DisCASSion Series Features Panel Discussion on the Bangsamoro Organic Law

DisCASSion Series Features Panel Discussion on the Bangsamoro Organic Law

by Xandelyn Racel R. Baena

The College of Arts and Social Sciences in its 35th founding anniversary program DisCASSion, a series of lectures/forums sponsored by the each department of the College, holds a very relevant and timely discussion on the Bangsamoro Organic Law on March 13, at the Cassalida Theater. The sponsoring departments were the Political Science and History in partnership with the Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA). Invited speakers on the panel discussion, who are exceptionally experts on the subject, were Dr. Julio Teehankee of the DLSU and incumbent president of the PPSA, MSU-IIT’s pride Dr. Jamail Kamlian, and Dr. Acram Latiph, the Acting Director of the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (MSU-Main). As Mindanao steps into the path of peace through the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the lectures of the esteemed speakers had definitely shed light on the matter.

            Dr. Teehankee decisively remarks that the success of the BARMM, as a sort of political experiment, will also determine whether Federalism can actually work in the Philippines. But Dr. Teehankee cautioned by saying that the country needs to “fix the way we do politics before going to Federalism” concerns such as political dynasty and many other negative political cultures in the country affecting positive success for constitutional change. In many other aspects, Dr. Teehankee lay down the transformative ways in which the MILF, as the forerunner of the BOL, had consolidated its power that resulted into political gains for the Bangsamoro. He emphasized the importance of formation of political parties to be heard and empower rather than take the rough road of rebellion. Equally insightful, Dr. Kamlian raises that BARMM is not only an exclusive concern of the Bangsamoro people, but of the people of Mindanao hence there should be “common interests and common responsibility to make BOL a successful journey.” While Dr. Acram, with his good training in economic and policy analysis, considers the “BOL as the last hope” for Mindanao and in the same manner, he expressed that the benefit of its success is not only for the Bangsamoro but for the rest of Mindanao. In his profound discussion, Dr. Acram said that “peace brought by BOL will create a trickle down effect in the whole Mindanao particularly in improving its economic industry.” The underlying emphasis of the talks is to hope for mutual cooperation for the success of the BARMM because there is no other alternative for Mindanao but peace.

            The College of Arts and Social Sciences, with the known predilection towards social relevance, has always spearheaded talks dissecting social concerns and issues. Holding the panel discussion also propels the crucial role of MSU-IIT as a social laboratory that provides a venue where issues and concerns of the country are examined and deliberated, in which the end purpose is to be instructive.

Topics : Bangsamoro Organic Law  Mindanao  BOL  Philippine Political Science History

Political Science Faculty and Students Present Papers in the 2015 Philippine Political Science (PPSA) International Conference

Political Science Faculty and Students Present Papers in the 2015 Philippine Political Science (PPSA) International Conference

by Yasmira P. Moner

Khalidbinwalid D. Moner presented his research co-authored with Prof. Marilou S. Nanaman entitled “Maranao-Higaonon Inter-Ethnic Conflict Resolution in Barangay Rogongon, Iligan City”

Two faculty members and three students from the department of Political Science of the MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology presented papers during the annual PPSA International Conference held at Dipolog Medical Center (DMC) College Foundation, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, April 10-11, 2015. This year’s theme “Heroes and Villains” explores the issues surrounding the concepts of Heroes and Villains in a transdiciplinary perspectives. This conference is a venue where the PPSA provide key insights on a variety of political issues concerning the Philippines and the region. It was participated by around 150 delegates comprising of Political scientists, scholars, students, NGO practitioners and researchers from different Universities and institutions mostly from Asia-Pacific region.

Ms. Shinette Salazar during her paper presentation “The Empowerment of Maranao Women in Barangay Mandulog, Iligan City” co-authored with Prof. Marilou S. Nanaman, PhD.

This year, Political Science department of the Institute presented three (3) papers to the conference. The presenters/authors and their researches were: (1) “Local Leaders’ Risk Reduction Strategies for Dengue Based on Climate Information: A Case in Communities in Baybay, Leyte” by Prof. Enrique Batara and Mr. Ronnie Emmanuel Gravoso; (2) “Maranao-Higaonon Inter-Ethnic Conflict Resolution in Barangay Rogongon, Iligan City” by Prof. Marilou F. S. Nanaman and Mr. Khalidbinwalid D. Moner; and (3) “The Empowerment of Maranao Women in Barangay Mandulog, Iligan City” by Prof. Marilou S. Nanaman and Ms. Shinette Salazar. In addition, Dr. Marilou S. Nanaman, chairperson of the Political Science department of the Institute is among the newly-elected PPSA Board of Directors (2015-2017).

Aside from the paper presenters, delegates from MSU-IIT include: Yasmira P. Moner, faculty of the department of Political Science and 3rd year Political Science majors namely: Queenie Pearl Tomaro, Elika Err Bienes, Justine Jay Lorca and Jefferson Payusan.

2015 PPSA International Conference was in partnership with the DMC College Foundation, Dipolog City, Philippines.

MSU-IIT Delegation: from R-L: Prof. Enrique Batara, Ms. Yasmira Moner, Ronnie Emmanuel Gravoso, Prof. Marilou Nanaman, Shinette Salazar, Khalidbinwalid Moner, Jefferson Payusan, Queenie Pearl Tomaro, Elika Err Bienes and Justine Jay Lorca.

Topics : Paper presentation  research  political science