There are tri-people perception in Mindanao.
Muslim Filipinos, Christian Filipinos[known to be migrant settlers in MIndanao], and Lumads or tribal Minority group such as {Manobo, Mamanwa, Mandaya & other minority groups].

If our Islam brothers are claiming for ancestral domain, then it is also the prerogative of this “Lumads” to ask the GRP to grant their ancestral land, but as we see it clearly the rests of this Lumads who resided in Mindanao recognized the honor of Philippine Sovereignty, cause we are all Filipinos.

That’s why it is a big question mark, why this Moro people will declare themselves as separatist group and proclaim thier Independence which is really a violation to our constitution.

The logic there is so simple, Muslims , christians & Lumads we are all Filipinos to stand as one nation, one sovereignty.

The GRP must take decisive measures in defending the Philippine territory instead of advocating the MOA-AD. In all probability this will lead to cha-cha “federalism” just to hold in power or so…….

I wasn’t aware that a third of the Philippines was under “ancestral domain/territory”.. with that decision, looks like everything is up for grabs. And I guess I would have to agree with you, and add, that we are being robbed blind, if this deal pushes through.

On the other hand, what would happen if we treat these territories like “Indian Reservations”, you think the first thing that would be implemented would be casinos? :)

In any case, Panganiban has some great written opinions, and I’d have to clear a few month’s worth of work just to read them all, but it is his work with the party list system that I wasn’t really impressed with.

It is good however, that he acknowledges the real score with regards to cha cha.. Something, of course, that was entirely lacking with the senators who were supportive of Resolution 10, and even those who backed down in the end (as if they couldn’t have foreseen what the end game would be)

But i’ve always found it very strange that all of the 50 or so ‘non-indigenous’ peoples of the philippines just happen to be the Roman Catholic Filipinos. For example, there is not a single ‘indigenous people’ in all of the Visayas region. And it now appears that the forefathers and heroes who founded the Philippine Republic– those Ilokanos, Pampangos, Tagalogs, Bicolanos and Bisayan peoples–who rebelled against Spain and Rome–are themselves NOT indigenous people of the Philippines in the eyes of the Law. They do not own ancestral properties, unlike the officially recognied IPs/ICCs!

The settlers of Mindanao are mostly christians, In fact in the ARMM christians are visible too.

Partition of the Philippines towards the context of Federalism is really unconstitutional….. Thus, we are still in TRANSITION. Our Constitution is almost perfect, whats the problem of our Constitution if this will be amended????

Federalism is not the answer towards PEACE & DEVELOPMENT particularly in MIndanao. No partition of Philippine territory as much as possible……