PEACE IN MINDANAO ACHIEVABLE, SAYS KOKO

Democracy is alive and kicking in the Philippines despite the intermittent violence in Mindanao, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said today.

Pimentel recently filed a resolution urging the Senate to express solidarity with parliaments all over the world in commemorating September 15 as International Day of Democracy (IDD).

The Inter-Parliamentary Union has set "Dialogue and Inclusiveness: Central to Democracy" as theme for the fifth celebration of IDD this year.

The senator cited efforts of the Philippine government to push the peace process with Muslim secessionist groups while serving as a global leader in interfaith initiatives as home to many faiths and religions.

"To sustain this endeavor, there is a need for greater intergovernmental efforts to restore peace and order in Mindanao to finally resolve the conflict," said Pimentel.

"Dialogue, as well as an all-inclusive approach, are needed to comprehensively address the unresolved issues of the 1996 Peace Agreement, the concerns of non-Muslim and indigenous peoples, the lumads and Bangsamoro people, and forge cooperation between the ARMM government and the MILF representatives."

Pimentel said the International Day of Democracy sets the right theme for the Senate to lead the nation in fostering the ideals of democracy as a potent tool in resolving or preventing internal conflicts.