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Lingating explained
that the Pagadian City Council, through Vice Mayor Divina Grace Yu, wrote a
letter to the DILG explaining the reasons for his removal as IPMR.
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| Timuay Langhap Rio Olimpio Lingating |
Pagadian City,
Zamboanga del Sur, –Subanen tribesmen are protesting the recent decision of the
11th City Council here removing their leader Timuay Langhap Rio Olimpio
Lingating as the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR).
Lingating said in
an exclusive interview on Sunday that his exclusion as IPMR by the City Council
of Pagadian is a clear act of discrimination and injustice against the
Indigenous Peoples (IP).
He also said the
Subanen Tribe is hopeful that DILG Undersecretary Austere A. Panadero will
revoke the City Council's decision, saying that his removal was politically
motivated and has no legal basis.
In the letter, the
Pagadian City Council stated that Lingating was removed as IPMR due to the
failure of the 10th and 11th City Council to pass a law which will make the
IPMR as an ex-officio member of the City Council.
The letter also
mentioned that Lingating didn't undergo proper deliberation and evaluation, and
cited the lack of supporting documents properly endorsing Lingating as the
city's IPMR.
Lingating said that
a local legislation that will make the IPMR as an ex-officio member of the City
Council is not necessary due to the provisions of Republic Act No. 8371 or The
Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, which mandated the inclusion of IPMR's in local
legislative bodies.
He said that
pursuant to the said law, the City Council should have amended their Rules of
Procedure to accommodate what is required by RA 8371, and not just remove him
from his position.
"It is absurd,
if not sweeping statement, to question the procedure on how I was recognized by
the 10th City Council considering that some of the members of the said Council
are also members of the present 11th City Council. The DILG had already issued
a Certificate of Recognition," he explained.
"Clearly, my
exclusion from the City Council is predicated by political vendetta as I am
branded as Liberal Party supporter."
Lingating said that
he will wait for the decision of DILG Undersecretary Panadero regarding the
issue, hoping that justice will be served to them. – Solar News Online, with a report
from Jong Cadion
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