CAVITE 4th District Rep. Francisco Barzaga is pushing for the secession of Mindanao Island, saying that the Marcos administration has become biased toward the National Capital Region (NCR). In a video statement, Barzaga said that as Mindanao is the second-largest island in the country, their interests should not be ignored or be considered as “less important” than those in Luzon. He cited the recent flood control anomalies being traced back to the residences of corrupt politicians in the NCR, which has increased the interest for Mindanao’s secession. Barzaga believes that Mindanao is “capable” of being self-sufficient as an independent nation with their abundant natural resources and competent labor force. He also noted that the “corrupt national government” taxing Mindanao citizens for the benefit of Luzon politicians is “upsetting” to Mindanaoans. Barzaga sympathized with the anger of Mindanaoans, saying that it disgusts him that government funds for developing provinces are being funneled by Congress into the pockets of corrupt politicians in the NCR. He called the desire for Mindanao secession a response to the “extreme corruption” of the NCR elites who “look down upon them as lesser beings,” and said he will ask Congress and President Marcos to consider a possible change to the country’s natural territory to meet the desires of citizens. This is not the first call for Mindanao’s secession, as former House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said last year that it has become “warranted” due to Mindanao being left behind. However, Mindanao lawmakers previously rejected the idea, saying it would only “strike the fire.” Barzaga also plans to file an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution due to the flood control scandal.
