Rift between gov’t, private sector on autonomy worsens

BAGUIO CITY – The rift between government and private interest groups on the issue of autonomy for the Cordillera has worsened and divisive amid allegations of graft and corruption like on where P45 million supposedly for an information campaign on the matter was spent by the Regional Development Council.

This, as Baguio mayor Mauricio Domogan dared critics of the RDC to file cases against the government body which is composed mostly of top regional elective and executive officials.

An apparent power struggle has started among Cordillerans after criticisms hurled against the RDC for jumpstarting the campaign for a third attempt at autonomy.

“If you still have some shame left, (referring to the RDC), stop violating the law,” said Emilio Liwanen, leader of a new interim group called Interim Cordillera Interest Group (ICIG).

Liwanen cited a 2005 Supreme Court decision that ruled the transitory Cordillera Administrative Region bodies created under Executive Order 220 which have not been abolished, should be the ones leading the campaign.

The bodies created under EO 220 included the Cordillera Regional Assembly, Cordillera Executive Board and Cordillera Bodong Administration.

Lawyer Nestor Atitiw accused the RDC of “prostituting” EO 30 of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when it decided to undertake the campaign without any authority.

A formal letter was forwarded to President Aquino asking for the revival of the deactivated CAR bodies and their allocations.

The committee tasked by the RDC to prepare the working draft of the proposed autonomy law has started to go back to the drawing board to thresh out the issues and concerns that led to rejection of the two autonomy laws submitted to the people for ratification on Jan. 30, 1990 and March 7, 1998.

Despite the opposition being raised by members of the CEB, CRA and CBAd on autonomy drive, Domogan insisted on need to have the work done to craft a draft autonomy law which will be brought down to the grassroots level for consultation before a third Organic Act will be crafted by Congress of the Philippines.

According to Domogan, the crafting of a working draft of the Organic Act and the subsequent conduct of consultations with the grassroots level is timely if it is done now to prevent it from being politicized by individuals and groups with selfish and political interests that could jeopardize the quest for self-governance.

Based on the timetable of the drafting committee, the provincial and city representatives must be designated by governors and city mayors on or before the end of the month so consultations will be done in their respective levels prior to the submission of consultation results to the mother committee for finalization.

While there are some groups which are disgruntled on the efforts of the RDC to advance the quest for autonomy because they want to lord it over the campaign even if they do not enjoy the trust and confidence of the people, Domogan claimed self-proclaimed autonomy advocates could question the works of the committee in the proper forum but their delaying tactics will not be a hindrance to the performance of their assigned duties and responsibilities.

The 1987 Constitution mandates the establishment of autonomous regions in the Cordillera and Muslim Mindanao but it was only Mindanao that was able to realize the constitutional provision in 1989.

Domogan said it is best to come out with a working draft on the proposed autonomy law so that it will be the one which will be scrutinized by the people for them to be able to share their inputs so that they could come out with an acceptable Organic Act that could be ratified during the third attempt, thus, the need for the Cordillerans to grab the opportunity this time that all sectors are now rallying behind the quest for self-rule.

Contrary to the contention of some groups that the CEB, CRA and CBAd are the bodies mandated to draft the autonomy law, Domogan argued it is Congress of the Philippines which is duly authorized to come out with the autonomy law which will in turn be submitted to the Cordillerans in Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Baguio City and Tabuk City for ratification.

Autonomy advocates believe achieving self-governance is still the best option to help the people move out from the shackles of poverty.

This as former Bucloc town mayor Mailed Molina, one of the founders of the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army which broke away with the mainstream New People’s Army in 1986, enjoined a few “warm bodies” to renew their ties and commitment towards autonomy in the highlands.

“If we do not unite, the national government will continue neglecting us,” he told some 50 members of the CBAd during Monday’s commemoration here of the 24th year of the Aquino-Balweg “sipat” (peace pact) at Mt. Data in Bauko, Mountain Province ending rebel hostilities in the Cordillera. – With a report from Dexter A. See