Independent Mindanao, posible nga ba? | The Mangahas Interviews
"Doomed to fail."
Ganito inilarawan ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ang isinusulong ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na ihiwalay ang Mindanao sa Pilipinas.
Marami man ang agad na tumutol dito, tuloy pa rin daw ang kanilang planong hiwalayan sa pangunguna ni Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.
Ang sagot ni Rep. Alvarez sa mga pumupuna sa kanilang plano at iba't ibang isyu tungkol dito, panoorin sa kanyang buong panayam sa #TheMangahasInterviews.
Ganito inilarawan ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ang isinusulong ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na ihiwalay ang Mindanao sa Pilipinas.
Marami man ang agad na tumutol dito, tuloy pa rin daw ang kanilang planong hiwalayan sa pangunguna ni Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.
Ang sagot ni Rep. Alvarez sa mga pumupuna sa kanilang plano at iba't ibang isyu tungkol dito, panoorin sa kanyang buong panayam sa #TheMangahasInterviews.
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00:00 [Music]
00:05 Good day to all of you. We are here at Damangahas Interviews.
00:09 We will be talking about the so-called "Hiwa Lion Blues",
00:14 the Mindanao that wants to separate from the Philippines.
00:18 We have with us the former speaker of this project,
00:23 and now the congressman of Davao 1st District, Pantaleon Alvarez. Good day, sir.
00:29 Hi, Malu. Good day to you.
00:32 All right. Congressman Alvarez is a graduate of FEU Political Science
00:38 and now a College of Law former secretary of transportation of former President Gloria Arroyo
00:45 and now a deputy manager of NAIA.
00:47 Okay, sir. The story is long. Why do you want to separate Mindanao?
00:52 You know, Malu, we cannot deny that we here in Mindanao are always on priority,
01:03 even if we sometimes forget.
01:06 Now, the people who live here, they have a lot of dreams in life,
01:15 they also have a lot of dreams for their children.
01:18 We are also tired of seeing our neighbors here
01:26 who need to go abroad to find a job
01:31 to provide for their children.
01:35 Meanwhile, Mindanao is a very rich country.
01:39 Let's talk about this so-called call that was first made by the former President Duterte.
01:47 What is this? Do you really have a plan of political vendetta or is this just a call from the giant politicians?
01:56 No, Malu. I just want to say that this Mindanao independence has been going on for a long time.
02:07 I've been hearing this since I was a child.
02:11 The former president who has advocacy is the former attorney Ruben Canoy of Cagayan de Oro City.
02:22 Okay. Now, if you really want to separate the Philippines,
02:27 there are six administrative regions, 23 or 27 provinces, 30 cities, and 26 million residents or Filipinos.
02:40 Is that right? That's how big it is.
02:42 That's right. But you know, Malu, if we really follow history,
02:52 the original group of islands there, if you remember, the so-called Minso Pala,
03:00 Tanaw, Sulu, Palawan, that's the original historical grouping of islands.
03:06 Now, what people are saying is that this call has come and you are the one who's the one to blame,
03:14 said the former President Duterte.
03:16 How will you separate this from the fight of the Dutertes and the Marcoses,
03:22 which seemed to have started recently and now the Mindanao separation movement is rolling?
03:30 Malu, maybe the reasons are too low. The reason for the separation is just because of the interest of one person.
03:40 Not necessarily because I've been saying for a long time that Mindanao was eaten by the Dutertes and it has been a dream for a long time, even back then.
03:49 Now, let's clarify, if you are saying that you neglected or did not give enough attention to the project of the Mindanao,
04:01 our last president was President Duterte.
04:04 Didn't he really give up when he was in office in Mindanao?
04:10 Malu, the separation in Mindanao cannot be chased for six years.
04:16 There are still many things to do here.
04:19 Now, you were the one who was told by President Duterte that you will be in charge of this project.
04:26 What is your exact plan? How will you roll this out?
04:30 This is what the former president ordered me to do because he knows that even before he became the president of the Philippines,
04:39 I have been with the advocacy of Mindanao Independence for a long time.
04:44 I was with the former attorney Ruben Canoy.
04:49 I was with him.
04:51 I was the one who was ordered to revive the slumbering movement.
05:00 What is your exact plan? How will you roll this out?
05:03 Is this a people's initiative? Is this like a pond with a pool? What is your timetable?
05:09 Malu, I will just clarify that we will do this without any violence.
05:19 We will do this peacefully.
05:21 I want to go back to what is important in our Constitution.
05:26 Article 1, Declaration of Principles and State Policies.
05:30 The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy and adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land.
05:45 Now, right to self-determination is a principle accepted by international law.
05:55 Therefore, it is part of the law of the land. It is part of the law of the Philippines.
06:02 Now, we will read this together with the Bill of Rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
06:13 Freedom of expression, freedom to assemble peacefully.
06:19 Can you tell us, did you consult your possible allies here?
06:26 Because the image seems like everyone is against your project.
06:32 League of Provinces of the Philippines, Mayors for Good Governance, Cabinet Secretaries, and even the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Parliament.
06:41 Who are your allies?
06:43 That's normal and I understand their position here.
06:49 We need to balance that because that's where we should start.
06:53 We will balance the positions of each other.
06:56 But what is being said here, the Constitution should also say that the Philippines is a democratic and republican state.
07:07 Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
07:14 Okay. So, does that mean you will go to Congress? Is that your idea?
07:20 No. If you remember, this is a good example.
07:28 Let's remember EDSA 1. That's not in the book. That's not in the law.
07:38 What happened was that the people themselves assembled in EDSA to petition the government.
07:50 They don't want the government anymore.
07:52 Okay.
07:53 That's why the former president, Ferdinand Marcos, was expelled.
07:59 Okay.
08:00 Now, there's a question. In the Supreme Court, the Lawyers League questioned the validity of the former president, Cory Aquino, in his position.
08:17 They questioned the Supreme Court because if the law is followed at that time, the duly elected vice president was Vice President Arturo Tolentino.
08:30 But the Supreme Court said that the issue is not justiciable.
08:40 Why? The people have spoken. We have to respect the will of the people.
08:49 So, your idea is like people power? Is that so?
08:54 It's like that. We will show the international community that this is what the people here in Mindanao want to happen.
09:03 That's why we really need to explain to the people in Mindanao why we are doing this and why we need to do this.
09:16 What you're saying is that you will abide by the law, non-violent, that's the method.
09:22 But sedition is also included in our law and constitution as a non-bailable offense.
09:28 It means an act either in writing or verbally broadcast nationwide of inciting people, burning flags, among other incendiary acts to rebel against a duly constituted authority or government.
09:44 Don't you recognize President BBM as the body of our duly constituted government?
09:51 That's how it is, Malu. Sedition, even if it's just a good study, is an element of the crime.
09:59 It requires violence. There are tumultuous activities, tumultuous protests.
10:12 But if it's peaceful like what happened in EDSA, there will be no sedition. There will be no crime that can be filed.
10:23 Okay. Now if EDSA is your example, it's quiet because there are soldiers who pulled out of EDSA 1.
10:33 EDSA 2 was pacified because police and soldiers entered. How can you remain peaceful if you need to break up or dismantle your barricade?
10:46 The violence that needs to come from us. The soldiers, it's their job to maintain peace and order. It's their job.
10:57 Now the people who are protesting, that's a different story.
11:03 It's their right to exercise freedom of expression and freedom to peacefully assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.
11:16 Will you answer if there is a crime or harm to the people who join your people power project?
11:24 I hope it won't be harmful because we will not be violent. Our policy is clear that we will do this in a peaceful way.
11:36 In a peaceful way. But President Duterte mentioned that he has an armory that can hold 350 guns.
11:45 The news is that two weeks before he left Malacanang, he licensed these guns. Isn't that a bit provocative?
11:55 It seems that the situation is extreme because the possession of guns, even if you have a thousand guns, it won't be fired. It's not counted.
12:10 But President Duterte is like a batikangan in his spicy words and dangerous or threatening statements.
12:23 As long as we are crazy, we said that we will not allow violence here.
12:29 For us, let's say President Duterte has a lot of guns, but if he speaks in a spicy way, it's just a word.
12:43 It doesn't mean that if he speaks, it will cause chaos. It's not like that.
12:48 Do you know if his children also have guns? Vice President Sara, Congressman Paulo, Mayor Baste?
12:58 I don't know if they have guns. But it's common that the majority of Filipinos have guns.
13:07 But this is also a legal process, the licensing of guns. You cannot go back if you didn't comply with the requirements of PNP for owning a gun.
13:22 Are you with the majority of those who have guns?
13:26 Of course, there are. I cannot deny that because it's a self-defense, especially if you are a politician. You cannot just stand there.
13:42 So what is that, about a dozen or less? I'm sorry, just to be clear.
13:50 Like I said earlier, a dozen or less, it's not immaterial. As long as you don't use it, you don't fire it, it's just like a toy gun. It's just there on display, it doesn't fire.
14:09 Tell us Congressman, when you were a speaker, you were removed from your position and replaced by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
14:22 according to the words of the current Vice President Sara Duterte. It seems like you have a love-hate relationship with the Dutertes.
14:30 What is the status now? Are you separated or are you back together?
14:34 You know, at my age, I don't hold grudges. It's too heavy. We are just travel light.
14:42 Okay. So you are back together. In short, is the status reconciliation?
14:47 To be honest, we haven't talked yet, the Vice President. But if it's President PRRD, we have talked.
14:58 So it means that the wound hasn't healed yet. Did you feel hurt because you were surprised that the Miss made a fuss in the House of Representatives and you were out immediately?
15:14 Maybe if I tell you that I wasn't hurt, I'm too hypocrite. But I also accepted that it's part of the game of politics. It's politics.
15:27 Let's talk about Mindanao. We have a new region, BARMM. Even if Mr. Ebrahim is the President of the Parliament of BTA,
15:38 it's not allowed because our experiment is just starting in Autonomous Region, Mindanao.
15:48 How will you do it? Will you leave BARMM or will you separate it from Mindanao, your concept of independence?
15:54 We are open to the movement we are doing. We will accept anyone who wants to join. As long as you are from Mindanao and you want to join, okay. The door is open.
16:09 But if BARMM doesn't want you, does it mean Mindanao minus BARMM?
16:13 We will not force anyone who doesn't want to join. We will just balance their position.
16:20 Okay. In the 23 or 27 provinces that you are saying are part of Mindanao, not all of them are included because we have some Mindanao lawmakers
16:32 who said that your idea is not allowed. Senator Coco Pimentel, Senate President Mig Subiri, are there people from Mindanao who don't want your project?
16:44 That's okay, Malu. What we are saying here is that the people themselves, not the personalities or political personalities,
16:55 because the people themselves, you know I'm happy because the other people who said they don't want a politician,
17:07 but there are also many independent groups that are communicating with me. They are making their own movement in their own province in support of Mindanao independence.
17:23 Okay. What did the congressmen in the House of Representatives say to you? It seems like not all of them are okay with it.
17:29 What about the people of Romualdo? They don't want your project?
17:32 I will just balance their position.
17:35 Okay. How will you convince the people who came here to experience this signature, this People's Initiative for Charter Change?
17:47 They are happy that there is a support so they are signing and they don't know that there is a project like that or they didn't understand that it is for the Charter Change.
18:00 How different is your project? Are you the one who is receiving the support?
18:04 It is not easy. They really need to talk either personally or online because social media is a big thing in our communications.
18:20 Okay. Do you have a team or a secretariat or coordinating committee that will be in charge of the rollout of your Mindanao independence project?
18:32 We just want to complete it. We are just completing the people.
18:36 Do you have a timetable in mind? When will this rollout and what is the end point?
18:42 It is hard to say timetable because these movements are very important. The timing. Timing is everything.
18:59 Timing is important before the local and national elections next year? Is that so?
19:05 It depends on the situation.
19:11 What did your secretary say? That the full force of the law should be employed against those proposing an independent Mindanao.
19:22 If you are caught, are you ready to be jailed?
19:26 There are judges. The full force of the law is okay as long as they ensure that they will do what is in the law.
19:37 Congressman Alvarez, you are a lawyer. You know that the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are superior rights because it is in the Bill of Rights.
19:46 But the clause against sedition or rebellion against duly constituted authority is also important.
19:53 How will you weigh that? On one hand you say that it is a right that you want to hold.
20:00 There are also laws that say that what you are doing is prohibited.
20:04 I don't think there are any laws that say that it is prohibited because it is guaranteed.
20:11 The right to self-determination is guaranteed not only in local laws but also in international laws.
20:19 But even though President BBM said that your initiative will be a failed project because it will be a travesty of the Constitution.
20:31 Who else needs to have that statement to convince you that it is a failed project?
20:37 If you remember, in 1986, his father also said the same thing.
20:43 But what happened was the people's power.
20:49 If people don't want it, it needs to be respected. Will of the people.
20:56 Please explain because Mindanao is a bit wide.
21:01 Unlike the people power that is centered in Manila and major cities like Davao, Cebu, and Baguio,
21:08 how will you spread it in Mindanao because you have a lot of cities, all of them are three.
21:15 What will happen? Will people power be distributed simultaneously?
21:20 Or will you have a center in Davao City as an imperial? Davao for Mindanao?
21:26 If you ask me, the most ideal would be if it can be distributed simultaneously in all regions.
21:32 All regions. You mean 16 administrative regions?
21:39 Yes, because you cannot stop people if they are convinced that it will be a success.
21:47 It will be established in all regions.
21:50 Six administrative regions and 27 provinces and 3 cities. Can you roll that out?
21:59 We cannot force people because it is too difficult.
22:06 It is not right to force people.
22:09 We also don't have the money to mobilize people.
22:17 It is just voluntary.
22:19 Okay. Congressman Alvarez, are you preparing for disappointment if no one joined you?
22:28 How will you deal with that if your project fails?
22:31 That's normal. You don't have to think that you will get what you want. We will work on that.
22:44 You also know that there is an administrative headache if there is an independent Mindanao.
22:50 Let's be clear, BARMM has its own agencies that are still being formed and need to be strengthened.
22:59 If there is an independent Mindanao, it means that the departments will have their own internal revenue, budget, public works, etc.
23:10 It means that it is not a one-time big-time independent Mindanao.
23:16 It needs a process to strengthen Mindanao if it will be given freedom.
23:23 Yes. You will go through what other countries have gone through before it became independent.
23:32 It is not in the mother country.
23:34 What is your idea? What is the system of government if there is an independent Mindanao?
23:43 Republican, parliamentary, what is the class?
23:46 Federal.
23:47 Federal. Six regions.
23:50 Yes, it is necessary that those six regions will have autonomous regions, like states.
24:00 Then the growth areas per region will be identified so that we can move forward together.
24:10 No one will be left behind.
24:11 Explain to me what will be the role of political clans or families.
24:17 We know that in almost all provinces of the Philippines, there are political dynasties or political clans. What is their role?
24:26 We will look into it because this is not what we will do. This is not a communist or a dictatorship.
24:37 We will start from there because if we start from not doing anything, without respect, that's where the problem starts.
24:47 We need to respect each other.
24:50 Okay. Let's clarify, there is a new project that has a go signal, the Davao region highway,
25:00 a big fund will be invested by the Asian Development Bank. How will the debts for projects in Mindanao be spent? Who will pay?
25:09 It's like this, from my point of view, justice and equity dictate.
25:15 Whatever went to Mindanao, the project was benefited, those debts need to be paid.
25:24 If the debts are not benefited by Mindanao, why will we not pay?
25:31 Do you have an estimate of the socio-economic situation of Mindanao?
25:35 What is the funding obligation or budget that you need to help the people of Mindanao?
25:43 Do you have a plan to clarify? Health, education, social services?
25:49 Yes, we have. Actually now, we are still computing, there are people who helped us in Mindanao who are good in economics.
25:58 We are computing how much the overhead expenses of the government will run when Mindanao is not in the Philippines.
26:08 It became clear when the Constitutional Committee was formed, the former President Duterte, Federalism, Angulo.
26:15 But according to studies, the regions that have no revenue or income from taxes, whether it's billion or business tax,
26:24 they really need a lot of help from the national government. That's why there are loans, that's why there are special projects.
26:31 What is your estimate? Because there are really big problems in some regions in Mindanao, particularly in BARMM.
26:39 You are the poorest province in the entire country, in the entire Philippines.
26:45 So it means that you have a big obligation but you don't have enough funds.
26:50 I don't really care about that because, like what you mentioned, BARMM is one of the poorest regions in Mindanao.
27:00 But if you look closely, if you study, BARMM should be the richest region in Mindanao.
27:09 Why?
27:10 They have a lot of potentials there.
27:12 Like Agusan Marshland?
27:15 Yes, agriculture, source of renewable energy. It's in BARMM.
27:21 You have a statement that you said there should be an independent Mindanao, especially if we are being controlled by China.
27:29 What is your explanation for that? Why the China issue?
27:35 For us, for example, like the foreign policy that is being supported by the administration, the killing of a country by a superpower,
27:53 there is a possibility that it will cause trouble in the western Philippines.
27:59 Now, if there is a war, we will also be together here.
28:06 That is what we don't want to happen because as it is, now many are hungry, many are jobless.
28:16 Now, you will add more trouble.
28:19 For example, war. What will happen if more jobless and hungry people are there? What will happen next? Chaos. Chaos.
28:30 All right. Okay. But to be honest, Congressman Alvarez, let's not include all of Mindanao.
28:36 But Mindanao, some places have become a theater of conflict and there are a lot of internally displaced persons due to rebel groups.
28:45 How will you address the security situation in Mindanao?
28:49 Marawi is not yet able to rise up but we still have a lot of problems with the BIFF and the NPA.
28:59 What is the situation that will make your project peaceful if the rebellion of these groups is not yet over?
29:08 I think it is good. I was born here and I grew up here. We can talk here and we will understand each other.
29:20 Congressman Alvarez, the question that will be asked by the people of Luzon and Visayas is why do you want to separate?
29:27 They also have problems that you are saying are difficult. It's a national situation.
29:33 They have a weakness that not all of their resources will go to them.
29:39 But the national government will give a lot in terms of money.
29:44 The Mandanas ruling will exceed the share of the local government units.
29:52 How can you tell the residents of Luzon and Visayas that you want to separate, but the problem is the same.
29:59 Won't that act become un-Filipino?
30:03 Those who are in Luzon and Visayas are making their own decisions.
30:09 If they want to continue to doosa and see their children without a future, that is their decision.
30:19 We will not interfere in that.
30:22 Now, it is painful that we will not interfere in the future of our children.
30:31 Let's be clear. When you say independent Mindanao, does that mean your constituents or the people of independent Mindanao are based in Mindanao?
30:49 Those who fled to Luzon, Visayas or those who are internally displaced,
30:54 wherever they went, are they still with the independent Mindanao or not?
31:00 I will answer that, if we have our own law, the transitory constitution.
31:08 So it will reach the constitution, federal system of government, and the political clans will not give in?
31:17 No, because even in the Philippines, they cannot confront those political clans because it is a democracy.
31:28 If a person wants to govern in his place, what can we do?
31:37 That is what is in the legal framework of the Philippines.
31:43 Okay. Now, what about the private armies? They say there are many in Mindanao.
31:50 The private armies are just moving around.
31:55 For example, here in our country, there is a fight among families.
32:03 But if it is understandable, for example, you are giving everyone a chance to live a better life, even the playing field.
32:18 I think those private armies are not a threat.
32:23 Congressman Alvarez, you are looking at the politics in the Philippines as a rose-colored lens, not a real politics.
32:32 But in reality, for a congressman who has been here for about 20 years plus,
32:37 it is not a realistic view of the politics and life in the Philippines.
32:46 Why is it not realistic?
32:48 Because you said that private armies, if there is a peaceful agreement,
32:53 political clans, if they are elected, or if there is a federal system of government,
33:01 your obligation to the needs of the people will not be a problem.
33:08 Mindanao has a lot of problems, but what you are saying is that Mindanao is beautiful and bright,
33:15 but it seems like it is leapfrogging in real problems. Is that wrong?
33:20 No, because let's look at the root of being, for a person to be allowed to be a private army,
33:30 what is the root of that? It is a livelihood.
33:35 You can give a decent livelihood to feed his family, to educate his children.
33:46 Who would want to be a private army of a politician?
33:53 Who would want you to put your life in danger?
34:00 Recently, Mindanao has been polluted, particularly the Davao provinces.
34:06 You have Lindol.
34:08 Davao region, yes.
34:10 And now this mining landslide, where hundreds, tens of people are still missing,
34:16 and a dozen people have died.
34:19 What is the Mindanao Independence Movement Group doing to help them or explain the situation?
34:26 The Mindanao Independence Group, honestly, we do not have financial support from the people in the province,
34:35 but here in my district, as their representative, we have already done relief operations since the flood started.
34:47 Look at this, Malu, this is a disaster.
34:53 The mines there, you see, who benefited from the mines?
35:01 Not the people in Mindanao, not the people in Lanta.
35:06 Their income does not go to that province.
35:10 It is remitted to the national government and the national government is the one who gave concessions to that mining company.
35:19 But the land, the natural resources are being destroyed.
35:31 Now, when there is calamity, the people living there suffer.
35:39 That's right. That's what our countrymen are saying in other regions, whether mining in Baguio or Cordillera, mining in Zambales, etc.
35:48 But I will ask you directly, are you a volunteer to lead the Mindanao Independence Movement
35:55 or you were just ordered by President Duterte and you cannot refuse him?
36:00 No, I was not really ordered by President Duterte.
36:05 I am with that advocacy even if it was just yesterday.
36:12 Ruben Cano was still alive at that time. I was with that advocacy.
36:19 So how many months will you give for the rollout or for your project to be implemented?
36:30 When do you say that enough is said and done?
36:35 No, we are just starting.
36:39 Of course, it is in different stages.
36:43 You have to have awareness.
36:47 The stage we are doing is awareness.
36:51 You have to be aware of the people in Mindanao that there is a movement like this that is being done.
37:00 Once we have awareness, we will go to acceptance.
37:05 Here, there will be a dialogue between the proponents, the advocates and the people.
37:14 And there, we must answer the question of what and why.
37:20 But anything you do, we have to go through some process of approval, whether in a plebiscite or in a referendum.
37:29 That's why you should also be involved at some point in the commission elections or in the national government. Is that right?
37:36 No, not at all.
37:38 Let's not talk about the referendum because we are not supporting the legal system here.
37:45 We are supporting the independence of Mindanao.
37:50 So your route is really people power.
37:55 Yes, that's right.
37:58 Your people power must be formed immediately with an independence declaration. Is that right?
38:05 That's right.
38:07 But when you declare yourself independent, there should be coordinators or convenors or like an interim. Is that right? Government?
38:18 That's right.
38:20 Who will be included in that plan?
38:23 Who will be chosen? Who will sit in the interim government?
38:27 Those who are included in the movement.
38:30 Okay. Will you be given additional names? Who will be included in that movement?
38:37 Not yet. It might be embarrassing for them if they don't want to identify.
38:46 All right. But you really decided to separate.
38:50 This is not like a life of an artist who is in a relationship and is now separating.
38:57 You are saying that the territory is dangerous because you can be charged with sedition even if you are saying you will renounce violence.
39:07 That's the only thing you are calling for, to separate from the duly constituted authority. It's like you are already in a sedition.
39:15 If someone is thinking that the action is seditious, there is a trial.
39:21 The trial is tomorrow, then file a case.
39:24 If you are caught, is there a petition in your place to continue your project?
39:33 There are many. Not only me, but many others are standing here.
39:39 Okay. And we are sure that former President Duterte is included. Is that right?
39:44 He is one of them because he publicly announced that he wants Mindanao to be an independent country.
39:53 So Congressman Alvarez, what can you say to the majority of Filipinos so that they can understand why Mindanao should be independent?
40:04 For me, Malu, different administrations have been sitting there for a long time in the government of the Philippines.
40:20 But until now, many are still starving. Many are still poor. Many are still uneducated.
40:32 Many people are still in need of being OFW so that they can support their families.
40:43 Meanwhile, here in the Philippines, Singapore is a small country.
40:53 There is no agriculture, no natural resources. Even water is imported from Malaysia.
41:01 Why should they be first? First world country.
41:05 Why are there so many people who are still suffering and struggling in poverty? Why is that?
41:14 But the situation is the same in the whole Philippines, not just in Mindanao.
41:18 That's right. That's why for me, everyone should think about it.
41:23 Because if you are the government, you cannot run your country. Your territory is so big. You cannot develop or utilize it.
41:38 Why are you still forcing them to take that territory? Why are they not given the freedom to chart their own destiny?
41:48 Okay. Congressman Alvarez, I know you are also involved in planning and making laws.
41:55 But what are the risk factors or the types of problems or obstacles that you are facing?
42:05 The biggest obstacle is the lack of explanation from the people of Mindanao who are united in this goal.
42:20 26 million people in Mindanao need your explanation.
42:25 How many pieces of Mindanao are you talking about?
42:30 The good thing about this is unlike before when there was a campaign about Mindanao independence, there was no social media back then.
42:40 It was slow. They needed to travel to each province to explain.
42:46 Now, there is no need. Because we have social media, we can do it online.
42:52 There are many people who use Facebook. We can use that platform to get information to the people of the country.
43:02 With all due respect, Congressman, your direction is clear and it seems good. But didn't they say that you are dreaming of awakening?
43:12 For me, it's good that I am dreaming of awakening when I am not doing anything and I am sleeping.
43:21 Thank you very much and good luck. Let's keep up to date when you roll out your project from awareness to acceptance to mobilization.
43:30 I think that's the third stage of your call for power.
43:34 That's right.
43:35 Thank you very much. Congressman Pantaleon Alvarez.
43:39 [Music]