Why 13 Benguet mayors didn’t sign Baguio mayor’s good governance initiative/ Illegal gambling
>> Friday, August 18, 2023
BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon
BAGUIO CITY – All 13 mayors of Benguet have refused to sign a petition-letter endorsing Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong as proponent for what the latter calls his program on “good governance.”
Why this is so is going ahead of the story.
***
It was a normal day for a committee meeting of Regional Development Council Wednesday morning, Aug. 24, at the regional office of the National Economic Development Authority Cordillera beside the Botanical Garden here.
It was a meeting of the RDC’s development administrative committee, our sources who were present told this corner.
The mayor, as chairman of the committee was reportedly supposed to preside but then he was late, so the co-chairperson presided.
Magalong later arrived saying there was an activity he attended.
He told the committee there would be an activity on Aug. 24 on his initiative for good governance which could be implemented Cordillera-wide.
But to his dismay and heartbreak, he told the committee all 13 Benguet mayors did not sign the petition letter endorsing him and his program.
He said, this, despite the fact that many generals and officials of government agencies signed the petition-letter.
After saying this, he reportedly started for the door but a committee member told him he did not adjourn the meeting.
He reportedly looked back and shouted – “meeting adjourned.”
When he left, someone reportedly said, “Baka adda a inaramid na isunga madi da nga pirmaan dayta kunana nge papel na iti good governance (Maybe, he did something that is why the mayors did not want to sign the paper),” making those present laugh.
***
Suffice to say Congressman Marcoleta, in a privilege speech recently told House members of alleged corruption in Baguio and rampant illegal gambling which he added, was not being addressed by the mayor.
This, after Magalong reportedly accused Congress of being corrupt to which Marcoleta said it was a case of the kettle calling the pot black, meaning those who accuse people of wrongdoing should look at themselves in the mirror.
***
There have been accusations against the mayor, but then, like what the mayor said, his accusers should back up their allegations with evidence and file the proper cases in court.
Anyhow, the City Council urged the Baguio Character Council (BCC) to give its comment regarding proliferation of illegal gambling in Baguio.
In a resolution authored by Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria G. Yaranon, city councilors said the BCC should give its comment on illegal gambling and what actions it can take to address said perennial problem.
The City Council earlier passed Ordinance 39, series of 2023 or the Character City Ordinance of Baguio for a character-based approach in governance where its citizens, community leaders, and government officials and employees are models or exemplars of good character.
The purpose of the Character City Program, a city information office report said, was to “instill positive values in all aspects of human endeavor for the establishment of a city or community of character where elected officials, community leaders, and citizens recognize the importance of good character that everyone works together to ensure that families are strong, homes and streets are safe, education is effective, business is productive, neighbors care about one another and citizens are free to make wise choices for their lives and families.”
The BCC’s functions include “promotion of values towards attaining the vision and mission of the local government as a Character City.”
The City Council said latest reports on illegal gambling operations in Baguio have been widely circulating online, thus, the need for the BCC to come out with its firm position on said matter to send clear message to the people that the body values the practice of good character for the welfare of the citizens.
***
Later at Luisa’s Resto, the undisputed media watering hole in Baguio along Session Road, the topic was once again brought out to which somebody asked: Who are the bagmen and recipients anyway?
Then a lot of juicy information came out on the city’s state of governance from those present while the buckets of beer filled the table complete with high fives.
Baguio is indeed a Character City.
As a character said, the city has indeed a lot of characters of different stripes and persuasions. What kind of character are you?
It was a meeting of the RDC’s development administrative committee, our sources who were present told this corner.
The mayor, as chairman of the committee was reportedly supposed to preside but then he was late, so the co-chairperson presided.
Magalong later arrived saying there was an activity he attended.
He told the committee there would be an activity on Aug. 24 on his initiative for good governance which could be implemented Cordillera-wide.
But to his dismay and heartbreak, he told the committee all 13 Benguet mayors did not sign the petition letter endorsing him and his program.
He said, this, despite the fact that many generals and officials of government agencies signed the petition-letter.
After saying this, he reportedly started for the door but a committee member told him he did not adjourn the meeting.
He reportedly looked back and shouted – “meeting adjourned.”
When he left, someone reportedly said, “Baka adda a inaramid na isunga madi da nga pirmaan dayta kunana nge papel na iti good governance (Maybe, he did something that is why the mayors did not want to sign the paper),” making those present laugh.
***
Suffice to say Congressman Marcoleta, in a privilege speech recently told House members of alleged corruption in Baguio and rampant illegal gambling which he added, was not being addressed by the mayor.
This, after Magalong reportedly accused Congress of being corrupt to which Marcoleta said it was a case of the kettle calling the pot black, meaning those who accuse people of wrongdoing should look at themselves in the mirror.
***
There have been accusations against the mayor, but then, like what the mayor said, his accusers should back up their allegations with evidence and file the proper cases in court.
Anyhow, the City Council urged the Baguio Character Council (BCC) to give its comment regarding proliferation of illegal gambling in Baguio.
In a resolution authored by Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria G. Yaranon, city councilors said the BCC should give its comment on illegal gambling and what actions it can take to address said perennial problem.
The City Council earlier passed Ordinance 39, series of 2023 or the Character City Ordinance of Baguio for a character-based approach in governance where its citizens, community leaders, and government officials and employees are models or exemplars of good character.
The purpose of the Character City Program, a city information office report said, was to “instill positive values in all aspects of human endeavor for the establishment of a city or community of character where elected officials, community leaders, and citizens recognize the importance of good character that everyone works together to ensure that families are strong, homes and streets are safe, education is effective, business is productive, neighbors care about one another and citizens are free to make wise choices for their lives and families.”
The BCC’s functions include “promotion of values towards attaining the vision and mission of the local government as a Character City.”
The City Council said latest reports on illegal gambling operations in Baguio have been widely circulating online, thus, the need for the BCC to come out with its firm position on said matter to send clear message to the people that the body values the practice of good character for the welfare of the citizens.
***
Later at Luisa’s Resto, the undisputed media watering hole in Baguio along Session Road, the topic was once again brought out to which somebody asked: Who are the bagmen and recipients anyway?
Then a lot of juicy information came out on the city’s state of governance from those present while the buckets of beer filled the table complete with high fives.
Baguio is indeed a Character City.
As a character said, the city has indeed a lot of characters of different stripes and persuasions. What kind of character are you?
BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon
Beneco once again/Legalizing marijuana
BAGUIO CITY – I was at Luisa’s Resto, the undisputed watering hole of media practitioners here along Session Road last week and as usual, the topic was on developments happening within the controversial Benguet Electric Cooperative.
One volunteered the information that almost all top municipal officials of Benguet made resolutions calling for Beneco elections to elect a new set of board of directors.
“Dapat lang (It should be),” said a mainstay of one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Baguio. To summarize the exchange of ideas, there was a consensus that there should indeed be elections by member-consumer-owners of the electric cooperative to settle issues besetting it.
Another said the ball is now in the hands of the Beneco Interim Board appointed by the National Electrification Administration purportedly to settle problems of the cooperative.
As the resolutions of Benguet municipal officials said, MCOs know what is happening in Beneco.
The Interim Board, he added, should indeed come up with a statement on the clamor for elections which MCOs said was derailed by a 2-minute rule (to make comments) of the interim presiding officer during the recent Beneco general membership assemblies.
The Interim Board must be feeling the heat, particularly now that almost all Benguet municipal officials are clamoring for elections. As one of the Luisa’s mainstays said, the day of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea for the Interim Board is at hand.
It is either they cater to the whims of the National Electric Administration (not to hold elections at this time kuno) or follow the will of MCOs and political officials.
A Luisa’s mainstay said, “No ammu da (Interim Board) ti aramiden da nga usto, ta Cordillerans da met, aramiden da iti haan da kaibabainan wenno kaidadanesan.
Translation: If the Interim Board members know what they are doing considering they are Cordillerans, they should follow what is right, not what will put them to shame or ridicule).
One asked, “Ni, apay gayam ngay nga ti apo mangidadaulo ti Baguio ken Benguet ket agtatalna da (Why are the top honchoes of Baguio and Benguet silent on the matter of elections)?”
This elicited smiles from the “spiritual group,” you know people who are fond of imbibing spirits almost every night to make them strong and religious kneeling beside the bed when they get home while their wives lovingly pat their heads.
***
Now on another matter. The Cordillera, particularly mountainous areas would benefit the most if proposals to have marijuana legalized for medical purposes would push through.
It could become a flourishing livelihood, proponents say. Over the years, until now, we hear of government authorities raiding marijuana plantations like those in Benguet and Kalinga and uprooting the banned plant worth millions of pesos.
Congressmen, which included Rep. Solomon Chungalao of Ifugao and Senator-actor Robin Padilla have filed bills to this effect if my memory serves me right.
Last week, an expert for legalization on the use of medical cannabis or marijuana said this will save or extend life of patients.
Dr. John Ortiz Teope, a researcher, critic, political analyst, media practitioner and secretary general of TIMPUYOG Philippines, said legalizing use of medical cannabis has positive implications.
He said Timpuyog is an Ilocano word for organization, unity or movement.
TIMPUYOG in reference to the use of cannabis, was defined as T for timely, I for internationally accepted, M for medical use and not for recreation, P for pedagogy or concept of education, U for uplifting the economy, Y for yielding to decriminalization of the use of cannabis, O for organization to monitor or supervise the use of cannabis and G for giving way to healing of every Filipino who needs treatment for various ailments.
Teope said their group was established to serve as “think tank and give suggestions” on the aspect of legalizing the use of medical cannabis which has a rough sailing in Congress even when 60 countries have already approved the use of the medical plant, and counting.
Teope was last Monday’s special guest in Bauertek Corporation’s weekly Media Health Forum held in Quezon City, hosted by veteran radio broadcasters Rolando ‘Lakay’ Gonzalo and Edwin Eusebio.
Dr. Richard Nixon Gomez, scientist, inventor and general manager of Bauertek Corporation disclosed only one patient was given a compassionate special permit by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to buy medical cannabis from overseas but to this day, hasn’t bought yet due to the whopping price of P1.7 million for one patient alone.
Gomez said he had been to Sacramento, California some two weeks ago to tour the facility that produces medicine out of marijuana extract. California was the first state to legalize the use of medical cannabis.
He said that the processes were simple but there were those levels they are not capable of doing but Bauertek can do, like cloning and tissue culture, which the US facility has to outsource.
Other processes include isolation, extraction—all of which Bauertek can likewise do, he added.
Gomez said many illnesses are covered for treatment by medical cannabis like anxiety, sleep disorder, Parkinson’s diseases, cancer, and others.
Teope said enactment of a law legalizing the use of medical marijuana would mean revenues and taxes for the government while generating job or employment for the people.
He added there was a proposal of Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, for the establishment of Philippine Cannabis Development Authority (PHILCADA) as the sole authority in the management of medical cannabis.
The doctor admitted that many Filipinos are “miseducated” regarding the use of medical marijuana, which they say, makes the user an “addict” or “high.”
He said there should be education of people on bad and good drugs.
Gomez, on the other hand, proposed inclusion of other agencies like Dept. of Science and Technology (DOST) and Dept. of Agriculture (DA) in PHILCADA.
The proposed Cannabis Council includes FDA, Dept. of Health or DOH and law enforcement agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Philippine National Police (PNP).
Teope lamented that with the composition of the proposed Council, it is assumed that there will be many violators once the use of cannabis is approved.
Gomez and Teope said they both believe those who oppose legalization of medical cannabis either “lack education or are mis-educated.”
Marijuana, anyone?
One volunteered the information that almost all top municipal officials of Benguet made resolutions calling for Beneco elections to elect a new set of board of directors.
“Dapat lang (It should be),” said a mainstay of one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Baguio. To summarize the exchange of ideas, there was a consensus that there should indeed be elections by member-consumer-owners of the electric cooperative to settle issues besetting it.
Another said the ball is now in the hands of the Beneco Interim Board appointed by the National Electrification Administration purportedly to settle problems of the cooperative.
As the resolutions of Benguet municipal officials said, MCOs know what is happening in Beneco.
The Interim Board, he added, should indeed come up with a statement on the clamor for elections which MCOs said was derailed by a 2-minute rule (to make comments) of the interim presiding officer during the recent Beneco general membership assemblies.
The Interim Board must be feeling the heat, particularly now that almost all Benguet municipal officials are clamoring for elections. As one of the Luisa’s mainstays said, the day of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea for the Interim Board is at hand.
It is either they cater to the whims of the National Electric Administration (not to hold elections at this time kuno) or follow the will of MCOs and political officials.
A Luisa’s mainstay said, “No ammu da (Interim Board) ti aramiden da nga usto, ta Cordillerans da met, aramiden da iti haan da kaibabainan wenno kaidadanesan.
Translation: If the Interim Board members know what they are doing considering they are Cordillerans, they should follow what is right, not what will put them to shame or ridicule).
One asked, “Ni, apay gayam ngay nga ti apo mangidadaulo ti Baguio ken Benguet ket agtatalna da (Why are the top honchoes of Baguio and Benguet silent on the matter of elections)?”
This elicited smiles from the “spiritual group,” you know people who are fond of imbibing spirits almost every night to make them strong and religious kneeling beside the bed when they get home while their wives lovingly pat their heads.
***
Now on another matter. The Cordillera, particularly mountainous areas would benefit the most if proposals to have marijuana legalized for medical purposes would push through.
It could become a flourishing livelihood, proponents say. Over the years, until now, we hear of government authorities raiding marijuana plantations like those in Benguet and Kalinga and uprooting the banned plant worth millions of pesos.
Congressmen, which included Rep. Solomon Chungalao of Ifugao and Senator-actor Robin Padilla have filed bills to this effect if my memory serves me right.
Last week, an expert for legalization on the use of medical cannabis or marijuana said this will save or extend life of patients.
Dr. John Ortiz Teope, a researcher, critic, political analyst, media practitioner and secretary general of TIMPUYOG Philippines, said legalizing use of medical cannabis has positive implications.
He said Timpuyog is an Ilocano word for organization, unity or movement.
TIMPUYOG in reference to the use of cannabis, was defined as T for timely, I for internationally accepted, M for medical use and not for recreation, P for pedagogy or concept of education, U for uplifting the economy, Y for yielding to decriminalization of the use of cannabis, O for organization to monitor or supervise the use of cannabis and G for giving way to healing of every Filipino who needs treatment for various ailments.
Teope said their group was established to serve as “think tank and give suggestions” on the aspect of legalizing the use of medical cannabis which has a rough sailing in Congress even when 60 countries have already approved the use of the medical plant, and counting.
Teope was last Monday’s special guest in Bauertek Corporation’s weekly Media Health Forum held in Quezon City, hosted by veteran radio broadcasters Rolando ‘Lakay’ Gonzalo and Edwin Eusebio.
Dr. Richard Nixon Gomez, scientist, inventor and general manager of Bauertek Corporation disclosed only one patient was given a compassionate special permit by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to buy medical cannabis from overseas but to this day, hasn’t bought yet due to the whopping price of P1.7 million for one patient alone.
Gomez said he had been to Sacramento, California some two weeks ago to tour the facility that produces medicine out of marijuana extract. California was the first state to legalize the use of medical cannabis.
He said that the processes were simple but there were those levels they are not capable of doing but Bauertek can do, like cloning and tissue culture, which the US facility has to outsource.
Other processes include isolation, extraction—all of which Bauertek can likewise do, he added.
Gomez said many illnesses are covered for treatment by medical cannabis like anxiety, sleep disorder, Parkinson’s diseases, cancer, and others.
Teope said enactment of a law legalizing the use of medical marijuana would mean revenues and taxes for the government while generating job or employment for the people.
He added there was a proposal of Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, for the establishment of Philippine Cannabis Development Authority (PHILCADA) as the sole authority in the management of medical cannabis.
The doctor admitted that many Filipinos are “miseducated” regarding the use of medical marijuana, which they say, makes the user an “addict” or “high.”
He said there should be education of people on bad and good drugs.
Gomez, on the other hand, proposed inclusion of other agencies like Dept. of Science and Technology (DOST) and Dept. of Agriculture (DA) in PHILCADA.
The proposed Cannabis Council includes FDA, Dept. of Health or DOH and law enforcement agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Philippine National Police (PNP).
Teope lamented that with the composition of the proposed Council, it is assumed that there will be many violators once the use of cannabis is approved.
Gomez and Teope said they both believe those who oppose legalization of medical cannabis either “lack education or are mis-educated.”
Marijuana, anyone?
BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon
Beneco elections/‘Terrorist-tagging’
(Here is an article by Jhunsamleigh Dulag-Belac on the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) controversy entitled “Navigating challenges and the call for timely elections):
***
In a recent Sangguniang Bayan session, the interim Board of Directors of Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) was called upon to clarify their response letter regarding the date of elections.
During the session, Interim Board Chairman Cating took the opportunity to address the pressing issues surrounding Beneco and presented the interim BODs as if they are the sole saviors responsible for addressing the issues plaguing Beneco, instead of the elected Board of Directors. Cating openly acknowledged that Beneco is in need of substantial improvements.
Admitting that Beneco needs ‘fixing’ is an honest and responsible stance for any leader to take. However, attributing the entire burden of fixing the cooperative to a single entity may be misleading and risky.
Cating's portrayal of the Interim Board as the exclusive problem-solvers could inadvertently undermine the cooperative's principles of collaboration and shared responsibility.
It is crucial to understand that being a hero does not imply being the sole architect of Beneco’s success. It is important to recognize that no single individual can solve all the challenges facing a cooperative as complex as Beneco.
While the interim BODs play a vital role in stabilizing Beneco during this transition period, it is important to remember that the primary purpose of the interim board was to lay the groundwork for the conduct of elections, leading to the establishment of a regular board of directors. It is understandable that Beneco may face challenges that require attention and resolution. However, these challenges should not be used as an excuse to prolong the interim board's tenure or undermine the democratic process.
Holding scheduled elections as outlined in the by-laws will guarantee the member-consumer-owners’ (MCOs) rightful representation and strengthen democratic practices within the organization.
***
In a recent Sangguniang Bayan session, the interim Board of Directors of Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) was called upon to clarify their response letter regarding the date of elections.
During the session, Interim Board Chairman Cating took the opportunity to address the pressing issues surrounding Beneco and presented the interim BODs as if they are the sole saviors responsible for addressing the issues plaguing Beneco, instead of the elected Board of Directors. Cating openly acknowledged that Beneco is in need of substantial improvements.
Admitting that Beneco needs ‘fixing’ is an honest and responsible stance for any leader to take. However, attributing the entire burden of fixing the cooperative to a single entity may be misleading and risky.
Cating's portrayal of the Interim Board as the exclusive problem-solvers could inadvertently undermine the cooperative's principles of collaboration and shared responsibility.
It is crucial to understand that being a hero does not imply being the sole architect of Beneco’s success. It is important to recognize that no single individual can solve all the challenges facing a cooperative as complex as Beneco.
While the interim BODs play a vital role in stabilizing Beneco during this transition period, it is important to remember that the primary purpose of the interim board was to lay the groundwork for the conduct of elections, leading to the establishment of a regular board of directors. It is understandable that Beneco may face challenges that require attention and resolution. However, these challenges should not be used as an excuse to prolong the interim board's tenure or undermine the democratic process.
Holding scheduled elections as outlined in the by-laws will guarantee the member-consumer-owners’ (MCOs) rightful representation and strengthen democratic practices within the organization.
Furthermore, engaging the MCOs and other stakeholders as vital partners in the cooperative's endeavors will empower them to actively contribute to Beneco's growth and success.
The cooperative can ensure that their voices are heard, and their perspectives are taken into account, which ultimately leads to more informed and inclusive outcomes. This approach fosters a stronger sense of ownership and commitment among the MCOs, as they recognize their role in shaping the cooperative's direction.
In contrast, the interim BODs should exercise autonomy and independence in their decision-making to prioritize the best interests of MCOs and the organization as a whole, rather than solely relying on National Electrification Administration’s directives.
They should make objective decisions without undue influence or pressure from external parties. While external input and expertise can be valuable, it should complement rather than overshadow the participation of MCOs.
In conclusion, the Sangguniang Bayan of La Trinidad brought to light the concerns surrounding Beneco’s interim board and their approach to solving the cooperative's problems.
Emphasizing the importance of transparent elections and genuine representation, it is essential to move forward collaboratively to secure Beneco’s future success.
By working together, the cooperative can overcome its challenges and build a more sustainable and inclusive future for its members.
***
(Here is a press statement this time, issued by Louise Montenegro, regional spokesperson of Kabataan party List (KPL) Cordillera on alleged harassment by State forces against students of the University of the Philippines Baguio):
***
On July 29, 2023, the Baguio City Mayor and Cordillera regional offices of the Commission on Human Rights, Dept. of Interior and Local Government, Criminal Investigation Detection Group including 5th Infantry Division were invited as resource persons in the issue of "heightened surveillance, harassment and intimidation against students of the University of the Philippines."
\Student surveillance and harassment were complaints Kabataan Partylist Cordillera have received regarding actions of Task Group Baguio, including blatant acts of terrorist-tagging in seminars early this year.
\Students' parents would be visited in their homes and told to make their children quit progressive organizations because "they are communist-terrorist groups".
It is very alarming that the washed-up narrative of red-tagging is recycled to justify political harassment. Baseless accusations and theorizing are not enough grounds to approach students' families and intimidate them into quitting their progressive organizations. The youth stand with the city council in denouncing these acts and asserting the right to due process. This is now one of the desperate schemes of NTF-ELCAC, even victimizing young students towards inactivity to organizations. We will never just stand by and let this happen,
Despite how we have been unjustly subject to being 'guilty until proven innocent', we have already filed countless cases to the court and many different government agencies even though this should not be our burden to bear.
Youth have been active in documenting and filing cases, from legal actions to agencies and offices of the LGU, in hopes that the act of political vilification will stop.
It has been nearly four years since the anti-political vilification was forwarded by the youth in the City Council, in which the newly drafted Human Rights Defenders Ordinance has similar objectives.
Baguio City Vice Mayor Olowan ended the meeting by declaring that "Baguio is a Peace Zone" and encouraged everyone to uphold this.
Red-tagging, terrorist-tagging, political vilification - whichever way you label it, is just wrong. We hope this, among many other threats to democracy that we face, are halted by the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Ordinance. The city has our full support in keeping Baguio a peace zone for citizens.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon
Branding of Cordillera IP leaders as ‘terrorists’
(I would
like to share this statement by KATRIBU (Kalipunan ang Katutubong Mamamayan ng
Pilipinas) presented by Beverly K. Longid, Katribu national convenor on
arbitrary designation of Cordillera indigenous leaders as “terrorists.” The
statement was presented during the 16th session on “Expert mechanism on the
rights of indigenous peoples (EMRIP) held July 17-22 in Geneva, Switzerland
during a dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,
the Chair of the UNPFII and the Board of Trustees of the UN Voluntary Fund for
Indigenous Peoples on UNDRIP implementation):
The recent arbitrary designation of Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) leaders, Sarah Abellon Alikes, Windel Balag-ey Bolinget, Steve Ambucay Tauli, and Jennifer Awingan, as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) is an alarming and unjustifiable act. This decision flagrantly undermines the principles of justice and human rights while silencing the voices of Indigenous Peoples fighting for their rights and self-determination.
Labeling these Indigenous leaders as terrorists is an unfounded accusation aimed at tarnishing their reputation and discrediting their legitimate struggles for land, self-determination, and social justice.
This sweeping and baseless categorization serves only to suppress dissent and discourage the pursuit of justice and equality, putting their lives, families, and organizations at grave risk.
The charges leveled against Alikes, Bolinget, Awingan, and Tauli under the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act lack credibility. Instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue and addressing the root causes of grievances, the Philippine government chooses to employ repressive tactics, instilling fear and stigmatizing those who advocate for the rights of marginalized communities.
This is the latest of continuing attacks and red-tagging against the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), its leaders, and members. In 2017, Abellon-Alikes was falsely charged with arson and robbery, while Bolinget faced false murder charges in 2021, both of which were later dismissed by the trial court.
In 2018, the Department of Justice (DOJ) initially included Bolinget and other CPA leaders in its designation of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as terrorists, but their names were later removed.
In 2022, Tauli was abducted by suspected state agents but was released the following day, and in the same year, the CPA Secretary-General Bestang Dekdeken was wrongfully convicted of cyberlibel. Earlier this year, five CPA leaders, including Abellon-Alikes, Bolinget, Tauli, Awingan, and Lulu Gimenez, were falsely accused of rebellion. However, the court also dismissed the case, clearing their names of the baseless charges. Thus, we fear that this arbitrary terrorist designation can lead to unlawful arrests or worse, extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances of CPA members and other activists.
The Cordillera Peoples Alliance has long been at the forefront of promoting indigenous rights and preserving the cultural heritage of the Cordillera region. Their tireless efforts in safeguarding ancestral lands and protecting indigenous communities from exploitation deserve recognition, not vilification. We are Indigenous. We are not terrorists.
Furthermore, the freezing of the bank accounts of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) obstructs the implementation of their programs, including crucial social services. This denial of funds deprives indigenous communities in the Cordillera of valuable resources for relief, especially during times of disasters and calamities.
Therefore:
1. We call on the EMRIP, UNPFII, and the SR on Indigenous Peoples Rights to urge member states NOT to use anti-terrorism or national security laws to criminalize Indigenous defenders and activists asserting their rights as protected under international human rights and humanitarian laws.
2. We appeal to the UN SR on Indigenous Peoples Rights to send an urgent communication on this matter to raise serious concern on this unjust act and call for its withdrawal; and urge the government to ensure their safety and that their human rights are not further violated. We are concerned that the arbitrary terrorist designation might lead to unlawful arrests, extra-judicial killings, or enforced disappearances including their family and organizations.
The recent arbitrary designation of Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) leaders, Sarah Abellon Alikes, Windel Balag-ey Bolinget, Steve Ambucay Tauli, and Jennifer Awingan, as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) is an alarming and unjustifiable act. This decision flagrantly undermines the principles of justice and human rights while silencing the voices of Indigenous Peoples fighting for their rights and self-determination.
Labeling these Indigenous leaders as terrorists is an unfounded accusation aimed at tarnishing their reputation and discrediting their legitimate struggles for land, self-determination, and social justice.
This sweeping and baseless categorization serves only to suppress dissent and discourage the pursuit of justice and equality, putting their lives, families, and organizations at grave risk.
The charges leveled against Alikes, Bolinget, Awingan, and Tauli under the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act lack credibility. Instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue and addressing the root causes of grievances, the Philippine government chooses to employ repressive tactics, instilling fear and stigmatizing those who advocate for the rights of marginalized communities.
This is the latest of continuing attacks and red-tagging against the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), its leaders, and members. In 2017, Abellon-Alikes was falsely charged with arson and robbery, while Bolinget faced false murder charges in 2021, both of which were later dismissed by the trial court.
In 2018, the Department of Justice (DOJ) initially included Bolinget and other CPA leaders in its designation of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as terrorists, but their names were later removed.
In 2022, Tauli was abducted by suspected state agents but was released the following day, and in the same year, the CPA Secretary-General Bestang Dekdeken was wrongfully convicted of cyberlibel. Earlier this year, five CPA leaders, including Abellon-Alikes, Bolinget, Tauli, Awingan, and Lulu Gimenez, were falsely accused of rebellion. However, the court also dismissed the case, clearing their names of the baseless charges. Thus, we fear that this arbitrary terrorist designation can lead to unlawful arrests or worse, extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances of CPA members and other activists.
The Cordillera Peoples Alliance has long been at the forefront of promoting indigenous rights and preserving the cultural heritage of the Cordillera region. Their tireless efforts in safeguarding ancestral lands and protecting indigenous communities from exploitation deserve recognition, not vilification. We are Indigenous. We are not terrorists.
Furthermore, the freezing of the bank accounts of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) obstructs the implementation of their programs, including crucial social services. This denial of funds deprives indigenous communities in the Cordillera of valuable resources for relief, especially during times of disasters and calamities.
Therefore:
1. We call on the EMRIP, UNPFII, and the SR on Indigenous Peoples Rights to urge member states NOT to use anti-terrorism or national security laws to criminalize Indigenous defenders and activists asserting their rights as protected under international human rights and humanitarian laws.
2. We appeal to the UN SR on Indigenous Peoples Rights to send an urgent communication on this matter to raise serious concern on this unjust act and call for its withdrawal; and urge the government to ensure their safety and that their human rights are not further violated. We are concerned that the arbitrary terrorist designation might lead to unlawful arrests, extra-judicial killings, or enforced disappearances including their family and organizations.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon
***
A signature campaign was started this weekend by member-consumer-owners (MCOs) of the Benguet Electric Cooperative and government officials who started a signature drive as we go to press to compel the Beneco Interim Board of Directors appointed by the National Electrification Administration, to schedule elections to elect a new board of directors of the electric cooperative.
The La Trinidad, Benguet Municipal Council also made a resolution urging the NEA and Interim Board to set the elections. (See banner story in page 1 for more details)
This, following three annual general membership assemblies held in the towns of Kapangan and Bokod in Benguet and Baguio City where MCOs complained the interim board ruled out elections through interim board director lawyer George Dumawing Jr. who only allowed two minutes each to those who wanted to speak on Beneco issues like elections.
Dumawing later told a press conference elections could be held depending on circumstances. Until now, the IB is vague on the matter saying they would want to install a general manager first before the elections.
MCOs are saying the National Electrification Administration wants to install first a GM it can control through the interim board so it can ensure its grip over Beneco before holding elections.
The interim board could issue a statement on the matter and have and this published in newspapers and aired through other forms of media to clarify their position so MCOs and power consumers would be informed.
MCOs are saying it is but proper that they and other stakeholders are informed on what the interim board is doing and what its intensions are. Transparency is the word.
They are saying it is them, after all, who are paying for the board’s salaries including that of a former MCO leader whose position was created when she jumped to the other side of the fence and is now a NEA drumbeater.
MCOs are quiet now and biding their time that is why, they are pressing for elections.
But when push comes to shove, it would be a matter of time when they will retake Beneco from the grip of NEA if elections won’t be held. NEA administrator Antonio Almeda told MCOs during the Baguio AGMA that they will “fix first problems” of the Beneco before moving on to other ailing cooperatives, like it wasn’t them who created the problem in the first place.
Everybody knows that the Beneco had a Triple A classification before the NEA came in and appointed a GM they later fired when MCOs resisted and retook Beneco, which until now is considered the SWAT Team of electric cooperatives considering its efficiency and good management.
It was actually interim board chairman Steve Cating who told a press conference said the audit done on Beneco particularly under Melchor Licoben’s term as GM was very satisfactory. So why did the NEA not reinstall Licoben after suspending him for six months?
It’s is control of Beneco the NEA wants that is why they are pushing selection of a GM before elections, according to MCOs.
The NEA could also issue a statement on the matter and have this published considering it is being alluded to. It won’t also be bad if the interim board, who are Cordillerans, would also do some soul-searching on the proper course of action regarding Beneco affairs. That won’t be a hard thing to do.
Folks of Sagada have a term for that – inayan, a version of the Golden Rule which generally means don’t do anything bad, do what is right.
***
A legislator warned the public not to patronize online lending applications as they do more damage than help people who need financial assistance.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, in an interview with radio station DZBB, said he had been receiving complaints from borrowers who experienced harassment from loan sharks on top of high-interest rates that range from 10 up to 40 percent.
Worst, he added, lending firms were able to access and hack the personal data of borrowers and their contacts.
“There were reports that those who failed to pay are being threatened. Sometimes, they received wreaths. They were able to monitor the daily activities of those people who could not pay their loans. This is alarming and scary,” Gatchalian said.
He said the public should be cautious before entertaining the idea of getting loans through online apps, a Philippine News Agency report said.
It is highly suspicious if a lending agency could easily lend money, Gatchalian said. “The first step if when a lender could lend easily. It means something is not right. Don’t deal with them,” he said.
He advised the public to check the legitimacy of lenders with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) should they plan to make loans through an online app.
BSP, he added, has a complete list of legitimate lending firms.
The public could also seek the help of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and National Privacy Commission if they have issues with lending firms.
Gatchalian said he would call for an investigation through the Senate’s committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies regarding rising concerns against lending apps and companies.
Deaths / Beneco polls/ Loan sharks
BAGUIO CITY – First, our condolences to the families of Dr. Morr Tadeo Pungayan, columnist of the Baguio Midland Courier and Zeny Rulla. Pungayan was then writing his column Ethnos Ibaloi when I was with the Courier in the 90s. Meanwhile, Rulla’s band was then our alternate with my band The Strings at the Music Box in Baguio, the biggest live pub in the city also that decade. Rulla died of bone cancer Thursday. Her body lies in state at St. Peter’s funeral home along Marcos Highway.***
A signature campaign was started this weekend by member-consumer-owners (MCOs) of the Benguet Electric Cooperative and government officials who started a signature drive as we go to press to compel the Beneco Interim Board of Directors appointed by the National Electrification Administration, to schedule elections to elect a new board of directors of the electric cooperative.
The La Trinidad, Benguet Municipal Council also made a resolution urging the NEA and Interim Board to set the elections. (See banner story in page 1 for more details)
This, following three annual general membership assemblies held in the towns of Kapangan and Bokod in Benguet and Baguio City where MCOs complained the interim board ruled out elections through interim board director lawyer George Dumawing Jr. who only allowed two minutes each to those who wanted to speak on Beneco issues like elections.
Dumawing later told a press conference elections could be held depending on circumstances. Until now, the IB is vague on the matter saying they would want to install a general manager first before the elections.
MCOs are saying the National Electrification Administration wants to install first a GM it can control through the interim board so it can ensure its grip over Beneco before holding elections.
The interim board could issue a statement on the matter and have and this published in newspapers and aired through other forms of media to clarify their position so MCOs and power consumers would be informed.
MCOs are saying it is but proper that they and other stakeholders are informed on what the interim board is doing and what its intensions are. Transparency is the word.
They are saying it is them, after all, who are paying for the board’s salaries including that of a former MCO leader whose position was created when she jumped to the other side of the fence and is now a NEA drumbeater.
MCOs are quiet now and biding their time that is why, they are pressing for elections.
But when push comes to shove, it would be a matter of time when they will retake Beneco from the grip of NEA if elections won’t be held. NEA administrator Antonio Almeda told MCOs during the Baguio AGMA that they will “fix first problems” of the Beneco before moving on to other ailing cooperatives, like it wasn’t them who created the problem in the first place.
Everybody knows that the Beneco had a Triple A classification before the NEA came in and appointed a GM they later fired when MCOs resisted and retook Beneco, which until now is considered the SWAT Team of electric cooperatives considering its efficiency and good management.
It was actually interim board chairman Steve Cating who told a press conference said the audit done on Beneco particularly under Melchor Licoben’s term as GM was very satisfactory. So why did the NEA not reinstall Licoben after suspending him for six months?
It’s is control of Beneco the NEA wants that is why they are pushing selection of a GM before elections, according to MCOs.
The NEA could also issue a statement on the matter and have this published considering it is being alluded to. It won’t also be bad if the interim board, who are Cordillerans, would also do some soul-searching on the proper course of action regarding Beneco affairs. That won’t be a hard thing to do.
Folks of Sagada have a term for that – inayan, a version of the Golden Rule which generally means don’t do anything bad, do what is right.
***
A legislator warned the public not to patronize online lending applications as they do more damage than help people who need financial assistance.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, in an interview with radio station DZBB, said he had been receiving complaints from borrowers who experienced harassment from loan sharks on top of high-interest rates that range from 10 up to 40 percent.
Worst, he added, lending firms were able to access and hack the personal data of borrowers and their contacts.
“There were reports that those who failed to pay are being threatened. Sometimes, they received wreaths. They were able to monitor the daily activities of those people who could not pay their loans. This is alarming and scary,” Gatchalian said.
He said the public should be cautious before entertaining the idea of getting loans through online apps, a Philippine News Agency report said.
It is highly suspicious if a lending agency could easily lend money, Gatchalian said. “The first step if when a lender could lend easily. It means something is not right. Don’t deal with them,” he said.
He advised the public to check the legitimacy of lenders with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) should they plan to make loans through an online app.
BSP, he added, has a complete list of legitimate lending firms.
The public could also seek the help of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and National Privacy Commission if they have issues with lending firms.
Gatchalian said he would call for an investigation through the Senate’s committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies regarding rising concerns against lending apps and companies.
.
Alfred P. Dizon
The thrust for Cordillera autonomy
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Cordillera “autonomy movement” marked another milestone this month of July as the region celebrates the 36th year anniversary of creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The 1986 Constitution stipulated establishment of two autonomous regions in the country; Muslim Mindanao and Cordillera. Two plebiscites (1990 and 1998) were conducted in Cordillera to legalize the autonomous status of the region but majority of voters rejected autonomy.
The region’s status is currently administrative even as the Cordillera Regional Development Council, which is composed of top officials of the region are pushing autonomy. The National Economic Development Authority Cordillera headed by regional director Susan A. Sumbeling is secretariat.
Records say during the Spanish colonial era, the Spaniards referred to inhabitants of the Cordillera as Ygorrottes or Igorots. The Americans starting 1908 have governed the area as part of a single locality called Mountain Province.
History books say people from outside the region, or lowlanders as they were known in the Cordillera, often referred to all ethnic people in the area under the single label, Igorot. Nowadays, constituents of the region are called Cordillerans even if they are not Igorots.
Unlike the people in the southern Philippines, the Moro who organized themselves in large polities such as sultanates, the Cordilleran people had independent tribes governed by tribal councils.
These are now among the facts being used to argue for a Cordillera identity.
There is a movement for self-determination among people of the Cordillera, the Cordillera People’s Alliance for one. But so far, there are no groups openly advocating “independence” of Cordillera from the Philippines.
Political analysts say the armed Cordillera struggle was derived from the communist rebellion in the Philippines during the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos.
They say the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army's goal was to overthrow Marcos, fight against imperialism of the United States, after which they planned to establish a people's democratic republic.
The affiliate of the National Democratic Front, the Cordillera People's Democratic Front aimed for the "liberation" of the country along with the Cordilleras from these twin challenges according to its 1981 eight-point general program.
The Cordillera People’s Liberation Army, then headed by the late Catholic priest Conrado Balweg which separated from the NPA in 1986, and Cordillera Bodong Administration fought for what they called greater autonomy in the Cordillera and against what they perceived as internal colonialism by the Philippine central government.
The CPLA advocated utilization and stewardship of lands by communes as opposed to private proprietorship and direct democracy through village assemblies and council of elders.
It also promoted the bodong system as a "supra-tribal expression" of the "spirit of social cooperation". They also proposed the conversion of the country into a federal republic as an alternative with each state having co-equal status.
On Sept. 13, 1986 the CPLA and the Government of the Philippines made a "sipat" or cessation of hostilities in Mt. Data Hotel, in Bauko, Mountain Province. The agreement between the two entities, dubbed 1986 Mount Data Peace Accord, was signed by then President Corazon Aquino as President of the Republic of the Philippines.
The 1986 Constitution stipulated establishment of two autonomous regions in the country; Muslim Mindanao and Cordillera. Two plebiscites (1990 and 1998) were conducted in Cordillera to legalize the autonomous status of the region but majority of voters rejected autonomy.
The region’s status is currently administrative even as the Cordillera Regional Development Council, which is composed of top officials of the region are pushing autonomy. The National Economic Development Authority Cordillera headed by regional director Susan A. Sumbeling is secretariat.
Records say during the Spanish colonial era, the Spaniards referred to inhabitants of the Cordillera as Ygorrottes or Igorots. The Americans starting 1908 have governed the area as part of a single locality called Mountain Province.
History books say people from outside the region, or lowlanders as they were known in the Cordillera, often referred to all ethnic people in the area under the single label, Igorot. Nowadays, constituents of the region are called Cordillerans even if they are not Igorots.
Unlike the people in the southern Philippines, the Moro who organized themselves in large polities such as sultanates, the Cordilleran people had independent tribes governed by tribal councils.
These are now among the facts being used to argue for a Cordillera identity.
There is a movement for self-determination among people of the Cordillera, the Cordillera People’s Alliance for one. But so far, there are no groups openly advocating “independence” of Cordillera from the Philippines.
Political analysts say the armed Cordillera struggle was derived from the communist rebellion in the Philippines during the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos.
They say the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army's goal was to overthrow Marcos, fight against imperialism of the United States, after which they planned to establish a people's democratic republic.
The affiliate of the National Democratic Front, the Cordillera People's Democratic Front aimed for the "liberation" of the country along with the Cordilleras from these twin challenges according to its 1981 eight-point general program.
The Cordillera People’s Liberation Army, then headed by the late Catholic priest Conrado Balweg which separated from the NPA in 1986, and Cordillera Bodong Administration fought for what they called greater autonomy in the Cordillera and against what they perceived as internal colonialism by the Philippine central government.
The CPLA advocated utilization and stewardship of lands by communes as opposed to private proprietorship and direct democracy through village assemblies and council of elders.
It also promoted the bodong system as a "supra-tribal expression" of the "spirit of social cooperation". They also proposed the conversion of the country into a federal republic as an alternative with each state having co-equal status.
On Sept. 13, 1986 the CPLA and the Government of the Philippines made a "sipat" or cessation of hostilities in Mt. Data Hotel, in Bauko, Mountain Province. The agreement between the two entities, dubbed 1986 Mount Data Peace Accord, was signed by then President Corazon Aquino as President of the Republic of the Philippines.
The agreement created the Cordillera Administrative Region as temporary status to prepare the region for autonomy. This considering the 1987 Philippine Constitution stipulated autonomy for the Cordillera Region.
Executive Order 220 on July 15, 1987, by then President with the intention of converting the region to an autonomous one. The provinces of Abra, Benguet and Mountain Province (of the Ilocos Region), and Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao (of Cagayan Valley) were annexed as part of the newly created region.
Several attempts at legalizing autonomy in the Cordillera region have failed in two separate plebiscites.
An affirmative vote for the law on regional autonomy is a precondition by the 1987 Philippine Constitution to give the region autonomy in self-governance much like the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in southern Philippines.
The first law, Republic Act No. 6766, took effect on October 23, 1989, but failed to muster a majority vote in the plebiscite on January 30, 1990. The second law, Republic Act No. 8438 passed by Congress of the Philippines on December 22, 1997, also failed to pass the approval of Cordillera people in a region-wide referendum on March 7, 1998.
Political analysts have stated that people’s lack of understanding of the autonomy issue, compounded by misinformation drives by some sectors, was the primary factor against Cordillera autonomy.
A closure agreement between the CPLA and the Government of the Philippines was signed on July 4, 2011 at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace.
The agreement called for disarmament of the group, reintegration of the militants into mainstream society and the conversion of the militant group into a socio-economic organization.
While the group has stopped armed confrontation, the CPLA remain extant as of 2013 still campaigning for greater autonomy in the Cordillera.
There are efforts to make a third bid to legalize autonomy in the Cordillera. Bills to establish an Organic Act for an autonomous region in Cordillera include House Bill No. 5595 filed during the 15th Congress and House Bill No. 4649 filed during the 16th Congress, both of which failed to pass.
In the 17th Congress, House Bill No. 5343, "An Act Establishing the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera (ARC)" was filed on March 20, 2017 during its first regular session and was supported by all House representatives from Cordillera. It was also the first time in history that all provincial and city governments throughout the Cordillera supported Cordillera autonomy.
There has also been a campaign to include Nueva Vizcaya into the Cordillera as the province is culturally and geographically situated near the Cordillera, but so far this was not pushed.
Currently, there are three pending Cordillera autonomy bills in the 18th Congress, House Bill No. 5687 filed by all Cordillera Congressmen, Senate Bill No. 1232 filed by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Bill No. 7778 filed by Benguet legislative caretaker Eric Yap of ACT-CIS Partylist.
The move to attain autonomy for the region will be determined the coming years. If the two Organic Acts were not ratified by the people, there may be need for more consultations and information dissemination among Cordillera constituents on what they really want.
For one, a former Cordillera Congressman said the Cordillera is better off under its present administrative status as larger amounts of money is allotted from the national government to the region.
This, while the militant ones say Cordillera autonomy cannot be attained unless a genuine nationalist government is installed.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon
Tarps and traditions: Thoughts on Cordillera autonomy
(I would like to share this article by MB Batil Maravilla, a bank lawyer and an aspiring farmer. He considers himself an Ibaloi in diaspora and is currently seeking ways to reconnect with his homeland):
I fear that our distinct political culture and practices are in danger of erosion
Living in Metro Manila, I grew up in a scenery of sidewalks marked with the initials of our mayor, of hanging tarpaulin greetings of “Merry Christmas,” “Congratulations Graduates” and the newly created “Happy Halloween” from our councilors, and the good-for-scrap metal barangay multi-cabs given by our congressman.
This scenery is very much different from the one we have in my mother’s hometown in Tublay, Benguet, and the majority of the Cordillera.
There are no tarpaulins or initials of our mayor on the sidewalks. Political dynasties are not prevalent and elections are generally peaceful events. In fact, one of the earliest memories of Cordillera elections I had when I was young involved seeing a political rally where rival candidates took turns speaking and, at the end of it, ate together with rest of the community. What was more admirable was that both candidates shared in the expenses for the said rally.
I’ve always wondered why there’s such a stark difference in political culture in the Cordilleras. Why are political dynasties rare in most of the Cordilleras and there are minimal cases of election-related violence?
Based on what I have learned, I now believe that Cordillera’s distinct political culture is one of the unforeseen consequences of our ancestors’ resistance to Spanish colonization.
Unknown to our ancestors at the time, their resistance to Spanish colonization spared us Cordillerans from extractive colonial institutions put in place in other parts of the country such as the encomienda system (forced labor and tribute), reduccion, and the most devastating of all, the takeover of agricultural lands by the Spanish. These institutions were created to ensure that political and economic power were maintained at the hands of the Spanish and the local elites loyal to them.
The forced takeover of agricultural land was most devastating because other than cursing our fellow Filipinos to generational poverty, this also allowed the creation of a local landed elite commonly known as “landlords.”
I fear that our distinct political culture and practices are in danger of erosion
Living in Metro Manila, I grew up in a scenery of sidewalks marked with the initials of our mayor, of hanging tarpaulin greetings of “Merry Christmas,” “Congratulations Graduates” and the newly created “Happy Halloween” from our councilors, and the good-for-scrap metal barangay multi-cabs given by our congressman.
This scenery is very much different from the one we have in my mother’s hometown in Tublay, Benguet, and the majority of the Cordillera.
There are no tarpaulins or initials of our mayor on the sidewalks. Political dynasties are not prevalent and elections are generally peaceful events. In fact, one of the earliest memories of Cordillera elections I had when I was young involved seeing a political rally where rival candidates took turns speaking and, at the end of it, ate together with rest of the community. What was more admirable was that both candidates shared in the expenses for the said rally.
I’ve always wondered why there’s such a stark difference in political culture in the Cordilleras. Why are political dynasties rare in most of the Cordilleras and there are minimal cases of election-related violence?
Based on what I have learned, I now believe that Cordillera’s distinct political culture is one of the unforeseen consequences of our ancestors’ resistance to Spanish colonization.
Unknown to our ancestors at the time, their resistance to Spanish colonization spared us Cordillerans from extractive colonial institutions put in place in other parts of the country such as the encomienda system (forced labor and tribute), reduccion, and the most devastating of all, the takeover of agricultural lands by the Spanish. These institutions were created to ensure that political and economic power were maintained at the hands of the Spanish and the local elites loyal to them.
The forced takeover of agricultural land was most devastating because other than cursing our fellow Filipinos to generational poverty, this also allowed the creation of a local landed elite commonly known as “landlords.”
Once our country gained independence, the then-existing landlords took advantage of their economic position to take over the political vacuum left by the Spanish and inaugurated the current system of political dynasties prevalent in the country.
Collective ownership
Thus, while most of the farmers in the country prior to agrarian reform law were tenants or agricultural workers to landlords, the resistance of our ancestors allowed Igorots to maintain the collective ownership of their communal lands as well as individual plots of their own.
More importantly, by preventing the taking of their agricultural lands, the Igorots prevented the creation of local landlords and, in turn, political dynasties in the Cordillera.
This also allowed the Cordillerans to maintain their grassroots pluralistic institutions such as the higher council or the “intugtukan.” The effect of these institutional differences can also be observed during the conduct of elections.
Other than enriching their members at the expense of their fellow Filipinos, there is also a direct connection between the growth of political dynasties and the rise in political violence and illegal practices during elections.
As political dynasties’ monopoly on political and economic power grows, so does their fear of losing such power. Their fear of losing power leads them to utilize violent and illegal means to ensure their stay. Such monopoly also gave them the resources necessary to use violent and illegal means such as vote-buying during their political campaigns as can be seen in majority of the parts of the country long held by political dynasties.
On the other hand, elections in majority of the Cordillera are generally peaceful events. In fact, the police and the Commission on Elections want to make a pilot study on Benguet and Mountain Province because of their peaceful and orderly elections. Other than the lack of political dynasties, Igorot practices such as the “Inayan” and respect for community elders help preserve the observance of peace during elections.
Danger of erosion
Unfortunately, I fear that our distinct political culture and practices are in danger of erosion, unless, we are educated of its importance as well the dangers of political dynasties and of supporting politicians that employ illegal election practices.
The growing strength of existing and new political dynasties at the national and local levels could someday overwhelm and penetrate Cordilleran political culture. I also fear the effects of assimilation into other regions, such as what existed during the Martial Law years. Such assimilation allowed the entry of dynastic politics and practices that started the wave of political violence in other areas of the Cordillera.
Dynastic politics or the concentration of political power in a few and selected elite coming from a single family or relatives runs contrary to the Cordillerans’ political culture, history, and value for freedom.
Unfortunately, despite its central character in the lives of the Cordillerans, this is rarely cited during discussions on Cordillera autonomy.
This has to change. Otherwise, we should prepare ourselves to the possibility of seeing our beloved Cordillera to be just another Metropolis filled with the same tarpaulins hanging on pine trees instead of electric posts.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon
Elections only way to solve Beneco mess/ ACT on SONA
(Here is a commentary of Dane Ducayag, president of MCCOs on the Benguet Electric Cooperative controversy):
BAGUIO CITY -- Some people are doing we don't know what in Beneco. We shouldn’t stop questioning until we get answers. The truth is, all this talk about transparency, accountability, and good governance by the people responsible for the soft takeover of Beneco last January is a sham.
Walk the walk before you talk the talk. The Task Force Beneco is an example of what it shouldn't be. For one, they are detached from MCOs, who are the foundation of any cooperative. Board of Directors appointed by politicians and/or regulatory agencies would more likely be serving their own interests and those who appointed them.
How were they chosen anyway but for their connection to someone. Not even for their knowledge of electric utility operations nor were they part of the struggles of Beneco the past couple of years.
Were two of them even MCOs before they were appointed? Cutting off members with opposing views and questions, declaring them "out of order", not acknowledging them, giving them very limited time to express themselves, or giving evasive answers during a General Assembly reeks of bad governance.
BAGUIO CITY -- Some people are doing we don't know what in Beneco. We shouldn’t stop questioning until we get answers. The truth is, all this talk about transparency, accountability, and good governance by the people responsible for the soft takeover of Beneco last January is a sham.
Walk the walk before you talk the talk. The Task Force Beneco is an example of what it shouldn't be. For one, they are detached from MCOs, who are the foundation of any cooperative. Board of Directors appointed by politicians and/or regulatory agencies would more likely be serving their own interests and those who appointed them.
How were they chosen anyway but for their connection to someone. Not even for their knowledge of electric utility operations nor were they part of the struggles of Beneco the past couple of years.
Were two of them even MCOs before they were appointed? Cutting off members with opposing views and questions, declaring them "out of order", not acknowledging them, giving them very limited time to express themselves, or giving evasive answers during a General Assembly reeks of bad governance.
Ostracizing key members/owners and/or barring them from participating in activities even especially in the conduct of Information and Education drives, witnessing milestones and achievements of the cooperative, non-sponsorship of representing the members in regional or national cooperative membership organizations/federations, depriving them from inspecting and acquiring copies of documents pertinent to the organization like board resolutions or board minutes by demanding tiresome requirements, not acknowledging their importance in connecting and keeping good relations as well as in checks and balances, refusing dialogues with them, reeks of bad governance.
Calling for the immediate elections for a Beneco Board of Directors representative of the MCOs of Baguio-Benguet. Directors who are accountable to the membership and more responsive to our interests, concerns and needs.
Further encouraging civic organizations and LGUs in Baguio-Benguet to support this call with resolutions or statements of their own. Submit to Beneco cc to National Electrification Administration.
Let us not lose our democratic member control over Beneco.
Paging the Department of Energy and Senators Risa Hontiveros, Win Gatchalian and Raffy Tulfo ***
(Here is another letter, this time from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on the State of the Nation Address 9SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.):
More than a year towards the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the Marcos, Jr. administration that promised better conditions for teachers, yet Filipino teachers including those in the Cordillera remain underpaid, overworked and under-supported.
Eighty seven percent of Baguio teachers and 91% of Cordillera public school teachers, as per the present Salary Standardization Law (SSLV) fall below poverty line of PhP34,350/month (IBON Foundation, 2023). Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview, which collected Baguio teachers’ salary figures submitted anonymously, computed a very low P12k/mo. average salary for basic education teachers and P22k/mo. for college instructors.
Moreover, the real values of these salaries have gone down with an inflation rate of 7.9% from Jan. – April, 2023. Minus the taxes and contributions, teachers’ salaries have shrunk significantly with a Teacher 1 take home pay falling to only P23,465.30.
Teachers’ recent benefits have also been delayed. The rice allowance promised for end 2022 was given second quarter this year to teachers nationwide.
Here in the Cordillera, they received their share only last week of June to first week of July and reports from Kalinga even noted brown powdery rice not fit for human consumption. Also, only a few regions have gotten their Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) for 2021 still. CAR is one of those regions whose PBB has not yet been released.
Like all teachers nationwide, Cordillera teachers are drowning in a lot of teaching-related work, paper work, and appended duties. For many teachers, this situation is leading to stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression on top of students asking for help with mental health struggles. Only here in Baguio City, suicide cases among the youth have risen to 60% during the pandemic period.
Yet, support for teachers’ hard work remains lip-service. Necessary facilities and supplies for advancing teaching modalities are lacking. A case in point in the region is that only 1,228 laptops were provided in 2021, yet there are @17,000 DepEd teachers. These are even part of the controversial overpriced and outdated supply issued by DepEd that are being investigated on.
Amidst red-tagging, Cordillera teachers must unite with all teachers nationwide to demand and fight for what is due us and our students.
50K entry level pay for teachers now!
33K for Salary Grade 1 Now!
Increase Education Budget!
Increase salaries and benefits
No to red-tagging!
Alliance of Concerned Teachers
Cordillera
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