Survey: Significant number of people open to amend the Constitution
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MANILA, June 7 – A significant number of people is open to amending the 1987 Constitution based on a poll
survey in the just-concluded “Dialogue Mindanaw” conducted by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the
Peace Process (OPAPP, if this will address peace in Mindanao.
Rev. Fr. Bert Alejo, convenor of “Dialogue Mindanaw” commissioned by OPAPP, said that this was the result
of the poll survey from 3,005 respondents asked during the series of consultations held in various
Dialogue participants came from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Manila, Butuan City, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City,
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Bacolod City, Koronadal City, Cotabato City, Zamboanga City, Davao City and
Jolo, Sulu.
Tawi-Tawi posted the highest with 72 percent in favor, followed by Sulu, 65 percent, Bacolod City, 55 percent,
Manila, 54 percent, Cotabato City, 53 percent, Iligan City, 49 percent, Puerto Princesa, 44 percent, Cagayan
de Oro and Davao, 43 percent, Zamboanga, 41 percent, Koronadal, 42 percent, and Baguio, 40 percent.
The same survey said that those who are against registered the following percentage: Tawi-Tawi, 12
percent; Manila, 14 percent; Butuan, 28 percent; Iligan, 25 percent; Baguio, 21 percent; Cagayan de Oro, 26
percent; Palawan, 23 percent; Bacolod, 14 percent; Koronadal, 24 percent; Cotabato, 17 percent;
Zamboanga, 26 percent; Davao, 18 percent; and Sulu, 7 percent.
On the query look for other options, Tawi-Tawi registered 14 percent; Manila, 25 percent; Butuan, 31 percent;
Iligan, 19 percent; Baguio, 28 percent; Cagayan de Oro, 28 percent; Palawan, 17 percent; Bacolod, 29
percent; Koronadal, 27 percent; Cotabato, 21 percent; Zamboanga, 25 percent; Davao, 29 percent; and Sulu,
14 percent.
Those who answered “don’t know” were Bacolod, 2 percent; Manila, 2 percent; Cotabato, 8 percent;
Zamboanga 3 percent; Davao, 3 percent; Sulu, 6 percent; Tawi-Tawi, 3 percent; Manila, 3 percent; Butuan, 5
percent; Iligan, 6 percent; Baguio, 5 percent; Palawan, 10 percent; and Cagayan de Oro, zero percent.
Respondents who had “no answer” were Tawi-Tawi and Bacolod, zero percent; Manila, 5 percent; Butuan, 6
percent; Iligan, 2 percent; Baguio, 6 percent; Cagayan de Oro, 3 percent; Palawan, 5 percent; Koronadal, 5
percent; Cotabato, 2 percent; Zamboanga, 5 percent; Davao, 7 percent; and Sulu, 8 percent.
Fr. Alejo presented the results of the survey during the second leg of “Peace Forum Sustained Partnership”
sponsored by OPAPP at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City today.
The first leg was held last Saturday in Baguio City Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle T.
Abaya outlined the nine-year accomplishments of the comprehensive peace process under the
administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Similar forum will also be held in Bacolod City for the Visayas leg on Wednesday and Zamboanga City on
Thursday and Davao City on Friday .
Abaya said the forum will present the reflections, insights, and lessons learned on the 2004-2010 National
Peace Plan, as well as validate them and solicit additional recommendations for the peace process in the
next six years under a new administration.
The forum also highlights OPAPP’s initiatives in consulting stakeholders and peace constituencies
nationwide, focusing on the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF).
Dialogue Mindanaw was held from February to March this year.
“These reflective dialogues and authentic consultations have provided a rich perspective on how much has
been achieved and what the current sentiments, needs, and aspirations have been of the different
stakeholders, as well as recommendations that will shape the succeeding National Peace Plan for six more
years,” she added.
Abaya said Dialogue Mindanaw has brought the awareness level of the GRP-MILF peace process to at least
90 percent of the constituents, especially in Western and Central Mindanao.
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Tan says pursuing peace process is big challenge to next administration
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MANILA, June 7 – Pursuing the peace process to achieve a lasting peace in the country will be a big
challenge to the incoming government, particularly in resolving contentious issues in the peace talks.
This was stressed today by Deputy Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Nabil A. Tan during a Peace
Forum for Sustained Partnership held at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City this morning.
“Indeed, the issues of peace are evolving, and we, as duty bearers of peace, must be open to new ideas,
inquisitive at all times and build a sustainable collaboration anchored on trust, respect and selflessness,”
Tan said.
It may be recalled that Tan was a key figure in the negotiation between the government and the Moro
National Liberation Front (MNLF) that led in the signing of the historic final peace agreement with the MNLF
on Sept. 2, 1996 during the time of then President Fidel V. Ramos.
He said there is also a need to increase the tenacity for the government in pursuing the peace process with
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-
National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF).
In his remarks, Tan said that “the comprehensive peace process has faced a number of challenges of
pursuing the way to a durable peace.”
“From the dialogues and consultations that we have conducted nationwide, majority would say the gains
and impact are progressively inching forward, while to the certain degree, issues of enhancement and
implementation surfaced suggesting more innovative and effective ways to carry out the peace agenda,” Tan
said.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has been conducting dialogues and
consultation in various parts of the country to feel the pulse of the people.
“These were continuing engagements where we were able to be reunited as active partners, forged
convergence of efforts and relived the common vision and commitment to pursue a just and lasting peace
for all nations and Filipinos,” Tan said.
“There had been a significant sharing, listening and understanding processes to map the gains and
challenges of the comprehensive peace process,” he concluded.
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