Benguet IPMR opposed

Protests now mar the selection of the Benguet Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR).

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples received a petition filed against Sario Copas over his selection as IPMR in August by Faustino

Maliones alleging irregularities in the process.

Maliones questioned the qualifications of Copas which he said were raised several times during the assembly but was not given due evaluation “The manifestations of Mr. Sario Copas during the time given to him to campaign before the council of elders/ leaders further proves that he does not actually meet the minimum qualification, specifically, he does not possess with him the Certification of the NCIP-Benguet Provincial Office that will prove that he has continuously engaged in the ICCs/IPs undertakings.”

The petition addressed to NCIP Regional Director Roland Calde of (NCIP) who said with the issues and protest against Copas a Certificate of Affirmation will not be issued for the moment “In the meantime we have revert to back to Benguet provincial office for them to come up with a recommendation and explanation otherwise if they could not came up with an acceptable explanation they must undergo pagtongtongan.”

Copas said he is open to investigation and said he is ready to resolve the issue through the customary practice. “I challenge them let us do the customary practice which is more dangerous than our legal process.”

During the assembly August 18 Copas led with 17 votes followed by Fausto Maliones with 14 votes, James Ticbayan with three votes and a lone vote for Thaddeus Bernado Sr.

Maliones said in his letter although Copas chaired the committee for six years it shall not be understood that he is already qualified. “The local guideline requires a certification from the NCIP Benguet Provincial Office and not mere allegations and pictures.”

Copas stressed he has complied with qualification requirements being a former three-term board member and chair on the committee on Indigenous People.

Another complaint by incumbent La Trinidad IPMR Marcelo Abela said he was disgusted and surprised to see Copas as head of squatters’ group illegally undertake destructive activities in Puguis Communal Forest (PCF).

“The unconscionable acts of former Board Member Copas in leading such blatant violations of national, and local laws in our municipality and ancestral domain speaks ill of this kind of IP leadership considering he is allegedly the newly selected IPMR for the Province of Benguet,”Abela mentioned in his letter.

Calde said the complaint of Abela will be treated as a separate investigation and is not related to IPMR issue.