By JES TIROLHistorian and WriterProemIn the present political crisis, one of the goups that support President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the League of Provincial Governors of the Philippines. This group threatened that if President Arroyo will be deposed by extra-constitutional means, the different provinces will create their own independent republics.
The most vocal are the governors from the island of Mindanao and the governor of Ilocus Sur.
Republic of NegrosIn the history of the Philippines, the only provinces that have experienced becoming a functioning republic are the provinces of Negros and Bohol.
When he Philippines Government led by President Emilio Aguinaldo was already in the verge of defeat by the American forces, the island of Negros created the so-called Republic of the Negros. It was organized under the leadership of the landed class of Negros.
At the time when the Americans had not yet invaded the island of Negros, the Republic of Negros made plans how to resist the Americans. However, upon the arrival of the Americans the leaders of the Republic of Negros immediately collaborated or surrendered to the Americans.
The upper class men of Negros, who were the leaders of the Negros Republic, found out that it would beneficial for them, if they collaborate with the Americans. It was the reason why the big landed estates of Negros was not dismantled.
Republic of BoholOn June 11, 1899 the provincial officials and town officials of Bohol gathered at the Provincial Capitol Building for a constitutional convention. On the same day the constitution of the Republic of Bohol was approved and the officials of the republic were elected.
Don Bernabe Reyes was elected President, Don Salustiano Borja was elected Vice President and Rafael Reyes, Eduardo Calceta, Macario Sarmiento were elected Counselors (Consejeros). The army was under the command of Sargento Mayor Pedro Samson.
The Republic of Bohol existed and was governed independently until the arrival of the Americans in Bohol on March 17, 1900. The republic collected taxes and rendered services to the Boholanos.
Upon the arrival of the Americans the Boholanos protested but agreed to co-exist with the Americans. However, on September 1, 1990 war erupted between the Boholanos and the Americans. The Republic of Bohol prosecuted the war until the surrender of General Pedro Samson on December 23, 1901.
Other RepublicsA republic was declared by General Lukban in Bicol and Samar but it did not function. It was a republic in name only. There was also a republic declared in Central Luzon but it did not have the support of the people.
Evaluating the ThreatIn my opinion, the threat of the provincial governors to create independent republics is not an empty threat. History confirms that the people can and will create a republic when they are in dire straits. However, we cannot be sure in which direction the different republics will go. The Republic of Negros immediately surrendered to the Americans because of the promise of preferential treatment to the hacienderos of Negros. The Republic of Bohol fought the Americans in a fierce war that saw twenty (20) of the thirty-five (35) towns of Bohol burned to the ground and almost all livestocks were killed by the Americans.
If the island of Mindanao will declare itself an independent republic, it is not yet clear whether or not there will be an in-fighting among the governors for leadership. The island of Mindanao has no "experience" how to be a republic. But if and when Mindanao will become a republic, God forbid (simbako lang), will Boholanos need visas to visit their relatives in Mindanao?
Let us just pray that the present political crisis will not result to the disintegration of the Philippines.
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