57 House reps sign manifesto vs. ex-President Duterte’s Mindanao republic idea

Photos from the Senate

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 57 lawmakers have signed a manifesto rejecting the proposal of former President Rodrigo Duterte for a separate Mindanao Republic.

The signatories include 53 legislators representing different districts in Mindanao.

One of them was Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep. Khalid Dimaporo.

Dimaporo on Wednesday said the paper is titled “The Unified Manifesto of Mindanao Congressmen for National Integrity and Development.”

The document calls for national unity and opposes the secession of Mindanao.

“You know Mindanao as a region was the poorest region in our country. Mindanao as a region is a war-torn region, and the people are struggling,” Dimaporo recalled.

“But we have progressed over the years, even during the time — especially during the time of President Duterte, and it is continuing up to now under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos,” he said.

“What happens is like we are taking one step forward in terms of progress, then you’ll call for an independent Mindanao. That’s two steps backward for us,” Dimaporo added.

The lawmakers also called for the “diligent prosecution” of individuals who are “fostering disunity among our people, blatantly violating our Constitution, and threatening the sovereign integrity of our nation.”

“Such actions not only undermine our democratic principles, the peace and security of our communities, and the collective welfare of the Filipino people but also betray our oath of office to support and defend the Constitution,” they said.

The call for a separate Mindanao republic came from Duterte and former speaker and current Davao del Norte 1st District Representative Pantaleon Alvarez.

Duterte mentioned the idea of secession after a rally in Davao City, where he criticized President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.