The Lanao Provinces: The Birthplace of Federalism in the Philippines

Arnold A. Garbanzos, The Rotary Club of Iligan

Senator Tomas L. Cabili, the Osmenas and President Magsaysay

Fact number 1: The request of the Pat Pangampong in 1920..

In 1920, 120 Sultans and 30 Datus belonging to the Pat Pangampong Ranao (the Confederation of the Four Sultanates of Lanao) wrote the United States President requesting that should the U.S. government eventually make the Philippines a Commonwealth and then a Republic, Lanao as a Province chooses not to be part of it.

They still would like to be part of the U.S.-perhaps as a State or a Protectorate.

The reason behind this strange request is very simple-the Pat Pangampong Ranao is fully aware that the eventual Philippine Republic to be formed would be a Unitary set-up, something which the Confederation does not like, since the Confederation is a Federal set-up-and only a Federal Government like the United State of America could understand another Federal government, hence the request. 

The beginnings of the Bangsamoro

Another option which they presented (should the U.S. reject the first option) was that the Sultanates be considered a separate Nation from the Philippines, to be known as the Bangsamoro-again for obvious reasons-they want to be a Federal Nation not a Unitary one.

“This is because the Pangampong Ranao had a highly decentralized form of government unlike the Sulu and Maguindanao Sultanates” (Wikipedia).

The Pat Pangampong of Ranao on Wikipedia..

The Maranaos of the Lanao Provinces…

Who are the Maranaos?

The Dansalan Declaration

As history will show such requests has been denied. Much to the frustration of the Lanao Confederation.

The move of the Pangampong was known as the “Dansalan Declaration”.

Fact number 2: Iligan-The City which didn’t signed the 1935 Const.

In 1935, Iligan City, was the only City in the Country which did not signed the 1935 Constitution.

The reason behind this was because our Lone Delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Assembly, Senator Tomas Lluisma Cabili, wanted a Federal set-up for our Country while the rest of the other 202 delegates wanted a Unitary set-up-which was largely championed by then Constitutional Assembly Chair Claro M. Recto under the influenced of then President Manuel L. Quezon.

Tomas Cabili-on making Lanao a blessing to this Nation…

Sen. Tomas Cabili thundered his opposition to a Unitary set up-on several grounds- that it would make Malacanang very powerful and therefore become dictatorial.

He knew that a Unitary set-up would dissipate the economic advantages of Iligan and the Lanao provinces-which is the home of abundant water and energy resources. Denying us therefore the privilege of being a blessing to Lanao, Mindanao and our Nation.

And that the 1935 Constitution only protected the rights of the Christian majority but not the Muslims and the Lumads-it did not provide human dignity and economic opportunities for their culture and values as a people.

Human Dignity and Subsidiarity Sen. Tomas Cabili argued for almost half a day in the

august assembly, citing that since the envisioned 1935 Constitution was patterned after America, then we should be a Federal set-up-a position which was turned down by the majority by a vote of 201 to 1.

For him human dignity can only come when there is subsidiarity, decentralization and self-reliance.

As history will show we are today a Unitary government-highly dependent on a very “powerful Malacanang” or as many will say today “Imperial Manila”-creating so much trouble for Lanao and Mindanao.

A Prophetic Declaration in 1935 His parting words to the assembly after

he argued his case for Federalism was very prophetic:

“Gentlemen of this august constitutional assembly, if you make this Government and this Constitution Unitary and not recognize the uniqueness of the Tri-people of Mindanao-there will be war in Mindanao!”

The crafting of the 1935 Constitution…

Sultan Dimasangkay

Tomas Cabili was a student and an honored member of the Pat Pangampong Ranao, where he was proudly enthroned by the Maranao Tribe as Sultan Dimasangkay or the Great Sultan.

Lanao made history in 1935 Today we have proven that the wisdom of the Lone

delegate from Lanao. And the rest is history.  Truly the seeds of Federalism was born in the Lanao provinces. 

Today in Marawi-the only Islamic City in this part of the world-the main avenue and plaza is named after a Christian leader, Senator Tomas L. Cabili, former Senator of this Republic, former National Defense Secretary, a leader of the Presbyterian Church, a kindred spirit of the late President Magsaysay and the “Father of Federalism” of our country.

Iligan should have been in Malacanang last Oct. 16, 2012

And if only Iligan and Lanao knew its history, we could have been part of the historic signing at Malacanang between our Government and the MILF last October 16, 2012.

That GRP-MILF signing prove the wisdom of Iligan and Lanao in 1935.

We have gone full circle back to our original position-at the cost of so much lives and properties.

This Nation should have listened to Iligan and Lanao.

What Lanao loses under a Unitary set-up? Today Iligan gets an IRA of P1.6 Billion from the

National Government while Lanao del Sur gets P 1.4 Billion.

Under a Federal set-up Lanao stands to earn 60% of the P 200 Billion that the National Power Corporation (NPC) earns in revenue annually. What is P 3 Billion compared to P 120 Billion? And we are just talking here of one

industry. Think of the possibilities if we include all industries in Iligan…Iligan would truly be a Blessing to all..

Senator Tomas Cabili-The Father of Federalism in the Philippines

Senator Tomas L. Cabili quotes:

“I have a sentimental fondness for lost causes (like Federalism) however I am not afraid to walk alone”

The marker of Tomas Cabili reads:

Senator Tomas L. Cabili-a Hero of the Republic…

Lanao-the richest Province in Mindanao under a Federal System..

Iligan-the “Fresh Water Capital” of the Philippines

Iligan-the “Renewable Energy Capital” of this nation…

It takes a man who has the same vision to make Lanao rise…

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao…

Maayung Iligan sa tanan!!

(May Iligan be a blessing to you!!)