Members of the Makabayan bloc file new resolution for the resumption of “PeaceTalk” at the House Bills and Index Office in Congress on Thursday. Photo by: DARREN LANGIT
RAPPLER.COM : by Mara Cepeda
February 09, 2017
MANILA, Philippines – A total of 102 lawmakers led by the House Makabayan bloc signed a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to continue the peace negotiations with communist rebels.
The Makabayan bloc legislators filed House Resolution (HR) Number 769 on Thursday, February 9. Four days before, the President scrapped the peace talks after the New People’s Army (NPA) withdrew from a 5-month-old ceasefire.
The government also issued a notice to cancel an agreement giving some rebels immunity from arrest – the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). (READ: Rebels reject ‘improper’ notice to cancel talks, JASIG)
According to the congressmen, the President should continue the peace talks because the “Duterte administration [has] reached remarkable and unparalleled headway” compared to past administrations.
“Terminating the same would only put to waste the unprecedented, positive and substantial gains the peace talks have reached,” said the lawmakers.
“It is highly imperative that this Congress hear the Filipino people’s desire to support the resumption of the peace negotiations. It is just and lasting peace itself that is the very compelling reason to continue the peace negotiations,” they added.
Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate said there is a 30-day window before the cancellation of the JASIG will take place.
“Kami ay may nakikita pang puwang na may mababalik sa track ang peace process. At kailangang samantalahin natin ang opportunity na ito,” said Zarate in a press conference.
(We still see a window for the peace process to get back on track. We need to take advantage of this opportunity.)
The full list of lawmakers who signed HR 769 as of early afternoon of February 9 are as follows:
- Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez, South Cotabato 2nd District
- Deputy Speaker Eric Singson, Ilocos Sur 2nd District
- Arlene Brosas, Gabriela Women’s Party (Makabayan)
- France Castro, ACT Teachers (Makabayan)
- Ariel Casilao, Anakpawis (Makabayan)
- Emmi de Jesus, Gabriela Women’s Party (Makabayan)
- Sarah Elago, Kabataan (Makabayan)
- Antonio Tinio, ACT Teachers (Makabayan)
- Carlos Isagani Zarate, Bayan Muna (Makabayan)
- Harlin Neil Abayon III, Aangat Tayo
- Rodrigo Abellanosa, Cebu City 2nd District
- Pedro Acharon, South Cotabato 1st District
- Maria Lourdes Aggabao, Isabela 4th District
- Rodolfo Albano III, Isabela 1st Distrct
- Jorge Almonte, Misamis Occidental 1st District
- Michaelina Antonio, Agbiag
- Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno, Laguna 1st District
- Rosemarie Arenas, Pangasinan 3rd District
- Erico Aumentado, Bohol 2nd Distrct
- Leopoldo Bataoil, Pangasinan 2nd District
- Rodel Batocabe, AKO Bicol
- Jose Christopher Belmonte, Quezon City 6th District
- Joseph Sto Niño Bernos, Abra
- John Bertiz, ACTS-OFW
- Lianda Bolilia, Batangas 4th Distrct
- Gabriel Bordado Jr, Camarines Sur 3rd District
- Anthony Bravo, COO-NATCCO
- Maria Vida Espinosa-Bravo, Masbate 1st Distrct
- Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, Apayao
- Luis Campos, Makati City 2nd District
- Sabiniana Canama, COOP-NATCCO
- Aurora Enerio-Cerilles, Zamboanga del Sur 2nd District
- Maria Theresa Collantes, Batangas 3rd District
- Jonas Cortes, Cebu 3rd District
- Vincent Crisologo, Quezon City 1st District
- Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, Nueva Vizcaya
- Leo Rafael Cueva, Negros Occidental 2nd District
- Eugene de Vera, Arts Business and Science Professionals
- Raul del Mar, Cebu City 1st District
- Monsour del Rosario, Makati City 1st District
- Cherry Deloso-Montalla, Zambales 2nd District
- Ramon Durano VI, Cebu 5th District
- Napolen Dy, Isabela 3rd District
- Sandra Eriguel, La Union 2nd District
- Evelina Escudero, Sorsogon 1st District
- Juliet Ferrer, Negros Occidental 4th District
- Lawrence Fortun, Agusan del Norte 1st District
- Alfredo Garbin Jr, AKO Bicol
- Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Compostela Valley 2nd District
- Fernando Gonzalez, Albay 3rd District
- Alexandria Gonzales, Mandaluyong
- Mark Go, Baguio City
- Seth Frederick Jalosjos, Zamboanga del Norte 1st Distrt
- Elisa Kho, Masbate 2nd District
- Virgilio Lacson, MANILA Teachers
- Edcel Lagman, Albay 1st Distrct
- Delphine Lee, AGRI
- Benjur Lopez Jr, YACAP
- Dale Malapitan, Caloocan City 1st Distrct
- Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Kalinga
- Rodante Marcoleta, 1-SAGIP
- Evelyn Plaza-Mellana, Agusan del Sur
- Raymond Mendoza, TUCP
- Alejandro Mirasol, Negros Occidental 5th District
- Ramon Nolasco, Cagayan 1st Distrct
- Henry Oaminal, Misamis Occidental 2nd District
- Eric Olivarez, Parañaque 1st Distrct
- Edwin Ong, Northern Samar 2nd Distrct
- Pablo Ortega, La Union
- Rogelio Pacquiao, Sarangani
- Joseph Stephen Paduano, Abang Lingkod
- Wilter Palma, Zamboanga Sibugay 1st Distrct
- Jose Panganiban Jr. ANAC-IP
- Marisol Panotes, Camarines Norte 2nd District
- Mauyag Papandayan Jr, Lanao del Sur
- Johnny Pimentel, Surigao del Sur 2nd District
- Enrico Pineda, 1PACMAN
- Aileen Radaza, Lapu-Lapu City
- Isidro Rodriguez Jr, Rizal 2nd District
- Geraldine Roman, Bataan 1st Distrct
- Harry Roque, Kabayan
- Rogelio Roque, Bukidnon 4th District
- Jesus Sacdalan, Cotabato 1st District
- Ron Salo, Kabayan
- Orestes Salon, AGRI
- Joey Salceda, Albay 2nd District
- Federico Sandoval II, Malabon
- Vilma Santos-Recto, Batangas 6th District
- Deogracias Victor Savellano, Ilocos Sur 1st District
- Bai Sandra Sema, Maguindanao 1st District
- Frederick Siao, Iligan
- Anna Marie Villaraza-Suarez, ALONA
- Jose Tejada, Cotabato 3rd District
- Randolph Ting, Cagayan 3rd District
- Arnel Ty, LPGMA
- Carlos Roman Uybarreta, 1-CARE
- Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso, Cagayan 2nd District
- Rosanna Vergara, Nueva Ecija 3rd District
- Noel Villanueva, Tarlac 3rd District
- Micaela Violago, Nueva Ecija 2nd District
- Melecio Yap, Negros Occidental 1st District
- Manuel Zubiri, Bukidnon 3rd District
– Rappler.com