by VERA Files
Peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have been stalled for eight months now because the government panel wants a review of the way Malaysia has been facilitating the peace talks.
Highly placed sources said the Philippine panel has raised issues over the presence of a Malaysian facilitator who is “blatantly pro-MILF.” The Philippine panel also wants a say in logistical matters such as accommodations for its personnel in Kuala Lumpur.
Highly placed government sources said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, the new head of the Philippine negotiating panel, is miffed that Malaysian facilitator Datuk Othman Abd Razak has been “biased” toward the MILF, and has asked for his replacement. National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzalez had also earlier asked that Othman be replaced. Malaysia has rejected both requests.
Click here VERA Files for the full report.
“Highly placed sources said the Philippine panel has raised issues over the presence of a Malaysian facilitator who is “blatantly pro-MILF.””
I could very well believe that. One doesn’t have to be a witness to the negotiation proceedings to know that this sort of things is happening.
What can you expect? Malaysians and the MILF are bound by a common interest, i.e., not allow RP Govt to have control of their Bangsamoro.
The Malaysians are in it more than anyone else — it is in their interest that the trouble in Mindanao continues so that RP cannot set its eyes on Sabah.
Been hankering about this in my blog these last couple of years — I was totally against, nay, I was virulent; to me, it was the height of stupidity to have those Malaysians “facilitating” in what should be a Philippine to Philippine affair. If ever we really needed foreign facilitators, why call on Malaysians, the very people with whom we have an outstanding quarrel over Sabah? We could ask/request other more “neutral” nationals to do this.
Our government is run by dimwits, idiots and morons! I despise them!
I agree with you, Anna.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Malaysians are using the MILF as a “proxy army” to destabilize Mindanao in order for the Philippines to be distracted away from its claims to Sabah.
Why should RP allow another country to handle the internal problems of RP? No wonder we never succeed in our claim of Sabah.
“Highly placed government sources said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, the new head of the Philippine negotiating panel, is miffed that Malaysian facilitator Datuk Othman Abd Razak has been “biased” toward the MILF, and has asked for his replacement. National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzalez had also earlier asked that Othman be replaced. Malaysia has rejected both requests.”
Why the f*** should Malaysia reject the request of one of the parties in the peace talks when its only job is to facilitate it?
Something really smells fishy about it.
Ellen,
This is off topic but I thought this could be good news to those who oppose Gloria, members of her corrupt government and their thieving relatives and friends:
Pres Sarkozy of France had a heated argument with China president over a provision in the proposed G20 agreement. Sarkozy had proposed to include a provision that would finally end bank secrecy. China was vehemently opposed, afraid for their banking secrets and perhaps illegal banking deposits in HK, Macau and Shanghai will be affected (these Chinese are real crooks, aren’t they?). Other countries wanted it too but they were perhaps fearful of offending China.
Well, not Sarkozy, he was the most outspoken and a heated argument broke out between him and Hu Jintao. Fortunately, Obama stepped in to stop the spat between the Chinese and the French presidents.
In the end, Sarkozy won, he got the concessions that he and Angela Merkel wanted:
“The agreement: the final G-20 document would state that the G-20 nations “stand ready to deploy sanctions to protect our public finances and financial systems. The era of banking secrecy is over. We note that the OECD has today published a list of countries assessed by the Global Forum against the international standard for exchange of tax information.”
More here.
To me, this is good news! In other words, Jose Pidal’s ill gotten wealth buried either Pinas or elsewhere will remain buried. If he or his bansot wife or any member of his family chooses to transfer them or to spend them using or going through banks/banking procedures, he will have to explain. If he cannot satisfactorily explain where and how he got the funds, he will have to hide in a hole somewhere in AbuSayyaff land because he will not be able to go anywhere in the civilised world without being served arrest warrants (you know just like what awaits Donald Rumsfeld in Europe for war crimes) – he will have a price tag on his head.
In anticipation of what this evil couple might do, it is imperative that Pinoys watch this couple and their hendchmen very closely; Lacson has documents, doesn’t he, implicating Pidal with acts of financial corruption.
I reckon that if Pinoys submit complaints to the OECD (Paris office) that such might happen, precisely in anticipation of what the thieving couple might do given the “new world order” to come, there is no reason why Gloria bansot and her fat Pidal shouldn’t pay for what they’ve done, i.e., looting the Philippine treasury.
And borrowing from blogger Equalizer (EQ), “Lintik lang ang walang ganti!”
Re: “OECD has today published a list of countries assessed by the Global Forum against the international standard for exchange of tax information.””
The Philippines had better watch out…
Anna, that’s wonderful news!
Those trips to Lugano then would be for naught. Go back to this thread: http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=344
Ellen,
Unfortunately, the G20 resolution has a direct consequence on the Philippines, the Republic is now in the OECD blacklist:
Read full story here.
Last night, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development issued a “blacklist” of four offending countries: Costa Rica, Malaysia, the Philippines and Uruguay. In the run-up to the summit, Switzerland, Austria,
Luxembourg, Andorra and Singapore joined a new spirit of openness. Yesterday Brunei and Guatemala agreed to abide by the new rules. The Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and British overseas territories such as the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands already comply with the guidelines.
Under yesterday’s deal, tax havens would have to open their books to other countries upon request, or face tough sanctions. Banks across the world face a regime of checks to guard against a repeat of the excessive lending that triggered the global financial meltdown.
I suggest Pinoys immediately move to denounce the Pidals so the Philippines will be struck from the black list.
Ellen,
Unfortunately, the G20 resolution has consequences:
Last night, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD] issued a “blacklist” of four offending countries: Costa Rica, Malaysia, the Philippines and Uruguay. In the run-up to the summit, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, Andorra and Singapore joined a new spirit of openness. Yesterday Brunei and Guatemala agreed to abide by the new rules. The Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and British overseas territories such as the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands already comply with the guidelines.
The Philippines under Gloria is accummulating so many ugly points…
Borrowing from Yuko, “Kawawang bansa!”
Anna, thank you very much for the news report. I think we will make an item of this in VERA Files.
Ladies, since you have swerved to the topic of G20, I will follow this path.
Ah, but Anna, cursing and denouncing the Pidals has been unrelenting in Ellenville. Blacklist of countries assessed by the Global Forum against the international standard for exchange of tax information.? Just another bruise to a nation’s battered image. You may have heard Ate Glue say she is not bothered by a poor image and unpopularity.
As sure as the sun sets tomorrow, any attempt to open the Pidal accounts will surely be challenged with the Bank Secrecy Law. And as sure as pigs grunt in Pinoyland, the challenge will prosper.
But BE, you didn’t read the entire G20 resolution provision:
“The era of banking secrecy is over. ”
“Under yesterday’s deal, tax havens would have to open their books to other countries upon request, or face tough sanctions.”
You can’t begin to imagine the potential consequences…
In other words, if the resolution is enforced against the Philippines, the country will find it very very difficult to do business with other countries. The nation’s exports will be affected severely. Philippine banks will not be able to transfer funds to pay for imports. Local businesses could collapse. These are a few areas that I can think of where the Philippines might be affected. (Lucio Tan, George Sy and other Tai Pans had better watch out — the OECD welcomes anonymous whistleblowers!)
Even money remittances to the Philippines might face obstacles. For example, banks abroad will be forbidden to transmit money to Manila banks. And where will that leave the poor familes of those OFW srelying on their remittances to the Philippines?
You can’t begin to imagine that with the G20 backing, OECD had become a powerful police… any company or nation or group that the OECD chases is a goner!
It is important for Pinoys and Pinays to start engaging brain.
I’ve opened a thread for this. It would be good to have our discussion there. Thanks.
Whats in it that we couldnt have if we dont sit down for another senseless ‘peace’ talk. We dont have yet that diplomatic versatility and even if its present with our side, the other side will always be the winner.
AdeBrux,
All these Malaysian participation in the peace talks? Iisa lang ang explanation ko nyan. CONFLICT OF INTEREST.