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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Brian Poe cites National Amnesty Commission's efforts in IPU Assembly

Brian Poe cites National Amnesty Commission's efforts in IPU Assembly

Published Oct 22, 2025 02:32 pm

At A Glance

  • FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe has highlighted the Philippines' ongoing commitment to peace and reconciliation during his address at the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva.
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe (Rep. Poe's office)
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe (Rep. Poe's office)


FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe has highlighted the Philippines’ ongoing commitment to peace and reconciliation during his address at the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva.
Speaking before his fellow parliamentarians from across the world, Poe emphasized that peace is never built overnight, but is instead the result of years of dialogue, reconciliation, and the courage to choose understanding over division.
He cited in particular the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) as a cornerstone of the country’s peace process, established to implement the government’s amnesty proclamations for former combatants who have laid down their arms.
The commission, he noted, ensures that justice and reconciliation go hand in hand—that those who seek peace are given a second chance under the rule of law.
“Peace must always be the first option. We are a peace-loving people with a deep respect for the rule of law and our role in the international community. Our investment in the [NAC] is an internal reflection of our stance—as a friend to all, and an enemy to none,” Poe said.
As vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Poe personally sponsored and defended the ₱217 million budget for the NAC. He described it as not merely a fiscal allocation, but an investment in peace.
The NAC has received over 2,000 amnesty applications from former members of various groups, with thousands more expected as the reintegration process continues nationwide.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader peace efforts aimed at reintegrating up to 40,000 former combatants through amnesty, livelihood, and community-based programs.
“Each of these applications represents a life reclaimed, a family reunited, and a community restored. Through institutions like the [NAC], we reaffirm that reconciliation, compassion, and justice remain at the heart of nation-building,” said Poe, a neophyte solon in the 20th Congress.
He added that the Philippine model could serve as a reference for the IPU’s ongoing work on peace and post-conflict reintegration, even as he noted the alignment between domestic reconciliation efforts and international peacebuilding principles.
The 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva brought together lawmakers from over 170 member states to deliberate on pressing global issues, including peacebuilding, sustainable development, and human rights.
The IPU is global organization of national parliaments dedicated to promoting peace, democracy, and cooperation among nations. Established in 1889, the union serves as a platform for legislators from around the world to exchange ideas, develop common strategies, and strengthen parliamentary diplomacy.
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