NCIP chairperson: Some people want me out of the commission

NATIONAL Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) chairperson Brigida-Zenaida Pawid confirmed reports of a demolition job.

“There are so many people who want me out,” she said.

The NCIP is a collegial body comprised of commissioners Roque Agton, Dionisia Banua, Conchita Calzado, Cosme Lambayon, Santos Usad and Executive Director Basilio Wandag.

Pawid reportedly resigned from the NCIP following an en banc meeting in Manila, but she is still waiting for the reply of the Palace.

She denied the NCIP has an anti-mining stance. “We are neither for nor against mining, we are for the people.”

Pawid remains as NCIP chairperson, saying the position is a designation and not an appointive position until February 20, 2013. She was appointed as commissioner of the NCIP on November 2011 and eventually got the chairmanship of the tribal rights body.

Last week, Pawid presided over a regional meeting of the NCIP, gathering provincial representatives to brief her on issues per area.

Reports on a clamor for the resignation of Pawid, meanwhile, has not abated with reports of the chairman’s non submission of her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

The Office of the Ombudsman issued a certification that Pawid has not filed SALN for the past 11 years, from 1990 to 2011, in violation of Republic Act 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Conduct Ethical Standard Public officials and Employees.

Pawid also rebutted claims of Representative Teddy Casiño alleging conflict of interest posed by Goldfields manager Louis Pawid, her stepson. “Goldfields is doing their own thing. [Casiño] is entitled to his own opinion.”