Indigenous peoples group chair explains 'resignation' reports

BRIGIDA Zenaida Pawid still holds chairmanship of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) contrary to reports that she resigned last week.

Pawid, however, refused to elaborate on the details surrounding the confusion.

Reports said that Pawid announced her resignation from the NCIP in an en banc meeting in Manila but is still waiting for the reply of the Palace.

The NICP chair, however, confirmed that some groups want her out of the agency. She denied her resignation stems from her anti-mining stance.

Pawid said the NCIP position is a designation and not an appointive position that hold water until February 20.

"That is the official end of our term, we are not elected or appointed, we are designated," she said.

Unconfirmed reports of a clamor for Pawid to step down from her position, as well as reports of charges before the Office of the Ombudsman surfaced earlier.

It was in November 2011 when Pawid clinched the top spot as commissioner for the NCIP.

She was a member of the Cordillera People's Forum (CPF) and was involved in the Social Reform Agenda that crafted Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous People's Rights, which created the NCIP.

She was a member of the government peace panel that negotiated with the National Democratic Front during the Ramos administration, earning her a nomination together with 26 Filipinas along with 1,000 women from all over the world for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

Pawid said further clarification will come next week.