and concerns. He said that while there are numerous sanggunians in the country that recognized and provided representation to the IPMR, why is it that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan could not provide the right to the IPs to have their representative in the Provincial Board?

Hon. Ruga also rendered his interpretation on the issue that there is no express repeal provided in the IPRA regarding the affected provisions of the LGC of 1991. He opined that there is an implied repeal. He said that the doctrine of implied repeal is based Leges posteriors priores contrarias abrogant ' on the Latin maxim which states ' that means 'the later laws shall abrogate the earliest thereat contrary and in conflict with the subsequent laws ' . According to him, there might be no express repeal in the IPRA regarding the provisions of the LGC of 1991. He explained that the LGC existed in 1991 while the IPRA was in 1997, meaning the latter is the later law giving the right to IPs for mandatory representation in the sanggunian.

Board Members Ruga and Dimapilis, based on the cited provisions of laws, and legal opinions of the DILG and the NCIP, backed with all the necessary legal documents, were firmed in their stand that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has the legal bases in allowing to sit Hon. Agate as Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member.

Board Member Edilberto C. Ilano, Jr. said that he has no objection in allowing Hon. Agate to sit as Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. However, according to him, when the legal opinion from the DOJ has been received by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan that did not allow Hon. Ahop to sit as Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member, then that is the time the Provincial Board has to take further action on the matter.

Board Member Farrah Fay C. Ilano manifested that there were several laws already cited regarding the issue at hand. She said that there is a need to put an end on all those issues and allow Hon. Agate to sit as Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member.

Considering that all Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members present did not object on the assumption of Hon. Agate as SP Ex-Officio Member, Hon. Ruga moved for the withdrawal of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution and letters relative to its request for legal opinion regarding the election and assumption of IPMRas Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members.

Board Members Farrah Fay C. Ilano, Jomarc Philip E. Dimapilis, Niño Sergio G. Liwanag, Dennis V. Brondial and Joeniña R. Aguilon seconded the motion.

Hon. C. Voltaire S. Brucal enquired from the Presiding Officer on the legal basis for the withdrawal of a resolution or letter passed and issued by the previous Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

On the said query of the Hon. Brucal, Hon. Dimapilis said that since all the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members present were all agreed for the assumption of the IPMR as Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member, then it is but logical action of the Provincial Board to withdraw said request from the DOJ. Said request for legal opinion, according to him, would give an impression that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members have doubts on the assumption of Hon. Agate into office.

Board Member Brucal explained that the intention of the previous Sangguniang Panlalawigan is to ask for guidance from the DOJ regarding the matter and that he believes the said action of the current Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall not reach at such point.

The Hon. Ruga manifested that his motion is a logical action of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan considering no Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members objected but rather all