Umatras na si Jessica Soho sa dapat sana'y pagtuturo niya ng kanyang expertise sa broadcast journalism sa Nas Academy.
Ang Nas Academy ay ang online educational platform na naglalayong magturo ng master class sa iba-ibang field of careers.
Itinayo ito ng Palestinian-Israeli content creator na si Nas Daily, na ang tunay na pangalan ay Nuseir Yassin.
Sa opisyal na pahayag ng multi-awarded Kapuso broadcaster kahapon, August 10, inihayag ni Jessica na kumalas na siya sa kasunduang siya ay magtuturo sa Nas Academy.
Sabi ni Jessica, "In light of recent events, and after our team’s series of communications with Nas Academy, we decided and mutually agreed not to pursue the Jessica Soho course.
"Nas Academy has informed us that they are working with the NCIP (National Commission on Indigenous Peoples).
"We hope for the resolution of all issues raised."
Noong August 8, una nang naghayag si Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray na pansamantala niyang ipinatigil ang pagtanggap ng applications para sa kanyang master class sa Nas Academy dala ng isyung kinahaharap ng organisasyon.
Ilan lamang sina Jessica at Catriona sa Filipino personalities na bagong lunsad na teachers sa Nas Academy.
THE ALLEGED SCAM INVOLVING APO WHANG-OD
Kaugnay ito ng pag-alma ng apo ni Whang-Od, ang sikat na traditional tattoo artist mula sa Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga. Si Whang-Od ay 104 years old.
Tinawag na "scam" ng apo ni Whang-Od na si Gracia Palicas ang Whang-od Academy na ino-offer sa Nas Academy.
Sa pamamagitan ng Facebook post noong August 4, inihayag ni Palicas na wala umanong pinirmahang kontrata si Whang-Od sa Nas Academy.
Apela pa ni Palicas, "Some people are taking advantage of our culture. PLEASE HELP US STOP this disrespect to the legacy of Apo Whang Od and the Butbot Tribe."
Nag-viral ang post ni Palicas, at kinontra ng Nas Academy ang kanyang reklamo.
Noong August 5, inilabas ng Nas Academy sa Facebook page nito ang kopya ng litrato kunsaan makikitang naglagay si Whang-Od ng thumbmark sa kontrata para sa master class nito.
Malaki raw ang respeto ng pamunuan ng Nas Academy sa talentadong Filipino tattoo artist.
Sabi pa ng Nas Academy: "Everybody was compensated for their time, and for every sale the Whang-Od Academy generates, most of it went directly to her and her family.
"We just provided the technology and the marketing."
Pero pansamantalang tinanggal ng Nas Academy ang Whang-Od course sa kanilang website habang pinaplantsa pa ang mga alegasyong kinakaharap nito.
Sinasabi kasi ng mga eksperto na kahit pa may nilagdaang kontrata si Whang-Od, may tamang proseso na dapat daanan upang proteksyunan ang karapatan ng mga katutubo.
ONGOING PROBE BY NCIP
Kasalukuyan ding iniimbestigahan ng National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) ang isyu sangkot si Whang-Od at ang Nas Academy.
Bahagi ng pahayag ng NCIP noong August 9: "Looking into the situation, this is another instance where the community intellectual rights of our Indigenous Peoples are subjected to exploitation.
"The NCIP Central Office stands and supports the statement of Atty. Marlon P. Bosantog, the Regional Director of NCIP Cordillera Administrative Region who stressed that 'Bandying a contract on social media is not a proof of compliance.'"
Ipinaliwanag ng NCIP na ang "batok" o traditional na pagtatato ng tribal design ay isa sa "sacred and traditional cultural practices" ng mga Kalinga, partikular na ang mga katutubong Butbut.
"Such indigenous practice is considered as collectively and community-owned by them, thus, consultation with other members of the community, not only with one individual, should have been conducted to determine whether or not they consent the use of the same.
"While Apo Whang-od may have signed the contract, there is no proof that Nas Daily has obtained the FPIC of the Butbut ICC.
"Hence, an investigation is currently being conducted to determine whether proper consultations have been undertaken and the FPIC of the proper parties have been secured."