ILOILO CITY, Philippines, March 16 (IslamOnline.net) - President Gloria Arroyo Tuesday, March 16, reiterated her support for a federal form of government through constitutional change, saying that it could speed up the realization of a lasting peace and development in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, some 200 business executives and government leaders from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines are set to converge in Manila this month to discuss the region’s economy, focusing on Mindanao.

Arroyo admitted that she and the candidates of her party, who are running for the May 10 elections, are pushing for amendments in the constitution that will pave the way for the establishment of federalism in the country.

She said that through federalism, Mindanao would have a greater chance of achieving economic development and lasting peace because it will have autonomy in charting its own destiny.

"I said the search for peace must be constitutional but the constitution must serve the quest for peace and I believe that we have a better chance for lasting peace and development in Mindanao if indeed we have a federal form of government," Arroyo said in a press conference Tuesday.

Aside from pushing for federalism from the present Presidential form of government, Arroyo also assured institutionalized accommodations and social justice for all residents in Mindanao, which has a multi-ethnic constituency.

She also disclosed that once a peace agreement is signed by the government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is fighting to repossess the Bangsamoro homeland, the United States and other donor countries would release multi-million dollar funds for the development of Mindanao.

The Philippine President also assured every family member of the victims in the Sasa Wharf and Davao City International Airport bombings last year that they will be given justice.

"As I have said, the perpetrators are in jail and they are undergoing trial. They are in jail without bail; this is not a case of justice delayed or justice denied. As long as the trial is ongoing they are in jail. This is what you call justice done," she added.

The President also mentioned the new 600-million-peso Official Development Assistance (ODA) that her administration was able to raise to further boost the development of Mindanao.

The bulk of this foreign aid has been earmarked for Mindanao to strengthen the peace and development initiatives of her governance, she said.

In an official-cum-campaign sortie in Davao City, Arroyo batted for a three-point agenda of her administration for the development of Mindanao.

She pitched the need for developing Mindanao as part of a strong republic, establishing peace and order as well as channeling development assistance to the island, and amending the constitution to provide for a federal form of government.

She cited Davao City as "a good example," if the Philippines is to be transformed to the strong republic that she has espoused under her administration’s platform of government.

Arroyo statements came as some businessmen and official delegates are due to attend the “2^nd BIMP-EAGA 2004: The Philippine Exhibition and Conference” on March 30-31 in Manila. “BIMP-EAGA” stands for Brunei Darussalam -Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East-Asian-Growth-Area.

The Philippines has joined the neighboring states in order to spur the economic growth of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao as well as Palawan, which has existing economic, cultural and religious ties with the three states.

As of 1997, total investments in Mindanao and Palawan due to the country’s membership to the EAGA amounted to U.S.$29 million. Most of these investments came from Malaysia.

Mindanao's active participation in BIMP-EAGA has significantly contributed to the positive growth rate of its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP).

The conference would have 25 speakers from around the world who are experts on their fields. They would give presentations on topics which are expected to help key business and government executives from the four countries help strengthen and develop their economies.

The conference would also have an exhibition. Bin Lope Abdul Aziz, BIMP-EAGA chairman, said in a statement sent to IslamOnline.net that the “event will serve as an avenue for international companies and sponsors to showcase their latest product and services directly to the highly prestigious target audience.”

The event is hosted by PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority and Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc.

The BIMP-EAGA initiative was launched by four governments in 1994, with the objective of hastening, through regional cooperation, the development of the economy of Brunei Darussalam and the sub-regions of the three other countries.

BIMP-EAGA is viewed as a major location in the Southeast Asian region of high value-added agro-industry, natural resource-based manufacturing and high-grade tourism as well as non-resource based industries.

It is seen as a vehicle to promote and integrate the various sectors like trade, investment, agriculture, tourism and fisheries within the East Southeast Asian sub-region.

This growth area is also seen as an impetus to expand air and shipping linkages and telecommunication services among the component regions.