Issue No. 1 March 2014

The WOMEN at the Peace Table

Beyond Age and Gender: Young Moro Women Lead the GPH Legal Team

DSWD: Peace Builders on the Ground

The Governor as Babaylan

MIRIAM CORONEL-FERRER Chair of the GPH Panel for talks with the MILF 12 28 Staff Box Editorial Board Chair Sec. Teresita Quintos Deles

Editor Paulynn Paredes Sicam 32 Contributors Grace Mallorca-Bernabe Ana Marie Clamor Polly Michelle Cunanan Jurgette Honculada Marj Ibañez Table of Contents Diane Kathrina Leomo Ma. Lourdes Veneracion-Rallonza 1 From the Publisher 22 Jurgette Honculada: Raising Gender Concerns Photographers 3 WOMAN at the Talks in the Peace Negotiation Joser Dumbrique By MIRIAM CORONEL-FERRER Ordonie Egon Layson 24 Ma. Lourdes Tison: 8 Yasmin Busran-Lao: The Gift of Grounded Peace-Builder from the Pessimism Layout Artist Grassroots to the Peace Mai Ylagan Table and Back 26 Ma. Carla Munsayac- Villarta: Hope Springs Project Coordinator Iona Jalijali: 10 Eternal Melissa S. Calingo It’s Not About Gender

12 Beyond Age and Gender: 28 Sol Matugas and Young Moro Women Lawyers Cora Malanyaon: KABABAIHANat Lead the GPH Legal Team The Governor as Babaylan KAPAYAPAAN By MA. LOURDES VENERACION- By JURGETTE HONCULADA This magazine is published bi-annually RALLONZA by the Office of the Presidential Adviser DSWD 32 on the Peace Process 16 Q&A Peace Builders on the Ground Senen Bacani: “The women By DIANE KATHRINA LEOMO Address were more diligent and 7th Floor, Agustin 1 Bldg. meticulous.” F. Ortigas Jr. Road 36 Charlotte Matias and Jessica Ortigas Center, Pasig City By MA. LOURDES VENERACION- Banganan: Softening the RALLONZA Ground in the Cordillera Telephone +632 636 0701 to 07 By MARJ IBAÑEZ 18 PHOTO ESSAY Fax Scenes from a Peace Process +632 638 2216 NEWS Text by POLLY MICHELLE CUNANAN 39 Website Photos by JOSER DUMBRIQUE Gender Responsive Justice System Key to Sustainable www.opapp.gov.ph Peace 21 REFLECTION Connect with us! THE EMOTIONAL CALCULUS Mindanao Women Share OF CONFLICT Insights on Normalization, peace.opapp By JURGETTE HONCULADA Submit Recommendations to @OPAPP_peace BTC 22 On The GPH-CPP/NPA Front: peaceopapp The Women Hold the Fort 41 CALENDAR By MA. LOURDES VENERACION- Gender and Peace Events, [email protected] RALLONZA 2014 FROM THE PUBLISHER

IN THE PAST DECADES, more and more Filipino women have played decisive roles in society – as heads of families, business executives, political leaders, community workers, government officials, and civil society organizers. In the peace process in particular, women have been breaking ground, taking on active roles and succeeding as negotiators, mediators, peacekeepers, peace builders, relief workers, trauma healers – the list goes on. The Philippine government has made significant strides in protecting and fulfilling women’s rights in situations of conflict. In 2010, the Philippine government adopted its National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security that is anchored on the Magna Carta for Women, making the Philippines the first country in Asia that has adopted a policy to operationalize its commitment to the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1325, 1820 and 1888. These resolutions acknowledge women’s capacity to make decisions on women, peace and security issues; recognize sexual violence as a tactic of war and a possible war crime, and establish leadership, deploy expertise, and improve coordination among stakeholders involved in addressing conflict-related sexual violence. The Philippine government has blazed a trail, ahead of many other countries, for women’s participation in its peace processes. The government peace panel that successfully negotiated a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is chaired by a woman, UP Professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer and includes another woman member, Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs Yasmin Busran-Lao. TheTechnical Working Groups on Normalization and Wealth-sharing, the Secretariat, and the Legal Team are likewise headed by women.

Two women – Jurgette Honculada and Lulu Tison – also take part in the government peace panel for talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front, and its Secretariat is headed by a woman. In spite of the significant progress achieved in the role of women in the peace process, however, much still needs to be done to increase women’s representation in political leadership and governance. In its 2011 report, Isis International observed that in the southern most regions in the country, women “continue to face traditional notions of gender that question women’s participation in higher levels of governance.” In fact, “Women’s capacity and strength in leading amidst a conflict situation is continuously questioned because of traditional notions of gender that see them as weak and unable to protect themselves.”1 In this context, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, which chairs the National Steering Committee on Women, Peace and Security mandated to implement the NAP, has initiated the publication of Kababaihan at Kapayapaan, a magazine that showcases the contribution of women to peace building. By telling the stories of women in various jobs in government – from leading government agencies to sitting across the negotiating table to bringing social services to the grassroots, we hope to contribute to raising awareness, acceptance and support for the valuable role of women in building and attaining lasting peace. Published twice a year, Kababaihan at Kapayapaan also focuses on the contributions and concerns of stakeholders from civil society, business, the academe, the donor community, and the general public who are government’s partners in strengthening women’s roles in peace promotion. Our maiden issue which focuses on “Women in Leadership”, is aptly being launched in March 2014, Women’s Month.

TERESITA QUINTOS DELES

1 Recognising Women’s Participation in Sustainable and Lasting Peace Research Report, Women and Peacebuilding, Philippines, December 2011, Isis International

PB KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 1 Powerhouse trio: Miriam Coronel-Ferrer (right) arrives at the talks with Panel member Yasmin Busran-Lao and 2SecretariatKABABAIHAN head IonaatKAPAYAPAAN Jalijali. March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 3 COVER STORY

WOMAN at the talks MIRIAM CORONEL-FERRER writes about her experience chairing the GPH panel in the traditionally man’s world of peace negotiations with the MILF.

FOR CERTAIN, WOMAN was a panel Undersecretary Yasmin Busran- when I got appointed as chair, presence in the peace talks between Lao. The number gradually increased replacing Marvic Leonen who was the Government and the Moro Islamic to include by the 23rd Exploratory appointed to the Supreme Court. This Liberation Front (MILF). Though Talks in December 2011, lawyer Raisa appointment was made on the strong she was often kept bottled up, she Jajurie on the other side of the table. recommendation of Presidential kept popping out. Because of her Adviser on the Peace Process (PAPP) weightiness, she would be treated More women in the room was Teresita “Ging” Quintos Deles and lightly. She stayed amiably visible, made possible when the two parties effectively also of the MILF. but was also threateningly obstinate. agreed to open slots to consultants in February 2012 and, much later, But that’s moving ahead of the story. That there were women in the room created the first Technical Working unavoidably made WOMAN visible. Groups (TWGs) in August 2012. The Gender banter In the beginning there were only chair of our TWG on Wealthsharing five of us women. There were Iona was Maria Lourdes “Babes” Lim, Before WOMAN became an agenda on Jalijali, our secretariat head; Johaira regional director of the National the formal table, she emerged first Wahab, then the head of our legal Economic and Development Agency. as fodder for conversation during team; Armi Bayot, a lawyer at the The second of three members was meals. This was in the first months of Office of the Solicitor General detailed another woman, Trinidad “Ning” 2011, when we all ate and sat at the to us; and Emma Leslie, representing Rodriguez, executive director of the same time in several dining tables in the Conciliation Resources in the National Tax Research Center. the hotel, observing proper protocol International Contact Group that in sitting arrangements. Later we accompanied the process. Around With the posts of consultants and became more informal and sat March 2013, Anna Tarhata Basman TWGs opened up, the MILF did not anywhere we liked. replaced Johaira who was appointed have to reconstitute its all-male panel During these breaks in the early to the Bangsamoro Transition and was still able to bring in women phase, everyone tried their best to Commission. in their official delegation. diffuse the tension through banter and story-telling. And what small The presence of WOMAN was further In December 2012, President Benigno talk beats that about men and enhanced when GPH added in its Aquino III raised the bar for WOMAN women?

2 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 3 After a while, the bantering on the set of consensus points that Our MILF counterparts wanted to WOMAN became incessant. “Does the two parties eventually signed know what we meant by meaningful. joking about gender, trivializing it as under the title “Decision Points on Did we mean substantial? Did we feminists would say, reflect how much Principles as of April 2012. We had mean maximum? At what level gender is now on the agenda?” I posed to come to terms with the items and should that participation be? They this question to myself in the random formulations on the list of rights that recommended deleting the word and notes that I had typed on my laptop in we deemed important to reiterate in keeping the rest of the sentence. the course of the negotiations. the Decision Points. Sensing a prolonged discussion on The entry was written in April 2011, On the item on non-discrimination the matter, Tengku Gaafar moved to shortly after the new Malaysian based on sex, creed, race, ethnicity leave the matter to the team tasked facilitator, Tengku Ghafar came and so on, then MILF panel member to reconcile the two lists. However, in, replacing Datu Othman Razak. I Datu Michael Mastura moved to the word meaningful persisted as the answered my own question with this use “gender” instead of sex which locus of discussion onto the third day reflection: he deemed a controversial subject. of the talks, with the members of the Qualifying that he is not saying ICG asked to give their definitions. “Maybe so, unless it stays at that level. that there is no sexuality in Islam, So for most parts and for now, Emma and he nonetheless cautioned that the “Meaningful means genuine,” said I (and apparently also Johaira and Iona ulamas are wary of the s word. We Christ Wright of UK. David Gorman of at the other dining tables) just go along heartily agreed to replace it with the the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue with the banter, pitting feminist wit with even better alternative word that he mused if “equal participation” might the male taunting. We cannot be grim- had proposed. be better, Emma replied that would be and-determined in our approach. Umbra privileging quantity over quality. Kato in his interview with Mindanews The right to privacy, which the GPH said something along the line that women panel wanted included, was queried Johaira countered with court cases should wear hijab, as part of the Islamic in relation to aliwat (a man and to illustrate that it is not just about way that they envision to put in place. woman caught in a compromising equality, and that what is meaningful Even if the MILF panel members are situation) and the Koranic practice of is defined on a case-to-case basis. more liberal in their views on this matter, saying salam before entering a house. they have to contend with the more Dr. Hamid Barra, then GPH panel Yasmin affirmed that we intended conservative forces in their ranks. They, member, elucidated on the intricacies the right to be substantial, not a mere like us, have to play their cards well on the relating to aliwat as a criminal act. token. For her, meaningful means gender issue. But to be sure, it’s out there, Not without unresolved concerns on having equal opportunity to influence sticking out, and they cannot ignore it this matter, the two panels agreed to decision-making at all levels. anymore. We just need them to slowly get accord the right to privacy its rightful used to it.” place in the list. I put in my two-cent’s worth: meaningful is best understood by Despite the fun approach we dealt But of all the discussions in this its opposite, which is meaningless. with the WOMAN question in the round, the word “meaningful” took One can have participation that is earlier phase of our negotiations, the cake for the all-around discomfort meaningless. we all knew that there was intense it caused in order for it to be carried pressure from the international in the text. MILF Panel Chair Mohager Iqbal tsaid community and also our domestic his piece. Speaking from his heart, he public for gender inclusivity. The meaning of meaningful believed that women and men cannot Inevitably, the matter jumped from have absolute equality because they the dining room to the negotiating Put on the chopping block on 14 are different physically, biologically table. February 2012, the second day of the and even emotionally. 25th Exploratory Talks, was GPH’s Sexuality and privacy entry on “the right of women to This prodded me to go into the meaningful political participation, difference between being equal In our 25th Exploratory Talk in and protection from all forms of and being the same, a matter long February 2012, we began work on violence.” articulated in the discourse on

4 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 5 February 2012, the second day of the 25th Exploratory Talks, we bought heart-shaped boxes of chocolate to give out to the men in the room. On one other occasion, the GPH panel unceremoniously handed over copies of UN Resolution 1325 to the Facilitator and the MILF.

But there were unsavory occasions too, such as when a woman in our panel (I) was derided as a “second- class woman” – apparently, one who aspires to be like a man. This was after an intensive discussion of the lists of powers prepared by the MILF where a lot of questioning ensued. On another instance, a younger, female member of the GPH team had to suffer some of the antagonism.

Overall, I can say that there has been a cumulative advance in the MILF’s openness to talk and appreciate gender concerns. Although a quota system remains difficult to introduce, we happily witnessed over the months the presence of several more women in the talks.

Raisa was at one time joined by GPH panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer with panel member Yasmin Busran- Lao. educator Cabaybay Abubakar. Juckra Abdulmalik and lawyer Roslayni Maniri became permanent fixtures women. Yes we are different, as appreciated by the women in our in the MILF delegation. The clauses biologically, socially. Men panel, and also based on your own that we introduced on women in the traditionally carried arms, women understanding. He then moved to different annexes were approved gave birth. But equality is not about retain the word. The MILF chair without much ado. sameness. It is about relationships agreed. founded on mutual respect and On our end, we were kept on our the dignity of both persons. It is And so it came to be. The “meaningful toes by groups like the Women no different from what the MILF political participation of women” was Engaged in Action on 1325 and the wanted for the Bangsamoro -- parity “entrenched” as among the protected Women’s Peace Table who lobbied of esteem. The same ‘parity of rights, first in the Decision Points and for provisions that would make for a esteem’ or mutual respect that is later, in the October 2012 Framework gendered peace agreement. desired between the majority and Agreement on the Bangsamoro. the minority population is desirable Appointment as chair as well between men and women. Ups and downs In January 2012, when Marvic GPH Chair Marvic rounded up There were several other light was first considered for another that discussion with his idea of a moments in our cautious attempt government position, the issue of compromise: Let’s use meaningful to genderize the process. On 14 succession came up. PAPP Ging

4 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 5 recommended me. PNOY reportedly convinced the President to let go who have been part of our panel replied first by qualifying that he is of Marvic and appoint him to the (former Agriculture Secretary Senen not anti-women, but that those on Supreme Court. I am glad another Bacani, Dr. Hamid Barra who was the other side of the table may not woman kept the faith in me and that later replaced by the chair of the be ready for one. So he kept Marvic the President too kept his faith on National Commission on Muslim in his post. The same concern arose two women to see through a concern Filipinos Secretary Mehol Sadain) are when in November 2012, Marvic was that is very important to him. believers in women’s rights. shortlisted for the Supreme Court. It certainly helped that the MILF Kitchen Economics For someone who spent her youth wrote a letter to the President and adulthood generally unhampered signifying that they can work with Being WOMAN brings its own by societal barriers, it was with any chairperson regardless of gender amusing moments. Several times, the consternation that I found myself and ethnicity – again another sign of Malaysian facilitator slipped, calling in my golden years hitting the glass their growing openness to en-gender. me sir or chairman. He reasoned ceiling for being WOMAN. good-humoredly, that “Sir” in Still, the MILF expressed some Malaysia is used for both sexes. Reading literature on feminism and misgivings. “In Maguindanao culture, women’s rights during and after we don’t quarrel with a woman,” After signing an Annex for the college caused little internal upheaval Iqbal was quoted as saying, implying first time as panel chair in the 35th as I had already, organically imbibed that the new situation might unduly Exploratory Talks held in January the essential tenets. As an activist in constrain them. Culture or not, I 2013, Tengku Gaafar and I shook the underground movement against wasn’t spared the difficulties involved hands. He joked, “First time I shook the Marcos dictatorship, WOMAN when we began wrangling over texts the hand of a woman.” I smiled and posed no practical obstacle, only in December 2012, my baptism of fire said, “First time I shook hands with a theoretical debates on feminism and as chair. prince.” Tengku” is a Malay royal title Marxism. Can being a woman now in equivalent to a prince. We had a good my mature years be such a handicap? Since I have worked with men all laugh. my professional life, I suppose the PAPP Ging’s guarantee to PNOY that challenge of adjustment was more Months afterwards, when the I am the right person for the job theirs than mine. Moreover, the men government wanted clear

A light moment. (L-R) GPH Panel Secretariat Head Dir. Iona Jalijali, former legal team head Atty. Johaira Wahab, GPH Panel Chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, legal team member Atty. Armi Bayot and GPH Panel Member Usec. Yasmin Busran-Lao.

6 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 7 benchmarks for the decommissioning mother wouldn’t have done it were our peace process to get to fully of weapons and combatants, the MILF she is burdened with household understand each other as persons team had to grapple with another chores. and colleagues in this unusual persistent woman, Undersecretary endeavor. Zenonida “Zen” Brosas of the The underlying assumptions in National Security Council. Zen headed these questions are of course very WOMAN factor our TWG on Normalization. real to most women around the globe. They speak of handicaps that The flipside to the question as to how Together, Zen and I upped the ante most women would most likely face a woman can do what she did is, can for details we wanted ironed out in by fact of WOMAN alone. only a woman have done it? the remaining annexes, haggling and bargaining on numbers, costs and When Time magazine in its 20 Questions like these are challenging percentages. January 2014 issue featured Janet because either way, we are tempted Yellen, the US Federal Reserve’s to fall into one-sided stereotypes. Our facilitator chided us for bringing new chair of the board, the same In the academe, we call this trap in “kitchen economics” into the talks. aspects of her life got covered. essentialism: to reduce everything “Beware of the housewives,” he joked, to a set of defined and unchanging “They are after the kitchen money.” The article prompted a certain values, when in fact everything we Sylvaine Poncet from France to think we know results from how we Some feminists would have been write Time a letter to the editor have been “trained” to process and irritated or angry by such housewife- with this blunt observation: view things, which can certainly jokes. But Zen and I didn’t mind change over time. This includes our since it was producing results. Later, “And, because and only because this biases about men and women. when everything was agreed on and personality is a woman, we know all the texts were laid out, that kind of about how she fell in love and how There are many reasons to attention to detail would be noticed lucky she was to have a husband who explain how we got this far in the and appreciated by the men in both takes care of their baby – and even negotiations, in this manner and with panels. more so because it is unbelievable that this content. WOMAN was a part of he washed the dishes. If the personality the equation, certainly, but obviously The personal and professional had been a man, you would have not the only factor. written long-windedly about his years As we were about to complete the last spent in college, how he was perceived But did WOMAN make a difference? of the four Annexes on 25 January by his fellow students and his career Yes. She did change the dynamics as 2014, several journalists began prospered.” in any group setting, especially in a writing on the fact of being WOMAN sensitive and difficult undertaking in the government panel that I quote this now not to say that such as peace negotiations. She did successfully sparred with all-male we should completely disconnect guarantee the inclusion of important counterparts. More features followed the personal from the professional gender provisions in the agreement. in the aftermath of the signing, and life. What I would want to see, in especially in this month of March, fact, is that men’s personal lives But is it a difference for the better? which is Women’s Month. be captured as well in the features Again, there would be many other that are written about them. I’d like factors that would determine the fate These write-ups and television and to know the WOMAN or women of this process. Again, WOMAN just radio interviews inevitably included behind the success story, and has to prove twice as hard that three, snippets on one’s personal life. They the sacrifices they made to make thirty years from now, the answer wanted to know how one was able the man. I’d like to know how far would also be a Yes. to take on such a job, despite being the man has gone in his gender a woman. They explored what kind consciousness. So do we mind having to work twice of upbringing one had that enabled as hard? No. This is, after all, the kind one to transcend societal biases. If In fact, we should probably of opportunity that we, womankind, one is married with children, what is organize an event with the wives have been trying for centuries to get the husband like, because a wife and and husbands or partners of our hands on.

6 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 7 Yasmin Busran-Lao: Peacebuilding from the grassroots to the peace table and back

YASMIN BUSRAN-LAO began her journey as a peace- When the appointment ban for non-winners in the builder in a non-governmental organization where, as elections was lifted after one year, she was invited to be head of the Al Mujadilah Development Foundation in an observer of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) Marawi City and Nisa Ul Haqq Fi Bangsamoro in Zamboanga, panel in the talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front she integrated Islam and women’s human rights in her (MILF). When a negotiator position for the GPH panel pursuit of peace. Through her involvement with other opened March 2012, she was invited to fill the post. organizations and networks, such as the PILIPINA, Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute, and the Women Engaged in The appointment Action on UNSCR 1325, she got involved in crafting the Gender and Development Code of the Autonomous According to Yasmin, Secretary Teresita ‘Ging’ Deles, was Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the advocacy very clear about wanting to put more women in the panel. campaigns for the drafting of the Philippine National At this time, Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer was the only Action Plan (NAP) on United Nations Security Council woman in the GPH panel. So, for the vacancy, the logical Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on women, peace and security, and appropriate choice was another woman negotiator. and the passage of the Magna Carta for Women. Deles’ decision to endorse to the President Yasmin’s In all these mechanisms and fora, Yasmin made sure she appointment to the GPH panel was grounded on her included the concerns of Moro women who, she believes, previous position as observer which gave her an insider’s must surface from the margins. Internationally, she was view of the processes and dynamics of the negotiation. part of the team that drafted the Philippines NGO Shadow At the same time, her identity, roots and experience Report in 2006 for the UN Committee on the Elimination in peacebuilding and women’s rights prepared her to of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) that included negotiate as a Moro, a Mindanaoan, and as a woman. a section on the rights of Moro women and indigenous women. As Yasmin passionately expressed, “all these things mattered because we are very clear that in any agreement, In 2010, she entered a completely new and rather alien there has to be a gender lens...that gender should be terrain when she ran for the senate in the national an important factor.” She links her journey as a peace elections under the Liberal Party ticket. Although she builder with the importance of gender mainstreaming knew that she would not win, she used the campaign as an in peace agreements and the involvement of women in opportunity to talk about what is happening in Mindanao. peace processes. As she explained: “You talk about gender at the grassroots, then policy at “I knew hindi ako mananalo (I wasn’t going to win). But the the national level, and even at the international level, like thought of being able to go all over the country (that I involvement in CEDAW, to include the status and rights wasn’t able to do in my NGO work) was very encouraging. of Moro and indigenous women in Mindanao. Then (you In the campaign sorties, even the only one or two given relate the practices) at the international level back to the to you to speak was enough to explain that in a peaceful national level and then (you conduct) peacebuilding at the Mindanao, everyone benefits. grassroots.”

8 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 9 The gender agenda

Such principled belief is reflective of the spirit of the women, peace and security norm embodied in UNSCR 1325 and the NAP which call for the participation of women in various spaces for peace building, including peace negotiations. Having women at peace tables enables them to share their perspectives and experiences, and in the process, contribute to more expansive thinking.

Although the Philippine government has signed peace agreements with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF, 1996) Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa- Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB) Tabara-Paduano Group and Nilo dela Cruz Groups (2000); the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CBA- With former GPH panel chair and current Supreme Court Associate Justice Dean Marvic Leonen. CPLA, 2011), and the MILF (Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro [FAB] in 2012), only the FAB has gender on 25 February 2012 to lay the groundwork for the sensitive provisions. Found in the section on Basic Rights creation of the Bangsamoro entity. are: Initial appointees to the BTC on the GPH side were three “(g) Right of women to meaningful political women out of the seven members (Atty. Johaira Wahab, participation, and protection from all forms of Froilyn Mendoza, and Fatmawati Salapuddin); on the MILF violence;” side, out of eight members, only one was a woman (Atty. Raisa Jajurie). “(i) Right to equal opportunity and non- discrimination in social and economic activity On the ground, it was also important to bring in and the public service, regardless of class, creed, women and to concretize what ‘meaningful’ political disability, gender and ethnicity” participation is all about. This was completely new and uncharted territory; previous agreements did not have The debate on the inclusion of gender provisions in the this component. Being part of the external review of the FAB text was heated but it went more smoothly than 1996 Peace Agreement between the GPH and the MNLF, Yasmin thought it would. It was, however, her being a she observed that the people who made decisions were all Moro woman in the Government panel that was somehow men. harder for the MILF to acknowledge. There was the question of loyalty and sincerity which the MILF made a She concluded with characteristic passion: remark about on her first day as government negotiator. Yasmin did not let it pass unanswered: “The goal of women’s participation is to attain durable “I just want to clarify that I am here for the peace and peace. One aspect of the peace agreement that women the Bangsamoro, for this country. I mean for the country, should focus into is the Normalization where arms are it is really a peace for all Filipinos. Whether I am part of going to be put beyond use. We cannot afford to have government or not, this is my position. But being part of another displaced woman or a child who cannot finish government does not undermine my identity as a Moro. schooling, whose future will be destroyed because she/ I am as much a Muslim and a Moro than I was before I he cannot live peacefully. The things that we see in the became part of the government panel, and I don’t think I evacuation centers, their impact on women – lack of am as much or less a Muslim as you are as you sit in this access to reproductive health, getting pregnant or giving table.” birth in very deplorable situations, having abortions in that situation, an adolescent girl in an evacuation center Holding her ground or in a conflict situation vulnerable to all other forms of violence including sexual violence – never again! And Eventually, the peace process had to be brought back to that this will only happen if we work together in whatever its constituents and stakeholders. The people had to own level of the process – be it at the grassroots level or at the the process and be part of it through various mechanisms negotiating table. Our thoughts and actions on this must made available to them. Accordingly, the 15-member be in synch. Otherwise we may lose everything.” Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) was established - Ma. Lourdes Veneracion-Rallonza

8 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 9 Iona Jalijali: It’s about getting the job done

BEFORE IONA JALIJALI became part of the GPH-MILF for the negotiations in Kuala Lumpur. “We must give all peace process, she was a law student in the University of kinds of support to the panel — technical, administrative. the Philippines who was also working full as a member The peace process also has a complex architecture – of the legislative staff of Akbayan Congresswoman Risa there are the security mechanisms such as the ceasefire Hontiveros where she handled bills on social issues such committees and the International Monitoring Team. We as the cheaper medicines bill and the extension of the process all their administrative and financial requirements agrarian reform law. Part of her work was to consult with because under the Terms of Reference, gobyerno ang may legal experts like Marvic Leonen, who was Vice President karga noon (those are responsibilities of the government). for Legal Affairs of the UP and then Dean of its College of Then there’s the political aspect of the work, managing Law. relations with international partners as well as local personalities and groups. We try to assist the panel in that Having had limited engagements with Dean Leonen, work as well. And with the implementation phase of the she was surprised when he invited her to join the Panel agreements about to begin, we’re anticipating that our Secretariat in June 2010 after he was appointed by the responsibilities will become even greater.” President as chief negotiator in the peace talks with the MILF. “I really had no idea at the time what I was in for,” Feminine touch she recalls. “He didn’t even tell me that I would be the Secretariat Head with the position of Director. All he said Paying close attention to the nitty-gritty is part of her was that he needed someone he could trust. I accepted repertoire. “We try to make sure that what we do, we do because anyone in the College of Law would know that you well, so that the panel can just focus on the details of the don’t really say ‘no’ to Dean Leonen.” negotiations. I try to tell my staff that even if were just stapling documents together, we can’t take that task for “I am a feminist at heart and I can get into any argument on the table with regard to women’s rights, equality and all granted. Imagine if you give an incomplete document and that – but I was never really a member of a group. When I the Panel will rely on it during negotiations! I know it was in Akbayan, I was never active in the women’s group sounds like a little thing, but when you’re in that room and there. The legislative agenda I carried was not ka-women- things are getting heated, it’s an inconvenience you don’t nan (women-centered) – it was on environment and other want to have to deal with,” she explains. stuff.” Beyond supervising the logistical, administrative and The job of the Secretariat technical aspects of the Secretariat’s work, Iona plays ‘mother hen’ to her staff and the delegation to KL. It’s Little did Iona know how challenging the work would something she enjoys, she says, as she has a natural be. As head of the Secretariat, Iona describes her task as desire to take care of people and make them happy. “anything and everything – our role really is to make it She also acts as a conduit between key actors, and in possible for the panel to do its work.” dealing with security sector officers, including the high- ranking generals they work with, she chooses to be The job of the Secretariat encompasses a broad range informal. “Maybe they let me get away with it because of things: from doing technical research and preparing I am a woman, but for me it’s just about getting the job reports, to organizing and preparing materials for all done. Besides, since I don’t have a military or diplomatic sorts of meetings and consultations, documentation and background, I wouldn’t even know what the protocols are records-keeping, and of course, making all arrangements for dealing with these high-ranking officers,” she muses.

10 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 11 Iona said that as far as her work relations and operations are concerned, gender never emerged as an issue. Facing a woman or a man does not change how she does her work. Personally, she has not experienced any gender discrimination, but that does not necessarily mean that she did not observe it in others.

Learnings and realizations

Aside from mastering the ins and outs and peculiarities of the negotiations, Iona considers the personal relationships she has built as another significant element in her work. The women in the GPH Panel have become her role models. She is equally glad to have made friends from the MILF side and in the process, understood their religion, culture, history and struggles.

“I came into this cold. Practically all my understanding of Islam I gained by observing the way it is being lived by the Iona Jalijali: A feminist at heart Muslims in our group and in the MILF delegation. Before this, I really did not have any Muslim friends, but now I do. of the current GPH panel to the signing of the FAB, Ang laki ng value noon sa pagkatao ko (That has contributed Iona observed that the inclusion of women in the peace much to me as a person), my understanding of the history of Mindanao, the culture of Islam in the Philippines, and negotiations really made a difference. Within the context the struggles of Muslim women… These have all been very of a negotiating forum numerically dominated by men, she enriching, and it has made me a better person.” reiterated that her being a woman made it easier to deal with men in a way that even sensitive matters do not come For Iona, the learning has been very personal and has out as a threat to their masculinity. At the same time, she deepened her appreciation of the peace process and its affirmed that being a woman, her foresight and attention importance to many people whose life narratives are that to minute details were an asset. of armed conflict. When ask to identify the singular event in the peace negotiations that has made an impact on her, On the women negotiators, Iona said that having women she named the day when both sides agreed to the text of in the GPH panel carrying the gender agenda and knowing the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). what they were talking about, somehow opened the space on the MILF side to include women. She observed “Kasi ang process namin (in our process), the draft is that the MILF team now includes up to three women. “I projected on screen in regular print and once the Parties think having so many women across the table helped our agree to the language, the words would be highlighted in counterparts to be more open to including women in their bold font. So as the panels agree, you’ll see more and more parts of the draft in bold font. team. Just the fact that we were there, doing this job, I think made a statement. ” “The interactions at this time were already very informal. At some point, we suspended the plenary discussions Balancing work and motherhood and I, together with Johaira Wahab, the head of the GPH Legal Team then, was shuttling notes between the Panels. Iona performs her own balancing act between work and Then finally, a plenary was called. I was the one who was school, as she struggles to finally finish her degree in law. editing the draft agreement that was projected on the But her biggest struggle, she says, is having to be away screen. It came down to one word that was not yet in bold. from her partner and her two children, Aya, age five and Then I was asked to type in the agreed word, and I paused Jelo, age two. “From 2012-2013, I think we were in KL for a moment and said to myself, ‘Oh my – this is really almost one week for every single month. My daughter happening!’ I still get goose bumps when I recall that day.” once told me: ‘Nanay, it’s more fun in the Philippines...but not in Malaysia. I cry when you go to Malaysia.’ It was cute A very sentimental person, Iona tears up easily. And that but it broke my heart at the same time,” she admits. time, she shed tears of joy. “Iyak ako noon habang nagta- type. (I cried while I was typing.) Even if I was a mere encoder, the feeling of being part of that moment was just However, Iona said, “That’s why it’s so important to me overwhelming.” that I’m doing something that’s much bigger than myself, something that’s more than just a job. If by being here I am Women make a difference somehow contributing to the hope for peace in Mindanao, then maybe the sacrifice that I have made with my family As part of the entire process from the start of the work is worth it.” - Ma. Lourdes Veneracion-Rallonza

10 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 11 Beyond Age and Gender: Young Moro Women Lawyers Lead the GPH Legal Team

How two young Moro women under 30 guided the GPH panel on the legal issues that clinched the peace agreement.

By MA. LOURDES VENERACION-RALLONZA

Atty. Johaira Wahab Atty. Anna Tarhata Basman

THERE ARE TWO interesting but not surprising facts about women lawyers and their participation in peace negotiations. One is that the feminization of the legal profession by increasing the number of women lawyers and closing the gender gap in the field has yet to be attained. A 2010 study conducted by Ethan Michelson, found that no country has reached the threshold of increasing the number of women lawyers to 30 percent.

Second is that the involvement of women in peace negotiations is notably low. A 2008 study cited by UN Women observed that out of 33 peace negotiations documented, only four percent (or 11 out of 280) were led by women. The study also noted that, on the average, women’s participation in government negotiating panels was only at seven percent, but higher than the number of women in delegations of non-state armed groups.

Both these realities are being challenged in the Philippines.

First, there has been sustained growth in the number of women entering the legal profession. Although gender parity is yet to be attained, the current available data is most positive: there are more women entering law school, about 40 percent of those who pass the bar exams are women, and there are more women lawyers than men working in the academe and civil society organizations.

Second, regarding peace negotiations, a very significant element of the Government of the Philippines’ (GPH) team

12 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 13 in the peace talks with the Moro the peace process after the failed worked with. The exposure provided Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) MOA-AD. Johaira with the socio-political is the involvement of highly context that the panel worked in and competent women as negotiators It was in this consortium where she an understanding of their concerns and as technical support to the panel. worked with Prof. Miriam Coronel- and challenges. This gave her the Specifically, the GPH’s legal team has Ferrer, who is now Chair of the GPH “basis for foresight and therefore, been led by two young Moro women Panel. Early in 2010, several months sufficient information to define how lawyers, Atty. Johaira Wahab and after taking her oath as a lawyer and the team should be organized and Atty. Anna Tarhata Sumande Basman, while working for a private law firm, what our primary tasks and priorities both of who are under 30 years old. she received a Facebook message should be so that we can be most from Dean Leonen informing her useful to the panel.” Both women graduated from the that he had been invited to be the University of the Philippines College Chief Negotiator of the GPH Panel in As the responsibilities of the legal of Law, both were recruited by the the negotiations with the MILF and team crystallized, Johaira was able former Chief Negotiator of the GPH asking her if she would be willing to define more clearly the kind of Panel and now Associate Justice to leave the law firm and head the work she needed to do for the panel. of the Supreme Court, former law GPH legal team, in the event that he Attending panel meetings, she school Dean Marvic Leonen, and accepted the post. As Johaira recalls: constantly reviewed and evaluated both worked as research assistants/ the legal feasibility of the ideas being associates at the UP Institute of “It was an easy decision for me, advanced. “Part of my job was to Human Rights. These women take considering the subject matter and make sure solutions we stand by are pride in their Moro identity, and objectives of the peace process, and the best we can come up with at any tirelessly work to contribute to peace the people I would be working with. given time, and are at the same time, in Mindanao. I knew that I wanted to do it. The politically and legally feasible.” difficult part was to convince people Atty. Johaira Wahab that it would be worth the risk, the She prepared draft texts for the effort, time and energy. At that time, panel, which she usually had to do Johaira initially enrolled in the people had very little hope, if at all, in from scratch, with no set format. She INTARMED Program of the UP College the peace process.” had to decide on the best format for of Medicine before she decided to the first draft and hoped that this move to UP Diliman to pursue an Taking the helm of the GPH legal would be appropriate to facilitate undergraduate degree in Philosophy team was a serious challenge. As as a pre-law course. She entered the Johaira explains, “head of the legal productive discussions. She provided UP College of Law in 2005 where, team” was not exactly an official panel members with memos to guide along with her studies, she worked position in the organizational them on legal concerns, and gave as a research assistant at the UP structure of the GPH panel. It was them outlines of arguments she Institute of Human Rights. only a functional element that Chair thought were important to consider. Leonen wanted to be an integral At around this time, she had the part of the panel that he would lead. In other words, says Johaira, “It was opportunity to learn about gender Johaira recalls that she needed to my job to make sure that the panel and Islam through a program “locate and define the role and place had all the information necessary conducted by the Nisa Ul Haqq Fi of the legal team in the work of the and available to guide them in the Bangsamoro. In 2008, she helped panel” and “carve this out based on discussions and decision points that organize a forum on the MOA-AD at the objectives of the negotiations, needed to be made.” the UP College of Law and was invited the objectives of the GPH in the by Dean Leonen to help prepare negotiations, and the resources that As such, part of her evolving tasks a case on behalf of stakeholders were available.” – although not so much as head of to be filed at the Supreme Court. legal, but more for her being a Moro Thereafter, she was invited by As head of legal, she was invited to sit – was to provide the panel with her Dean Leonen to be a researcher for at and observe meetings of the panel insights on cultural and religious a consortium of members of the with its principals and constituencies, sensitivities to help clarify some academe from different universities and had access to most of the behavior and ease tensions at the and colleges who wanted to advance documents that the panel members table.

12 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 13 of growth and discernment. Peace requires humility and the ability to lay down our values for continual re-evaluation and assessment. The trouble with the pursuit of peace is that it can only be as simple or as complex as the people involved. Therefore, anyone who wants to be a ‘peace advocate’ should be comfortable with difficulty and willing to work with questions that might have no ready answers. This is a thankless job: the only reward for Johaira Wahab confers with Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong (left) and North Cotabato Rep. Jesus Sacdalan (right) on the Bangsamoro the pursuit of peace is the promise Transition Commission. of peace. Who knows whether we might ever get there? But most times In detailing her work as head of discussion became a “sensitive, a promise is more than enough as the legal team, Johaira explains heated almost personal, exchange something to live for. Finally, and that her tasks were “not really between the parties”. Despite most importantly, when you are a determined by any fixed list of this, gender became part of the peace advocate, remember that it’s things to do”, but the need to be Framework Agreement text and is not about you. There is no one person “resourceful, creative and proactive now a benchmark in the history of who is indispensable, though we need in assisting the panel in what may be peace agreements in the country. everyone to make it work. So you can necessary for continuous progress forget everything else that people say in the substantive aspect of the Johaira’s experience in providing about this kind of a job, but just don’t negotiations.” technical support to the GPH Panel forget that last one: it’s not about and as head of its legal team helps her you.” Recalling her most memorable greatly in her new role as a member positive experience as part of GPH of the Transition Commission (TC). Atty. Anna Tarhata Sumande legal team, Johaira speaks about the Initially, she felt that, once again, she Basman evening the text of the Framework would need to locate and define the Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) role of the TC in the peace process Anna Basman graduated from was completed: and her own role in it. At first, she the University of the Philippines found it strange that she no longer in 2007 with a degree in Public “It felt surreal to me. For several had to receive instructions from Administration. Thereafter, she months, that document was just others or assist them. She is now in entered the UP College of Law a draft document on my screen a position to make her own decisions where, like Johaira, she worked as a which we had turned around and on substantive issues, argue her own research associate at the UP Institute over and analyzed in all imaginable points and make her own stand. Most of Human Rights. In August 2010, ways. While we were aware of its notably, she sees the great value of as Dean Marvic Leonen was forming significance, when it was completed, consultation, inclusiveness and the the legal team that would assist the it was overwhelming to realize this need for transparency in the work GPH Panel in the peace talks with the document is intended to deliver of the TC. And, as a commissioner, MILF, Anna was recruited as a legal change (for the better) to the lives she puts premium on upholding the researcher. She worked with the team of so many thousands. That evening, integrity of the peace process. until February 2012. I felt the weight of the enormous promise that those dozen pages To young women who wish to The following year, after taking the contained.” contribute to peace in Mindanao, Bar exams, she was asked by Prof. Johaira says: Miriam Coronel-Ferrer (who was She also recalls that one of her already the Chair of the GPH Panel) most stressful experiences during “Peace is not a document or an event to re-join the legal team. By this the negotiations was when gender that takes place over night or even time, the FAB had been signed and came into the picture because the over decades. It is a social process Anna understood the criticality

14 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 15 of the subsequent months of the negotiations. At the same time, she also knew that Atty. Johaira Wahab would be appointed as a member of the Transition Commission and the GPH Panel urgently needed someone who was familiar with the process. The decision to join the legal team at this stage of the negotiation was not a difficult one. For a Moro like herself, Anna says, “It is more of an honor and privilege than a job to be part of this process.”

In explaining the role of the legal Anna Tarhata Basman to young women: Find your niche in the peace process. team, Anna focused primarily on providing technical assistance to have regular discussions with the MILF Panel) who are mutually to the GPH panel and coming up the Cabinet to vet the Annexes on workaholics and emotionally invested with the government’s positions Wealth and Power Sharing, there was in the work that we do, you can’t help in the negotiations. To a large an upcoming round of talks in KL, but share most of your time together. extent, before a scheduled round the Transition Commission was just Thus, our combined relationships of talks with the MILF, the legal formed, etc. This meant a lot had to are defined by light (when we share team discussed and negotiated with be done on the technical aspect of personal stories, snacks, and jokes), lawyers and technical personnel in all the process – a lot of briefing papers, difficult (when sensitive matters are relevant government agencies to firm presentations and meetings. Hence, under discussion and everybody is up the GPH Panel’s position. my first few nights back with the just tired from the ongoing talks), and Panel were spent familiarizing myself high moments (when the Panels agree During negotiations, they formed with the many documents, getting on difficult issues and we egg the ICG special teams to discuss difficult and updates on the negotiations, and members to treat us all to ice cream).” more technical concerns with their getting acquainted with the people counterparts in the MILF. More and the processes involved.” Undeniably, Anna gets genuine recently, the legal team also assisted satisfaction when her legal team She learned quickly, on the job, that the panel in explaining to various is able to assist the panel with the she finds particularly challenging. stakeholders, the content of the necessary preparations for the Foremost, she has to have some negotiated documents. Currently, negotiations. degree of expertise on the different they are communicating with the areas and topics of all the signed legal and technical staff of Congress To young women who want to agreements. Secondly, she needs to to assist them and their principals communicate the content of these contribute to peace in Mindanao, in understanding the FAB and its agreements to various stakeholders Anna says: Annexes. and audiences. For Anna, striking the proper balance in conveying the “This is the perfect moment to find Anna’s transition to the head of the message is a constant challenge and your place in the wide-open spaces GPH legal team was quick and left her a continuing opportunity to develop of the peace process. Everyone is little time to prepare. the best way to do this. welcome, encouraged even, to look for ways and means to support this “It was in the middle of the When asked about her most noble endeavor. Roles have long been negotiations for the remaining three memorable experience as head of the demolished and lines have long been Annexes and the transition was only legal team, Anna explains that the blurred. It has become imperative for a short period (about 1-2 weeks). negotiations have been a collection of for everyone – man, woman, and There was not much time for a memorable moments. She narrates: child – to find their niche in the peace regular learning curve as everything process and contribute to attaining was happening all at the same time. “When you have bosses (in the GPH lasting peace in Mindanao. The The Panel was already scheduled Panel) and their counterparts (in generations to come deserve no less.”

14 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 15 Q & A

Sec. Senen Bacani: “The women were more diligent and meticulous.”

By MA. LOURDES VENERACION-RALLONZA

SENEN C. BACANI was appointed to the GPH peace panel negotiating with the MILF in July 2010. An agribusiness executive with extensive knowledge of Mindanao, he has occupied management positions in the Philippines, Thailand, Ecuador and Costa Rica. From 1989 to 2002, he served as Secretary of Agriculture under President Corazon C. Aquino According to Sec. Bacani, his extensive corporate record notwithstanding, his participation in the GPH panel was his first experience in direct negotiations. In his previous experience in the private Senen Bacani: The women made a difference. sector, his role has been mostly directing and guiding negotiations, particularly, in the context of Working with women is nothing new the Aquino Administration. What collective bargaining agreements. to Bacani who has worked with them do you think is the significance of So, for him, being part of the peace many times in the past. However, as such a benchmark? panel was very enriching because he far as the GPH-MILF peace panel is learned a lot from the process and the concerned, he strongly believes in I think from the MILF table, yes, but people he worked with, both his co- the importance of women’s presence for government there is no need members in the GPH panel and their at the negotiating table and support for a benchmark because we are MILF counterparts. secretariat. More than the so-called dominated by women (not only as ‘women’s touch,’ he sees the value negotiators but also as members of Working with women is nothing new of their work and competence the technical staff). They (the MILF) to Bacani. However, having been contributing to a very significant and didn’t have a woman in their panel with the women in the GPH panel historic peace process. but they had a woman (Atty. Raisa and secretariat at the negotiating Jajurie) who led their legal team, and table, he saw how their work ethic, One of the key observations in at some point, she was sitting with competence and their so-called the GPH-MILF Peace Negotiations the men in front. ‘women’s touch’ contributed very is the involvement of women in significantly to the success of the the process -- some would even What are your personal peace process. say that this is a benchmark of observations regarding the

16 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 17 presence of women at the Iye (Miriam Coronel Ferrer, chair productive but at the same time, negotiating table? Was there a of the GPH panel) put that word you are enjoying it because you’re difference in terms of negotiating “meaningful” in. On that word, working well with people. style? What did you observe about we had a lot of discussion. I think your women colleagues in the it took more than an hour to Thanks to all of them because I panel during moments of critical convince our counterpart to have think -- and I can probably say discussions? that adjective. Sabi nila, what’s -- that we wouldn’t have reached “meaningful?” So it is the opposite this far without them. Our chair is Aside from knowing their stuff, of meaningless, or something like Iye -- she leads us. At saka maganda they’re really very competent. In that. ang samahan dito (There is great terms of style, yes -- they’re really camaraderie) . Now, the harder more diligent and meticulous than the I was convinced that it was much part starts -- the implementation. men. That’s what I noticed and that’s better to include it because it really Because we are responsible for the why, I think, even in terms of style, gives more meaning to the noun whole implementation, we have to in terms of the way the texts were “participation.” Eventually, they oversee the whole process…sabi nga worded, they’re definitely better. All (the MILF) relented, they accepted. namin, walang iwanan dito (we said, our women are very competent -- they Meaningful means not just a token we’re all in this together). know their stuff. I sometimes don’t -- it’s something substantial, get very conscious of gender -- parang something significant. It is the decommissioning, the we’re all the same na. disbandment of the private armed If Iye and the other women were not groups, the economic programs -- We were fortunate because there was there, sa palagay ko hindi maisasama ang dami e. It is beyond the text. All a lot of complementation. As a team, iyon (I think that would not have of these are just paper if we do not in a way, after a while, we more or less been included). Kasi parang ok na affect the lives of the ordinary man knew where we could help best. As kasi ang (Because it seemed okay to and woman on the street -- he or far as I’m concerned, having women say) “right of women to participate” she must feel something different. there made a difference -- they were but I guess it really gives more Hopefully, it is for the better. We taking notes… there was (even) no meaning when you include the have to give meaning to those need for me to take notes. I said I will word “meaningful”. When you start pieces of paper. We have to guide concentrate on listening, analyzing. thinking about it, it really gives it along the way, shepherd it, and more meaning to “participation.” work with the congressmen and the I think we affected each other -- we senators. In fact, it is important to were calm all throughout. I guess, On women’s meaningful political maintain the networks because, in especially, we’re from Government, we participation, I really have no our society, connections mean a lot didn’t lose our temper at any point… question there. Although mahirap -- getting the help of the private in terms of emotions, which, in a way, din yung quota-quota. I think if you sector, the NGOs, POs because can be an advantage. I think it’s hard are competent, regardless of sex or government cannot do it alone. to categorize on the basis of men or gender, what is important is you are women alone because it depends who competent. Kasi ang importante sa lahat yung tao the men and the women are. But no (What is important is the person). one of us lost our temper. Now that the talks have ended, In the end, it’s the person that we’re what would you like to say to the trying to help. Pag walang nangyari Another benchmark in so far as women who are involved in the doon, parang bale wala (If nothing the history of peace negotiations GPH team? happens there, this will all be for is concerned, is the inclusion of naught). gender -- women’s concerns -- in The panel as well as the secretariat the text of the agreement. How do -- it has been a joy working with Anyway, you just have to multiply you think this came about? them, sharing experiences, sharing that to thousands and millions of knowledge. It was so easy, there was people. Hopefully we can finish it We were reminded by the women. no adjustment on my part. That’s (by the end of this administration) In fact they were the ones who put it what I told them on one occasion, and if it is not finished, hopefully, there. I don’t know if you know that that it has been fun, it has been a whoever will succeed the President, story behind the “right of women to very productive experience. I told most of the work has been done and meaningful political participation” the group that I really enjoyed this the process becomes irreversible. -- that word “meaningful” took a lot of because you know that you are Worst case is there is some delay but time to discuss. doing something that is hopefully hopefully, it becomes irreversible.

16 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 17 PHOTO ESSAY Scenes from a Peace Process It was serious business all right, but there were light moments too at the peace negotiations in Kuala Lumpur.

Text by POLLY MICHELLE CUNANAN Photos by JOSER DUMBRIQUE

“HARD ON ISSUES, SOFT ON PEOPLE.” make a difference. A difference for the better. A difference that is sustainable. A difference that will unite rather This was how Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief than divide. A difference that will bring about a sense of negotiator Mohagher Iqbal described the peace well-being and not stoke the fears and insecurities of the negotiations between the Government of the Philippines populace.” and the MILF since the talks resumed in February 2011 under the Aquino administration. With their openness, goodwill, determination, and lots of smiles and laughter, the GPH and MILF panels have Indeed, this was how the two peace panels interacted already begun to make that difference. throughout the negotiations until the very last round, which ended with happy tears and tight hugs on the evening of January 25, 2014, with the signing of the last of four annexes and an addendum to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

Across the table, there were heated arguments, rising tensions, escalated rhetoric, an impasse, and even a walkout. But after the drama, both sides invariably returned to the table to settle the hard issues that would bring peace on the ground.

Their sincerity and commitment to the goal of peace shone through in the willingness of both sides to compromise, seek common ground, and find viable and sustainable solutions to the armed conflict that has affected thousands of Filipino lives.

While both sides zealously argued their positions in formal and informal meetings, on the sidelines, relationships were cordial, the conversations candid, the banter friendly, with smiles and laughter freely shared by the members of both delegations. Clearly, they were working for the same goal – to make a difference by bringing peace through concrete and lasting changes in people’s lives.

As GPH chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer put it, “In all, the public expectation is that these, our efforts, would truly

18 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 19 18 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 19 20 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 21 REFLECTION Violence has taken too high a toll on our psyches, most especially those who have come within arm’s length of it. The former pastor of a campus Protestant The Emotional Calculus church was one of three children in the 70s serving the NPA as errand boys. His peasant father jailed by the military, of Conflict his mother in the US to earn money somehow, he had to survive by his wits, By JURGETTE HONCULADA thus ending up with the NPA in Isabela, Member, GPH Panel Negotiating with the CPP/NPA/NDF his home province. Decades later, by dint of hard work, struggle and sacrifice, and luck, he became a pastor, as did one HOW DO I HURT THEE? Let me count peripheral to peace negotiations. of his fellow errand boys. The third took the ways. Children, in the barest sense, are our his own life. future; when we imperil them, we risk Statistics from the AFP-PNP over a our future. International humanitarian The inner wounds inflicted by violence 33-year period (1978-2010) report an law and Philippine law prohibit the use take a lifetime (and amazing grace) to aggregate of 29,553 fatalities in the of child soldiers, a practice staunchly heal. The inner demons one cannot ongoing conflict between GPH and denied by the CPP/NPA but belied by always slay. King Badouin I of Belgium the CPP/NPA categorized thus: 13,412 regular news reports, among them, that has said, “Youth is the first victim of Communists (45%), 8,264 military and on a 17-year old (recruited when he was war; the first fruit of peace. It takes 20 police (28%) and 7,877 civilians (21%). 13) among NPA casualties in an Aug. 31, years or more of peace to make a man; it This further translates into 2.5 deaths 2012 Davao encounter. takes only 20 seconds of war to destroy daily for the period and nearly 900 him.” yearly. The CPP/NPA/NDF takes pains to point out that the NPA uses “command- This is where GPH is coming from. This When the GPH and CPP/NPA/NDF detonated” land mines (as against is the emotional calculus that compels peace panels met in June 2012 in Oslo “pressure-activated” ones which the GPH panel to raise the issues of to de-clog a peace process mired in a kill anyone) whose use is allowed by land mines and child soldiers and press contrapuntal word and ground war, both international conventions. But land for reduced levels of violence during sides raised their bills of particulars. The mines do not always obey instructions, negotiations. These do not negate the GPH’s commitment to socio-economic- CPP/NPA/NDF listed over half a dozen time and again killing and maiming issues pertaining to safety and immunity political reforms. For GPH, seeking peace hapless civilians, Just last month, in guarantees for their consultants (JASIG), in the here-and-now is a foretaste or Davao, an NPA command-detonated bilateral agreements, the release of token of the just and enduring peace landmine hit an ambulance, injuring political prisoners, terrorist listing that we all want. Muting the gunfire four health workers on their way to pick of the CPP/NPA and Jose Ma. Sison during peace talks, keeping children and up military casualties of still another and indemnification of human rights civilians out of harm’s way, will mean victims. landmine blast. one life, or two or three or more saved, and that will have been worth it. The GPH panel focused on a demand Unlearning war must begin here and to “lower the level of violence on the now, not with the inking of the final American peace mentor John Paul ground”, with particular reference to pact. Violence has taken too high a Lederach once said, when we choose the use of land mines and child soldiers toll on our families and villages and gunfire as the modality by which we by the NPA. communities, rending them asunder. communicate, it becomes difficult to go In the poem “Brave Woman” by Grace back to words. “There is no meeting of the minds Monte de Ramos, a village woman there,” Satur Ocampo wrote in his (perhaps a widow?) soliloquizes about Herein lies the challenge: of finding a Philippine Star column on Sept. 1, 2012. her two sons, unschooled and unskilled, common ground, of finding the right NDF chair Luis Jalandoni echoed this joining the army “when they were words to cut through the crap and the sentiment when he said, in a forum young”, and her third and youngest son, gunfire, of matching word with deed, on the same day, that peace talks abducted at 17-- by soldiers or rebels? resolve with will, of restoring integrity must not be reduced to mere ceasefire She cannot say. As she seeks his bones, to words so that we do not engage in negotiations. she laments that perhaps her older sons wordplay and verbal sleight-of-hand, have “given other mothers sorrow … but mean what we say and say what For GPH, the issues of child soldiers Perhaps my (youngest) son had to pay we mean, of unlearning war in order to and land mines are not marginal or for what they borrowed.” wage peace.

20 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 21 On the GPH-CPP/NPA Front: The Women Hold the Fort

The peace process with the CPP/NPA has been slow, but GPH panelists Jurgette Honculada and Lulu Tison and Secretariat head Carla Villarta are ready when the CPP/NPA are.

Jurgette Honculada: Raising Gender Concerns in the Peace Negotiations

“WE STARTED OFF with such high hopes… We started with grounded optimism. As the years wore on, it became grounded pessimism… Now it’s just grounded.”

That is how GPH panel member Jurgette Honculada describes the peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines- Jurgette Honculada: Grounded pessimism New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF). Although she says it in jest, peace Peace Process,” she explains. Jurgette Commission on Women). During talks between the Government Panel and Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles the Arroyo Administration, she and the CPP/NPA/NDF have actually have worked together in NGOs since represented the women sector in the been stalled since February 2013. the1980s. National Anti-Poverty Commission. She has also worked with the labor “But there are efforts to ‘un-stall’ it,” Jurgette has always championed movement, undertaking trade union she adds. the cause of gender equality. seminars with local unions of the Standing at the forefront of feminist National Federation of Labor in A staunch advocate of labor and organizations, she was the former Mindanao and the Visayas. women’s rights, Honculada became Chairperson of the Women’s Action a member of the Government Peace Network for Development (WAND) To date, she has participated three Panel negotiating with the NDF in and former Vice Chairperson of times in negotiations: During the late 2010. “I suppose I was asked to PILIPINA. She also served two terms preliminary talks in January 2011, the join because of my involvement with as Commissioner at the National formal talks in February 2011, and the women’s movement and links Commission on the Role of Filipino informal talks in June 2012, all held in with the Presidential Adviser on the Women (renamed Philippine Oslo, Norway.

22 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 23 Compared to the members of the and formal talks, albeit “in small military and the New People’s Army. NDF Panel – “old hands” who have ways.” Whenever she pushed for She tells the story of the residents negotiated with five government- inclusive language in the framing of of a small barangay (i.e. village) in constituted panels for 28 years, statements, she says, they would sort Lianga, Surigao del Sur. In February Jurgette says that all five members of humor her. While she did not feel 2011, when the villagers learned that of the current Government Panel outright discrimination as a woman, the government panel was flying to are “newbies.” However, she notes she saw some subtle manifestations Oslo for the peace negotiations with that they were carefully chosen of a patriarchal mindset in the the NDF, they contributed money so that “there is both gender and NDF Panel. “You just have to assert to buy Manila paper and markers, geographical balance” among them. yourself, “she said. And by constantly wrote slogans like “We are for pointing out that language can peace!”, and posted them in public In the beginning, “there was quite exclude women, Jurgette is “hoping spaces. a bit of naïveté,” Honculada says of that they get the point finally.” the government panel. “We were “Who would’ve thought that a small thinking that maybe, with a lot of With formal peace negotiations remote barangay would be aware of goodwill, just maybe, we could go stalled, there has been no opportunity Oslo and what it might bring?” she far” in negotiating an agreement that to incorporate gender concerns in the asks. could bring closure to the 46-year agenda. “We are not yet in the meat old communist insurgency that has of discussions … we haven’t tackled In an article posted in the OPAPP claimed the lives of close to 30,000 the main issues yet,” Honculada says. website, Jurgette writes that people. “It is anybody’s guess when the peace “unlearning war must begin here talks will resume… But if and when it and now, not who knows when, During the half year before the first happens, we will bring in the gender or with the inking of the final formal talks in February 2011, the dimension as best as we can.” pact. Violence has taken too high panel had monthly briefings on a toll on our families and villages various matters to gain a deeper Looking at the recently forged peace and communities, rending them understanding of the background of agreement between the Government asunder.” For her, this is the the peace negotiations. and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front “emotional calculus of conflict” that (MILF) and the experiences of other must compel both parties to wage Jurgette recalls that “the lines countries, such as South Africa and peace and prioritize the rebuilding were already drawn” when she Northern Ireland, Jurgette believes of communities. participated in the first informal that it is possible to achieve peace, session in January 2011. For instance, even if it is imperfect, but “there has “One day of armed conflict is one the placement of a semi-colon on to be political will on both sides.” For day too many as it translates into the phrasing of a sentence in a joint her, making peace means unlearning resources diverted away from statement could take a half-hour the ways of war and disavowing schoolrooms and health clinics, of arguments. Several times, there the primacy of the armed struggle. roads and bridges, deepening the were deadlocks in the course of the She finds it heartening to meet culture of violence that wreaks debates. young and bright military officers lasting damage on our psyches and who understand and uphold the our body politic,” she writes. One major unresolved issue that has supremacy of civilian rule and affirm repeatedly bogged down negotiations human rights, an indication that the “How do you prioritize the is the demand of the National “security sector is weaning itself of its rebuilding of communities?” Jurgette Democratic Front (NDF) for the militaristic orientation”. This is a far asks. “From the gender perspective: release of their consultants, political cry from the brutal military she knew if it is not friendly to women, it is prisoners facing criminal charges in as a young activist in the 1970s. not friendly at all. “ various courts in the Philippines. In the course of traveling across In the meantime, as the formal peace At this stage in the protracted peace the country speaking with various negotiations have yet to resume, process, gender is not even part of groups, Jurgette has witnessed the Jurgette and her colleagues in the the formal agenda. But as a women’s deep yearning for peace in rural government panel, are keeping faith advocate, Jurgette has tried to raise communities that are caught in the in the peace process. - Ana Maria gender concerns during the informal crossfire between the Philippine Clamor

22 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 23 Maria Lourdes Tison: The Gift of Grounded Pessimism

MARIA LOURDES ‘LULU’ TISON’S journey as a peace advocate started the summer after she graduated from college at the Ateneo de Manila when she worked for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) at the Bataan Refugee Processing Center. She taught English as a Second Language to refugees from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam prior to their resettlement in the United States after having fled their war- Lulu Tison: From the ground and of the ground ravaged countries in the late 1970s. At the end of that summer, she cut her stint in Bataan to return to her A refugee! A boat person. Ito pala With others, she assisted the home province of Negros Occidental yung puede mangyari sa giyera (So internal refugees through relief and and fulfill a commitment to the this is what can happen in a war).” rehabilitation programs, conducting Benedictine Missionary Sisters to After seven years of working with feeding programs in temporary teach for a year at St. Scholastica’s refugees and learning their stories, shelters. And they organized Academy in Bacolod. Lulu enrolled at the University of “stop the war” campaigns through the Philippines masteral program advocacy work and prayer brigades. Honoring this commitment was in Urban and Regional Planning. In Three years into their work, Lulu’s way of paying back her alma 1988, she spent a semester away they responded to the call of the mater. But the academia was not her from school and went back to Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the cup of tea. Thus, after a year, she was Negros. It was during this time that Philippines (CBCP) “to seek peace and back at the Bataan Refugee Camp. the military’s counter-insurgency pursue it” by establishing Paghiliusa sa And this was where she first saw the campaign, Operation Thunderbolt, Paghidaet-Negros. down-side of utopian revolutions: was at its height and thousands of internal refugees were fleeing the Since 1988, Paghiliusa has built a “On hindsight, that set me on a countryside. Lulu again saw first- community of peace-builders in trajectory. Because in the refugee hand the human cost of armed Negros Occidental who help create camp, you saw everyone from all conflict: the exodus of internally the conditions of genuine and lasting classes, from all sectors of society displaced peoples to the city. For peace both in their province and the – a university professor, an army Lulu, it was another moment of entire country through advocacy for colonel, a prince, a farmer –all of realization: justice, freedom, integrity of creation, them, victims of the war. All of and authentic peoples’ development; them, refugees. All of them, boat “Again the human cost (of war) – the seek, advocate, and engage in the people. . . I remember one time I was destruction and death, the chaos and peaceful resolution of internal armed at the camp Catholic chapel hearing filth in the evacuation centers, the conflicts; and support community- mass and I happened to look at a human misery because of the war based initiatives towards these ends. Vietnamese who was also there to that was raging in the hinterlands hear mass and whom I knew to be – bakit kailangan maging ganito tayo Direct involvement a university professor. And then (why do we have to be this way)? I remember thinking, ‘My God – Why do people have to be subjected In 2001, Lulu was the civil society this is what war has made of him. to this kind of life?” (CSO) representative that reviewed

24 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 25 the peace agreement between the peace process with its own people and any social transformation must Government of the Philippines (GPH) not just with armed rebel groups. As a include them since they are the ones and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng peace worker for the last 25 years, she who understand the context and Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary believes that government, through historicity of their own experience. Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao policies, programs, and project Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB). implementation that threaten or “I see the wisdom that we need to actually undercut the human security draw from the ground – it is some In 2010, she was invited by OPAPP of people and communities, could kind of grounded realism. We are Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles actually push people to the embrace going to have a peace table, we are to be a member of the government of the insurgent movement. Second, going to have a peace agreement – negotiating peace panel with the she firmly stands by the primacy sure! But we need to be informed by CPP/NPA/NDF. She responded with of persons rather than ideologies the ‘gift of pessimism’ of the people reluctance, questioning her own and frameworks. She is angered by who precisely know how things are technical competence to do the job. those who project themselves as “the on the ground with regard to this Secretary Deles nonetheless requested saviors, the messiah of the oppressed, conflict.” her to fly to Manila to attend a the victims of social injustices”. meeting. There she met her fellow She reflects that her contribution to panel members. “For me, if you are what you claim the panel is not technical competence to be – that you are their messiah – but the ‘gift of pessimism’ to the Lulu continued to question her then the first thing that you need to work. “It is like the people are technical competence: “I am not respect is their autonomy, the right speaking to government through me.” competent, that is not my world... to judge for themselves...You have to yung world ko ay ‘yun sa baba (my respect their innate ability to think Reflecting on her journey as a world is at the ground). Throw me in for themselves and, having thought peace builder, Lulu recalls her own my world and I will survive because for themselves, their right to decide narrative. Because of several turning I have the skills and the wisdom to what is best for them.” points in her life, nurtured by her navigate that kind of terrain, but the education, allowed by her family “to table is not my area of competence.” In defining her work, Lulu recalls John be”, ignited by her experience of Paul Lederach’s ideas in his book The living among people at the margins And the question nagged at her: Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of who have largely been invisible “What right do I have to decide or Building Peace. Peace processes usually to government, she took the risk represent the people in this issue?” focus on reaching an agreement to to be part of a very difficult peace But when Secretary Deles asked if end the conflict without repairing project. She believes that peace will she was open to it, Lulu remembered relationships: government with not happen just because of a signed something from her years at the its citizens, armed groups with the agreement. The process must engage Ateneo: the exhortation, “fight your people, and government with armed the people. inclinations”. Her inclination was groups. She cites Lederach’s concept to say no to a world that she was of the ‘gift of pessimism’, that people “My life experiences have brought not comfortable in. However, she who have experienced armed conflict me to see and realize the genius and chose to go against her comfort are critical of peace accords and the nobility of our people who, for zone and saw her Jesuit education approach the supposed transition to all intents and purposes, do not have materializing. peace with great caution. the political, social and economic resources to be reckoned with by Grounded pessimism Such is particularly true when the power holders. It is like river water construction of peace does not shaping the rocks. The river waters In her two and half years as a member involve them, and the peace process are my experiences, things that I of the GPH panel, Lulu has always uses simply a top-down approach. have witnessed that flow through been clear about what she stands for With their absence from the process, me, shaping me in the process. and what she needs to contribute to it is highly probable that the people Ultimately, I am from the ground the peace process. First, she believes will feel alienated with solutions and of the ground.” - Ma. Lourdes that the government should have a dictated upon them. In other words, Veneracion-Rallonza

24 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 25 Maria Carla Munsayac-Villarta: many criminal charges and we had to follow the judicial process. Thereafter, the talks were suspended by the NDF. Hope Springs Eternal I told my predecessor, ‘Ma’am Binky (Ma. Lorenza Palm- Dalupan), we have not even stayed here long enough, the MARIA CARLA MUNSAYAC-VILLARTA has dedicated talks are already suspended.’ ” almost two decades of her life pursuing an elusive peace as head of the Secretariat for the GPH panel negotiating As one of a few persons with the institutional memory with the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New of the process since 1995, hers is a heavy responsibility. People’s Army and the National Democratic Front (CPP/ As far as the narrative of the peace process is concerned, NPA/NDF). she and a few others carry the collective knowledge and experience of the negotiations. Carla graduated with a BS Economics degree from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1982 and landed her first job She describes her main contribution as head of the at the National Economic and Development Authority Secretariat: “Because I’ve been there so long, there are (NEDA). In 1995, Alma Evangelista, then Executive many lessons learned. These are helpful to the panel and Director of the OPAPP, invited her to head the Secretariat I share the lessons with them. I am able to provide them of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) Panel. background information and caution them, especially about critical issues, like prisoner release. And, if there Carla admits that at that time, she was totally unaware of is a proposal from the NDF, I need to create a balance what was going on in the peace negotiations. At NEDA, between cautioning them and encouraging them to her work revolved around the drafting of the chapter pursue creative approaches in talking to the other side.. on housing of the Philippine Development Report, the But of course, the decision is still up to them.” Medium Term Philippine Development Plan, the Public Investment Plan, and other economic related documents. Carla’s primary role is to meet the requirements of the GPH panel so that they can function as efficient On one hand, she thought that she was not fit for the job negotiators at the table. Logistics such as setting up since her background was mainly in economics and the meetings and taking care of travel arrangements are the post needed someone with a political background. But on easiest part of the job. The more difficult is providing the other, she felt excited about the challenge of working substantive technical support where the Secretariat in an entirely new arena. She was particularly excited prepares issue papers, strategic frameworks, road maps about the chance to meet the communist leader, Jose and other technical requirements. Maria Sison, whom she had only read about in books. Beyond the logistical and technical requirements, Carla In June 1995, Carla went to work as Secretariat Head of is also a kind of motivator during moments when panel the GPH panel, a post she has held for the last 18 years. members feel discouraged about the outcome of meetings, The peace talks have since spanned four administrations – sharing with them the experience of past GPH panels and from President Ramos to Estrada to Arroyo to Aquino. what they did to overcome difficulties.

Carla had to learn things quickly. “When I attended “There should always be hope. The job of the panel is my first GPH panel meeting, they were using a lot of really very difficult and with the current state of the talks, acronyms and so I had to really learn the ‘nego lingo’. It there has to be continuous support and push to go on was quite an adjustment from an economic frame to a with the peace process. Of course, we must not let our political one”. guard down or get derailed from the principled position of government. We must not be dampened by unfavorable After only a few weeks, Carla joined the GPH panel in circumstances. We must continue moving – not just for Brussels for the first round of formal peace negotiations the sake of moving but towards advancing the process to in June 1995. “That was my ‘baptism of fire’. After the its fruitful completion.” opening ceremony in the morning, both sides agreed to reconvene the next day for the discussion of the Since 1995, the peace negotiations have been disrupted substantive agenda. However, the meeting did not 15 times. Dealing with the same thing repeatedly for proceed. The issue then was the demand of the NDF for so long has become an emotional burden to the point government to release one of their alleged consultants where she has begun to doubt if she has anything more to who had been hurt in a cross-fire and was hospitalized by contribute to this peace table. But what keeps her going is the GPH. They insisted that he be physically present at the her faith and hope in God who, she believes, is in control talks. Of course, the GPH could not do that. He was facing of everything. A prayerful woman, she constantly prays

26 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 27 Carla Villarta: Institutional memory

that the process continues towards its logical conclusion, After 18 years, Carla feels that the time is near when she for both sides to be guided by divine intervention “para must go back to personal concerns that she has placed on matapos na ang gulo at giyera (so that the chaos and war the backburner to help advance the peace process. But if will be over)”. She also prays for the panel members of and when she leaves this job, she will make sure that it is both sides to find solutions to contentious issues. passed on to someone who can and will perform as well as, or better than she has. Of all the chief negotiators she has worked with, it was Prof. Nieves Confesor, the only woman chair, who “As a woman, I have missed some opportunities, impressed her the most with her strong personality and particularly in the context of my family life, especially keen mind that linked the academic to the practical: when I have to travel. Since 1995, you can count the number of meetings abroad where I was not included in “Every time there was a GPH panel meeting, it was like the GPH delegation. My husband would say, ‘Aalis ka na we were in class defending our thesis so it was important naman? Kailan ba matatapos ang peace talks na iyan? to come to the meeting fully prepared. She would ask her (You are leaving again? When will those peace talks ever panel members and secretariat to report, each would have end?)’ As a wife, I am deeply concerned when I have to her/his own assignment. It was a period of long impasse leave my husband – especially during those times when – there were no formal negotiations, but we had several he was sick, to respond to the call of duty. The missed informal meetings with the other side. Despite this, she opportunities to be with my family when I am most always told me to be prepared for any eventuality that the needed, that’s the hard part. Honestly, right now, I am talks may re-open.” looking forward to my retirement to take care of my parents, husband and three-year old apo. I look forward She also has a high regard for GPH Chief Negotiator Alex to waking up every morning with my apo and all we will Padilla who Carla describes as “a vibrant leader who leads do is play.” by example”, “a man of integrity”, and “the epitome of humility”. Carla continues to hope and pray for the best scenario to unfold. However, should this not happen at the Carla views the progress in other peace tables, specifically, negotiating table, she hopes that it can happen on the in the GPH-MILF peace process, as a motivation for her ground, with Government resolving the armed conflict and her own panel to work harder for peace. However, with the CPP/NPA holistically and peacefully, and she is being realistic. Each table has its own uniqueness, delivering the peace that our people have been aspiring dynamic and context. No single formula will work for all for, before a new administration steps in. - Ma. Lourdes tables. Veneracion-Rallonza

26 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 27 Sol Matugas and Cora Malanyaon: The Governor as Babaylan

Two women governors in Mindanao face the challenge of peace and development in conflict zones with vision, determination, courage and compassion.

By JURGETTE HONCULADA

Gov. Sol Matugas Gov. Cora Malanyaon

SURIGAO DEL NORTE is the Army, Davao Oriental once had high competition from this unlikely source second northernmost province in rates of insurgency. The province and the babaylan were eventually Mindanao consisting of the mainland is now relatively conflict-free with stigmatized into extinction. and two islands including Siargao. concerted LGU and military peace and The capital Surigao City and 11 of development efforts in conflict areas. Politics beckons the province’s 21 municipalities are located on the mainland, nearly all The image of the babaylan comes Politics beckoned Sol Matugas of the latter conflict-affected. Six to mind upon meeting the women and Cora Malanyaon late in life, major mining companies operate at the helm of these provinces— the former after 43 years in public in the province, including Taganito Sol Forcadilla Matugas of Surigao education; the latter, a lawyer- Mining Corporation producing nickel del Norte and Corazon Nunez accountant and university lecturer, ore, which was torched by the New Malanyaon of Davao Oriental. The engaged in business and civil society People’s Army over two years ago. babaylan played a distinct role in concerns. Sol is mother of three and pre-colonial Philippines. They grandmother of eight, Cora has one Davao Oriental is bounded on the west were healers, advisers to barangay daughter and is grandmother of two. by Compostela Valley (ComVal) and leaders, predominantly female and on the north by Surigao del Sur and in their late 30s or 40s, done with Both are seniors (Sol turns 70 Agusan del Sur. Sharing borders with child bearing and early child rearing. this year, Cora 64), they were Caraga and ComVal which harbor Unfortunately, Spanish church valedictorians in primary and strongholds of the New People’s authorities could not countenance secondary school, Sol in her home

28 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 29 island of Siargao, Cora in Cateel, the PDP-Laban party, joining Davao Eschewing pre-packaged programs Davao Oriental where she grew up. City’s Yellow Friday movement that from Manila, Sol’s first term opened Both graduated cum laude, Cora supported Cory Aquino in 1986. with consultations with barangay with accounting and law degrees Later appointed OIC city councilor, captains in Surigao del Norte’s 21 from Ateneo de Davao, and Sol with she topped the city council race the municipalities, starting with hard-to- a bachelor of science in elementary following year. Cora recalls that reach barangays, a process repeated education from San Carlos University. running was not an easy decision, later in the year for follow up, which Sol later completed a master of arts but the “chance to be part of the was no mean feat, given the 335 and a doctorate in education. mainstream of development” was too barangays involved. compelling to ignore. Marrying into a political family During Cora Malanyaon’s five years (husband Francisco Matugas, a After five-years as city councilor, as Davao City councilor she helped former governor, is first district politics had become all-consuming her province mates in tight financial representative of Surigao del Norte), and she decided to take a leave to straits, a generosity not lost on her Sol carved out a separate career address family concerns. She travelled kababayans who, in 2001, clamored in the Department of Education as with her husband, and the “beautiful that she run for Congress, the better teacher, school superintendent and insights” from other places helped to serve her home province. Four later DepEd regional director. At firm up her resolve “to be a local out of six mayors supported her DepEd, she pioneered programs executive”. After nine years, her bid, and on her second term she ran that enhanced schoolchildren’s husband Luis, a businessman, told her, unopposed. But of her six years as reading skills (CRÈME), strengthened “I think you have what it takes”. That legislator, she realized, “You can’t communication and teaching skills of was the green light for her political realize your vision for the province secondary school teachers (SHAPE), comeback. (without) … local governance”. In 2007 sharpened managerial and leadership she ran for governor, winning by a skills of school heads (CREST), and The love and loyalty Filipino women two-thirds majority. retrofitted academic and technical have for their husbands, neither training for the needs of agriculture, grudging nor gratuitous, is often Comprehensive development business and industry (APEX). This a source of amazement. Lalo, Sol’s agenda litany of innovations shows her husband, claims that he “forced” her desire to cover all bases in the public to run for governor, but that may be After winning the governorship, primary and secondary school system, only partly true because Sol is very Cora drafted a six-year development as well as her penchant for catchy much her own person. In any case, agenda that stressed pagkain at kita acronyms. it is nearly imperative for a Filipina (food and income security) which in politics to have a husband’s full she submitted to all stakeholders In 2009, all thoughts of a graceful support and understanding. (including the provincial board, retirement vanished with the municipal mayors, congresspersons challenge to run as governor under Results-based local governance and NGOs) because it had to be the local political party Padajon Surigao owned by the entire province. (Onward, Surigao), which was bereft Yet another parallel is how their This was a direct response to the of a qualified candidate. Winning exposure to other realities deepened negative development indicators that by a mere 2,000 votes in the 2010 both women’s concern for the poor dogged the province, including high elections, Sol parlayed her experience and underprivileged. Sol’s eye- malnutrition rates and poor health in education into the field of politics, opener was her immersion among services. changing the rules of the game where informal settlers in Surigao City for she could, and scored a landslide her doctoral dissertation on “The Sol’s comprehensive development victory in her second gubernatorial School and the Slum Family“ where plan--HEALS Plus Convergence- bid in 2013. she learned that programs for people -covers health, education and “must be based on their needs and environment, agriculture and From corporate law to local culture”, and that government must aquaculture, livelihood and tourism, governance “translate the mission of caring into and social services. tangible terms, into equitable sharing With a lucrative practice in corporate of resources”. Early on, Cora struck a conciliatory law and taxation, Cora had little tone with the opposition, giving credit regard for politics. But she was This has informed her results- where it was due because “a leader at invariably drawn into it as part of based approach to governance. the helm of the province must be an

28 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 29 instrument of unity; more resistance With this determined focus on The entry point and bottom line is means more delays (in approval and public health, Davao Oriental’s that development can and must be implementation of programs).” Sol, malnutrition rate of 17.7% in 2007 non-violent and non-confrontational. on the other hand, enrolled at the UP dipped to 4% in 2011, garnering For this, Cora has received the Gawad School of Governance because “formal for the province the Pag-asa Award sa Kaunlaran award from the Armed learning is different, (it means) … for three consecutive years, and Forces of the Philippines, the highest understanding the intricacies of the Golden Agila Award in 2011 for distinction given by the AFP to taxation … going back to online nutrition. The provincial government government officials pursuing peace learning”. has also focused on education (day and development. care centers, alternative learning Government can, and must, make systems and technical-vocational Such efforts have moved some life better for its people. It is this education), socialized housing and left-leaning groups to declare Cora “Utak ng Militarisasyon” (Brains of unswerving belief that guides both disaster preparedness—for which it Militarization). Unfazed, Cora says women in the long term and from has received various other awards and she is “not militarizing the province, day to day. Sol cites “poor service citations, including the 2012 Gawad but civilianizing the military”. A delivery, abusive leadership, Pamana ng Lahi for distinction in the halfway house called Happy Home mediocre performance, roads in areas of health, revenue collection, helps rebels in transition to civilian disrepair, unfinished structures” as peace and order, and agriculture. life, staffed by a composite group reasons for high insurgency rates in providing psychosocial, spiritual the province. Livelihood, peace and security and other services. Linked to this are seminars in rural entrepreneurship Health as priority concern Davao Oriental produces coconuts development with the Department in abundance, but Cora rues the of Agriculture, and workshops in Both women have targeted health fact that coconuts as sole source of welding skills with the Technical as a priority concern. Barangay income encourages indolence. The Education Skills Development health stations are planned for coconut farmer harvests quarterly, Authority, providing alternatives to each barangay in Davao Oriental and between harvests, takes out the poor and marginalized, rebel and with labor provided by the army goods on loan at the dry goods store. non-rebel alike. and other agencies. As legislator, Although income is inadequate, the Cora was horrified by conditions at farmer is not encouraged to change Compassion, understanding, the provincial hospital and vowed the state of things, happy with patience to bring it up to par with the best extended rest periods. Cora saw that a private hospitals. She started with an transformation in values was needed Sol Matugas’ new provincial hospital outpatient department (OPD) primed and pushed for a 15,000-hectare will be inaugurated in Surigao City by P2 million in provincial funds with coconut demonstration farm later this year. How she raised the the remaining P6 million sourced intercropped with cacao. funds for the building, is a credit to from Congress and other entities. her resourcefulness. Like Cora, money Properly impressed, the Department With food and income security and for Sol is not a problem, but a means of Health has refunded the governor the requisite social services, Cora to realize one’s vision. As she wryly puts it, “Money will not look for you; for the project’s P8 million bill. hopes to sustain the “insurgency- you will look for (the) money”. free” status of the province. This is a Cora has targeted P120 million as continuing challenge since that New Sol puts a premium on social services, starting fund for a bigger hospital, People’s Army presence is strong linking the establishment of high debunking the notion that running in the three provinces bordering schools, barangay health stations a government hospital is a losing Davao Oriental. The army’s Internal and livelihood programs to the proposition and proving that it Peace and Security Plan (Bayanihan) fight against the insurgency. Show can be ran efficiently with self- program was piloted in the province the other side of governance (to liquidating operations. Davao Oriental to great success, with government and the rebels), she says, “Compassion, constituents benefit from PhilHealth the military cooperating in bringing understanding, patience … (rather and the province’s earlier Madayaw development projects to far-flung than) running after them in offensives PhilHealth, covering 35,000 indigent areas. Cora attributes this, as well as …” She speaks of “soft approaches” families with fees underwritten other development gains, to effective which are non-violent such as by the province, the congressional convergence and collaboration in all education, albeit time-consuming, but representative and the LGU. 183 barangays. which “strikes both heart and head”.

30 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 31 Nearly all the 11 mainland barangays important than money, she realized, Sol notes that the mining companies’ of Surigao del Norte are impacted by are community support, parental corporate social responsibility (CSR) the conflict, Sol notes. One plan is to commitment and the diligence of programs help provide government put a nurse in 70 GIDA (geographically teachers. with needed resources. But she is isolated and depressed areas) also aware of the deleterious effects barangays. Sol also enjoins the Growing up on an island, Sol speaks of of small-scale open pit mining such Department of Interior and Local the traditional concept of government as siltation and dust, and has tried Governments to provide safe water. as “unreachable” and of gubernatorial but failed to close them down. She Diarrhea is a common problem and visits from the mainland marked welcomes the concept of “minahan health programs are useless without by “pompous ceremony”. She has ng bayan” as promulgated under R.A. potable water. sought to change that concept 7076 or People’s Small-Scale Mining starting with barangay dialogues. Act of 1991. She also stresses the importance She is also building a provincial of PAMANA and military support capitol in Siargao Island for greater The babaylan of pre-colonial times for infrastructure such as roads accessibility of constituents and local were empowered females with and bridges that are essential for leaders to the local government. healing skills and political savvy. It livelihood. The army’s peace and Accessibility – “bringing government is no accident that Sol Matugas and development efforts have been to the barangays” – is one prong Cora Malanyaon have centered their met with threats. Sol has been told of her governance style, another governance on health and healing. by the NPA, “There is too much being convergence, or pooling the And they have done the babaylan militarization in the mountains. capabilities of various government one better: not simply providing If you do not stop them we will units for social protection. counsel to local leaders but wresting submit you to a people’s court and leadership and tackling the macho you will be convicted.” But she is The building of day care and women’s terrain of politics on their own terms. undeterred, and continues to welcome centers is another priority. Women development projects from both are a forgotten group, she says, These governors speak in different PAMANA and the military. and have not been well served. accents, set different priorities, say Municipalities are given P1.5 million what they mean and mean what they Sol launched Bayay Paglaum (House each for a women’s center and they say. Cora has banned the shameless of Hope) last year to provide former have been creative: one structure practice of political self-promotion rebels the wherewithal to join the doubles as an evacuation center, in public infrastructure projects; mainstream with livelihood and another has sleeping and training and demands that statistics and employment, scholarships for their facilities, another is engaged in percentages be understandable children, health services, and others. baby food production, and a fourth to constituents. Sol awards public Implementation however is on hold is equipped with a decorticating infrastructure projects directly to because while the army wants the machine for twine production. the community or LGU, cutting out returnees to settle in one place for corruption and hefty contractors’ fees easier monitoring, the ex-rebels What worries Sol these days is the in the process. She has zero tolerance prefer to be dispersed so they do not discovery of Siargao as a surfing for tardiness. become easy targets of reprisal from paradise and its growth as a tourist their former comrades. Sol calls the hub. While tourism has provided Redefining governance and armed conflict a “never ending story... jobs to many and prosperity to changing the rules of the game. but there should be an ending...with some, Sol senses its underside. She This is politics for Sol Matugas and friendship...and a healthy trust in notes the rise in dynamite fishing Corazon Malanyaon who are playing government.” and its consequent environmental for high stakes and having fun, as destruction, as tourism-related, and well. But they also know there is life Participative governance asks why resorts seem to thrive even after politics. This, perhaps, is what off-season, when surfing and tourism constitutes the gender divide, taking Participative governance is a are seasonal, wondering if this relates power and leaving power willingly, hallmark of Sol’s approach, a lesson to the “underground economy” of sex knowing they have built on firm she learned from a high school in tourism. foundations. Cory Aquino did it first. economically-depressed northern And long before her, the babaylan Samar which topped the National On mining – seven large-scale mining knew that power wielded for good will College Achievement Test. More companies operate in the province – endure. The babaylan spirit lives on.

30 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 31 Social Work and Peacebuilding

The social workers of DSWD, the first responders in crisis and disasters, are also government’s first peace envoys in the grass roots.

By DIANE KATHRINA LEOMO

IN JANUARY 2013, on a highway in Compostela Valley, a woman repeatedly shouted at the top of her lungs in Bisaya:

“Diri na kami sa habig. Diri na. Kung gusto niyo makipagistorya, istoryahan ta, Diri sa habig, indi naton iperwesyo kag ibang tawo. Tuyar ninro na pobre ang hinaharangan ninyo.” (We are here. You wanted to talk to us. Let us talk. Let us talk by the side [of the highway]. Let us not make it inconvenient for the others [who also want to pass on the road] Your fellow poor are the ones you are blocking here.)”

It was a firm and urgent but gentle demand for dialogue with Barug Katawhan, a local militant NGO that had barred the highway. At barely five feet tall, Secretary Secretary Dinky Soliman: Peace must be just. Corazon Juliano-Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) stood tall before members of the organization who have alleged ties to the However, it is an accepted fact that, although agreements left. are reached at the table, much of the peace is actually won on the ground. And in this, the DSWD is at the forefront. Sec. Soliman recalls that since it was almost lunchtime, Peace is won by social workers who trek up and down she pointed out that because the group was in the middle mountains, cross raging rivers, and walk for hours to of the only road that leads to the market, the women ensure that social services are delivered to the farthest would be too scared to go to market to buy food to feed barangays. These unsung heroes and heroines are at the their families for lunch. Because the group refused vanguard ensuring that government presence is felt in the passage on the highway, some families would go hungry. most remote areas.

It takes a woman to see things from this perspective. Secretary Soliman, or Dinky as she is known to the entire For the by-standers and passers-by, it was a simple nation, understands that DSWD’s mandate goes beyond inconvenience. But a woman would understand it from providing relief goods, looking for lost children, and the point of view of other women and the roles they have poverty reduction. to fulfill. “Isa kami sa mga ahensya na nakararating sa mga pinakaliblib Much has been said about the empowering role of women na lugar, sa mga isla na hindi naabot ng maraming ahensya, in the Philippine Peace Process, citing how women have hindi lang pagka may disaster. In fact, sa aming Pantawid broken the glass ceiling in the peace negotiations. The Pamilya, lahat ng munisipyo ay covered. Karamihan sa Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process is mga mahihirap na aming tinutulungan ay nakatira sa mga headed by a woman. The Government’s negotiating panels geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas o GIDA. and the secretariats for the MILF and the CPP/NPA talks Ang mga na-e-encounter namin dun, maliban sa kahirapan, are also led by women. ay ang mga non-state actors na nagnanais ding magbigay

32 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 33 ng alternatibo, sasabihing sila ang The Post-Pablo Looting Incident from DSWD. In the guise of a program makakapagdala sa mga mahihirap ng commemorating the EDSA revolution, pagbabago. (We are one of the agencies Prescilla Razon, Regional Director of Barug Katawhan and other militant that reach the most remote of areas, DSWD Field Office XI, reads from her groups staged a rally in front of the islands where many agencies have yet diary recalling Typhoon Pablo that office demanding that they be given to go, and not only during disasters, In hit Northeastern Mindanao in 2012: the sacks of rice that were being fact, our Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino “There were mixed feelings about repacked in the office. They also Program covers all municipalities. Pablo. It was beyond imagination.” accused DSWD of hoarding the rice Many of the poor we reach out to and selling it. live in geographically-isolated and “Ilang oras makatapos kumalma si Pablo, disadvantaged areas or GIDA. There andun na kami sa Davao Oriental—sa Director Razon recalls, “What we we encounter non-state actors who Boston, Cateel, Bagangga. The first were packing, those were for typhoon also want to provide the poor with three days namin, we were going Crising. We knew that we had covered alternatives, claiming that they are from one funeral to the next dala-dala all the municipalities (affected by ones who can bring about change.)” iyong mga relief para sa mga nasalanta. Pablo) yet they continued to claim (Hours after Pablo, we were already that many were left unserved. If they First responders in different barangays of Davao claimed that they did not receive, then Oriental—Boston, Cateel, Bagangga. let’s get the list from them. Gumawa na DSWD is usually the first responder During the first three days we were kami sa mga kartolina, ang laki-laki na nga after every calamity to ensure that the going from one funeral to the next ng mga iyon. Ang gagawin na lang ng mga welfare of those affected by the most carrying relief goods for those who lider ay ibigay sa amin ang mga pangalan. recent storm, earthquake or siege is were affected by the typhoon).” (We prepared sheets of cartolina, big looked after. Come hell or high water, ones. All their leaders needed to do in their bright red vests, lugging bags Typhoon Pablo was one of the was to give us the names) and list of relief goods, their job is to ensure strongest typhoons to batter down whatever issues and concerns that no one is left behind. Mindanao, leaving countless dead they had against DSWD.” and entire communities devastated But DSWD’s work in calamities starts in its wake. Torrential rains flattened Caught between a rock and a hard long before the eye of the storm hits. entire villages, reducing stone posts to place, Dir. Razon stood firm. At the first announcement of an rubble. impending typhoon, DSWD personnel “We were willing to give the 10,000 gather in their offices monitoring A month after it hit, on that highway storm updates, packing cans of corned sacks of rice. But I stood firm in not in Compostela Valley, Sec. Soliman beef, packs of noodles and several releasing the 10,000 sacks without the listened to the demands of the kilos of rice in individual plastic bags list. I made it clear to the protesters members of Barug Katawhan. They to serve as initial relief packages that what they were claiming, these were demanding that they be given for those who will need immediate 10,000 sacks of rice, is equivalent 10,000 sacks of rice for distribution to support. to 12 million pesos. That is a lot of those who, they claimed, have not yet money and I am accountable for After the storm has passed, they are received any. It was agreed that there every centavo. Whatever resources the first on the scene, dispensing relief would be a dialogue between DSWD the government gives out, it has to be goods to local government units and Region XI and Barug Katawhan on rice duly accounted for. Imagine that’s 12.5 ensuring that the people affected by a distribution and on January 18, 2013, million pesos, that’s the money of the typhoon do not feel neglected. both groups signed an agreement on people. We have to be very careful. We how the 10,000 sacks of rice were to be have to have supporting documents As Sec. Soliman points out, “We help distributed. to show that these were really given everyone. It is our duty. We do not to the underserved, to those who we look at the political color, creed or On February 25, 2013, less than a were unable to serve.” background of people who are in need. month after that dialogue, as the sun Our mandate is to provide assistance was setting over Davao City over two There were accusations hurled at to all vulnerable groups. Their political months after typhoon Pablo, hordes DSWD, claiming that they refused color, their creed, their faith is not of men, women and children arrived to help the group because of their a basis for our support. Everyone in buses and jeeps and stormed the political leanings. To this, Raquel who needs help, legitimately, we will DSWD Field Office XI, declaring that Nuñez, Division Chief of DSWD FO 11’s provide.” they had not received any support Policy and Plans Unit, and Protection

32 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 33 Cluster Head of DSWD 11’s Task Force siya lumihis ng direksyon, tatama pa rin (Our food was meatballs made of Pablo responds, “Pilipino pa rin tayo. sa Leyte. Nung bagyo, ramdam ko nun, corned beef, with rice for relief).”That Hindi mo pipiliin ang bibigyan kasi alam humahampas na ang mga puno sa mga was our lunch and our dinner).” mo gutom na rin sila. At alam namin na bubong namin dito sa FO. Kumakatok na kapag ang mga tao walang kinakain, sa mga bubong.” (I was reading about It is difficult to imagine how the papatayin ka talaga. (We are all still it on the internet, on Twitter, on DSWD staff were still the first to Filipinos. You do not choose who you the TV, while I was monitoring the respond. They were also survivors, give service to because you know storm. But it didn’t change direction. after all. They told stories about tying they are hungry too. And we know It would still hit Leyte. During themselves to lamp posts so they that when people are hungry, they the storm, I felt the trees already would not be swept away, and wading could run amok).” knocking on the roof of the office).” in waist-deep sea water in their underwear to get to the DSWD office. Typhoon Yolanda Ms. Costelo manages to laugh, “Para akong security guard na naka-life vest “Minsan masakit lang. Kahit binibigyan The latter part of 2013 was a difficult sa loob ng office. Pinapanuod ko ang mo ang mga tao, sila pa rin ang aangal. time for the Philippines. The country mga staff na matulog habang ako hindi Gagawin mo na ang lahat, lahat ng mga took one hit after the other. There magkanda-ugaga dahil umiikot na ang suicide mission at mag-swimming- were the siege of Zamboanga by hangin sa labas. Naisip ko nga, ay naku, swimming, para lang hindi nila masabi the MNLF in September, the Bohol mababasa na mga bigas sa relief. (I na wala lang sila. Pero andiyan pa rin earthquake in October and Typhoon was like a security guard, wearing a talaga ang ibang mga tao, lalo na iyong Yolanda that hit Eastern Visayas in life vest in the office. I was watching mga nasa kabila, na maging detractors November. the staff sleep while I was restless ba. Sasabihin sa mga tao, walang pake because the winds were howling. And ang gobyerno sa kanila, mga ganyan. Nothing could have prepared the I thought, the rice for relief would get Pero hindi ka pa rin titigil. Hindi ba dito nation for Typhoon Yolanda. Months wet.)” naman nagsisimula ang peace ba? Yung after it hit, its grim aftermath masabi ng mga tao na andiyan tayo continues to loom over the Tacloban She never imagined that they would para sa kanila (It hurts, sometimes. sky. Headless coconut trees stand as end up eating relief goods after the In spite of what you give them, they painful reminders of the strongest storm. “Hindi ko maisip na kakain still complain. You do everything storm to have made landfall in kami ng relief goods makatapos ang you can, including suicide missions recorded history. bagyo. Iyong pagkain namin nun parang -- swimming just so they would not meatballs, corned beef na binibilog-bilog, say that you have forgotten them. For those who survived, it was the kasama iyong relief na rice. Iyon na ang But there are still those, especially longest day of their lives. At DSWD, pananghalian naming nun at hapunan from the other side, who continue to most of the staff are women, social workers who are also mothers of families that were in harm’s way. But they had to be on disaster duty on the eve of the storm, clutching their rosary beads praying that while they worked, their families would be safe.

Some DSWD Field Office VIII staff refused to talk about their experience during the typhoon, unable to come to grips with the pain and suffering Yolanda has wreaked on their lives.

Maria Theresa B. Costelo, a member of FO-8’s Disaster Monitoring Team, recalls. “I was helpless watching the storm. Binabasa ko nuon iyon sa internet, sa Twitter, sa TV habang Relief goods for Typhoon Crising victims as they were being seized by members of Barug Katawhan. minomonitor ko ang bagyo. Pero hindi

34 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 35 be detractors. They tell the people Kristi Lou Sarabosquez, a DSWD women are known for their patience. that the government does not care Community Facilitator in Maragusan, Perhaps, it is because of our culture. for them. But still you do not stop. Compostela Valley describes DSWD’s Women are raised to be calm and Isn’t it here where peace starts, contribution to peacebuilding. “Uya patient).” when people can say that we, the kami na dara na baril o bala. Pumapasok government, is there for them?).” kami sa mga areas naming ID lang ng Not only in the selection of personnel DSWD ang suot namin para ipakita sa is the gender stereotype used by It can be a thankless job. People kanila na hindi sila nakalimutan ng DSWD to its advantage. Rebecca forget that government workers gobyerno. (We have no bullets or guns. Santamaria, Division Chief of DSWD are survivors too. They get tired We go to our areas wearing only our FO-11’s Protective Service Unit, providing services, going from place DSWD IDs to show them that we -- the recalls the Pablo looting incident: to place, lugging relief goods from government -- have not forgotten “Tanda ko nun, marami sa aming mga one site to the next, constantly being them.)” staff, mga babaeng staff ang pupunta intimidated by the rebels. But Ms. sa mga nag-rarally diyan sa baba tapos Costelo is undeterred. “Siyempre Using stereotypes to their own kunyari makiki-chismis lang. Siyempre tinatakot kami ganyan. Pero wala kaming advantage iisipin ng mga iba sa mga nag-rarally pinapanigan. Hindi namin pinapairal ang mga chismosa lang. Pero iyon na, paraan politika. Lahat naman tayo ay biktima Culture and stereotypes have framed na namin iyon alamin kung ano ba talaga din. (Of course, they would scare us. social work as women’s work. ang gusto nila. Ayaw nila kami kausapin We would not take sides, though. We With more women working in the as DSWD staff e (I remember many of do not let politics rule us. We are all profession, it is easy to generalize our female staff would go down to the victims here).” that social workers are women. And rally and chat with the rallyists as if because women are compassionate they were just gossiping. The rallyists Social work and peacebuilding and patient, social work comes would think these women were just naturally to them. DSWD has used gossips. But that was our way of DSWD personnel know that their this stereotype to its advantage. getting information about what they work means more than just poverty wanted because they wouldn’t talk to alleviation and relief provision. OIC Natividad Sequito, KALAHI-CIDSS- us as DSWD staff).” Regional Director Nestor Ramos of PAMANA Regional Coordinator for DSWD FO-8 says about social work: DSWD FO 8I, elaborates: “Matatawa We’re all in this together “The root cause of conflict is poverty. With our efforts, we try to alleviate ka na lang e. Iyong mga municipal poverty. We do not care about poor mayors sa mga KC-PAMANA areas, Sec. Soliman connects the DSWD’s road networks or how hard is it to go diyan sa mga Matuginao, San Jose De task of social protection with there. Our staff goes beyond what is Buan, etc., sasabihin “Please, give peacebuilding: “Peace-building is needed of them. Our women workers, me women” dahil alam nila na hindi rooted in the people’s rights and they take extra efforts. We climb pinagduduhan, na talagang tiga DSWD, welfare. If their rights are protected fallen logs, push these to the side, na ang gusto ay talagang mag serbisyo. and their needs are responded to, just to make sure that no one is left Pag lalake, mas marami sa mga nasa both by the local and the national behind.” kabila pinagkakamalang military iyong government, they will keep the peace mga iyon. Tsaka mas pasensyosa ang mga and the desire to work for it will He adds, “Mas mahal ng mga tao ang babae. Nandun na rin na nasa culture be stronger. If, on the other hand, mga programa ng gobyerno kapag sa natin na ang mga babae ay pinalalaking their needs and their voices are not kanila nanggaling. Marami sa mga mahinahon at pasensyosa. (You just respected, are not heard, they have proyekto ng DSWD gaya ng KC-PAMANA have to laugh. Some municipal every reason to be angry and be (Kalahi-CIDSS-Payapa at Masaganang mayors from the KC-PAMANA areas, easily agitated. For us in DSWD, to Pamayanan) at SLP (Sustainable like Matuginao and San Jose De Buan achieve lasting peace, it has to be Livelihood Program) ay demand- would demand that their community just. Just and lasting peace is achieved driven by them (People identify facilitators are women because it by addressing the problems that more with the programs by the is beyond doubt that these women beset the poorest communities, and government if they come from the from DSWD are there to provide addressing these problems means people themselves. Many of DSWD’s service. When they have men, there involving the people in the change projects, like KC-PAMANA and SLP are those on the other side of the fold and the solution to improve the are demand-driven by them).” who mistake them for military. And quality of their lives.”

34 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 35 Charlotte Matias and Jessica Banganan: Softening the Ground in the Cordillera

After a difficult start, two young women Project Development Officers managed to earn the trust and respect of former CPLA rebels in the Benguet Saguday Livelihood Association, Inc. (BSLAI).

By MARJ IBAÑEZ

Jessica Banganan Charlotte Matias

TRANSFORMATION: to change something completely and The 2011 Agreement, entitled “Towards the Closure of usually in a good way (Merriam Webster Dictionary) CPLA as an Armed Group and its Transformation into a Potent, Socio-Economic, Unarmed Force”, has five On July 4, 2011, President Benigno Aquino Jr. witnessed components: the final disposition of arms and forces; the the signing of the peace agreement between the transformation of the CBA-CPLA into a potent, socio- Philippine Government and the Cordillera Bodong economic unarmed force; socio-economic reintegration Administration – Cordillera People’s Liberation Army of CPLA members through employment or livelihood/ (CBA-CPLA) in Malacañang. The agreement gave flesh enterprise development; inter-municipal and inter- and brought to full circle the Mt. Data (Sipat or ceasefire) barangay development; and the documentation of the Peace Accord signed in 1987 by the CBA-CPLA under the CBA-CPLA struggle. leadership of Fr. Conrado Balweg and the newly-installed democratic government under the President’s mother, According to Sec. Teresita Quintos Deles, Presidential President Corazon C. Aquino. Adviser on the Peace Process, the 2011 Agreement

36 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 37 “entailed an essential shift in the way Fongwan is closely monitoring Charlotte relates, “In the beginning, the CPLA views itself – no longer as its implementation. He has been it was really difficult. The former an armed group with a command meeting with BSLAI regularly and has CPLA members were different from structure that has commanders as attended some of their seminars. the other groups we have worked leaders and combatants as members, with. They were more suspicious, but as a potent socio-economic, To facilitate its Community Driven more sensitive and strict about their unarmed force that can directly Enterprise Development (CDED) ‘command’ structure. You had to go make a difference in the lives of their program in the area, the Department through their zone commander and families and communities.” of Social Welfare and Development be sensitive to instruction from the (DSWD) in the CAR, in coordination leadership higher than them. They Thus far, some 328 former CPLA with OPAPP, assigned two young also had an unpredictable behavior— members have been employed as women, Charlotte Matias and Jessica they could get upset and irritated by forest guards and another 168 of Banganan as program development sudden changes, or by some reason them or their next-of-kin have been officers (PDOs) in Benguet. we couldn’t understand.” integrated into the AFP. A total of 337 firearms have been turned “In the beginning, people in the She adds, “Their behavior sometimes in. Development projects such neighborhood wondered why we caused us to feel hurt. But, more as communal irrigation systems, were helping them. Bakit daw kami than that was the stronger sense of farm-to-market roads, water works sumasama sa CPLA? (Why were we curiosity and the need to understand and school buildings are currently with CPLA?),” Charlotte says. She why they were behaving the way being implemented in more than 81 observed that the former CPLA they did. What deprivations must communities in the Cordillera under rebels suffered from a kind of stigma they have experienced in the past?” this agreement. among their neighbors. But for the former CPLA combatants in Benguet, Jessica relates, “We worked with For those who opted to pursue the 2011 Agreement was their only them for only one year but it felt like livelihood projects, the government opportunity to shed off their former five years. The days were long and has committed to provide technical image as warriors and make good exhausting, especially at times when assistance and entrepreneurial economically through legitimate some of the challenges appeared too development through DSWD’s means. difficult to overcome.” Community Driven Enterprise Development (CDED) program. CDED Jessica Banganan recalls, “Ang tagal- The PDOs were not simply is a series of seminars aimed at tagal daw nila itong hinintay. To implementing a program. They were building the capabilities of people’s them, the negotiations for the 2011 implementing a difficult program organizations to pursue social Agreement, its signing, and its final within a complex setting aimed at enterprises that will help them break implementation has been a long, long building peace and transforming the cycle of poverty. wait for the fulfillment of a long- overdue promise of government. Now former combatants. This reality One group of former CPLA that it is here, they said they don’t dawned on them during their combatants in Benguet who availed want to waste this once-in-a-lifetime interaction with the women in the of the livelihood component has chance.” community. transformed its command structure into a people’s organization, Last year, as part of their work “While the men seemed always the Benguet Saguday Livelihood in Benguet, Charlotte and Jessica angry and irritable in the Association, Inc. (BSLAI) that has facilitated a series of three-day CDED beginning, when we looked at their chosen to invest the P2.7 million seminars for BSLAI consisting of relationships with their wives, we fund allocated for them in the 2011 sessions on values clarification, time saw a different reality,” says Jessica. Agreement in organic chicken raising, and financial management, value Charlotte observed that towards organic feeds processing and farm chain analysis, basic microenterprise their wives, the men were soft- inputs trading. management skills, among others. spoken, gentle, and understanding. After the training seminars, they And the wives, to their pleasant As the administrator of the continued to accompany the group surprise, were supportive of their project fund, Governor Nestor with mentoring and coaching. “difficult” husbands.

36 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 37 “I would look at the women and the with their male counterparts, to meeting regularly to make collective children and my heart would break. avoid open conflict. decisions. The BSLAI officers note They have been through extreme down all their activities and every situations of neglect . . . so much BSLAI has only four women members small expense in a logbook that is more has to be done knowing the but they have a significant voice open for all of their members to see. extent of their unmet needs. I could in the organization, according to The BSLAI disburses and liquidates understand the reasons for the anger the DSWD officers. One of them the funds according to government and discontent sometimes,” says is actively involved in decision- accounting rules and regulations. As Jessica. making, especially in research and in any organization, they have had networking with other agencies and difficult internal dynamics, but these To move the processes forward, partners. have been settled collectively. they learned to meet BSLAI leaders halfway. Charlotte and Jessica have completed They observed that some former their assignment with BSLAI and are CPLA members who used to have “It is not only important to achieve gradually phasing out their services, doubts about the peace process goals; it is also important to agree but the BSLAI leaders have written are also starting to change their on the processes for achieving them. OPAPP and DSWD requesting for attitude, strengthening the hopes They have their own ideas and ways their continued stay in the area. of the BSLAI officers. And their of doing things. We have to listen neighbors have begun to appreciate and find a compromise, otherwise, This request for their extension the developments brought about by we will get stuck,” Jessica explains. surprised the two women. After all, the 2011 Agreement. in the beginning, they were regarded After the series of training by the former CPLA members as All over the Cordillera, similar seminars, the PDOs would visit “taong gobyerno” and therefore undertakings are being implemented the communities to meet with “corrupt”. in CPLA areas covered by the 2011 BSLAI members and leaders and Agreement. Currently, there are ten guide them through the initial “Siguro nakita na nila na hindi porke other people’s organizations in the stages of doing business. These gobyerno, walang magagawang tama five other provinces that represent included ensuring transparency in (They must have realized that just the transformed organization of the the purchase of chicken housing because we’re from government former CPLA. But it is the BSLAI that materials, the setting up of financial doesn’t mean we won’t be able to do has reached the most advanced stage systems and records, and linking anything right),” they say, smiling. in social enterprise. with markets and potential partners and support agencies. Relationships have also changed Much more remains to be done for the better in the community. before their undertaking can be “What helped us see hope in this Thomas Tanacio, former CPLA zone regarded a success, but for DSWD endeavor was the readiness of the commander in Bakun recently got PDOs Charlotte Matias and Jessica group, especially the leaders, to elected as barangay chairman. Banganan, the trust, respect and focus and give time to the business,” Charlotte said this could be understanding they have earned Charlotte explains. “They have indicative of the way people’s views from the former rebels after a very really been giving their best to have changed towards the former difficult start are enough reward make this succeed, sacrificing their CPLA combatants. for now. While the former CPLA own family time and employment members have gone through some opportunities.” BSLAI officers, Carlito Payangdo changes for the better, the DSWD (President), Ramon Lid-ayan officers admit that they, too, have “It also helped that they were able (administrative officer) and matured because of this experience. to express their anger freely with us members Nestor Guindayan and because we were women. It would Daisy Lee say that their organization They know only too well that have been different had we been now has a shared vision on how to transformation is not a one-way men,” observes Charlotte. She saw proceed with their business, how street and that change works best that the leaders tended to keep their to divide the profits, and how to when it is a mutual and negotiated emotions in check when they were re-invest them. They have been process.

38 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 39 NEWS

Gender-responsive justice system key to sustainable peace

Former UN Under-Secretary-General Amb. Anwarul K. Chowdhury and Philippine Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights Amb. Rosario G. Manalo both addressed gender advocates from various sectors during the “Workshop on Women, Peace and Security in ASEAN” held at the Mandarin Hotel in Makati in December last year.

MANILA – Sensitivity to the needs of against women, and ensures their avenues to promote peace, not only at women in the justice system is vital to meaningful participation not the local level but also at the national, ensuring sustainable peace, according only in peace negotiations, but in regional and global level,” said to a former United Nations (UN) rebuilding their communities and Chowdhury who, during his time as official. in transforming their societies,” he president of the UN Security Council, stated. worked towards the adoption of UN “We need to bear in mind that a Security Council Resolution 1325, gender-responsive justice system is In his keynote speech, Chowdhury which recognizes the role of women in an integral element of effective peace remarked that women have always peace and security. processes and a necessary component been seen as “helpless victims of of nation-building activities in wars and conflicts” and their role on On the same note, Ambassador post-conflict situations,” said cultivating peace in their communities Rosario G. Manalo, Philippine former UN Undersecretary-General “has often been overlooked.” He added Representative to the ASEAN Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury that in reality, women have proven Intergovernmental Commission on at the “Workshop on Women, Peace their capacities as peacemakers. Human Rights (AICHR), also stressed and Security in ASEAN” held at the that women should not be seen Mandarin Hotel in Makati in December “They assumed activist roles during only as victims of war but critical last year. conflicts while holding together participants in peace building. their families and communities. Chowdhury added that women’s At the grassroots and community “Women’s participation is vital participation in the peace process is levels, women have organized to for conflict prevention work, also important as the development of resist militarization, to create space and women have a right to fully a gender-responsive justice system for dialogue and moderation and to participate in decision-making “is one of the priority concerns they weave together the shattered fabric of regarding the future of their raise.” society.” communities and to have barriers to that decision-making based “Such a justice system helps to break “This should make us determined on gender discrimination fully the continuing cycle of violence to ensure that women have more dismantled,” she stated.

38 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN 39 Manalo related that there have agenda on Women, Peace and It was attended by representatives been efforts in the international Security,” she added. from the AICHR, the ASEAN community to define issues of Commission on the Promotion and women in different stages of conflict The two-day workshop was aimed Protection of the Rights of Women situations. “It is however critical for at raising awareness of the human and Children, the ASEAN Institute ASEAN to look into the impact of rights issues faced by women in for Peace and Reconciliation, conflict on women and their human conflict and post-conflict scenarios, Ministries of Defense, national rights from a regional perspective, and explore opportunities to move human rights institutions, the and to identify relevant key issues the women, peace and security ASEAN Secretariat, and civil society that will comprise its own regional agenda forward in the ASEAN. organizations from the region.

Women share insights on normalization, submit recommendations to BTC

Jasmin Nario-Galace (in pink), co- convener of the Women Engaged in Action (WE Act) on 1325, and Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace panel, hold out a copy of the results of the recent consultation series conducted by WE Act 1325 among 200 Mindanao women who shared their insights and recommendations on matters related to the normalization process pursued by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (Photo by We ACT 1325)

MANILA – Some 200 women from perspectives which are traditionally Basic Law which will formalize the the proposed core territory of the on the margins and not establishment of the Bangsamoro envisioned Bangsamoro region mainstreamed in peace documents,” political entity. voiced out their insights on the said Jasmin Nario-Galace, co- normalization process pursued by the convener of WE Act 1325, a network Recommendations included those Government of the Philippines (GPH) of women’s groups who actively on protection of human rights, and Moro Islamic Liberation Front collaborated with the government arms control and decommissioning, (MILF). in the formulation of the National policing structure, conflict resolution Action Plan on United Nations in communities, transitional justice, In four separate consultations led Security Council Resolution 1325 and participation and representation by the Women Engaged in Action that recognizes women’s capacity to of indigenous peoples and Moro (WE Act) on 1325, Moro, Lumad, make decisions on peace and security women, among others. and Christian women from Lanao, issues. Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi- The series of consultations were Tawi and Zamboanga shared Galace said the consultations were part of the Women Working for their thoughts on normalization, conducted from September 2013 to Normalization project supported particularly on issues, such as February 2014. by the Australian Government. decommissioning, addressing Also involved in the initiative were arms proliferation and misuse, and She added that the results of the the Nisa ul Haqq fi Bangsamoro, Al transitional justice. consultations were submitted last Mujadillah Development Foundation, March 6, 2014 to the Bangsamoro Inc., Teduray Lambangian Women’s “These consultations were done Transition Commission, the body Organization, Kutawato Council for to bring to the fore women’s mandated to draft the Bangsamoro Justice and Peace, and Pinay Kilos.

40 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN March 2014 March 2014 KABABAIHANatKAPAYAPAAN PB Gender and Peace Events 2014

1-31 National Women’s Month 8 UN International Women’s Day Theme: “Equality for women is progress for all.” National Women’s Day 1st Week National Women’s Week

MARCH 12-18 Bangsamoro Week of Peace 16 Anniversary of the Signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL)

4th Week Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week Signing of the GPH-MILF Comprehensive Agreement on the 27 Bangsamoro JUNE 23 UN International Widows’ Day Anniversary of the Signing of the GPH-CBA-CPLA Memorandum JULY 4 of Agreement AUGUST 12 International Humanitarian Law Day 1-30 National Peace Consciousness Month 2 Anniversary of the Signing of the GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement 12 National Day of Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation SEPTEMBER 13 Anniversary of the Signing of the GRP-CPLA Mt. Data Peace Accord (Joint Memorandum of Agreement to a Cessation of Hostilities) 21 UN International Day of Peace 2 UN International Day of Non-Violence 11 UN International Day of the Girl Child OCTOBER 15 Anniversary of the Signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro UN International Day of Rural Women 19 World Day Prevention of Abuse and Violence Against Children and Youth UN Universal Children’s Day NOVEMBER 25 UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Last Week Mindanao Week of Peace 1st Week 6 Anniversary of the Signing of the GRP-RPM-P/RPA/ABB Peace DECEMBER Agreement 10 Human Rights Day