Providing for the Creation of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Panel for Negotiations with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao (RPMM)

July 14, 2003

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 108

PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES (GRP) PANEL FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE REBOLUSYONARYONG PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA NG MINDANAO (RPMM)

WHEREAS, the Government is cognizant of its responsibility for the attainment of a just, comprehensive and enduring peace in accordance with constitutional and legal processes, as basis for sustainable economic and human development and national prosperity;

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 3, series of 2001, entitled Defining Policy and Administrative Structure for Government's Comprehensive Peace Efforts provides the Government's overall policy and administrative structure on the comprehensive peace process known as the "Six Paths to Peace", which includes the conduct of face-to-face negotiations to reach a peaceful settlement with the different rebel groups, among which is the Revolutionary Proletariat Movement-Mindanao/Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao ("RPMM");

WHEREAS, the RPMM has submitted to the GRP its Proposed General Framework on Peace and Development Talks;

WHEREAS, the conduct of talks between the GRP and the RPMM reaffirms the Government's desire to promote, enhance and strengthen the initiatives of all stakeholders towards lasting peace and development in Mindanao.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Creation of the GRP Panel. — There is hereby created, under the supervision of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process ("OPAPP"), a government peace panel (the "GRP Panel") to undertake negotiations with the RPMM in accordance with the Government's policy framework for peace and the national agenda on poverty alleviation. The GRP Panel shall be composed of the following:

Chairman Hon. Franklin M. Quijano

Members Hon. Teresita Quintos-Deles

 Hon. Froilan Melendres

SECTION 2. Secretariat. — The OPAPP may designate a non-government organization to provide technical assistance to the panels during the conduct of the peace talks.

SECTION 3. Budget Support. — The Department of Budget and Management is hereby directed to release the amount of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P3,500,000.00) from the President's Contingent Fund to initially cover the operational expenses necessary for the conduct of the peace talks. Fund requirements of the peace talks for the succeeding years shall be included in the OPAPP budget.

SECTION 4. Effectivity. — This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately upon approval.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 14th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three. aDcEIH