Musings on the Federal State of Mindanaw in the Struggle for Power
By Menelito Mansueto
The issue of Mindanao's secession has recently been on the airwaves since local politicians began talking about its possibility. The idea is not new, it has long germinated in the minds of some Muslim separatist rebels. Should the idea be taken with a grain of salt, like it was some joke coming from egotistical leaders? What are its implications? How likely will it occur?
People in the center such as Metro Manila might consider the idea as ridiculous. We know for a fact how Manileños had long been undermining the capabilities of the provinces as if the provinces are entirely dependent on the affairs of the center. To recall, the EDSA revolution of 1986 happened in Manila but it has affected the political situation in Mindanao. One might be reminded of Col. Alexander Noble who led a military coup in October of 1990 and declared independence of the so-called “Federal Republic of Mindanao.”
How will it affect Manileños if the separation happens? Mindanao contributes about 40% of the country’s food needs, which means almost half of the country, either Visayas or Luzon, will have to find alternative resources and if that happens, the price of commodities will surely rise in some areas. Goods transported to Luzon and Visayas will then be calculated as exports, in addition to Philippine bananas in the Japanese markets and other parts of the world. Mindanao will not be called the Philippines’ “food basket” for no reason.
What if countries will regulate, ban, or boycott the goods from Mindanao? I believe that is very unlikely. Till how long? Mindanao is very rich in natural resources. It is in Mindanao where you can find a literal mountain of gold in Mt. Diwalwal. Many large-scale mining operations are in Mindanao. Its virgin lakes and forests, in addition to the volcanic presence of Mount Apo, contribute to the unique richness and fertility of the soil. It is always a bountiful harvest, with durian being the king of all fruits. One-third of Mindanao’s land area is arable.
What do Mindanawons get from being classified as a third-class region, which means that it is highly dependent on Manila politicians? In a way, there is nothing that we get from Manila other than insults and a condescending attitude. Metro Manila alone, excluding Luzon, has already 39 congressional districts. There are 28 districts in Central Luzon, 33 in Calabarzon, 24 in Bicol, 16 in Ilocos, 13 in Cagayan Valley, and only 3 in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), with a total of 146 congressional districts for the entire Luzon. Its land area of 42.5 square miles. Whereas Mindanao consists of 15 congressional seats in Bangsamoro, 16 in Zamboanga Peninsula, 18 in Davao, 12 in Socsargen, 22 in Northern Mindanao, and 15 in Caraga, comprising a total of 98 congressional districts for a land area of 37.7 square miles. The land area and congressional district ratio are quite uneven (3.43 average for Luzon, only 2.59 for Mindanao). No doubt that in terms of budget allocation, Mindanao is always the last priority.
Would the Tagalog-based Filipino be retained in the Mindanao basic education curriculums? There will be no more reason for Mindanawons to keep using Tagalog, Davao Conyo might be the next trend. In addition, Tagalogs might get interested in learning Cebuano soon after it becomes a foreign tongue, the same interest that they have in other foreign languages such as Korean, Mandarin, or Nihongo.
Will the Visayas join Mindanao in the separation? The Visayas will be lost in the picture. Visayas as always has long been disunited. Cebuanos fight against Ilonggos and Boholoanos and Waray. Cebuanos also tend to discriminate Mindanawons. Their standard Cebuano is also imposed on Mindanao. Visayans, like the Mindanawon, will still be discriminated against in Metro Manila, the same old cycle.
Will Mindanao be at peace after the separation? Tax collection in Mindanao will no longer go to the National Treasury in Manila, Mindanao will have its own, and will also have its own authority in terms of budget allocation. Will the peso still be our currency? What will be its new provision on foreign ownership?
Will the Philippine government go to war against the Mindanawon leadership? How likely will the local governments to join the alliance with the new Mindawon government? Will there be a civil war? Can the transition be smooth with the cooperation of the Philippine government? Shall elected VP Sara Duterte be retained as the VP since Davao is in Mindanao? Will there be an election? Will there be new emerging political dynasties in Mindanao? Will Mindanao join the SEA Games and play against the Philippines? If the Philippine Team loses against Mindanao or vice versa, will Chot Reyes be happy? How does it feel for Filipinos to see Mindanao win?
Would changing the Philippine Constitution from a centralized unitary form to a federal form be easier and better than a revolution in Mindanao? What will be the criteria for Mindanawon citizenship? How soon will the 2024 or 2025 Mindanao revolution take place some 38 years after the EDSA Revolution of 1986? There are so many questions, but only one thing is clear – the current structure of government is alienating Mindanao, like its lost little brown brother, as if like a colony of the Philippine Empire state, but not as an equal. When will the lake people of Mindanaw finally attain peace – kalinaw
