Senator Robin Padilla on Tuesday filed a resolution pushing for a legislative investigation into the alleged disenfranchisement of traditional leaders and the exclusion of the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative in the selection process for the renewal of Malampaya Service Contract No. 38 in Palawan. 

Padilla, who chairs the Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs committee, filed Senate Resolution 885 seeking an inquiry on the complaints by the Cuyunon IPs on alleged irregularities in the Malampaya contract renewal. 

The IP particularly protested the IPMR selection process on 30 June, noting that it "did not adhere to customary laws and practices."

In his resolution, Padilla said the IPs' right to participate in decision-making is a guaranteed right under Section 16 of the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997 or IPRA law. 

Under the law, Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples have the right to participate fully, if they so choose, at all levels of decision-making in matters that may affect their rights, lives and destinies through procedures determined by them as well as to maintain and develop their own indigenous political structures. 

Consequently, the State shall ensure that the ICCs/IPs shall be given mandatory representation in policy-making bodies and other local legislative councils.

Given the foregoing issues, Padilla said there is a need to examine and review the IPRA as well as the mandate of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples "in the protection of the rights and welfare of the IPs with the end because of improving the provisions of the IPRA."

Padilla's resolution also cited complaints regarding the NCIP's issuance of a certificate of non-overlap on the renewal of Service Contract No. 38, which allows for the continued operation of the Malampaya gas field.