IPEACE EPANAW PARTYLIST

MIPCPD unanimously passed a resolution with an intent to participate in the 2022 Partylist Election under the banner name of IPEACE EPANAW Partylist (MIPCPD Resolution No. 007, Series of 2021).

IPEACE stands for Indigenous Peoples Advocacy for Cultural Empowerment; while Epanaw means “Journey”.

The petition was granted by the Commission on Election (COMELEC) and IPEACE EPANAW Partylist has been accredited and was able to run and participate in the electoral process but unfortunately cut short of almost 5,000 votes to make it to the list of 55 declared winning partylist in May 09, 2022 elections.

For the Indigenous Peoples, this defeat is not the end but rather part of their “Epanaw” journey in achieving the long dream recognition and to end all forms of discrimination and oppression. Utmost desire and hopes in their hearts never ceases. IPEACE Epanaw Partylist is expected to participate again in the coming 2025 Election.

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IPEACE EPANAW PLATFORM OF GOVERNMENT

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Guided by the purposes, policies and principles of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and R.A. 8371, otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, and by the words of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,

1. Affirming that indigenous peoples are equal to all other peoples, while recognizing the right of all peoples to be different, to consider themselves different, and to be respected as such;
2. Affirming also that all peoples contribute to the diversity and richness of civilizations and cultures, which constitute the common heritage of humankind;
3. 3.Affirming furtherthat all doctrines, policies and practices based on or advocating superiority of peoples or individuals on the basis of national origin or racial, religious, ethnic or cultural differences are racist, scientifically false, legally invalid, morally condemnable and socially unjust;
4. Reaffirming that indigenous peoples, in the exercise of their rights, should be free from discrimination of any kind, Concerned that indigenous peoples have suffered from historic injustices as a result of, inter alia, their colonization and dispossession of their lands, territories and resources, thus preventing them from exercising, in particular, their right to development in accordance with their own needs and interests;
5. Recognizing the urgent need to respect and promote the inherent rights of indigenous peoples which derive from their political, economic and social structures and from their cultures, spiritual traditions, histories and philosophies, especially their rights to their lands, territories and resources;
6. Welcoming the fact that indigenous peoples are organizing themselves for political, economic, social and cultural enhancement and in order to bring to an end all forms of discrimination and oppression wherever they occur;
7. Convinced that control by indigenous peoples over developments affecting them and their lands, territories and resources will enable them to maintain and strengthen their institutions, cultures and traditions, and to promote their development in accordance with their aspirations and needs;
8. Recognizing that respect for indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contributes to sustainable and equitable development and proper management of the environment;
9. Recognizing and reaffirming that indigenous individuals are entitled without discrimination to all human rights recognized in international law, and that indigenous peoples possess collective rights which are indispensable for their existence, well-being and integral development as peoples;
10. Unanimously adopts the following Platform of Government to guide our elders and leaders, standing as one, as we pursue another milestone in our journey towards self-determination to freely determine our political status and freely pursue our economic, social and cultural development.

Updated by: Alvin Sison – April 03, 2023