MNLF revives federalism anew

THE MORO National Liberation Front (MNLF) has revived its call for a tripartite federal system of government and called on Filipino leaders to prioritize the well-being of the people in whatever critical decisions they may make in the coming days.

 

A photo of Ustadz Abdulkarim Tan Misuari, the MNLF Vice-Chairman, from his Facebook page with his father, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari.

“Now, we are facing challenging times yet again, brought about by the unjust and unbalanced political system that is the source of every political reformist’s cry for change,” said Ustadz Abdulkarim Tan Misuari, the MNLF Vice-Chairman.

 

“It is an indication that an immediate political reform is a must. However, we urge all our local, regional and national leaders to prioritize the well-being of their constituencies in whatever critical decisions they may make,” he added.

 

Misuari is the eldest son of MNLF founder Nur Misuari, a key political ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is calling for the separation of Mindanao from the rest of the country.

 

“We advocate for the tripartite egalitarian parliamentary federal system of government with equal representation for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, as envisioned by my father, Moro National Liberation Front Chairman Nur Misuari. We see it as a just political system, equitable, and promotes an inclusive balance of power where no state is above the other. It is a solution that will pave the way for unity, stability and everlasting peace in the country, In Shaa Allah (if God wills),” said Misuari, also the Deputy Speaker of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament.

 

“We aspire that as one nation, we can unite to reform our political system through democratic and peaceful means and leave a legacy that will echo for generations to come. Let us make our country a great nation that can withstand global challenges and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with advanced countries,” he said.

 

Misuari said while they are advocating for federalism, the MLF – which signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 - supports positive and systemic changes, for progress is at the core of any developed civilization.

 

“It is imperative that we adhere to the principles of unity, solidarity, peace, and democratic exercise in reflecting the true wishes of the people of this sovereign nation. We have just suffered a pandemic of unknown magnitude, and our people have not yet recovered and are still struggling to cope emotionally, physically, and economically. Any disruption to the normalcy of their daily lives will cause unfortunate circumstances to those who are most vulnerable,” he said.

 

Misuari also praised Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for their policies and reforms that benefited the people. He said under Duterte’s administration, “we experienced six years of relative stability and peace, despite the many challenges that rocked the nation: the COVID-19 pandemic, Marawi siege, and keeping external and internal threats at bay. We are grateful for the steady hand that helped us through hard times, and clear decisiveness on policies that directed us throughout “Tatay Digong’s” term,” he said.

 

Misuari said Duterte planted the seed of federalism “in our hearts and minds, and as we continue to aspire for greater freedoms and better governance, we keep our hopes high that this would still be reviewed and promoted in the months or years to come. With the passage of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during his term, he left a lasting legacy that the next generation of Filipinos will remember,” he said.

 

As for Marcos, Misuari said the President has shown his commitment to the Filipino people and has worked hard to keep the peace especially in the Bangsamoro region. 

 

Marcos transformed his campaign that centered on unity and solidarity into policies that paved the way to a smooth transition of powers and functions that worked favorably towards an expanded scope of good governance and renewed hope in the people of the Bangsamoro region, according to Misuari. 

“We believe that our President has the political will to push for reforms that would usher in a new era of positive change and progress that the nation has yet to experience. We believe that the President has the dedication to bring about necessary economic, foreign and domestic policies that would strategically place the Philippines at an advantage the world over. And we believe that our nation is on the right course towards a unified, stronger, and more stable period of growth and emerging power,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)