Mindanao leaders vow not to recognize successor

DAVAO CITY — Political leaders from all over Mindanao vowed yesterday not to recognize the successor of President Arroyo should she be ousted through unconstitutional means.

This was contained in one of four major resolutions which the political leaders unanimously passed in yesterday’s First Mindanao Political Leaders’ Summit at the Marco Polo Hotel here.

Spearheaded by the Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors League Presidents of Mindanao (Confed), the summit was attended by 18 of the 25 governors, 13 of 27 city mayors and 125 of more than 400 municipal mayors all throughout Mindanao.

At least 300 city and municipal councilors from all over the island also attended the summit.

The Mindanao political leaders expressed their appreciation to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for giving Mrs. Arroyo a reprieve from the political turmoil when it did not demand her resignation and instead urged that the constitutional process be followed.

The Confed members stressed that the Constitution should be upheld and that there should be respect for the rule of law and due process.

But they called for amendments to the 1987 Constitution through a constitutional assembly to put a halt to the current political crisis.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao leaders decided to further study the idea of a "Mindanao Republic" as well as federalism.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol, Confed chairman, said Mindanao leaders will continue to come up with resolutions and statements to counter the anti-Arroyo protest in Metro Manila.

"Those protesting in Manila have the advantage of access to the media, that is why we in Mindanao have to come up with something and work harder to counter that," Piñol said.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said the move is no longer just in support of Mrs. Arroyo, but also to make sure that the Constitution is preserved and is respected by everyone.

"If we allow the practice of removing presidents illegally to continue, then we will have problems with the people no longer respecting the Constitution and the rule of law," he said.