The YES responses to all ten (10) questions posed (96.56% to 97.02%) were overwhelming. However, the results were not considered as basis to “establish the framework for peace negotiations” during the term of President Joseph Ejercito Estrada (PJEE).

Instead of continuing peace negotiations exclusively at the national level, PJEE pushed for the localization of peace efforts through Executive Order No. 115, s. 1999, “Providing for the Mechanics and Operational Structure for the Localization of Peace Efforts to Address the Communist Insurgency”.

The Committee on People’s Participation of the House of Representatives Chaired by Congresswoman Lally Laurel – Trinidad authored House Resolution No. 694, entitled, “Resolution Expressing Support to the ‘Diyes for Peace’ campaign as a Peace Education Initiative Towards Building a National Consensus for Peace”

Congressman Eduardo R. Ermita, Chair of the Special Committee on the Peace Process and Integration applauded the support of the Committee on People’s Participation to the campaign and expressed that the special committee, “does not only laud but supports the campaign as it does not only serve the purpose of the Phil. Postal Corp and the DECS, but more importantly, it promotes the voice of the silent majority of our people to assert direct participation and therefore involve themselves actively through the entire process of attaining peace in the country.”

The Governing Council of the National Peace Conference expressed, “Its full support to the DIYES FOR PEACE – Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan and hereby calls on all peace-loving Filipinos to unselfishly contribute to the earliest possible realization of its objective to harness the documented responses of at least ten (10) million Filipinos to the campaign.

“And its solidarity with the call of the organizers of the DIYES FOR PEACE – Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan for peace negotiations among all parties to the armed conflicts and involving the meaningful participation of citizens’ groups to address the roots of the internal armed conflict dividing our nation.”

For the Director-General of the National Security Council, Assistant Director-General Job A. Mayo, Jr. wrote, “We appreciate your effort for the “Di-Yes for Peace campaign with such a noble cause and vision for a national consensus for peace. The government is encouraging the participation of all sectors nationwide for peace and advocacy. After a thorough assessment of your program, may we encourage you to generate more support from NGOs, church groups, media, and civic organizations to gain more social desirability.”

Alicia Ll Reyes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation wrote to President Estrada Thru PMS Secretary Leonora de Jesus, “We wish to inform Your Excellency that PAGCOR has been approached… for a possible financial assistance of P18.1 million for the saturation drive of the campaign. This project is favorably endorsed by Mr. Manuel T. Yan, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

“To date, several institutions have participated and supported this cause which include the DECS, PHILPOST, DILG, PIA and AFP, among others.

“We are fully cognizant of the significance of this project but in view of the substantial amount required, we would like to seek Your Excellency’s guidance on the matter.”

The Message Center of the PMS received the letter.  No acknowledgement nor reply was received from either PJEE or Secretary de Jesus.

Given the foregoing turn of events, the campaign practically stood still during the Estrada administration. Status reports, support statements, proposed implementation plans, and budget proposals of participating government institutions that were simply ignored and not acknowledged. No responses to the campaign were generated from July 1, 1998 to January 20, 2001.

The tap in the back for those who pitched-in the development of the campaign is the fact that its philosophical foundations were sound and in consonance with both national and international policy declarations that sustained the impetus for the campaign to move on. Among these are the following international agreements ratified by the government during the administration of PJEE:

1. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 53/25 – International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, 2001-2010 (November 10, 1998);
2. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 53/243 – Declaration on a Culture of Peace (September 13, 1999); and
3. International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World, 2001 – 2010 (November 29, 2000)