By John Unson, Philippine Star

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - An Australian-assisted peace advocacy outfit will formally launch on Sunday a political intervention program promoting “good governance culture” among  sectors in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), which is involved in various peace-building activities in Mindanao, started organizing the “Promoting Political Climate and Stability for Peace (Pro PolitiCS for Peace) program as early as January this year.

Lawyer Benidicto Bacani, director of IAG, said Sunday’s launching of the Pro PolitiCS for Peace will be attended by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and representatives from the Australian embassy.

The government’s chief negotiator with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Miriam Coronel Ferrer, officials of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, provincial governors and mayors from ARMM are also to grace the symbolic kickoff rite for Pro PolitiCS for Peace.

The program is being bankrolled by the Australian Agency for International Development, now a partner of the IAG, which is also being assisted by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung of Germany.

“This program aims to promote a good political climate and stability and cooperation among Muslims, Christians and lumad sectors in the Bangsamoro area,” Bacani said.

He said Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, presiding chair of the 75-member House committee handling the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, will also participate in Sunday’s event.

The non-stock, non-profit IAG has been implementing for more than a decade now various projects helping propagate good governance and political harmony among Mindanao’s tri-people - the indigenous non-Muslim hinterland groups, Moro people and Christian communities.

Bacani said prominent analysts will also speak on Mindanao political issues during Sunday’s activity, to be held in Davao City.