DESPERATE TIMES CALL for desperate measures — at least that’s what Duterte ally, lawyer, and musician Jimmy Bondoc seems to be doing as he calls for the secession or separation of Mindanao from the Philippines to form its own republic.
Following the rejection of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal for interim release before the International Criminal Court (ICC), Bondoc posted, “Republic of Mindanao, coming soon.”
“Naging malinaw lang po kasi pagkatapos ng very expected na decision ng ICC appeals chamber ay nagkaroon po ng dalawang reaksyon, and it really reveals na dalawa po talaga ang Pilipinas,” Bondoc said in an interview with Bilyonaryo.
“Para sa akin, it is these kinds of developments in our laws and in our history that keep pushing us apart.”
His post received around 56K positive reactions and 14K laugh reactions, while comments mostly from pro-Duterte supporters agreed with Bondoc.
“Please let’s make it sooner… lahat ng naniniwala kay tatay Digong, dito na kayo tumira sa Mindanao,” one commenter said.
Some are even calling for Visayas to be included in the secession.
TWO KINDS OF PH
Bondoc further explained that the ICC decision highlights the “polarization” caused by politics.
He cited how many former critics of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are now “agreeing” with his administration, or at least not calling for his resignation, while those opposed to the president, such as DDS supporters, remain firmly on the opposite side.
This, he said, intensifies the call for Mindanao’s secession.
“Katulad po ng sentiments ng kaibigan kong si Congressman Kiko Barzaga, he has been pushing for the secession of Mindanao, and I really think it’s not just about revolting against the current situation but rather recognizing na dalawa po talaga ang Pilipinas.”
Even without considering the current administration, Bondoc said it is evident that Filipinos want two different leaderships.
EXTRAORDINARY DIFFERENCES
Asked how the situation in Mindanao goes beyond the beauty of democracy, which allows citizens to have differing views, Bondoc said what is happening is an extraordinary level of difference.
He said the differences are not only political but also cultural, and claims that calls for secession go back to the Spanish colonial period.
“The system is killing us because ‘yun pong nasa malalayo, hindi po talaga nabibigyan ng karampatang atensyon.”
He said it is “a matter of management and economic structure more than anything, and of course a matter of control.”
CHARTER CHANGE
Asked how he would approach the legality of secession as a lawyer, Bondoc said it would definitely be extra-constitutional but not immoral.
“In international law naman, laging may mga bansa na nagse-self determine, ika nga, so we cannot talk about it along constitutional grounds because this exactly is about changing the Constitution. In fact, it’s about changing the territory, the population, the very definition of our country.”
MERE SUGGESTION
But near the end of the interview, Bondoc seemed to soften his stance from confident to merely suggestive.
“Hindi ko pinipilit na solusyon, but I’m recognizing a very strong call and a very persistent call dahil marami tayong kilala na taga-Mindanao, and I just think it’s a viable option. I’m not saying we should do it immediately, but it is something worth considering,” he said.
“We should at least talk about it, we should at least recognize it, kasi ang lakas na ng panawagan ng secession.”
BACKLASH, RIDICULE
However, his call for secession failed to gain momentum and instead received backlash and ridicule from other lawyers.
“Abugado pero nagtatawag for the dismemberment of the territorial integrity and unity of the Philippine Republic. Nanumpa pa ‘yan to uphold and defend the Constitution — Article 1 of which states the national territory, which includes Mindanao,” said Lawyer Jesus Falcis.
He called Bondoc’s statements “inciting to or conspiracy to commit sedition or rebellion” and urged that the lawyer-musician be disbarred.
Many netizens and bloggers shared the same sentiment, adding that Bondoc is proof that not all bar passers are smart.
NOT THE FIRST TIME
This is not the first time that members or allies of the Duterte clan have been accused of sedition or rebellion.
Veteran journalist Ramon Tulfo earlier claimed knowledge of a destabilization plot allegedly led by the Dutertes and Chavit Singson.
WHO IS BONDOC?
Bondoc is a known singer-songwriter from the early 2000s before pursuing law in 2017 at San Beda University. He transferred in 2019 to the University of the East and passed the bar in 2023.
He campaigned for Duterte in 2016 and was rewarded with a position at PAGCOR.
He is most known for his breakup song “Let Me Be the One.”