Sagada
Tribe Campaigns Against Trapos
Irate
tribal folk in Mountain Province are discovering their political power over
traditional politicians, declaring as personas non grata a longtime
political kingpin and a partymate for various “offenses” against the Sagada
tribe.
By
ARTEMIO ALEGRE DUMLAO
BAGUIO CITY
- A political kingpin and his partymate have been declared personas non grata
by irate Sagada tribal folk in Mountain Province, who barred them from
campaigning in their communities.
Longtime
political kingpin former Rep.Victor Dominguez and Governor Leonard Mayaen --
running for congressman and governor respectively under the Lakas-NUCD ticket --
could not be allowed to enter in northern villages in Sagada town, resident
Jaime Dugao said.
Dominguez is
described as the most powerful politician in Mountain Province because of his
clout with past presidents and the patronage of his constituents. He has been an
unrivaled politician since the Marcos dictatorship, Emerita Dazon, chair of the
militant Cordillera Peoples Alliance in Mountain Province, said.
Mayaen, the
incumbent governor, on the other hand figured in the counter-insurgency campaign
in 1992 in the province which, militant groups claim, wrought a heavy toll on
the civilians because of massive human-rights violations by government troops.
Mayaen was said to be the political adviser of the 702nd Infantry Brigade that
peaked its military operations in the province in 1992-1994.
Villagers in
vote-rich tribal communities in Pidlisan, Pide, Aguid, Tanulong and Banga-an
have reportedly put up signs along the entrances in their villages barring the
entry of Dominguez, Mayaen and their supporters. Villagers were said to be
angered by the way Dominguez and Mayaen mishandled the tribal conflict between
this tribe and the Dallic tribe of nearby Bontoc town, also in Mountain
Province.
Tribal
villagers think Dominguez and Mayaen were not judicious during the conflict that
resulted in armed confrontations that killed several villagers from both sides.
The conflict arose from a dispute on water source, specifically the river
between the Pidlisan and Dallic tribes.
"All Vs
Dominguez"
A united
opposition against Dominguez was also hatched by nongovernment and militant
groups and politicians during the filing of candidacies in February.
Bontok
tribal youth leader Joseph Torafing said that political foes of Dominguez --
including the militant Bayan Muna party-list group and various nongovernment
organizations in the Mountain Province -- have one thing in common: enough of
Dominguez.
While
Dominguez is pitted against only one rival -- former governor Roy Pilando for
the congressional race -- Mayaen is in a four-cornered fight against
vice-governor Mateo Chiyawan, Harry Dominguez and Sario Malinias for the
gubernatorial race.
Bayan Muna-Mountain
Province chapter is reportedly endorsing the Liberal Party ticket of Pilando and
Chiyawan.
Torafing
said that the united opposition against Dominguez might provide a big dent to
the latter's campaign and could deal the final blow to the kingpin and his wife
come election in May. Josephine, Dominguez's wife, is the incumbent
congressional representative of Mountain Province's lone district. Josephine's
triumph over her rivals in 1998 was questioned just after the election because
of reported election fraud that included vote buying.
Past
elections triumphs of the Dominguezes were likewise marred by alleged election
fraud. Women, children and villagers in Bontoc held vigils and protest rallies
for days after the election in 1998 when Josephine was declared by the Comelec
as winner.
Mountain Province has a total voting population of 69,896.