Subanen tribesmen protest removal of council rep

Click below to link related article

http://www.solarnews.ph/news/regional/2014/05/26/subanen-tribesmen-protest-removal-of-council-rep#.U4Q6m3a4McV

http://122.3.136.205/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=647426&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=pagadian%20city,%20zamboanga%20del%20sur&andor=and&mdte_arch=5&ddte_arch=0&ydte_arch=2014

http://pagadianfrontline.blogspot.com/2014/05/pagadian-city-ips-hopes-dilg-action.html

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.

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.

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