(May 24-31)

People living in urban centers or those in seats of power, especially policy-makers and administrators, have the tendency to presume that they know better of the needs, feelings, and thoughts of those living in far-flung areas especially dwellers of mountains than those concerned.

May 27 2015

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/27 May) — One important legal, political and moral test the Bangsamoro Basic Law must pass is how it addresses the rights of Indigenous Peoples. For many, and that includes me, our support for the BBL hinges on whether Lumads accept the way they are treated in this law. That is why when the House Ad Hoc Committee approved its report and new version last week, I immediately went to work to see if the new version would pass this litmus test. This analysis I jointly conducted with Ms. Nicole Torres whose contribution to this piece I acknowledge.

May 21, 2015

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front 'appreciates' but does not 'necessarily accept' the version of the proposed Bangsamoro basic law passed at committee level in the House of Representatives

May 20, 2015

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples thinks the proposed Bangsamoro law falls short in meeting the minimum international standards for the survival, dignity, and well being of indigenous peoples

May 14, 2015

(Sponsorship Speech of Rep. Nancy Catamco on proposed amendments that impact on the Rights of the Non-Moro Indigenous in the Bangsamoro Basic Law, delivered at the meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law at the Nograles Hall, House of Representatives, Quezon City, on May 11, 2015. Rep. Catamco is from the Manobo-Tagabawa tribe).

Read morehttp://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2015/05/14/peacetalk-inclusive-peace-includes-the-ips/

May 16, 2015

While I am fully supportive of a good Bangsamoro Basic Law, one that complies totally with the Constitution as well as substantially with the political agreements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a critical threshold issue for me is how the rights of indigenous peoples are addressed. 

May. 12, 2015

Mindanews asked me to share my expectations of the Bangsamoro Basic Law that would be voted on this week by the House of Representatives Special Ad Hoc Committee. My message to legislators:

May 11, 2015

INCLUSIVE. Lumads hold ritual to enlighten the Congress to include rights of indigenous people in the BBL. Photo from Mindanao People's Peace Movement

May 11, 2015

The strain of the ordeal House Palace allies in following President Aquino’s marching orders to have the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) passed at all costs is showing as Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the House ad hoc committee on the BBL, received requests from several legislators for an executive session to conceal their votes to the public.

May 10, 2015

MANILA - Indigenous peoples and peace stakeholders are offering rituals and prayers ahead of the voting for the Bangsamoro Basic Law at the House of Representatives this week.

Members of the Teduray, one of the major tribes in the south, appealed to members of the lower House to recognize their identities in the bill.