Cordillera pols still hopeful for regional autonomy bill

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Cordillera political leaders are hopeful for a push for regional autonomy despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s silence on it in his second State of the Nation Address on Monday.

 

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan is optimistic despite the issue not being mentioned, saying “it doesn’t mean that [the president] is not certifying it as urgent.”  Right after Duterte’s SONA Monday, Domogan said: “We will just wait and see what will happen next.”

 

Previous bids for regional autonomy were defeated in plebiscites held in 1990 and in 1998.

 

National Economic Development Authority-Cordillera director Mila Rimando said that even if the president did not mention Cordillera autonomy, “we trust his statement in the meeting with Cordillera leaders that whatever priority is given the BBL, the same is given the HB 5343 (the bill for regional autonomy).” 

 

We are optimistic that we have better chances this time because aside from the president’s (promise), she said, “the Cordillera leaders like congressmen, governors, mayors and directors have united to support the move towards autonomy and towards federalism.”

 

Rimando claimed that even the factionalized militia group Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army that broke ranks with the CPP-NPA for a peace pact that led to the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region have united to support the campaign for autonomy.

 

Abra Rep. Joseph Bernos said “it will be the best thing that will happen to the Cordillera once genuine autonomy will be passed into law.”

 

Though the president did not specifically mention the bill, the Abra lawmaker is confident “it will be an urgent legislative agenda (of this administration).” 

 

But Bernos, who co-authored House Bill 5343 with all six Cordillera congressmen also seemed was dumbfounded by the president’s silence.

 

“There is still a future (for autonomy),”  Kalinga Rep. Jesse Allen Mangaoang also said.

 

Mangaoang also sits as caretaker congressman of Mountain Province. The province's elected representative died last month.  

 

“HB 5343 is listed as Number 35 (in the legislative priorities),” Rep. Mangaoang said.

 

“We will still try our best to push it at the Lower House.”

 

“The fact that he committed to put two Cordillera representatives in the constitution review committee is his recognition of our need as a special region to be heard and given opportunity to contribute to the work,” added Director Rimando.

 

Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza, who was the guest of honor and speaker during the Baguio leg of the Cordillera Unity Gong Relay on July 14 promised Duterte would certify the regional autonomy bill a priority.

 

Dureza said government recognizes the wisdom behind the constitutional mandate for the creation of autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera and that the president wants to achieve the creation of the autonomous regions before aggressively pursuing federalism.

 

Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. also vowed he will still push for HB 5343 “as if it were an urgent measure.” 

 

He acknowledged, however, that “it would be more difficult in this 17th Congress without that certification.”

 

On that note however, the Ifugao lawmaker urged, “we need to reevaluate whether the majority of Cordillerans fully understand autonomy within or outside the context of federalism.”

 

He added "one good strategy is to push for (autonomy) in conjunction with the aspirations of Muslim Filipinos."

 

Baguio City Rep. Marquez Go said that even if the measure is certified urgent, “it will still go through the usual deliberation processes except that it can be approved on third reading on the same day that it was approved on second reading.”

   

Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan, who has repeatedly expressed second thoughts on pursuing autonomy in the Cordillera, said a leaders’ forum will be held soon to have a consensus on whether to support autonomy or wait for federalism.