CSR advocate says National Leaders of Federalism should support MILF cause on ‘sub-state’

By MARIZ REVALES   A Mindanao-based active advocate of corporate social responsibility revealed that enlightened Christian leaders of various denominations have praised the "sub-state" concept proposed by the MILF which is akin to a political federal state.   Arnold Garbanzos, a corporate executive of Pioneer Insurance, an active civic leader, an exponent of the Gawad Kalinga project in the Lanao provinces and a strong advocate of CSR has told this reporter that the MILF proposal merits attention because of its timely applicability to the Philippine political situation.    In a recent email addressed to the civil society network, Garbanzos said, "The problem with the GRP-MILF peace talks today is that the scenario seems to be a 'Muslim against Christian' perspective or vice versa.  When in fact it is not the way it should be.  The more I listen to our Muslim brothers the more I understand the direction they are taking, a direction which is in consonance with the principles of Federalism-the right to be self-reliant, the right to be managers of their own resources and destiny."   Garbanzos said the concept of a sub-state is a virtual equivalent of a federal state, and he believes that the MILF is taking the right direction.  He said he has discussed the MILF proposal with some Christian leaders who also agreed to support the MILF cause.    "Of course my personal view on this matter is anchored on the principle that the MILF wants to remain as part of this Nation but under a Federal form of government.  I am against Balkanizing this nation and I do not agree that anyone of us should leave the Republic.  I want us all to be intact but each running his own province or state like a corporate enterprise-self determining, self-generating and self-maximizing without dependence on a 'feudal system'," he stressed. Recently, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) told a Mindanao-based Catholic Bishop that a "substate" is actually a federal system to be in place in Moro-dominated areas in Mindanao, as reported in CATHNEWS Philippines, a service of UCAN news.com.    Garbanzos said that he sent a communication to Senator Nene Pimentel and Chief Justice Puno to support the federalist stance of the MILF sub-state proposal.  A request was sent to CSOFP president Jun Tenorio for Senator Pimentel he said.   "The needs of the times dictates that we should be decentralized and each province or state be run like a responsible business unit-responsible for its own growth and destiny.  And I believe that the MILF is taking the right direction," he said.   "If Senator Pimentel and retired Chief Justice Puno take up the cudgels of the MILF and defend them in their federal stand, the whole world will listen.  Let us be good Samaritans and stand for the right cause.  America, Australia, Malaysia and Germany are federalist.  I do not see why the MILF should be denied their right to such progressive stand since they are still brother Filipinos supporting the Republic."   An advocate of interfaith practice and Christian-Muslim harmonious relations, Arnold Garbanzos is a former pastor of a Christian church but was recently adopted as Datu Mangompia by the Federated Royal Sultanate of the Philippines (ROSULPHIL) which is founded and headed by Aleem Sultan Ibrahim Camama, the highest-ranking Sultan in the country today.   Arnold is also a Rotarian leader and a Guinness World Record organizer for peace and reconciliation of the Tri-people. His adopted Muslim name is Nur Abdurahman and holds the royal title "Datu Mangompia sa Iligan-Pilimpinas." The title Mangompia means "reconciler of men and relationships."   Mindanao, he said means the "land of lakes" which is consistent with the description of a Ranaw Darrusalam, an abode of peace.   __________________________