mucha-shim q. arquiza

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


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


Governance

The leadership & government The constituency & the governed


Early Moro Governance

Kadatuan & karaja-an (economic & political elites)

Kapanglimahan (traditional leaders & elders)

Kabanuwahan (grassroot constituencies)


Indo-malayu indigenous political structures

Sultanate – Middle Eastern Arab influence



Clan and blood-line as basis of constituency

Indigenous value of mar’tabbat

Islam-based or religion-inspired sara’ agama

Participatory and constituency-responsive



Pamarinta A’dilJust & equitable governance

Stewardship, trustee-ship Leadership as social obligation, not for

prestige or status Seniority & moral ascendancy of leaders



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”


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)



Pagmunda’ a’bontol

Righteous governance

As Servant-leadership

Is Moral; angentan pag’martabbat

Has strong eeman

In Halal ways & means



(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



FAIR & RIGHTEOUS LEADERSHIP is only half of the equation of

Pamarinta a’dil. Complementing constituency-responsive

governance is the multi-stakeholders’

PARTICIPATION


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



“Voice of the people” = representative not replacement

Voice of the critical mass of the people

Building constituency

Arriving at consensus


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



Consultations & consensus-building through Pagbissala (i.e. shura)

People’s congress; consultative assemblies; multistakeholders’ conferences; peoples’ meetings (pulong-pulong)



Shura = done in most gentlest of words and kindest of manners


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


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)



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 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


Traditional mechanisms of civil society participation in governance:

Botang mat’toa = tau maas (Council of elders)

Ruma bissara (House of council)




Post-conflict: Peace constituency-building and advocacies:

Inter-ethnic/ People-to-people solidarity & dialogues

Religious pluralism & intercivilizational dialogue


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.



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


Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!

May Peace and Blessings be upon us all!

THANK YOU

Wassalam!

mucha-shim q. arquiza

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