Calls to Review Visayas Commissioner Appointment
ILOILO CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. faces calls to reconsider the appointment of former Calinog Mayor Alex Centena as Visayas commissioner of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). Local leaders and community members have raised concerns surrounding Centena’s qualifications, urging the President to review the decision carefully.
“We humbly and earnestly appeal to your good office to reconsider and review the appointment of Mr. Centena,” wrote former Vice Mayor Renato Casinao on May 27, 2025. Casinao, president of the Calinog Indigenous Peoples Organization (CIPO), claims Centena is not a member of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs), questioning his eligibility for the NCIP post.
Legal and Cultural Safeguards at Stake
The controversy centers on Section 41 of Republic Act No. 8371, also known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997. This law mandates that the NCIP chairperson and six commissioners must be bona fide members of ICCs/IPs. Casinao warns that Centena’s appointment could bypass these crucial legal and cultural protections.
“It would signal a grave circumvention of the legal and cultural safeguards designed to ensure that our voices are genuinely and appropriately represented in national policymaking by an IP member who has deep knowledge and understanding of our culture and identity,” Casinao stressed.
Calinog, located on Panay Island, is home to the Panay Bukidnon indigenous group, whose representatives expect proper representation in the NCIP.
Dispute Over Indigenous Identity
Casinao further alleges that Centena lacks a Certificate of Confirmation (COC), which is necessary to validate one’s Indigenous Peoples identity. This certification is pivotal in confirming membership within the ICCs/IPs.
In response, Centena insists he has indigenous roots, citing certification by an elder from Alibunan, a mountain barangay in Calinog. He emphasized that his mother belongs to the Caro and Castor clans, both deeply rooted in indigenous heritage.
“Politics must be the reason for Casinao to question my appointment,” Centena remarked, pointing out their long-standing political rivalry.
Community Divisions and Political Rivalries
The dispute underscores broader tensions within indigenous communities and local politics. While Centena asserts his legitimacy, some groups remain skeptical, emphasizing the need to uphold legal standards that protect indigenous representation.
Local leaders have noted that appointments to the NCIP are vital for preserving indigenous culture and securing the rights of indigenous peoples. Missteps in these appointments could weaken trust and harm the communities the commission seeks to serve.
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