Tribe eye seats in Mandaue council

CEBU, Philippines - They want two ex-officio seats at the legislative body and representation at the mayor’s office, and their three representatives complete with salaries and benefits.

Some members of the indigenous tribe "Alimaong" went to the Mandaue City Mayor's Office yesterday to see Mayor Jonas Cortes to insist that they be represented by Paulus Mariae Cañete and his mother, Mila Cañete at the City Government.

 The group, who were met by the mayor’s executive secretary, Chinette Bulanon, insisted that they should have a representation in the City Government.

They cited as basis Memorandum Circular No.2010-119 dated October 20, 2010 from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). This is also based on Section 16 of Republic Act No.8371 or the Indigenous People's Right Act of 1997.

 In a letter to the mayor, Lorebel Belotindos, known as Datu Dila who claims to be the Alimaong's tribal chieftain, said she is endorsing Cañete, whom she said is known as "Datu Guru Magtutudlo,” of their tribe, to be their Indigenous People’s (IP) representative in the Mayor's office.

Cañete is the belagueared president of the old Mandaue City College and is at odds with Cortes.

 Belotindos also endorsed Cañete's mother, Ma.Milagros Cañete, who is known to them as Bae Guru Maalamon, and Datu Lapu-Lapu in the person of Emedio Roble, as their IP's representatives in the City Council.

 Belotindos cited Section 16, which states that indigenous cultural communities shall “have the right to participate fully at all matters of decision making in matters which may affect their rights, lives and destinies through procedures determined by them.”

 Belotindos added that all three shall also receive the same compensation, benefits and other forms of payment with those of the regular members of the legislative bodies.

 She further wrote the mayor that under the law, all three representatives shall also be allowed to wear their cultural indigenous costumes at the City Hall premises, as the three representatives will also accommodate visitors who are members of indigenous communities at the City Hall.

 They also urged the mayor to put an IP desk where they can promote cultural revival.

Bulanon told the group they could not be accommodated as the mayor was out of the office yesterday for a function. They were also told to abide with the protocol of having an appointment first.

 Since they insisted on an appointment with the mayor, Bulanon scheduled them for a meeting this January 27 at 10 a.m.

They told the secretary they will wear their native attire to show proof that they are members of the said indigenous tribe.

 They also told Bulanon that they planned to be at the City Council's session yesterday to endorse their representatives at the Council but did not show up at the session.

 Cañete, an appointee of then mayor Thadeo Ouano, has been at odds with Cortes since 2007. The MCC managed by Cañete was located in Ibabao-Estancia until Cortes ordered it closed following his refusal to submit an accounting of the college's funds.

 Just last month, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) also issued a closure order of the MCC under Cañete's administration after it failed to comply with the directives of the commission despite sufficient notice.

At present, there are two MCCs in Mandaue city - one being run by Cañete while the other MCC is recognized by the City Government and is being administered by Dr. Susana Cabahug. – THE FREEMAN