A former board member of Ilocos Sur, a lawyer, and who is also the son of an Ilocano and a Bontoc-Ibaloy couple has been endorsed by the Baguio City council as chair and commissioner for the Cordillera and Region 1 of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.
In an endorsement addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the council vouched for the competence and integrity of Pablito “Sonny Boy” Fianza Sanidad, Jr. having served Ilocos Sur as board member for three consecutive terms.
“Sonny Boy is a man of credibility and integrity best suited for the position of commissioner for Region 1 and CAR chairperson,” the council said.
The council added Sanidad, Jr. has the knowledge and passion in correcting the historical injustices inflicted on indigenous peoples.
“His qualifications as a lawyer and former Sangguniang Panlalawigan board member of Ilocos Sur will play a huge role in the enhancement of the NCIP,” the council said in a resolution.
The council, whose other members belong to the Ibaloy, Kankana-ey, and Ibanag ethnic groups, added Sanidad’s appointment will be an invaluable addition tol the Marcos administration and that of the NCIP especially at this time when the commission needs to be reorganized.
Sanidad, Jr. is the son of Pablito, Sr., mayor of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur and Susan Fianza of Bauko, Mountain Province and Kapangan, Benguet.
Born on Nov. 8, 1981, Sanidad Jr. is a Mass Communications graduate of University of the Philippines Diliman.
He studied Law at the Ateneo Law School where he also earned his juris doctor. He earned his Masters of Law in San Beda College and is currently taking up his master’s in Public Administration at UP Diliman.
Sanidad, Jr. is also a lawyer of the Free Legal Assistance Group, a former associate professor at UP Northern Luzon, a professor at the University of Baguio, and a former three-term board member of Ilocos Sur.
He recently assumed the deanship of the UB College of Law after his father was elected mayor of Narvacan. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
April 26, 2024
