directly affected. Christians, M u s l i m s and Indigenous Peoples
the propriety and w i s d o m o f the said M O A A D .
alike ques
T h e C o m m i s s i o n o n H u m a n R i g h t s j o i n s several sectors o f the natio
in its concern about the propriety o f the current action o f the exe
branch, t h r o u g h the government panel o n the peace process, w h i c h w o u
potentially affect the history, territorial integrity and destiny o f th
country.
W i t h o u t g o i n g i n t o t h e m e r i t s o f t h e M O A A D , the Commission
questions the process or the approach by which it was negot
decided and reached. I s s u e s o f t h e p e o p l e ' s r i g h t t o i n f o r m a t i o n , d i s
a n d transparency o f g o v e r n m e n t a l action are raised. Possible v i o l a t i o n
the right t o participation, non-discrimination and self-determination
b e c o m e pressing concerns.
N o less t h a n the B i l l o f R i g h t s o f the 1987 P h i l i p p i n e C o n s t i t u t
g u a r a n t e e s t h a t , ' ' T h e r i g h t of the people
to i n f o r m a t i o n on matters
concern
shall
be recognized
xxx."'
A c c o r d i n g l y , w e find t h e f o l l o w i n g
and State Policies o f the Philippines:
as one o f the Declared
Princip
" S u b j e c t t o r e a s o n a b l e c o n d i t i o n s p r e s c r i b e d b y l a w , the State
adopts
and implements
a policy
of full public
disclosure
of a l l its
transactions
involving
public
interest.''''^
The people have the right to k n o w and to participate i n all matters
affect, and w i l l affect, t h e m . T h e g o v e r n m e n t cannot, and s h o u l d not, a
t i m e hide behind the cloak o f executive privilege i n transactions i t
into i n the guise o f national security. W e salute the j u d i c i a r y i n t a k
a c t i v e s t e p i n d e l a y i n g t h e final s i g n i n g o f t h e M O A A D a n d a l l o w i n g t
for its further reflection and circumspection b y relevant stakeholders.
M e a n i n g f u l participation, through genuine consultation, is the k
T h r o u g h a h u m a n rights based approach the people's right to particip
could b e recognized and realized. H o w e v e r , contrary t o the claim o f
G R P P a n e l , consultation of stakeholders by plebiscite or other
must be had prior
to the commencement of any governmental act
that will affect them, and not after a major national measure
final in the eyes of some of the parties. To do otherwise would
purpose of consultation and participation.
' Section 7, Article III
^ Section 28, Article II