NEWLY ELECTED AS DEPUTY SECRETARY OF IPDP

Edward is a youth leader from the Tëduray Indigenous Peoples in the heart of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. A trailblazer since his high school and college days, he finished his High School in Canizares National High School. He served as a consecutive Student Legislator of the Supreme Student Government and the Editor-in-Chief of the Natus Vicere of Cotabato State University Student Year Book in 2015 and engaged with various university organizations where he displayed his leadership prowess.

 

In 2015, Edward completed his tertiary education at Cotabato State University, earning a Bachelor of Secondary Education majoring in English and Literature. Notably, he was recognized as an Academic Related Services Awardee, highlighting his exceptional academic achievements. Edward's thirst for knowledge led him to pursue an academic vocational course on Job Enabling English Proficiency (JEEP) under the United States Aid Program in 2012.

 

Furthermore, he completed his International Study for Sustainable Development Course at Victoria University of Wellington (Te Herenga Waka) in Aoteroa New Zealand in 2023. He is currently attending his Juris Doctors at Rizal Memorial Colleges - School of Law in Davao City. His dedication to uplifting his community and advocating for Indigenous Peoples' rights is evident in his extensive involvement in various organizations.

 

Edward has been a Co-Founder of the United Indigenous Peoples Youth Organization since 2016 and has served as the Chairman of the Network of Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples Network since 2019 and a volunteer of the Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples Coordinating Council tasked to advocate and oversee the IP rights in the BARMM and Philippines as a whole.

 

Additionally, he was selected as one of the active Indigenous Peoples Champions in the Institute for Autonomy and Governance's program, in partnership with IDEA. In 2022, during the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Peoples Language (2022-2032) celebration, Edward presented his groundbreaking study on "The Verbal Morphology of Tëduray Indigenous Peoples Language" at the University of the Philippines, organized by Tebteba, Sugpat, and UP Diliman College of Linguistics. Alongside his dedication to volunteering for development organizations, Edward currently serves as a Public Servant - Political Affairs Officer VI in the Legislative Division of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) under the Office of Member of Parliament Froilyn T. Mendoza.

 

As an advocate of Indigenous Rights, his project GUKIT - Edward's unwavering belief in the power of politics as a pillar of society has fueled his advocacy for Indigenous Peoples' representation and autonomy. Recognizing the underrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in political decision-making processes, he strives to protect their ancestral domain, cultural rights, and self-governance within the newly established political entity, the Bangsamoro Region. Edward is a force to be reckoned with, making a lasting impact on the journey toward a more inclusive and equitable society.