FIFTEENTH CONGRESS: )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Honorable Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Honorable Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__2'725

EXPLANATORY NOTE

There are various indigenous groups in our country. The Cordillera
peoples, also known as /gorot, are living in the highlands, foothills and river
valleys of the Cordillera mountain ranges of Northem Luzon. Tingguian, Isneg
and Northem 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 Southem 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 Iraya) 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 southemmost 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 locally 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.

RUFS B. RODRIGUEZ

vba JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Honorable Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Honorable Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 2725

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.