The Tragedy of Self-Governance in the Philippines: Unrealized Rights and Unwarranted Conditions

Abstract

Thirty years ago, the drafting of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provided for various facets of autonomy. To this day, certain provisions on self-governance remain unrealized and new – albeit unwarranted – conditions of self-governance are beginning to take form. As of the present, studies have not effectively addressed how and why Constitutional provisions on self- governance remain unrealized; moreover, none have formally recognized the recent rise of unwarranted conditions of self-governance. This paper studies three (3) cases of self-governance. The Moros of the Bangsamoro/Muslim Mindanao have been in conflict with the Filipinos of Visayas and Luzon since time immemorial, yet their desire for independence remains frustrated. The Igorot of the Cordilleras have clamored for autonomy as far as the period of American colonial rule, yet their clamor remains largely unheard. The Maralitang Lungsod of the National Capital Region are in need of good governance, yet they suffer en masse displacement to the peripheries and are, in actuality, made to govern over themselves. Power remains, in fact, the exclusive domain of Central Government, rendering decentralization to Local Government Units impotent. The paper focuses on the flawed existence, or total inexistence, of legally-supported self-rule, as well as the existence of self-rule without legal basis. Interviews regarding certain rights to, and conditions of, self-governance were conducted with entities with standing on the matter of autonomy, as well as residents of target localities. Policy Studies were conducted based on laws, current events, and interviewee responses. Findings affirmed that certain unwarranted conditions of self-governance are present in fact but not in law, while certain rights of self- governance are present in law but not in fact. Findings also suggest that power focused in an ̳Imperial Manila‘ fosters an exclusion of the peripheries. The research recommends measures toward effective institutional change through a Constitutional shift to Asymmetrical Federalism in consideration of democracy and comprehensive Nation-building.