From the MILF Website (Aug 13): Moro woman leader mulls representation of Bangsamoro in the local legislative bodies
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A Moro woman leader mulls representation of the Bangsamoro in the local legislative bodies, from provincial to barangay level, to give chance for the Muslim tribes to participate in the local governance.
A Moro woman leader mulls representation of the Bangsamoro in the local legislative bodies, from provincial to barangay level, to give chance for the Muslim tribes to participate in the local governance.
Shariah Lawyer Latipa Tama, President of the Muslim Women in General Santos City (MUWOGEN), lamented how difficult it is for Muslims outside the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to win for legislative positions during the local elections, “considering we are minority,” she explained.
Tama related that the last Muslim city councilor in General Santos was Teng Juanday who was appointed by then City Mayor Rosalita Nunez in 1988 to represent the labor sector.
Thereafter, few Muslim candidates joined the succeeding local elections but none was able to win. It is estimated that Moro tribes comprise only ten per cent of the city population.
The local government code allows the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) to be represented in the local legislative bodies.
“In Mindanao, the IPs are the Lumad and the Moro tribes. These people have been existing in the island before the Spaniards came,” Tama explained, “thus, we Moro people can use the law to push for our representation in the LGU,” she continued.
At present, some Local Government Units in other parts of Mindanao have already installed their IP Representatives in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Bayan. The selection process was facilitated by the National Commission on the Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
R.A. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Right Act provides that the IPs have the right to participate fully at all levels of decision-making in matters which may affect their rights, lives and destinies. The State shall ensure that the IPs given mandatory representation in policy-making bodies and other local legislative councils.
Tama explained that the Lumads should understand that the mandatory IP representation is not “exclusive” for their group despite there is the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos catering the needs of the Muslims. “Either the Lumad or the Moro can have the seat to represent the IPs,” she added.
The woman leader said there is only one seat and it is very ideal that there will be two, one for the Lumads and one for the Bangsamoro so that we avoid conflict of who will sit first.
”To settle the issue, the two groups may agree to have the seat alternately, three years each for every term of office,” she suggested.
During the Maguindanaon Leaders Forum Last July 7, 2013, the Moro leaders asked General Santos Vice Mayor Shirlyn Nograles to help facilitate having IP Representative in the Sangguniang Panlunsod.
Nograles said such proposal is on top of their agenda and they will find budget for it. The Vice Mayor also promised LGU’s continued support to Madaris education and provide livelihood opportunities for the jobless.
Tama called on the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to include in the proposal to amend the constitution having two seats for the mandatory IP representation, one each for the Lumad and Bangsamoro. She further suggested for the BTC to propose Bangsamoro and Lumad representatives in the Senate.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/505-moro-woman-leader-mulls-representation-of-bangsamoro-in-the-local-legislative-bodies
Tama related that the last Muslim city councilor in General Santos was Teng Juanday who was appointed by then City Mayor Rosalita Nunez in 1988 to represent the labor sector.
Thereafter, few Muslim candidates joined the succeeding local elections but none was able to win. It is estimated that Moro tribes comprise only ten per cent of the city population.
The local government code allows the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) to be represented in the local legislative bodies.
“In Mindanao, the IPs are the Lumad and the Moro tribes. These people have been existing in the island before the Spaniards came,” Tama explained, “thus, we Moro people can use the law to push for our representation in the LGU,” she continued.
At present, some Local Government Units in other parts of Mindanao have already installed their IP Representatives in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Bayan. The selection process was facilitated by the National Commission on the Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
R.A. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Right Act provides that the IPs have the right to participate fully at all levels of decision-making in matters which may affect their rights, lives and destinies. The State shall ensure that the IPs given mandatory representation in policy-making bodies and other local legislative councils.
Tama explained that the Lumads should understand that the mandatory IP representation is not “exclusive” for their group despite there is the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos catering the needs of the Muslims. “Either the Lumad or the Moro can have the seat to represent the IPs,” she added.
The woman leader said there is only one seat and it is very ideal that there will be two, one for the Lumads and one for the Bangsamoro so that we avoid conflict of who will sit first.
”To settle the issue, the two groups may agree to have the seat alternately, three years each for every term of office,” she suggested.
During the Maguindanaon Leaders Forum Last July 7, 2013, the Moro leaders asked General Santos Vice Mayor Shirlyn Nograles to help facilitate having IP Representative in the Sangguniang Panlunsod.
Nograles said such proposal is on top of their agenda and they will find budget for it. The Vice Mayor also promised LGU’s continued support to Madaris education and provide livelihood opportunities for the jobless.
Tama called on the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to include in the proposal to amend the constitution having two seats for the mandatory IP representation, one each for the Lumad and Bangsamoro. She further suggested for the BTC to propose Bangsamoro and Lumad representatives in the Senate.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/505-moro-woman-leader-mulls-representation-of-bangsamoro-in-the-local-legislative-bodies