PCID Statement on
the signing of the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing
July 17,
2013
The Philippine Center for
Islam and Democracy (PCID) congratulates the negotiating panels of the
Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) for the signing of the Annex on Revenue Generation and
Wealth Sharing. We laud the panels’ steadfast resolve to achieve a
compromise regarding such a contentious and important issue. PCID
welcomes the signing of this annex as a step forward towards achieving
lasting peace in Mindanao. PCID hopes that this annex will strengthen
the foundation for genuine fiscal autonomy for the Bangsamoro. PCID
believes that this signing of the annex will boost the people’s
optimism that a final peace agreement is within reach, this year.
Although challenges are in
the horizon as talks about Power Sharing and Normalization are about
to commence, PCID acknowledges that the signing of the Annex on
Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing is a good sign that both panels
are committed towards achieving a just and fair agreement. PCID,
however, sees that the annex is just an initial step towards fiscal
autonomy and economic development in the Bangsamoro. PCID considers
fiscal autonomy as an integral part of genuine autonomy but it also
recognizes that achieving this would require fiscal responsibility
from the people and their officials.
PCID recommends that in
order to fully actualize the visions in this annex, the Bangsamoro and
National Governments must capacitate local officials to adequately
implement the taxation provisions in what would be the Bangsamoro
Basic Law. We also hope that the Transition Commission will develop
the appropriate implementing and monitoring mechanisms as part of the
Basic Law. There is also a need to educate the people on how these
taxes will facilitate development in their region, and to train them
to expect transparency and accountability from their government.
Lastly, we assert the
primacy of the peace process and ask both Panels to continue
fast-tracking the remaining Annexes of the negotiations. We also ask
the Transition Commission to conduct parallel efforts in preparing for
the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law. We, as civil society, are prepared to
assist in any way.