SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
“Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. ‘

3690

House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

There are various indigenous groups in our country. The Cordillera peoples, also
known as Igorot, are living in the highlands, foothills and river valleys of the Cordillera
mountain ranges of Norther Luzon. Tingguian, Isneg and Northern Kalinga are found in the
watershed areas of the Abulag, Tineg, and Chico rivers. These groups are largely swidden
cultivators who depend on farming rice, root crops, and vegetables. Along the slopes of
Mount Data and nearby areas are the Bontoc, Sagada, ifugao, and Southern Kalinga. They
are mainly wet-rice cultivators who grow their crops both on irrigated terraces and swidden
fields. The Ibaloi and Kankanaey inhabit the southem region of the Cordillera and their
subsistence economy is based on wet and dry agriculture.

The Negrito groups are the indigenous groups in Tagalog and Bikol region whose
economies have depended on swidden agriculture, hunting and gathering, fishing, wage
labour and trade. The Mangyans in Mindoro are clustered into the Northern Mangyan
(Tadyawan, Alangan and traya) and the Southern Mangyan (Buhid, Taobuid and Hanunuo)
‘A small group called Bangon is considered a branch of the Taobuid. Another small group,
Ratagnon on Mindoro's southernmost tip, is closely related to the Cuyonin of Palawan
Generally, the Mangyans of Mindoro practice swidden agriculture combined with hunting,
fishing, gathering and trade.

Mindanao is divided into Moro and Lumad. For the most part, the indigenous peoples
in Mindanao basically subsist through swidden and wet rice cultivation, hunting, fishing,
gathering and the trade in jocally manufactured items,

Considering the distinct ways of life our indigenous groups have retained, there is a
need to appoint judges belonging to indigenous groups in their areas.

In view thereof, immediate approval of this Bill is sought.

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

MAXIMO B/ RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No, _ 3890
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE APPOINTMENT OF LAWYERS BELONGING TO INDIGENOUS
GROUPS IN AREAS DOMINATED BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AS JUDGES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared policy of the State to give
more representation in the judiciary to lawyers belonging to indigenous groups by appointing
them as judges in their areas.

Section 2. Appointment of Judges in Areas Dominated by Indigenous Peoples.
— In areas dominated by indigenous peoples, lawyers belonging to said indigenous groups
shall be appointed as judges.

Section 3. Rules and Regulations. The Supreme Court shall issue rules and
regulations to implement this Act. Said rules shall be published in at least two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.

Section 4, Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or any part thereof
be declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable from the invalid ones,
shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

Section 6 Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,