A Statement of AMIN (Anak Mindanao) Party List on Eid al-Fitr 2007

With the sighting of the new moon, Muslims all over the world bid farewell to the Holy month of Ramadhan and celebrate the Festival of Ending the Fast or in Arabic, Eid al-Fitr.

Anak Mindanao joins the entire world in this Celebration, with the sincerest prayer for Mercy, Blessings, Forgiveness and Peace from the Almighty Creator.

The month-long sacrifice of fasting, not just from food and water, but also from anger, misdeeds and worldly desires… is now over. The hunger, thirst, discipline and patience that we observed and imposed upon ourselves in observance of Ramadhan now appear to be choices again - choices, that in our ordinary everyday lives we seem to often not choose.

The virtues that are imposed upon us during the Holy Month of Ramadhan are virtues that are supposed to be upheld every single day, fasting or not. Ramadhan is supposed to be a practice, a class where we learn the theories, do some exercises, live with examples. The real test comes after the Eid, when we are to apply what we should have learned, when the lessons taught by Ramadhan should have been imbedded into the very core of our being, the virtues part of our existence, acted out with the greatest ease as simply breathing.

It is with this aspiration, that we pray, may this celebration of Eid’l Fitr be not the end of a Holy Month but the beginning of a Holy Year. A year that we start with the following prayers:

For the atrocities committed by people who call themselves Muslims, we ask for forgiveness. Terrorism is never preached in Islam. The taking of innocent lives, even of mere properties, and even in times of war, is strictly prohibited in Islam.

For the injustices, discrimination and the wrongs done against the Muslims, we extend our forgiveness. Even as we call for justice, we open our hands for forgiveness and reconciliation. Islam emphasizes conciliation. In fact, there is a common Islamic belief that when two parties are in conflict, and is not settled in three days, both parties become liable, including the one aggrieved.

For the differences in ethnicity, culture, beliefs and even faiths, we offer unity. Let there be no ideology, power or wealth greater than the unity of mankind, whose beginning is from a Supreme Creator, and to Whom we shall all return.

For the wars and conflicts, discords and unrest afflicting the world and our nation, we pray for Peace. Islam is Peace. Islam is a Way of Life. As Muslims, Peace must not be an option, it must be our way of life. All the sacrifices that we endured throughout the month of Ramadhan will be futile unless we fulfill the very essence of our being Muslims, to live in the way of Peace.

With these prayers, we extend our greetings of a Blessed Eid’l Fitr to all Muslims. May we remain steadfast to the ideals of the Holy Month of Ramadhan the whole year through.

AMIN Party List turns over fully rehabilitated MEENA jitney to UP-SAVINGS MPC
by: Arcelie E. Codilla (AMIN Cotabato)

Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Party List allocated a one million (P1 M) pesos budget for the Urban Poor in Cotabato City. It was awarded to Urban Poor Socialized Actions and Viable Initiatives that Net Gain and Serve Multi-Purpose Cooperative (UP-SAVINGS MPC). The money was turned over by the AMIN through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region XII. The funds will be utilized for the different proposed projects of UP-SAVINGS MPC.

Jitney repair is one of the aforementioned projects and MEENA jitney is among its eight recipients. The said jitney was newly repaired and furnished by Joe Auto Repair Shop. The services include body repair, wiring installation, body painting, upholstery and under chassis repair. The acceptance ceremony of MEENA from the abovementioned repair shop represented by the owner itself – Mr. Joe Lao was successfully done last October 11, 2007 in the afternoon. The said event was held in front of UP-SAVINGS MPC Office in San Pablo Village, Cotabato City. Ms. Maila U. Mantil; an UP-SAVINGS MPC member and staff lead the cutting of ribbon. It was witnessed by the ANAK MINDANAO (AMIN) Party List Secretary General – Mr. Rafael D. Nabre, the DTI representative Mr. Sandialen L. Kanda, the UP-SAVINGS MPC Secretary - Ms. Irene M. Dillo and some of the cooperative members as well.

With the initiatives of the UP-SAVINGS MPC and support from AMIN Party List and DTI Region XII, MEENA jitney turns into a well-conditioned and attractive one from an old and almost junked jitney. It is perceived that with its new appearance, more commuters will be willing to ride in, thus, increasing its daily income.

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PARTY-LIST SOLONS ASSAIL DAR FOR INACTION ON SUMILAO FARMERS

Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel and Anak Mindanao Representative Mujiv Hataman today deplored the continuing inaction of the Department of Agrarian Reform to the petition filed by the farmers of Sumilao, Bukidon

Ten years ago this month, farmers from Sumilao in Bukidnon who belong to Mapadayonong Panaghiusa sa mga Lumad Alang sa Damlag (MAPALAD) staged a 28-day hunger strike in front of the office of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City calling for the redistribution of the 144 hectares of their ancestral land controlled by Norberto Quisumbing Sr Management and Development Corporation (NQSRMDC). Former President Ramos' offered a so-called Win-Win formula by giving 100 hectares to the farmers and the remaining 44 to NQSRDMC. It was later nullified by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Quisumbings sold the land to San Miguel Food Inc., which put up a piggery farm. The Sumilao farmers said that this is a violation of the conversion order. In November 2004, the Sumilao farmers filed a petition for the cancellation of Conversion Order over the disputed land.

"The utter disregard of the department to the plight of the Sumilao lumad-farmers smacks of discrimination. Celebrating the Indigenous Peoples month is meaningless if a national government agency such as DAR pay no attention to the plight of the lumad," said Rep. Hataman.