Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Bangsamoro Civil Society: Multistakeholders & Partners in Building Constituency-responsive Governance
Mucha-Shim Q. ArquizaLumah Ma Dilaut Center for Living Traditions
Asian Muslim Action Network in the Philippines
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Context & Assumptions:
Multicontextual & multisectoral Mindanao-Sulu as historical & development processes; IKSPs
Lessons from the failed peacetalks and MOA-AD
Bangsamoro governance, national & international governance and politics
Erosion of world hegemony & rise of pluralism and multiculturalism
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Governance
The leadership & government The constituency & the governed
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Early Moro Governance
Kadatuan & karaja-an (economic & political elites)
Kapanglimahan (traditional leaders & elders)
Kabanuwahan (grassroot constituencies)
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Indo-malayu indigenous political structures
Sultanate – Middle Eastern Arab influence
Early Moro Governance
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Clan and blood-line as basis of constituency
Indigenous value of mar’tabbat
Islam-based or religion-inspired sara’ agama
Participatory and constituency-responsive
Early Moro Governance
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Pamarinta A’dilJust & equitable governance
Stewardship, trustee-ship Leadership as social obligation, not for
prestige or status Seniority & moral ascendancy of leaders
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Pamarinta A’dilJust & equitable governance
Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice: Verily how excellent is the teaching which He giveth you! For Allah is He Who heareth and seeth all things. [1]
[1] Surah An-Nisa 4:58 “The Glorious Qur’an”
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Pagnakura’ a’hatulJust & fair rule
Listens to and acts on constituents’ interests
Respects & protects the haqq of the people
Kapatutan manusiya’ (civil & political rights) is a fardh, a social obligation (i.e. not individual entitlement)
“Verily, the leader among you is the vicegerent of Allah on that community; he shall protect the rights of the wronged among the populace. If the leader judges justly he will receive the reward of Allah and the people should be grateful for it. While if the leader judges unjustly, he is sure to receive the Wrath from Allah and the people must be enduring and patient (Hadith)
“Verily, the leader among you is the vicegerent of Allah on that community; he shall protect the rights of the wronged among the populace. If the leader judges justly he will receive the reward of Allah and the people should be grateful for it. While if the leader judges unjustly, he is sure to receive the Wrath from Allah and the people must be enduring and patient (Hadith)
Pamarinta A’dilJust & equitable governance
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Pagmunda’ a’bontol
Righteous governance
As Servant-leadership
Is Moral; angentan pag’martabbat
Has strong eeman
In Halal ways & means
Pamarinta A’dilJust & equitable governance
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
(The Muslim leaders are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs. [2]
[2] Surah Al Hajj 22:41
Pamarinta A’dilJust & equitable governance
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
FAIR & RIGHTEOUS LEADERSHIP is only half of the equation of
Pamarinta a’dil. Complementing constituency-responsive
governance is the multi-stakeholders’
PARTICIPATION
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
RaayatThe Civil Society
Specialized, organized, interest-groups and constituencies: Women The students, youth and children Professionals, academic,intellectuals Religious & faith leaders Working class & farmers Urban poor
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
RaayatThe Civil Society
“Voice of the people” = representative not replacement
Voice of the critical mass of the people
Building constituency
Arriving at consensus
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance; [3]
[3] Sura Ash-Shura 42:38 The Glorious Qur’an
RaayatThe Civil Society
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Consultations & consensus-building through Pagbissala (i.e. shura)
People’s congress; consultative assemblies; multistakeholders’ conferences; peoples’ meetings (pulong-pulong)
RaayatThe Civil Society
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Shura = done in most gentlest of words and kindest of manners
RaayatThe Civil Society
But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs. [4]
[4] Surah As-Shura 42:43
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Contemporary Bangsamoro civil society experience:
Martial Law justice and peace groups Muslim-Christian understanding Moro Human rights defenders & monitoring
groups Alternative development (integrated and
area-based sustainable development)
RaayatThe Civil Society
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Traditional Civil Society Karatuan,karaja-an = eco. & pol. Elites Kahadji-an = religious, intellectuals & learned Kapanglimahan, kamatto’ahan, kanakuraan =
traditional leaders and community elders Kabanuwahan = grassroot; ordinary citizens
RaayatThe Civil Society
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
RaayatThe Civil SocietyPost-Martial Law
Moro Human rights defenders & monitoring groupsFraming social reform agenda and lobbying points for the peace processesInternational solidarity & UN lobby missions
Social development & service providers
Interfaith dialogue
Peace and development advocates
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Traditional mechanisms of civil society participation in governance:
Botang mat’toa = tau maas (Council of elders)
Ruma bissara (House of council)
RaayatThe Civil Society
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
RaayatThe Civil Society
Post-conflict: Peace constituency-building and advocacies:
Inter-ethnic/ People-to-people solidarity & dialogues
Religious pluralism & intercivilizational dialogue
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Institute of Bangsamoro Studies Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society organizations Bangsamoro Development Authority Moro NGOs, CBOs, POs into community work Moro HR defenders & legal services BM Youth, students, young professionals BM women organizations & cooperatives MNLF Peace advocates Peace and human rights networks, etc.
RaayatThe Civil Society
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Conclusion Indigenous knowledge, systems and practices as
sources and frames of reference of governance and law (i.e. customary laws)
Recognize and respect the uniqueness and diversities in socio-cultural and political perspectives and experiences of the various ethnic communities and social sectors.
Celebrate commonalities in tradition of leadership and governance
weave a common dream of good governance for the multicultural communities
Workshop on Bangsamoro GovernanceNDU, Cotabato City 10 June 2009
Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!
May Peace and Blessings be upon us all!
THANK YOU
Wassalam!