TALIWAS sa isinasaad ng Konstitusyon ang panawaga na ihiwalay ang Mindanao sa Pilipinas.

Ito ang paalala ni 1-Rider Partylist Representative Rodge Gutierrez kaugnay ng isinusulong nina dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at Davao de Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

“The constitution is clear, Article I provides for our National Territory, we are one archipelago. There is no constitutional provision or any other legal means that would allow for Mindanao to unilaterally secede,” ani Gutierrez, miyembro House Committee on Constitutional Amendments.

Bukod sa hindi naaayon sa Konstitusyon, sinabi ni Gutierrez na walang dahilan para humihiwalay ang Mindanao bilang bahagi ng Pilipinas.

“If we allow our nation to be divided, it would undermine our solidarity with each other as Filipinos. It would disrupt economic stability and hinder growth opportunities for both Mindanao and the rest of the country,” paliwanag ni Gutierrez.

Ipinagtataka rin ni Gutierrez ang naging pahayag ni Alvarez at dating Pangulong Duterte na kapwa mula sa Mindanao.

“Sabi nila, napabayaan daw ang Mindanao. This is surprising, coming from a former President and former Speaker. Wasn’t Mindanao well represented during their terms?” Giit ni Gutierrez.

“Why would former President Duterte advocate for the dismemberment of the Republic that he himself led for six years? Huwag naman po tayong watak-watakin bilang isang bansa at mga Pilipino. We urge the former President and former Speaker to reconsider their stance on the matter,” saad pa ni Gutierrez.

Binigyang-diin pa ng kongresista ang kahalagahan ng pagpapanatili ng pambansang pagkakaisa alang-alang sa kaunlaran sa ekonomiya at lipunan.

“We need a united nation, which is crucial for collective progress and development,” dagdag pa ng mambabatas.