Press Release
April 13, 2015

Drilon asks Iqbal to reveal real name

Senate President Franklin M Drilon today urged the disclosure of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohaqer Iqbal's true identity, stressing that while the issue has no legal implications on the peace agreement, it can be an important "confidence-building measure" that can alleviate doubts on the organization's sincerity and commitment towards peace.

Drilon, a former justice secretary, said that the issue on the true identity of Chairman Iqbal will not in any way affect the peace agreement between the government and the MILF.

"The use of a nom de guerre by Iqbal in signing the peace agreement does not constitute any legal violation, for both parties involved fully recognized Iqbal as the MILF's chief negotiator in the peace process," Drilon explained.

"What is important is that the MILF will honour and fulfill its obligations under the peace agreement," he underscored.

Still, he urged Iqbal to reveal his real name in order to help address misconceptions about the MILF's commitment to the peace process.

He also said that the use of an alias will not invalidate any document that Iqbal has signed in his official capacity as an official representative of his organization.

He pointed out that in the Senate itself, several senators have also signed official documents, committee reports and bills using nicknames. Among them are Senators Jinggoy Estrada, whose real name is Jose Pimentel Ejercito, and Ramon Revilla Jr., who was born with the name of Jose Marie Mortel Bautista.

News Latest News Feed