“This is about being young Filipinos who stand for peace and reform”

In the light of the House of Representatives’ unanimous adoption of a resolution calling for the resignation of presidential peace process adviser Teresita ‘Ging’ Quintos-Deles, we, the undersigned, young public servants, young members of communities, young professionals, students and advocates, convey our full support for Secretary Deles and confidence in her professional integrity, competence and commitment to the peace process.

Secretary Deles’ background reveals a lifetime of commitment to peace and social reform. This should have been more than enough to erase any doubt about her capability and sincerity.

But for us who have had the chance to be among those she has mentored, accompanied, advised, employed and nurtured, we have much more to offer as reason to stand by the person we have come to know as ‘Ging’.

We support her because though we have walked shorter paths and trails for social reform, peace, indigenous peoples’ rights, peace in Mindanao, gender sensitivity, good governance, human rights, and Philippine democracy, these paths have been kept true by the examples she has set.

We support her because despite her depth and breadth of experience, she has always been open to discussion and debate. We have appreciated her knowledge, experience and commitment to working for peace, and the time she has willingly taken to share these with us and listen to our experiences in return.

We support her because she has the ability to constructively reprimand and praise accordingly. We have seen firsthand the passion she brings to her work and the quality she demands of herself and others.

We support her because we have sat with and across her in community dialogues and consultations and seen how her ability to engage in straight talk, rather than the traditional language of politics, have reached out to both friend and foe alike.

Around her, we have learned to work with passion and to give our best to each task we do. With her, we have learned to love our country and believe in the best for Filipinos.

But perhaps most of all, we support her because throughout her journey through the literal and political mine field known as the peace process, a process that has hardened many, Ging has made it a point to end any talk or engagement ‘with heart’.

It is with this same heart that we recall all of the facts and all of our experiences and stand behind the Philippine peace process as led by Secretary Teresita ‘Ging’ Quintos-Deles.

Signed:

Sittie Nayilah D. Abduljaleel
Project Staff, Almujadilah Dev’t Foundation Inc.

Joy Aceron
Program Director, Ateneo School of Government

Bam Aquino
Social Entrepreneur

Wilita Carmona-Boston
Finance and Admin Manager, CODE-NGO

Howard Cafugauan
Social Reform Advocate

Roy Calfoforo
Former NGO Council Member, NAPC

Milet S. Calingo
Communications Officer

Aily Carreon
Accountant

Justine Marie Castillo
Project Assistant, Young Public Servants

Kareen Marie Cerdena
Development Worker, VSO Bahaginan

Ma. Flora May ‘Toix’ Cerna
Head of Research and Project Development, TAN

Leslie Jamie Cobar
Research Assistant, Philippine Budget Monitoring Project

Johanna Delos Reyes
Administration Officer, INCITEGov

Ian Digal
Trustee, Dinagat Island Development Foundation, Inc.

Norman Jay Esteban
Secretary General, KAPARIZ

Jaime Garchitorena
IT Strategist and Advocate

Samira Gutoc
Youth and Peace Advocate

Maxine Tanya Hamada
Executive Director, INCITEGov

Marj Ibanez
Member, INCITEGov

Ching Jorge
Vice President, Bato Balani Foundation

Alberto Kimpo
Peace Advocate

Paula Bianca Lapuz
Development Policy Graduate Student

Niel Lim
Communications Strategist, INCITEGov

Jolex G. Mallari
Secretary General, PNoyPinay Manila Chapter

Monica Maye Manuel
Member Outreach Associate, Devex

Jennifer Santiago-Oreta
Assistant Professor, Ateneo de Manila University

Marie Rose Ramos
Project Officer, Development Academy of the Philippines

Dyan Aimee Rodriguez
Member Leadership Board for Asia, World Youth Movement for Democracy

Rose Romero
Member, Young Public Servant

Novie Lyn Saladar
Research Assistant, Philippine Budget Monitoring Project

Phillip San Jose
Project Manager, SMEC International Pty. Ltd.

Rior Santos
Overall Network Coordinator, Asian Youth Network

Mardi Mapa-Suplido
Executive Director, Youth Aid Philippines

Cecil Tibre
Pinoy-Pinay Secretariat

Roy Tordecilla
Peace Advocate

Charlene Tordesillas
Communications Officer, Knowledge Channel

Randy Tuaño
Trustee, INCITEGov

Joey Viana
ICTU - OPAPP

Nina Terol-Zialcita
Member, Young Public Servants

Support Signatures from Reform Colleagues:

Fermin Adriano
Consultant, World Bank

Consuelo Lacson – Anonuevo
Consultant, World bank

Jojo Leyson
Change Politics Movement - Zamboanga del Norte

Ernest Leung
Former Secretary, Department of Finance

Elisea Guzon
Consultant, Asian Development Bank
Sixto Donato Macasaet
Executive Director, CODE-NGO

Minombao Ramos-Mayo
Al-Mujadilah Development Foundation

Norkaya Mohamad
PILIPINA-Marawi

Luz Malibiran
Executive Director, Community Organizers Multiversity

Eyna Mallari
DEPW, Manila City Hall

Orly Maraingan
PPALMA Alliance

Antonio Salvador
Director for International Trade, Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services

Teresita Ang See
Spokesperson, Citizens Action Against Crime

Karen Tanada
Executive Director, Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute

Benjamin Tolosa
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University

Rene Villa
Former Secretary, Department of Agrarian Reform