BAGUIO CITY—Elders of the city-based Ivadoys, Kalanguyas and Kankanaeys are questioning the selection process done by the indigenous peoples groups for their mandatory representative to the local legislative body.
They say the process is allegedly a product of “farcical, illegal and serious violation” of the provisions of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act.
In their protest letter sent to city officials and government agencies, the elders claimed the results, validity and integrity of the selection process last November 4 was not only doubtful but also considered illegal because of issues raised against the process.
The issues include the fact the Kalangya and Kankanaey groups were illegally and unlawfully excluded in the selection process, serious irregularities and anomalies attended the selection process compounded by non-observance of the customary consensus rule.
It was the consensus of the IP group representatives that because of the blatant defects in the conduct of the selection process, the selection and its subsequent results should be protested and presented to the general assembly to address and rectify all violations of law, including customary practices and traditions.
The representatives are seeking the declaration of the results of the November 4 selection process as moot and academic.
The IP representatives called on the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Department of the interior and Local government to conduct another selection process.
This is intended to correct the defects of the previous process to guarantee the full representatives of all the city-based Ips, official sources said.
The representatives want the local government and government agencies to hold in abeyance any actions that will give effect and due course to the selection of the IPMR in the city.
The representatives believe the selection process done last November 4 was designed to suit the interest of a single tribe when there are numerous IP groups in the city.
They say these groups also deserve representations during the process for their voices to be heard in the deliberation of issues related to issues affecting the IPs in the city.