BUTUAN CITY – Political analyst Richard Heydarian is currently facing the persona non grata status in Isabela City, Basilan, following controversial statements he made about Mindanao’s Human Development Index (HDI). In his remarks, he compared the region’s HDI to that of Sub-Saharan Africa, which was widely condemned by local officials.
The Isabela City Council passed a resolution denouncing Heydarian’s statements as “insulting and damaging.” Councilor Abner Rodriguez emphasized that the resolution reflects the city’s strong opposition to the analyst’s remarks, which were deemed harmful and disrespectful to the people of Mindanao.
The resolution, which condemns Heydarian’s comments, stresses that his comparison was not only factually incorrect but also perpetuated damaging stereotypes about the region. According to the council, these statements demonstrate a lack of understanding and respect for the people of Mindanao.
In response to the backlash, Heydarian apologized for his remarks on his Facebook account, defending his position by stating that some people had misinterpreted his words. He also clarified that while he had visited various parts of Mindanao, he still believed the data showed a significant gap in development compared to regions like Northern Luzon.
