MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang defended its decision to give the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) P5 million for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI).

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the project, which was agreed upon during the Arroyo administration, is “worth pursuing.”
 
“The whole idea here is from a decades-old conflict, the Bangsamoro members would be trained to assume leadership roles in areas where they might be needed. That’s the whole purpose of the funding and it was found to be worth pursuing,” Lacierda said. “Imagine mo, kunwari 20 years kayo nagbabakbakan, nagi-giyera, so ‘yung training mo is war rather than management. So you need to establish a management institute for them, catered to the uniqueness of the Muslim culture and the Bangsamoro culture.”
 
Lacierda also dismissed reported comments that President Aquino may have committed an impeachable offense when the peace panel handed the check to the MILF.
 
“This is part of the commitment of government to the peace process and training of future Bangsamoro leaders. This is not for armed conflict but primarily for political and socio-economic development. So let’s be clear with that. There’s no betrayal of public trust. There’s no treason here and I think you should go back and look at what the definition of treason is under the Revised Penal Code,” Lacierda said.
 
The handing of the check was announced as early as August when the government peace panel held a video conference with the Palace press corps but only came under fire recently following the military’s clash with forces identified with the MILF.
 
“This was very transparent. We informed the public, informed the press about this. So any notion that this was done surreptitiously and in bad faith should be dispelled,” Lacierda said.
 
Lacierda said the BLMI is “envisioned to be a center of excellence and a repository of knowledge in the discipline of human resource development that produces ideologically oriented individuals of impeccable character equipped with exemplary leadership and managerial qualities for the transformation of the Bangsamoro people.”
 
Lacierda said the proposal to build the BLMI was agreed upon by the government and MILF panels during the 10th exploratory talks held in February 7, 2006. Lacierda said Presidential peace adviser Ging Deles did not have a hand in the proposal since she resigned from the Arroyo Cabinet in 2005.
 
Lacierda said the Palace will be asking the MILF for an accounting for the use of the funds. “[Sec. Deles] will be asking for an accounting within six to 12 months for the use of the funds,” Lacierda said.
 
Lacierda said Deles and government peace panel chair Marvic Leonen still have the trust and confidence of President Aquino.