A DECISION on the case of the embattled Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Roger Sinot Sr. will be out Friday, February 2.
Branch 6 Presiding Judge Cecilia Corazon Dulay-Archog is anticipated to rule on two cases involving Sinot which includes the Motion for Reconsideration assailing the order for extending the Temporary Restraining Order for 17 days and the an application for the issuance of Writ of Preliminary Injunction.
Previously, a 17-day TRO was issued by Archog to decide on the fate of Sinot in the light of two groups barring him from taking his place in the City Council as IPMR.
A civil case was filed on the onset by the group of Manuel Cuilan, Paul Pasigon, Joseph Sacley and Gaspar Cayat which expired January 22 when Mayor Mauricio Domogan representing the City of Baguio, asked for an extension of the TRO through an interpleader.
The selection was opposed by the petitioners who alleged that they belong to the Ivadoi, Kankanaey and Kalanguya tribes in Baguio City. The petitioners said that they were excluded from the selection process which resulted to the election of Sinot as IPMR of Baguio City.
Petitioners also stated that Sinot does not meet the qualifications to be selected as IPMR giving particular emphasis on his conviction in a theft case for which he has already served his sentence. Presently the petitioners have filed a protest before the NCIP national office regarding the selection of Sinot which is pending in the resolution in the office.
Admittedly, there is yet no certificate of finality issued by the NCIP on the matter. Both cases seek to essentially restrain Sinot from assuming and discharging his roles and functions as IPMR to the city council.
Sinot said he expected the opposition to stop his assumption into office but remains hopeful the rule of law will prevail.
Sinot’s legal team headed by Francis Camtugan is standing firm on DILG rulings on the IPMR assumption into office.
Last year, Sinot bested four others in the bid to be the first Ibaloi IPMR.
The gathering was attended by over 300 at the Avong Ibaloi Heritage Garden at Burnham Park where Ibaloi’s from the city converged to ratify guidelines for the IPMR selection after which the selection proceeded via secret ballot, as agreed by the council of elders.
Sinot led the tally with 89 votes followed by his closest contender Jackson Chiday with 53 while Vicky Macay, Basilio Binayan and Philip Canuto trailed, ending the process of selection.
Sinot is a school teacher, a former Pinsao barangay chairman and the great grandson of Piraso, one of the original Ibaloi settlers of city.
It Domogan who first voiced his concern over the selection of Sinot saying the process excluded other indigenous peoples confining the voting and selection to the Ibaloi group.