SOME 30 tribal leaders from Palawan filed with the Office of the Ombudsman graft complaints against top officials of the National Commission Indigenous People (NCIP) before yearend for inaction on the overwhelming endorsement of mining in the their area manifested in the result of the free prior and informed consent (FPIC) process last year.

Inaction on the FPIC result validated earlier last year by an NCIP team that recommended the issuance of the certificate of pre-condition (CP) for MacroAsia Corporation (MAC) has grossly disadvantaged the tribal people and adversely affected their opportunities to improve their economic situation.

More than 883 families of some 1,000 registered indigenous families in the barangays to be directly affected gave their approval for responsible mining operations in the FPIC process administered by NCIP field officials.

NCIP Chairman Zenaida Pawid and Commissioner Dionesia Banua have so far ignored the recommendation for more than a year now.

Pawid and Banua’s inaction placed in gross disadvantage the tribal people and the mining proponent which already spent hundreds of millions for the exploration and social services rendered for the affected communities tantamount to Violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or RA 3019, according to the tribal leaders.

Leaders from Ipilan, Maasin and Mambalot villages in Brooke’s Point municipality filed the graft complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman on November 28, 2011 citing that the inaction of the NCIP officials had adversely affected their economic future.

They asked the Ombudsman to investigate, suspend, penalize or remove from office Pawid and Banua for violating their mandate to work for the welfare of their constituents in favor of their personal agenda to use their office to advance their advocacy against mining in violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standard for Government Employees or RA 6713.

Last August, in an en banc meeting, the NCIP came out with a 4-3 vote to issue the CP for the MAC but the resolution was kept under wraps. NCIP insiders said the Commission does not intend to issue the CP, this time in defiance of President Benigno Aquino 3rd’s statement on mining issues in Palawan.

President Aquino in a visit to Palawan last February said the government will approve mining projects by responsible and reputable companies highly recommended by the affected communities. NCIP has yet to toe the line drawn by the President.