AT least three senators have expressed their opposition to the plan of former president Rodrigo Duterte to conduct a signature campaign to separate Mindanao from the Philippines.

These were Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel 3rd, and Senators Maria Josefa Imelda "Imee" Marcos and Francis Joseph "Chiz" Escudero.

"[It] needs more study, although I am against any suggestion of secession or separation of [any] part of Philippine territory," Pimentel said in a text message to Manila Times.

"We have to work tirelessly on making this nation function as a working effective State," stressed Pimentel.

Escudero said Duterte's plan "is not constitutionally possible."

As for Marcos, she said it would be heartbreaking if the Philippines would be divided.

"We've been hearing about that [plan] from other sectors in Mindanao because [according to them] we [in 'Imperial' Manila] have apparently neglected them," she said.

Pressed to comment that Duterte, a Mindanaoan being a native of Davao City, had been president for six years, Marcos said, "You can't catch up [development for Mindanao] for six years."

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