(May 24-31, 2012)

Not only some politicians, but even men in government, perhaps not excluding those involved in the peace process, are not happy about the use of the compound word “in the driver’s seat, by the MILF to describe its role in the transition period after a peace pact is signed with the government. Perhaps, those who are not comfortable with it have a mindset glued to the ramifications of the unitary system, or to a lesser degree, of vertical organizations, wherein the head of government or “boss” decides everything.

The use of the word by the MILF is minus the stigma of one-man rule; it is merely to describe the particular role it has to play in the transition period, after which it is free for all in the regular period, because in a ministerial form of governance whichever party wins the majority in the assembly (we refrain ourselves from using the word parliament) forms the state or substate government.

The MILF is using the word figuratively, which means, “to be in charge of things” in the transition period, which is the normal practice in the world today after conflicts are settled. In Aceh in Indonesia, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) was in the driver’s seat, and same is true with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Palestine, with South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in South Sudan, with the Sein Fein in Northern Ireland, and elsewhere. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was in the driver’s seat when it ran the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Why a big thing if it is the turn of the MILF to follow their footsteps?

Similarly, is not President Benigno Aquino III in the driver’s seat in the Philippine state; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in the Senate; OIC Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman in the ARMM, etc.? Come to think of these facts! Is it not fair for the MILF to assume the responsibility and accountability for the interim of the new Moro entity after it agreed to its creation? If it goes astray, is the government willing to assume the sole responsibility and absorb the blames?

In this country, many are suffering from diverse phobia syndromes. This is only not true in the real world of mental illnesses, but even in the use of terms, despite their currency in advance and matured states. Can one imagine that aside from the term “driver’s seat”, the use of terms like “Bangsamoro Juridical entity”, “constitution”, and “substate” is opposed, if not denounced?  Why? This only shows how deep-rooted conservatism, the fear of the uncharted seas and myths, even among some so-called educated or intellectuals in this country.

It is, however, to the credit of the President, his cabinet, and the government peace panel to see the light of the MILF’s proposal in putting in place a ministerial form of governance once the new Moro entity is in place in some parts of Mindanao. This mode of governance is best suited to the Moros who for centuries, practiced consultation and collectivism in decision-making. Despite being dynastic, the Sultanate of Sulu had once time its Ruma Bichara to decide major matters, and the Sultanate of Maguindanao its Bitiara Atas, which served as their respective parliaments. In reality, the sultan rarely made decisions, except on very important matters.

The term driver’s seat is not the main thing in this negotiation. It can be reformulated, provided that the MILF’s role is that of a “shepherd”, borrowing the word of one member of an international non-government organization, which has membership in the International Contact Group (ICG). After all, in the driver’s seat it is no more than having to be responsible in guiding the agreement to its implementation.