IP group endorses Kiko, Heidi, 7 Makabayan bets for Eleksyon 2025

1Sambubungan, a coalition of indigenous peoples (IPs), announced on Tuesday that it is endorsing the senatorial bids of Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, Heidi Mendoza, and seven Makabayan Coalition bets in the upcoming May 12 midterm polls.

The group said that the following candidates have "demonstrated commitment to protecting and advancing Indigenous Peoples' right:"

• Andamo, Nars Alyn
• Brosas, Arlene
• Casino, Teddy
• Castro, Teacher France
• Lidasan, Amirah
• Maza, Liza
• Mendoza, Heidi
• Pangilinan, Kiko
• Ramos, Danilo

1Sambubungan also endorsed the Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women's Party, and ML Partylist for partylist.

The IP coalition made the endorsements during the launching of the Indigenous Peoples Electoral Agenda which was attended by Igorot, Manobo, Teduray, Dumagat, Mangyan, and Aeta representatives.

The group discussed the "worsening human rights situation of IPs."

"Indigenous Peoples continue to face challenges in gaining recognition of their rights to ancestral domain, self-determination, and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)," said 1Sambubungan in a statement.

"Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP) face worsening conflicts, including the increased killings of leaders. The agenda called for fast-tracking the approval of ancestral domain titles, rejecting destructive projects such as mining and plantations, and ensuring the rights of NMIPs are upheld to achieve a just and lasting peace," it added.

The IP coalition also proposed for a revamp of the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

Plight of farmers, fisherfolk

Meanwhile, Maza and fellow Makabayan candidate Ronnel Arambulo met with over 300 farmers and fisherfolk at Calapan, Mindoro. The candidates listened to the concerns of the agricultural workers including the alleged government-sanctioned activities in their communities to give way for businesses of corporations.

For his part, former senator Bam Aquino said he would push for a law that will provide aid to farmers affected by the impacts of climate change, if he is re-elected in the Senate.

"Dapat pondohan iyong mga support program. Kasi nga, kung noon, nakakaya pa natin, eh ngayon, buwan-buwan ka nang hindi makakapagpalaot... Diyan dapat pumasok yung gobyerno para may tulong," said Aquino during his visit with aquafarmers in San Jose, Northern Samar.

(Those support programs should be funded. Because, if before, we could still afford it, now, you can't even go out every month… That's where the government should step in to provide help.)

Aquino said that he observed that farmers and fisherfolk lament about how they earn less during calamities. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/ VDV, GMA Integrated News

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