Joining the Community of Nations and Parliaments Around the World in Commemorating the Fifth International Day of Democracy

September 17, 2012

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 129-12

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE TO JOIN THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS AND PARLIAMENTS AROUND THE WORLD IN COMMEMORATING THE FIFTH INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2012, WITH THE THEME, "DIALOGUE AND INCLUSIVENESS: CENTRAL TO DEMOCRACY"

WHEREAS, in 2007, the United Nations declared September 15 of every year as the International Day of Democracy and invites all member states and parliaments to commemorate the day with meaningful activities involving the citizenry, and encourage especially the young people to take an interest in their parliament and their democracy; IaDSEA

WHEREAS, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), over the years, has united with Parliaments all over the world in celebrating the International Day of Democracy and has proposed the theme for this year, "Dialogue and Inclusiveness: Central to Democracy";

WHEREAS, "dialogue" and "inclusiveness", essential features of democracy, must prevail in a culture of democracy, and could be realized in two levels: political dialogue embraces inclusive discourse between different political forces, inside and outside parliament, and dialogue between parliament and citizens, as a means to resolve conflict;

WHEREAS, the Philippines is known to be a diverse, multicultural country which is home to 90 known ethnic groups further subdivided into over 150 ethno-linguistic communities and scattered over 7,100 islands;

WHEREAS, with a ninety million strong population, it is home to many faiths and religions — a) Roman Catholic, b) Muslim, c) Evangelical, d) Iglesia ni Kristo, e) Aglipayan, f) Other Christian, and other denominations;

WHEREAS, the Philippine government has engaged in peace negotiations with Muslim secessionist groups beginning with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), followed now with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF);

WHEREAS, in 2011, President Aquino, consistent with his policy of exhausting all possibilities of attaining peace through dialogue, is pursuing an all-out justice for all casualties in Mindanao, and is not interested in taking any action that will jeopardize the government's effort to seal a peace accord with the Moro rebels in Mindanao;

WHEREAS, the Philippines is considered a global leader in interfaith initiatives, having initiated resolutions and led discussions at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue and understanding and cooperation for peace since 2004; bolstered by its hosting of the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development in Manila in 2010, as well as the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Interfaith Dialogue in October with the theme "Harnessing the Benefits and Addressing the Challenges of Migration Through Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue";

WHEREAS, by adopting policies conducive to interfaith dialogue, various civil society groups are encouraged to assist in the peace and development efforts of the government in the different provinces and local communities, especially in Mindanao; CcAHEI

WHEREAS, to sustain this endeavor, there is a need for greater intergovernmental efforts to restore peace and order in Mindanao and finally resolve the conflict;

WHEREAS, dialogue, as well as an all-inclusive approach, is needed to comprehensively address the unresolved issues of the 1996 Peace Agreement, the concerns of non-Muslim and indigenous peoples, the Lumads and the Bangsamoro people, and forge cooperation between the ARMM government and the MILF representatives;

WHEREAS, despite the intermittent violence in Mindanao, there have been positive developments in the peace negotiations over the past months, and with the ongoing 31st Formal Exploratory Talks between the Government and MILF, the need for unity and collective efforts among all Filipinos to achieve the ultimate goal of resolving the decades-old tensions in the country is imperative;

WHEREAS, the International Day of Democracy sets the right theme for the Senate, to lead the nation, in solidarity with the global community, in instilling to its constituents the noble ideals and qualities of democracy by fully utilizing political dialogue and inclusiveness as a potent tool in resolving and even preventing its internal conflicts;

WHEREAS, this celebration is a fitting reminder to all Filipino citizens to constantly renew their bond with their elected representatives: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, To express its sense in joining the community of nations and parliaments around the world in commemorating the Fifth International Day of Democracy on September 15, 2012, with the theme, "Dialogue and Inclusiveness: Central to Democracy".

Adopted,

(SGD.) JUAN PONCE ENRILEPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on September 17, 2012. EHcaAI

(SGD.) EMMA LIRIO-REYESSecretary of the Senate