed.

“Taking it from the experience of both the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), it is important that Congress is engaged in the progression of the peace talks between the government and the NDF,” Sema, who is married to MNLF leader Muslimin Sema, stressed.She cited how the Mamasapano incident changed everything with just a flick of a finger because legislators were not involved in the peace process from the beginning. She believes that if their awareness and understanding of the issues had been sufficient, one incident would not make them reject an enabling law that took a long time to draft.

She cited how the Mamasapano incident changed everything with just a flick of a finger because legislators were not involved in the peace process from the beginning. She believes that if their awareness and understanding of the issues had been sufficient, one incident would not make them reject an enabling law that took a long time to draft.

“We commend the transparency of the executive department under President Rodrigo Duterte and that helps in assuring our legislators that there are no secret deals being made, no surprises along the way,” she explained.Meanwhile, House Committee on Peace and Reconciliation Chair Ruby Sahali of the lone district of Tawi-Tawi thinks the big difference now is that they can feel the sincerity of the president to end the war once and for all and to include all sectors in the peace process.

Meanwhile, House Committee on Peace and Reconciliation Chair Ruby Sahali of the lone district of Tawi-Tawi thinks the big difference now is that they can feel the sincerity of the president to end the war once and for all and to include all sectors in the peace process.“Before it was all just media hype but no engagement with legislators. We only got a copy of the proposed BBL from Malacañang when it was all done. But now, it is different, we feel included in the process from the start,” she noted.

“Before it was all just media hype but no engagement with legislators. We only got a copy of the proposed BBL from Malacañang when it was all done. But now, it is different, we feel included in the process from the start,” she noted.Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza expressed confidence that the peace talks between the GRP and NDF will get support from the legislative branch with the early involvement of key members of the House of Representatives in the process.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza expressed confidence that the peace talks between the GRP and NDF will get support from the legislative branch with the early involvement of key members of the House of Representatives in the process.“With the legislators being part of the whole process, we are assured that whatever we will be taking up across the table will see

“With the legislators being part of the whole process, we are assured that whatever we will be taking up across the table will see some kind of an implementing mechanism that Congress will approve. So they will be with us all the way beginning now until the end of the negotiations,” Dureza added.Aside from Sema and Sahali, the congressional delegation to the second round of Oslo talks include Representatives Jesus Sacdalan, Nancy Catamco, Leopoldo Bataoil, and Karlos Isagani Zarate, all part of the House Committee on Peace and Reconciliation. ###

Aside from Sema and Sahali, the congressional delegation to the second round of Oslo talks include Representatives Jesus Sacdalan, Nancy Catamco, Leopoldo Bataoil, and Karlos Isagani Zarate, all part of the House Committee on Peace and Reconciliation. ###