LGU without IPMR may face criminal charges

KORONADAL CITY- A local government unit who may fail to have an Indigenous People Mandated Representative (IPMR) can face criminal case, a lawyer of the National Commision on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in Region 12 todaysaid. Atty. Adolf Ryan Lantion, NCIP 12 hearing officer, said although they respect the decision of some LGUs because of valid reasons, those who are persistent in their refusal to appoint IP representative in the legislative branch may face criminal charges. Yes they are answerable through mandamus because once the Commission on Audit (COA) has already issued the affirmation of an IPMR that means he/she needs to be appointed because the selection is valid,” Lantion said. Appointment of IPMR in the legislative branch of the LGUs is mandated by the Indigenous Peoples Right Act (IPRA) which was signed into law in 1997 by then President Fidel Ramos. It was hailed as a landmark legislation of the government. Joey Bogay, NCIP 12 regional director, confirmed that because of lack of funds and the question in the selection process, some LGUs cannot appoint its IPMR. Region 12 has one IPMR in the provincial level, three in the city level, 20 in the municipal level and 258 in the barangay level. With the help of our provincial offices, the NCIP is still coordinating with the LGUs to convince them to appoint an IPMR,”he said.