A woman now leads the government peace panel, which is still on track to forge a comprehensive agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) by the end of 2012, a Malacañang official said on Friday.

Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that President Benigno Aquino 3rd had appointed panel member Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer as the new chair of the government peace panel, replacing newly appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Victor “Marvic” Leonen.

Ferrer was adviser of the government peace panel’s technical group on the issue of normalization, which is considered the most contentious part of the negotiation with the rebel group.

Likewise, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles said: “Ferrer’s appointment signifies continuity and harmony in the peace talks, which is crucial towards the completion of the comprehensive agreement this December.”