MANILA, Philippines - The minority in the Lower House on Wednesday described the government officials handling the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as "impulsive neophytes, decadent old hands, and legal academics with no real world experience."



In a statement read by Rep. Danilo Suarez, the minority said, "this is a recipe for disaster at the negotiating table, raising the very real specter of a compromised agreement that fatally undermines our constitutional and territorial integrity."



The minority lawmakers want the government to fully brief them on its counter proposal to the MILF before it is presented to Malaysian facilitators next week.



House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said any proposal to create a sub-state within the Philippines will alter the constitutional basis of the republic, thus requiring the amendment of the constitution and its ratification in a national plebiscite.



Lanao Del Norte Rep. Aliah Dimaporo has revealed that Mindanao lawmakers met with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Ging Deles and government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen on their concerns over the meeting of President Benigno Aquino III and MILF chief Al Haj Murad.



Dimaporo said the 2 officials assured lawmakers that the peace process will be within the boundaries of the constitution and that there will be public consultations on the matter.



He said Leonen was careful about commenting on the creation of a sub-state.



She said Leonen was very clear there will be consultations on the peace process and the government is still studying the matter.



Dimaporo concurred with the need for consultations, but added that Mindanao lawmakers have no unified position on the proposal for a sub-state.



Administration lawmakers back the proposal while others do not, she said.