GPH-MILF decision points on principles

The parties agree to the following principles, which shall further guide discussions on the substantive agenda of the negotiations. This preliminary list does not contain all points so far agreed upon and does not preclude future agreements on other key points.

1. The parties recognize Bangsamoro identity and the legitimate grievances and claims of the Bangsamoro people.

2. The parties agree that the status quo is unacceptable and that the parties will work for the creation of a new autonomous political entity in place of the ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao].

3. The parties agree to the continuity of negotiations in the context of agreed documents.

4. The parties agree that the new autonomous political entity shall have a ministerial form of government.

5. The parties agree to the need for a transition period and the institution of transitional mechanisms in order to implement the provisions of the agreement.

6. There will be power-sharing and wealth-sharing between the national government and the new political entity. In the matter of power-sharing, the national government will have its reserved powers, the new political entity will have its exclusive powers, and there will be concurrent powers shared by the national government and the new political entity.

The parties agree that the following matters are reserved for the competence of the national government:

a. Defense and external security

b. Foreign policy

c. Common market and global trade (Footnote: The power to enter into economic agreements already allowed under Republic Act No. 9054 shall be transferred to the new political entity.)

d. Coinage and monetary policy

e. Citizenship and naturalization

f. Postal service

This list is without prejudice to other powers, which the parties may agree to reserve to the national government in the course of the negotiation.

7. The parties agree that wealth creation (or revenue generation and sourcing) is important. The parties also acknowledge the power of the new political entity to create its own sources of revenue, subject to limitations as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, and to have a just share in the revenues generated through the exploration, development or utilization of natural resources.

8. The parties recognize the need to strengthen the Shari’ah courts and to expand their jurisdiction over cases. The new political entity shall also have competence over the Shari’ah justice system.

9. The parties agree to the creation of (third-party) monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, which may utilize competencies already available in existing mechanisms, e.g. International Contact Group, International Monitoring Team and Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities.

10. In addition to basic rights already enjoyed, the following rights of all citizens residing in the new political entity bind the legislature, executive and judiciary as directly enforceable law and are guaranteed:

a. Right to life and to inviolability of one’s person and dignity;

b. Right to freedom and expression of religion and beliefs;

c. Right to privacy;

d. Right to freedom of speech;

e. Right to express political opinion and pursue democratically political aspirations;

f. Right to seek constitutional change by peaceful and legitimate means;

g. Right of women to meaningful political participation and protection from all forms of violence;

h. Right to freely choose one’s place of residence and the inviolability of the home;

i. Right to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in social and economic activity and public service, regardless of class, creed, disability, gender or ethnicity;

j. Right to establish cultural and religious associations;

k. Right to freedom from religious, ethnic and sectarian harassment; and

l. Right to redress of grievances and due process of law.

Done this 24th day of April 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

For the GPH: Dean Marvic MVF

Leonen, chair, GPH panel

For the MILF:  Mohagher Iqbal, chair, MILF panel

Signed in the presence of Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tenglu Mohamed, Malaysian facilitator