Filipino Lawyers establish Peace Committee

Commemorative Photo of Chairman Lee of HWPL, Chairwoman Kim of IWPG and friends of HWPL, the members of the IBP.

Envisioning A World Without Armed Conflicts,

Filipino Lawyers in IBP to establish Peace Committee

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South Cotabato, Philippines – The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has established an exclusive Peace Committee to take united action towards making the nation free from conflicts. In order to support the practical initiatives suggested by UN DPI NGO, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the IBP has inaugurated a total of 93 lawyers (9 Board of Governors and 84 regional representative lawyers) as members of the IBP National Committee on Peace. The lawyers were also appointed as HWPL Publicity Ambassadors. The IBP is an official organization of all Filipino lawyers whose names appear in the Roll of Attorneys of the Supreme Court.

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For the inauguration ceremony, IBP President Atty. Rosario T. Setias-Reyes, an active member of the HWPL Advisory Council, extended special invitations to the South Korean Peace Delegation: Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL and Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG). Atty. Jose I. De La Rama, Jr. will serve as the head of the Committee while he continues to serve as the IBP Governor for Central Luzon.

President Rosario T. Setias-Reyes of IBP is appointed as an HWPL Publicity Ambassador.

In response to President Setias-Reyes’s call for the Board of Governors to voluntarily establish the Peace Committee in the IBP, the committee members pledged to strive to make peace a reality in the Philippines through supporting HWPL’s peace proposal: the International Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts. They affirmed their solidarity in instilling hopes for those in need of peace through their expertise.

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As the only means to bring peace to the world, HWPL Chairman Lee has suggested such a Convention and founded the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, consisting of international law scholars and professionals.

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“If each nation’s head and leaders desire for world peace and love their people, they must work for the establishment of the right framework for the international convention on peace. For future justice in the Philippines and the rest of the world, all the honorable officers who are here with me today are forming that framework on behalf of all people. We have to urge the nations to participate in supporting the International Convention which can promote peace,” said Chairman Lee.

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Chairwoman Kim also called on the officers present, especially women leaders to actively work for peace by saying “Numerous international agreements and principles for peace have been drawn up and ratified until today. However, war and civil unrest have not stopped in this world. We, the women, have the responsibility to protect our husbands, children, and our neighbors.”

Atty. Jose I. De La Rama, Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL, Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of IWPG, IBP President Atty. Rosario T. Set

Since IBP faces unique challenges inland, it continues to provide free legal services to citizens of the Philippines as one of main objectives of IBP. Just last month, IBP vowed to help and give legal assistance to the lumad (Indigenous People) evacuees.

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At the same time as the formation of the IBP Peace Committee, the Monument to the Declaration of World Peace was erected and an HWPL day was designated in the MILF base camp in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Province. This location was once a hot-spot during 40-years of armed conflict between MILF and the government of the Philippines.  The region now serves as a reminder to the real costs of armed conflicts and the need for transformation from a culture of violence to a culture of peace.  

The HWPL Peace Academy

India, Noida 

War has been a constant threat to mankind, especially the young generations who were and are forced to become involved in armed disputes. Along with many NGOs, charitable organizations, and individuals educating people to protect the lives of youth, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) is at the forefront of preventing and ceasing conflicts through its various peace initiatives. These initiatives include implementing peace education courses throughout the world. Its valuable efforts are essential to the security of mankind and future peace. A peace advocate and international peace lecturer, Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL, has conducted many peace agreements to solve political and religious conflicts as well as educated youths through a practical program of peace education.

Ramagya School, one of the top ten educational institutes in the city of Noida, India, was designated as a HWPL Peace Academy on December 21st. The school announced to integrate peace education into their curriculum by establishing the HWPL Peace Education Courses. The school also appointed Chairman Lee as a honorary Chairman of the Advisory Board and Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) as a honorary Chairwoman of the Advisory Board. Notably, along with Ramagya School, four other well-known schools in the region - Samsara School, Jaypee School, Ahlcon Public School, and Noida International University- were designated as HWPL Peace Academies.

 

HWPL is in the process of developing a comprehensive peace program which provides an educational framework for conflict analysis and resolution, interfaith peace dialogue sessions, and explains how they were able to build alliances between religions through their World Alliance of Religions Peace (WARP) Offices. 

Recognizing the efforts of the HWPL Peace Delegation in many parts of the world and celebrating the designation ceremony, the school also unveiled the Monument to commemorate the Declaration of World Peace. The Declaration was presented by Chairman Lee in 2013 on behalf of women and youth of the world at the Peace Gate in Seoul. The Monument is now an emblem of world peace in Noida. 

HWPL, Man Hee Lee Peace Maker, What can we use to achieve world peace?

If you think someone else gonna do it.....

Think again, it begins from you and I

You and I  becomes "WE"

Then the world will join you and I

HWPL and Chairman Man Hee Lee has been working to bring the end of wars and to achieved the world peace.  

What can we use to achieve world peace? 

YOU and I 

As the General Debate of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly commenced on September 28^th, the Chairman of HWPL, Mr. Man Hee Lee, hosted The ‘Global Peace Leadership: Women, Youth, and Interfaith Dialogue.’

The participants were eager to hear about the progressive work of HWPL. Mr. Lee spoke at length regarding the role of the UN and the international community. He reflected upon the 1st Annual Commemoration of September 18th World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit where the international law experts pledged to work together for the implementation of an International Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts to bring fruition to the works initiated last year.

While in New York, Chairman Lee and Chairwoman Kim of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) addressed the media, women, and youth involvement on the importance of the Implementation of an International Convention on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace. Upon hearing the summation of the event in Seoul, peace conscious journalists, New Yorkers and the UN community were reminded again of the crucial role they play in propagating positive messages and the hope of peace through responsible and accurate reporting.

Following this event, the two global peace leaders met with heads of state and UN officials. They also participated in high-level events as well as met religious leaders from all groups to foster the dialogue that can move the people of all faiths one step closer to peace.

Together we can achieve the peace!

Moro-Islamic Liberation Force (MILF) Starts Deactivating its armed forces

Moro-Islamic Liberation Force (MILF) Starts Deactivating its armed forces: Actual Peace Building Process Begins

In June 2015, 145 soldiers of Moro-Islamic Liberation Force (‘MILF’) were successfully decommissioned and began their process of integrating back into the society, from the lives of soldiers regularly facing life-and-death situations to the lives of realizing their potentials as youths. First batches of weapons were handed over to the government as a part of peace-building process. Philippines and the rest of the world now dearly await for the Bangsamore Basic Law to be enacted for the MILF to live harmoniously with the people. 

Chairman Lee of HWPL, together with Chairwoman Kim of IWPG and the peace delegation, visited Philippines for the fifth time upon the special invitation from Hon. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu, governor of Maguindanao Province. At the 2^nd Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace held in the Province, the two Chairpersons delivered momentous speeches on peace and unity and congratulated the day of the signing of the Mindanao Peace Agreement back in January 2014. The agreement brought a cease-fire of a 40-year conflict in Mindanao and indirectly influenced the final decision of decommissioning of MILF members. Supreme Court Justice Sheikh Khalifa B. Nando of MILF also gave a thoughtful speech especially to thank Chairman Lee for his tremendous efforts to bring peace in the region. In his speech, he referred Chairman Lee as ‘our friend in the name of peace’ and ‘unsung hero’ who has made this peace-talk possible. This splendid achievement through partnership and cooperation will continue to serve to bring forth peace not only in the Philippines but in the entire world.

A World Peace Advocate Urges the IBP for the Future of Justice in the Philippines

  Philippine lawyers have a freshly sworn in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). The former Executive Vice President Rosario T. Setias-Reyes was appointed as the National President of IBP, replacing Attny.

  Vincente M. Joyas who served the organization from 2013, at the inauguration ceremony held at the Dignitaries Lounge at the Supreme Court on July 7th, 2015. Setias-Reyes is the first female National President of the IBP, the official organization of all Philippine lawyers whose names appear in the Roll of Attorneys of the Supreme Court. IBP’s national board members for 2015-2017 were sworn in before the SC Clerk of Court.

  At the occasion, a group of selected guests were also invited to witness the scene. A Peace Advocate and Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (“HWPL”), Mr. Man Hee Lee attended the ceremony and the dinner held afterwards to give a congratulatory message upon the special invitation from IBP along with Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of International Women’s Peace Group (“IWPG”).

  Chairman Lee, as known his achievement is especially noteworthy in the nation, played a decisive role in ending a 40-year conflict of Mindanao between Catholic and Muslim communities. At the inaugural dinner, Chairman Lee spoke about the significance of the enactment of an international law for the cessation of war and role of judicial officers and urged the national board members of IBP and all judicial leaders to realize the necessity of amending the international law to terminate all wars. He stated that the road blocks in achieving enduring peace within this world is because there is a lack of an international constitutional law to ban wars and war crimes.

  Seeing this matter, Chairman Lee has appealed to world leaders to demonstrate their commitment to peace by signing the enactment of war into international law. “If each nation’s head and leaders desire for world peace and truly love their people, they should work for this amendment and sign on the agreement of the enactment of an international law to cease wars. For the future of justice in the Philippines, all the honorable officers who are here with me today have to urge the nations to participate in establishing a law that prohibits the further producing and developing of weapons. In case if any states violate the law and continues to carry out any non-peaceful activities, a form of penalty and punishment should be applied under an international law,” said Chairman Lee.

  Chairwoman Kim also called on the officers present especially woman leaders to actively work for peace by saying “Numerous international agreements and principles for peace have been drawn up and ratified until today. However, war and civil unrest have not stopped in this world. The only way to define the right framework for the nations to bring forth peace is Chairman Lee’s initiative on the enactment of an international law for peace. We, the women, have the responsibility to protect our husbands, children, and our neighbors.”

  President Setias-Reyes acknowledged the tremendous efforts of two Chairpersons for the last several years, visiting nations and promoting the need of the implementation of the law for peace. As she became the new President, Setias-Reyes agreed to serve as the member of HWPL’s Peace Advisory Council to work for and bring forth such enactment. In the mean time, in his latest visit in the Philippines in late May this year, Mr. Lee has already met the former President Attny. Joyas with a few prominent political and judicial leaders through a private meeting arranged in Manila. Attny. Joyas, who has served as the member of HWPL’s Peace Advisory Council since then, again expressed his support in assisting Mr. Lee’s proposal on the enactment of an international constitution to permanently end wars and conflicts and will further collaborate with international lawmakers to implement the proposal.

  The value of precious lives and resources destroyed in war are a result of decisions made by individuals and these individuals make justifications for their actions to continue to practice war crimes in many parts of the world. As the IBP officers have agreed and pledged to protect citizens and villages of the Philippines through advising and supporting HWPL in the amendment process, it is realized that peace has come one step closer.

Donations for Nepal Earthquake

Mr. Man Hee Lee and Ms Nam Hee Kim

On June 22nd, at the Peace Palace in Goseong, Gangwon Province, Korea, a delivery ceremony of Donation from Korean headquarters of HWPL was held. The donation was raised during the 2nd Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace hosted by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL). 19,313 international members of HWPL donated about $ 40,000 which will be officially delivered to Nepal through the Embassy of Nepal to Korea.

During the event, Chairman Lee of HWPL, feeling for the situation in Nepal delivered the donation to KAMAN SINGH LAMA, Embassy of Nepal to Korea with a warm message wishing restoration and relief of the nation. Ambassador KAMAN SINGH LAMA expressed his gratitude toward Chairman Lee and his relief activities for Nepal as well as to the members of HWPL for their endless attention and efforts to bring forth peace with all hearts.

The ‘2nd Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace 2015’ and ‘International Peace Youth Group Walk Festival’ was a grand event that took place in 30 countries worldwide, with participation by 200,000 youths and women through 43 branches including United States, Sweden, Bulgaria, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, etc. and 21 major cities in Korea.

On the day, all of the participants prayed for victims of Nepal Earthquake and a donation booth titled “The Path of Bringing Cheer to Nepal” was opened. Photo exhibition for sharing current situation of the victims, writing a message of hope, fund-raising indicated the ideology of HWPL that is to break the wall of boundaries, religions, societies and races and embrace love as one family. Not only in Republic of Korea but also in Australia, New York, Netherland and San Francisco donation booths for Nepal were promoted.

Nepal and HWPL has another event that made special bond between them. On April 11th, “World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Office was held in Kathmandu, Nepal and about 150 participants from various religious backgrounds including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism promised to work with HWPL.

WARP Offices is evaluated as a progressive gathering to seek for a solution to world peace, a common goal of human beings by comparing scriptures of different faiths. The meetings have been actively arising around the world in 62 places in 40 countries including Russia, England, India, United States of America, South Africa and the Philippines.

Chairman Lee of HWPL, Chairwoman of IWPG and the peace delegates visited Philippines on May 23rd as a part of their 18th World Peace Tour. The two representatives spurred to achieve World Peace by dedicating every minute of their time for promoting peace activities such as the 2nd Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace, Unveiling ceremony of Mindanao Peace Agreement Monument, Peace Dialogue with political leaders, and World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (“WARP”) Office meeting with Filipino religious leaders.

Besides, designating ‘HWPL’ day in the state of Mindanao to commemorate the signing of Mindanao peace agreement to cease the conflict and delivering congratulatory speeches on HWPL’s work by the governor, representative of Moro-Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) highlighted two representatives’ dedications in taking practical approaches to establish World Peace.

HWPL expressed to seek for solutions to give continuous assistance and earliest recovery and reconstruction after Nepal’s earthquakes, which have happened on two occasions in 81 years bringing loss of life and homes.

A World Peace Advocate Urges the IBP for the Future of Justice in the Philippines

  Philippine lawyers have a freshly sworn in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). The former Executive Vice President Rosario T. Setias-Reyes was appointed as the National President of IBP, replacing Attny.

  Vincente M. Joyas who served the organization from 2013, at the inauguration ceremony held at the Dignitaries Lounge at the Supreme Court on July 7th, 2015. Setias-Reyes is the first female National President of the IBP, the official organization of all Philippine lawyers whose names appear in the Roll of Attorneys of the Supreme Court. IBP’s national board members for 2015-2017 were sworn in before the SC Clerk of Court.

  At the occasion, a group of selected guests were also invited to witness the scene. A Peace Advocate and Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (“HWPL”), Mr. Man Hee Lee attended the ceremony and the dinner held afterwards to give a congratulatory message upon the special invitation from IBP along with Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of International Women’s Peace Group (“IWPG”).

  Chairman Lee, as known his achievement is especially noteworthy in the nation, played a decisive role in ending a 40-year conflict of Mindanao between Catholic and Muslim communities. At the inaugural dinner, Chairman Lee spoke about the significance of the enactment of an international law for the cessation of war and role of judicial officers and urged the national board members of IBP and all judicial leaders to realize the necessity of amending the international law to terminate all wars. He stated that the road blocks in achieving enduring peace within this world is because there is a lack of an international constitutional law to ban wars and war crimes.

  Seeing this matter, Chairman Lee has appealed to world leaders to demonstrate their commitment to peace by signing the enactment of war into international law. “If each nation’s head and leaders desire for world peace and truly love their people, they should work for this amendment and sign on the agreement of the enactment of an international law to cease wars. For the future of justice in the Philippines, all the honorable officers who are here with me today have to urge the nations to participate in establishing a law that prohibits the further producing and developing of weapons. In case if any states violate the law and continues to carry out any non-peaceful activities, a form of penalty and punishment should be applied under an international law,” said Chairman Lee.

  Chairwoman Kim also called on the officers present especially woman leaders to actively work for peace by saying “Numerous international agreements and principles for peace have been drawn up and ratified until today. However, war and civil unrest have not stopped in this world. The only way to define the right framework for the nations to bring forth peace is Chairman Lee’s initiative on the enactment of an international law for peace. We, the women, have the responsibility to protect our husbands, children, and our neighbors.”

  President Setias-Reyes acknowledged the tremendous efforts of two Chairpersons for the last several years, visiting nations and promoting the need of the implementation of the law for peace. As she became the new President, Setias-Reyes agreed to serve as the member of HWPL’s Peace Advisory Council to work for and bring forth such enactment. In the mean time, in his latest visit in the Philippines in late May this year, Mr. Lee has already met the former President Attny. Joyas with a few prominent political and judicial leaders through a private meeting arranged in Manila. Attny. Joyas, who has served as the member of HWPL’s Peace Advisory Council since then, again expressed his support in assisting Mr. Lee’s proposal on the enactment of an international constitution to permanently end wars and conflicts and will further collaborate with international lawmakers to implement the proposal.

  The value of precious lives and resources destroyed in war are a result of decisions made by individuals and these individuals make justifications for their actions to continue to practice war crimes in many parts of the world. As the IBP officers have agreed and pledged to protect citizens and villages of the Philippines through advising and supporting HWPL in the amendment process, it is realized that peace has come one step closer.

Designation of January 24th as ‘HWPL’ Day in Maguindanao, Philippines

Chairman of HWPL, Man Hee Lee

On May 25th 2015, Esmael “Toto” G. Mangudadatu Governor of Maguindanao passed the legislation to proclaim January 24^th of every year to be remembered and commemorated as ‘HWPL day’ of Maguindanao, a day of peace.

‘1.24 Mindanao Peace Agreement day’ or ‘HWPL day’ in Maguindanao, Philippines aims to commemorate the historic moment of signing peace agreement between Catholic and Islam representatives mediated by Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL to end 40-year conflict in Mindanao.

Afterwards, the street once filled with pains and sorrow, was then filled with laughter and joy of 3,000 youths marching for the International Peace Youth Walk Festival.

Legislation of January 24^th as ‘HWPL day’ is the extension of designating HWPL day in many regions around the world like Carson and Alexandria cities in United States and Bafokeng nation in South Africa. Acknowledging the work of peace HWPL is pursuing to truly bring World Peace, many regions are joining to legislate ‘HWPL day’ to celebrate a day of peace.

HWPL: Moro-Islamic Liberation Force (MILF) Starts Deactivating its armed forces: Actual Peace Building Process Begins

In June 2015, 145 soldiers of Moro-Islamic Liberation Force (‘MILF’) were successfully decommissioned and began their process of integrating back into the society, from the lives of soldiers regularly facing life-and-death situations to the lives of realizing their potentials as youths. First batches of weapons were handed over to the government as a part of peace-building process. Philippines and the rest of the world now dearly await for the Bangsamore Basic Law to be enacted for the MILF to live harmoniously with the people. 

Chairman Lee of HWPL, together with Chairwoman Kim of IWPG and the peace delegation, visited Philippines for the fifth time upon the special invitation from Hon. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu, governor of Maguindanao Province. At the 2^nd Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace held in the Province, the two Chairpersons delivered momentous speeches on peace and unity and congratulated the day of the signing of the Mindanao Peace Agreement back in January 2014. The agreement brought a cease-fire of a 40-year conflict in Mindanao and indirectly influenced the final decision of decommissioning of MILF members. Supreme Court Justice Sheikh Khalifa B. Nando of MILF also gave a thoughtful speech especially to thank Chairman Lee for his tremendous efforts to bring peace in the region. In his speech, he referred Chairman Lee as ‘our friend in the name of peace’ and ‘unsung hero’ who has made this peace-talk possible. This splendid achievement through partnership and cooperation will continue to serve to bring forth peace not only in the Philippines but in the entire world.

Phillip[ine rebel group turned in guns