A group of Mindanao lawmakers on Wednesday opposed the proposal put forth by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and ex-Speaker Pantaleon
Alvarez to separate Mindanao from the rest of the Philippines.
House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe, Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus
Rodriguez, and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, at a news conference, underscored the importance of national unity and rejected any notion that could potentially divide the country.
“That is their opinion. I don’t share the same idea. Ayaw namin humiwalay (We do not want to secede),” Dalipe told reporters. “I still believe that we, it is of more benefit that Mindanao be part of this republic. ‘Pag humiwalay, madedihado pa.”
Dalipe said Mindanao having separated from the Philippines, “I don’t see any benefit for this country for Mindanao to separate.”
Romualdo explained that advocating for the separation of Mindanao goes against the principles of a unified nation and may lead to unintended consequences.
Rodriguez said he is committed to preserving the territorial integrity of the Philippines and promoting harmonious relationships among its diverse regions.
“To be able [to move forward], through progress [and] through development, [we have] to stop all these kinds of proposals because we want to be a strong and united Philippines,” Rodriguez said.
“I am saying that let’s give this administration a chance with President Bongbong Marcos, who is inclusive, including Mindanao, to be able to provide and fulfill the promise of Mindanao,” Rodriguez added.
While Barbers is open to the idea, the proposal is not timely.
“Personally, my opinion is that I don’t want to shoot it down right away. But we will see, let’s study it carefully; if this will redound to more benefits for the people, why not. But at the moment, I don’t think the idea is feasible.”