The City Council of Basilan City in Basilan has declared political analyst Richard Heydarian persona non grata for his controversial remark comparing Mindanao’s Human Development Index (HDI) to sub-Saharan Africa, which drew social media backlash and widespread criticism.

Heydarian said that the HDI in Luzon is comparable to that of Southern Europe while that of Mindanao is comparable to sub-Saharan African level during an interview with an international TV network following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who hails from Mindanao.

During the interview, Heydarian was explaining how Duterte continues to have massive support in Mindanao, an area he described as “one of the poorest areas of the country” - how grievances of residents against the national government have reportedly been weaponized.

The City Council of Isabela City then passed a resolution declaring Heydarian persona non grata for “derogatory and disparaging” remarks.

The resolution was authored by Councilor Abner Rodriguez.

“The declaration of ‘persona non grata’ is a symbolic gesture, expressing the council's strong disapproval of Heydarian's remarks. While it does not carry legal implications, it serves as a public statement of the city's stance on the matter,” Rodriguez said in a Facebook post.

The city’s legislative body condemned Heydarian’s statement saying it demonstrates a “profound lack of understanding and respect” for the people of Mindanao.

“The core of the objection lies in Heydarian's comparison, which we deem an insult to the region and its inhabitants. The resolution asserts that such remarks are "not only factually inaccurate but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes that undermine the dignity and progress of Mindanaoan communities," including those within Isabela City as part of Mindanao,” Rodriguez said.

“The council's resolution highlights the perceived negative impact of Heydarian's statements, emphasizing the importance of upholding the dignity of Mindanao and its people. We believe that his comments contribute to a distorted and prejudiced view of the region, ignoring the resilience, rich culture, and ongoing development efforts within Mindanao,” Rodriguez added.

The local lawmaker reminded the public of the importance of facts, accuracy, and respectful discourse when addressing topics about Mindanao.

“The resolution underscores the sensitivity surrounding discussions about Mindanao, particularly those that employ broad generalizations and potentially harmful comparisons. It reflects a growing sentiment among Mindanaoans who are pushing back against narratives that portray the region in a negative light,” Rodriguez said.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), HDI is a summary measure of average achievement in key aspects of human development: health, being knowledgeable, and having a decent standard of living.

COTABATO

Meanwhile, Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali Matabalao urged the Sangguniang Panlungsod to also pass a legislative measure declaring Heydarian persona non grata in the city.

“The people of Mindanao refuse to be misrepresented by so-called analysts who claim expertise yet remain utterly ignorant of the true conditions on the ground. We refuse to be defined by the lens of those who look down on us with condescension rather than understanding,” Matabalao said in a statement.

The city’s local chief executive said this is not just a response to what he described as an offensive statement but a stand against the continuous misrepresentation of Mindanao.

“While Mr. Heydarian has since attempted to clarify his statement, suggesting that he was referring to ‘some’ provinces and calling for greater national support, his words – carelessly spoken on an international platform – have done more harm than good,” Matabalao said.

“Instead of amplifying Mindanao’s call for inclusive development, he has reinforced outdated, damaging stereotypes that undermine the hard-fought progress of Mindanaoans,” he added.

CAGAYAN DE ORO

In Cagayan de Oro, a city councilor challenged Heydarian to visit Mindanao to see for himself how productive Mindanao is, especially the city.

Councilor George Goking said making a compromise move to invite Heydarian is more effective than declaring him persona non grata.

“I am inviting Mr. Richard Heydarian to come to Cagayan de Oro. If he cannot afford, I will pay for his fare,” Goking said.

Goking added that he totally disagree with the statement of Heydarian because he said Mindanao is developing very fast.

“I totally disagree with him on the statement that we are below standard,” Goking said.

“I challenge the guy in a friendly manner. Sometimes small knowledge is very dangerous so please be careful,” he added.

OUT OF CONTEXT?

In a video post on Facebook, Heydarian said his statements were taken out of context and twisted by what he called as fake news peddlers.

Heydarian said he was actually explaining the context of Duterte’s popularity, which has been due to imperial Manila’s neglect of Mindanao.

“If anyone felt hurt I apologize. I didn’t mean to insult anyone. It was a one minute I had to explain the development gap and injustice of that that we have to solve,” Heydarian said in a video post.

“I apologize if people felt offended based on the fake news because I really care about our folks in Mindanao,” he added.