UP law dean named head of peace panel

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino yesterday named University of the Philippines professor Marivic Leonen to lead the panel that would resume peace talks with Muslim insurgents to end the decades-old rebellion in the south.                            

He has instructed the negotiating panel to work within the limits of the Constitution, which rules out the creation of a new state.

 “I have instructed the panel to review the past agreements and recommend how we can move forward cognizant of the limitations that both parties have to deal with,” he said in a statement read to the press by presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

Mr. Aquino has appointed Leonen, dean of the UP College of Law, to be in charge of restarting negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“We don’t want palliative measures. No more dribbling. We will hold dialogues in earnest with as little noise as possible. I hope that this is the same good intention on the part of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,” Leonen said.                

Leonen, who specializes in constitutional and international law, will remain dean of the UP College of Law while serving as MILF negotiating chairman.

“This is an opportunity for UP to be of public service,” he said.

 Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the panel would review the history of the negotiations. “We are initiating mechanisms for a continuous dialogue,” she said. 

“Without setting deadlines, we think we can do something within the first quarter.”