PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVE ON THE NORTH BORNEO (SABAH) ISSUE

Four years ago, Malacanang issued a Memorandum [GUIDELINES ON MATTERS PERTAINING T0 NORTH BORNEO (SABAH)] to government departments with regard to the handling of the burning Sabah issue.

So, contrary to what many detractors of the Philippine Sabah claim, the Government of the Republic of Philippines has never recognised Malaysia's purported sovereignty over North Borneo (Sabah). The Philippines, effectively, has always maintained historical and legal rights over Sabah. The documents have also been posted on Facebook by the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum for wider dissemination.

(NB: For easier reading, we have transcribed the PDF documents (1) Circurlar issued by then Executive Secretary Eduardo R Ermita (2)  Department of Education memorandum disseminated upon receipt of Malacanang Circular hereunder.)

Malacanang
Manila
MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR N0.`162

GUIDELINES ON MATTERS PERTAINING T0 NORTH BORNEO (SABAH)

WHEREAS, by virtue of Article 1 of _the 1987 Constitution on National Territory, the Phíiìppines has hìstorical and legal right over certain parts of North Borneo (Sabah);

WHEREAS, it is in the national interest to safeguard the country's hístoricai and legal right in North Borneo (Sabah);

WHEREAS, the Philippines believes in the peaceful resolution of disputes with neighboring countries as provided under the same Constitution, which expressly states that the Philippines adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations;

WHEREAS, there is a need for guidelines with regard to activities, acts or statements in relation to North Borneo (Sabah) for the protection of the said rights;

WHEREFORE, the following guìdeiìnes are hereby prescribed:

Section 1. No Department, agency, or instrumentality of the Philippine Government shall make any act or statement expressing or implying, directly or indirectiy, any recognition of a foreign state's sovereignty over North Borneo (Sabah) or non-recognition of Philippine title or historicai and legal rights to the same.

Section 2. Any official activity, act or statement relating to North Borneo (Sabah) or which may have bearing on the Philippine claim to said territory shall be carried out only with the clearance of or after consultations with the Department of
Foreign Affairs.

Section 3. Reference to North Borneo (Sabah) in official documents should not include its being part of a larger national/federal territory. These .documents include, but are not limited to, the following: Philippine passports, agreement, agreed minutes, joint communiqués, record of discussions, and similar documents..

Section 4. Philippine government visiting North' Bdrneo (Sabah) shall provide the DFA with a report on their travel thereto.

This Circular shall take effect immedately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 20th day of August in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.

By authority of the President:

Eduardo R. Ermita
Executive Secretary

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Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
DepED MEMORANDUM
YN0. 412, S. 2008

DISSEMINATION OF MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO, 162 DATED AUGUST 20, 2008
(Guidelines on Matters Pertaining to North Borneo (SABAH)

To: Undersecretaries
      Assistant Secretaries
      Bureau Directors
      Directors of Services, Centers and Heads of Units
      Regional Directors
      Schools Division/ City Superintendents
     A11 Others Concerned

1. For the information and guidance of all concerned, enclosed is a copy of Memorandum Circular No. 162 dated August 20, 2008 entitled “Guidelines on Matters Pertaining to North Borneo [SABAH)”, which is self explanatory.

2. Immediate and Wide dissemination of this Memorandum is desired.


FRANKLIN C. SUNGA
Undersecretary

Encl.: As stated
Reference: None
Allotment: 1-(D.O. 50-97)
To be indicated in the Pergetual Index under the following Subjects:

LEGISLATIONS
OFFICIALS
POLICY

Sally: MC. No. 162
September 1, 2008

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NB: FOR A CLEARER VIEW OF THE PDF DOCUMENTS (shown below), PLEASE CONSULT THE PDF FILE ON THE FOLLOWING LINK:  https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2U9JuIVbTotQkVPckNjNW1HMEk/edit

The PDF Documents submitted by blog contributor Amando Respicion Boncales, researcher and graduate student, University of Illinois.