SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Sunday the Senate must take a more active role in the peace process after meeting with Norway’s new special envoy to the Philippines.
Drilon recently met with Idun Tvedt and Elisabeth Slattum of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the peace and reconciliation efforts that the Norwegian government has been helping to facilitate between the Philippines and the communist National Democratic Front.
Tvedt is the new Special Envoy to the Philippines on the peace and reconciliation efforts with the NDF, replacing Slattum. Tvedt is due to arrive today for a two-day trip.
Drilon expressed his gratitude to the Norwegian government “for supporting the peace negotiations between the Philippines and the NDFP.”
“The Philippines is very grateful to the Norwegian government for acting as a third-party facilitator of the peace process between the Philippines and the NDF,” Drilon told Idun.
He underscored the importance of involving the Senate in the peace talks.
“Right now the peace process with the NDF is not being discussed formally or informally in the Senate,” Drilon said.
“There is a need to involve the Senate in the peace and reconciliation efforts between the Philippines and the NDF because in the end, a law will be needed to define the relationship of the parties.”
