Malacanang Palace, Manila. 02 April 2013 — Our team of peace advocates had a very productive meeting with Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad (Department of Budget and Management) and a brief exchange of notes with Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman (Department of Social Welfare and Development) about their respective roles in achieving just-peace in our beautiful land.
We were led by Bishop Efraim Tendero (Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches) and Gus Miclat (Initiatives for International Dialogue-Mindanao PeaceWeavers). The other team members were Karen Tanada (GZO Peace Institute), Regina Lyn Getuiza Mondez (Sulong CARHRIHL-Generation Peace), Jun Aparece (Mindanao Peoples Caucus), and Malou Tabios Nuera (IID-MPW).
The next day, I had a one-on-one meeting with a key official at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
My general perspective about the peace process in Mindanao: Critical optimism!
In Shaa Allah, a comprehensive agreement may be completed within the mutually agreed time-frame.
