The Transparent War Negotiation Act (Proposed)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

War thrives in secrecy, deception, and the breakdown of rational dialogue. Throughout history, countless ceasefires and peace agreements have been negotiated behind closed doors — delayed by political posturing, derailed by inflated egos, and concealed from the very people whose lives are most affected. The result is a global pattern of protracted conflicts, broken truces, and failed peace processes that deepen suffering and distrust.

This bill seeks to introduce a revolutionary approach to modern conflict resolution: a legally binding framework for structured, transparent, and time-bound peace negotiations, grounded in public accountability and procedural discipline. By mandating the use of Robert’s Rules of Order and requiring all negotiating parties to participate in live, public, and recorded sessions lasting eight (8) hours per day, five (5) days per week, until a peaceful resolution is reached, this Act institutionalizes peacebuilding with the same rigor, transparency, and procedural consistency expected of democratic governance.

Just as courts of law demand due process and legislative bodies require orderly debate, so too must war-ending negotiations be brought out of the shadows and into the light. Visibility deters manipulation. Structure discourages delay. Discipline fosters results. When the world sees the talks, hears the reasoning, and witnesses the progress — or lack thereof — the burden of accountability shifts from diplomats to the truth.

This Act does not merely propose a new tool for diplomacy. It aims to establish a global precedent: that peace is not a private transaction between power leaders, but a public duty owed to humanity. By transforming peace negotiations into structured civic processes, we strip away the shadow games that prolong conflict and reaffirm the right of all people to know who is fighting for peace — and who is not.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. XXXX

AN ACT MANDATING STRUCTURED, PUBLICLY RECORDED, AND TIME-BOUND PEACE NEGOTIATIONS USING ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER, INSTITUTIONALIZING TRANSPARENCY, PROCEDURAL DISCIPLINE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN WAR-ENDING TALKS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Section 1. Short Title.

This Act shall be known as “The Transparent War Negotiation Act”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy.

It is the policy of the State to promote genuine peace through transparency, structured dialogue, and public accountability. Recognizing that prolonged armed conflicts are exacerbated by secrecy, ego-driven diplomacy, and disorganized negotiation practices, the State commits to institutionalizing a modern, disciplined framework for peace negotiations that mirrors the standards of democratic governance and due process.

Section 3. Definition of Terms.

For the purposes of this Act:

1. Peace Negotiations - Formal talks aimed at ending active hostilities between parties to a conflict.
2. Negotiating Parties - All representatives of parties in armed conflict, including governments, rebel groups, and international mediators.
3. Public Sessions - Negotiation proceedings that are live-streamed, recorded, and made accessible to the public in real time.
4. Robert’s Rules of Order - A widely recognized manual of parliamentary procedure ensuring orderly, democratic discussion and decision-making.
5. Procedural Discipline - The obligation to follow standardized debate rules, attendance, and session schedules.
6. Time-Bound Negotiations - A negotiation format requiring daily sessions until a resolution is achieved, without indefinite adjournments.

Section 4. Coverage.

This Act applies to all government-led or hosted peace negotiations where the Philippine government is a party, host, or funder, including international or domestic conflicts and third-party mediated talks.

Section 5. Mandatory Procedural Standards in Peace Negotiations.

All formal peace negotiations involving the Philippine government, whether as a direct party, mediator, or host, shall adhere to the following minimum procedural standards:

1. Transparency and Public Access - All negotiation proceedings shall be conducted in public, live-streamed through official channels, and recorded in full. Transcripts and video archives shall be made permanently accessible to the public through a centralized digital repository managed by the Office of the Peace Commissioner.
2. Standardization of Process - All sessions shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, ensuring fairness, orderliness, and deliberative integrity throughout the negotiation process.
3. Time-Bound Format - Negotiations shall proceed daily, for a minimum of eight (8) hours per session, five (5) days per week, excluding holidays, until a peace resolution is reached.

Section 6. No Penalty Clause.

This Act shall not impose any criminal, civil, or administrative penalties for non-compliance. Instead, the public shall take note of any party’s refusal to participate, repeated absences, or withdrawal from ongoing negotiations. Such actions shall be duly recorded, publicly reported, and made available for civic and historical judgment.

Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Within ninety (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in coordination with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. These shall include:

1. Technical protocols for live broadcasting and digital archiving;
2. Standards for public reporting, scheduling, and procedural conduct; and
3. Measures to protect sensitive data without compromising transparency.

Section 8. Effectivity Clause.

This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.