MANILA, Philippines – Is President Benigno Aquino III a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize for opening the doors to a peace pact with Muslim rebels?

Malacañang denied it is lobbying for his nomination, but admitted it would be an honor for the country if the President if he were picked.

On Monday, June 30, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the administration was not behind any group lobbying for Aquino’s nomination.

“Let me categorically state that there are no efforts on the part of government to lobby President Aquino for a Nobel Peace Prize,” he said.

“Would there be any groups that would do so? It is probable that some others who have felt that there has been no significant peace accord reached since Aceh and that the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was a step forward in promoting peace and, therefore, it is quite probable that they would have nominated the President.”

Lacierda also pointed out that “there was overwhelming positive response from the international community” when the final annexes of the peace agreement was signed. 

“When we signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro here, again, it was warmly received and you saw a number of foreign representatives coming over,” said.

He admitted that a nomination would look good on the Philippines. “It would be an honor for the Philippines if we’ll have President Aquino nominated. It is, in the eyes of the international community, a big milestone for the promotion and propagation of peace.”

It took the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) Front 17 years to arrive at a final peace accord that hopes to end 4 decades of armed conflict in Mindanao. (INFOGRAPHIC: The Bangsamoro peace deal at a glance)

The MILF, with 10,000 armed followers, is the biggest rebel group. Its signing of the accord has raised hopes for an enduring peace in the south, despite other breakaway groups still vowing to fight.

Bangsamoro bill delay

The Aquino administration, however, is already late in its passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which will create a Bangsamoro political entity with more political and fiscal powers than the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) submitted the draft law to Malacañang in April – close to a month after the signing of the historic peace deal between the government and Muslim rebels.

The bill was expected to be submitted to Congress in May, before the end of the last session, but is still under Palace review. 

Lacierda acknowledged the delay that has ignited concerns among the MILF, but gave assurances “the President will submit the Bangsamoro Basic bill after the SONA (State of the Nation Address)” slated for July 28.

“We are confident the President will certify it as urgent and we are confident that the Bangsamoro Basic Bill, while it will go through the legislative process, will become law,” he said.

Constitutional experts have raised concerns about the legality of certain provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, even as the draft of the basic law has yet to be released.

Aquino himself said there are no constitutional challenges, and the delay is only caused by the bill’s wording. – Rappler.com