KOKO PIMENTEL BACKS SIGNING
OF HISTORIC FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, PDP-Laban president, declared his full support to the signing of the historic Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro this Monday between the peace negotiating panels of the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

"Now that both sides have agreed on a common roadmap, the hardest part is over. Of course, there is a lot of work ahead particularly in the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and its eventual approval in Congress," Senator Pimentel said.

The re-electionist senator from Mindanao echoed the calls made by various civil society groups and peace advocates for everyone to join hands and give peace a chance by supporting the framework agreement.

"Given the resistance of some quarters to the GPH-MILF peace agreement, it is but appropriate that we ask all Filipinos to give peace a chance," he stressed.

Pimentel said that he would attend the signing of the peace framework agreement on Monday because it is a rare, historic event that would benefit all Filipinos, not just the people of Mindanao.

"The moment the leadership and representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front set foot in Malacanang, history is made. That alone symbolizes a sea-change in how both sides now regard each other," the senator from Cagayan de Oro City, added.

As chairman of the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people's participation, Sen. Pimentel said that he welcomes the intention of the MILF to convert itself into a political party by 2016.

"The ultimate mandate is one obtained through democratic means, through the ballot, with the full support of their constituency," Senator Koko Pimentel said.