DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) has firmly stood to its decision not to issue a Certificate of Affirmation for Cherry Ann Ortiz-Codilla as the city’s next Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR).
In a reply letter sent to City Vice Mayor Bernie Al-ag dated July 2, 2018, signed by NCIP Regional Director Atty. Geroncio R. Aguio, it stated that they “cannot accommodate” the Council Resolution No. 02126-18 to recognize the mandate of the selection process and issue a Certificate of Affirmation for Codilla.
The NCIP said it will “violate the guidelines duly promulgated by the community pursuant to NCIP Administrative Order No.001, Series of 2008 or otherwise known as the IPMR National Guidelines.”
In their letter, they reiterated that they “only follow the rules” which were provided by the Bagobo-Klata Local Guidelines in the selection process for the next IPMR.
NCIP clearly stated that one of the qualifications stated in the guidelines ” is that the IPMR should have at least 25-percent Bagobo-Klata blood” that Codilla failed to meet upon verification.
Included in the letter, the NCIP “will be conducting a new selection process and execute appropriate measures” in order to avoid further hiatus.
On June 5, 2018, regular session of the city council NCIP Regional Director lawyer Aguio said that their records showed that Codilla is mainly not indigenous, as she carries Ubo- Manuvo blood of 12.5 percent, Bagobo Klata blood of 6.25 percent, and Bagobo-Tagabawa 2.25 percent.
The director who presented the findings of their verification said that Codilla does not possess that mandatory requirement of 25 percent genealogical qualification.
But Codilla who gathered a total of 241 votes during the selection process also stood in its qualification.
In a text message sent to Davao Today, Codilla said that she has been anticipating the refusal from NCIP.
“I already expected that he will not grant. Somehow, we filed a case in the court already,” Codilla said. (davaotoday.com)
