The primitive, colonial Regalian Doctrine
But… such a statist notion is founded on a single
primitive, royalist concept, which has all the trappings of European
collectivism or statism. This concept is called the Regalian Doctrine first
introduced to our political system by the Spaniards through the Royal Decree of
13 February 1894 or the Maura Law. According to this doctrine, all lands of the
public domain belong to the State.
This system is enshrined in the 1987 Constitution under
Article 12, Section 2, which states:
“All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal,
petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries,
forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and other natural resources are
owned by the State.”
The above-mentioned Constitutional provision is the main
reason why the country’s mining industry is one of the most regulated
industries in the world. In fact, almost all mining countries of the world,
except the United States, follow this Regalian Doctrine….
The case of La Bugal-B’laan
The paramount- or evil- influence of the Regalian
Doctrine was clearly demonstrated in La
Bugal-B’laan v. DENR. In this landmark case, the Court asserted
the authority of the Regalian Doctrine enshrined in Article XII Section 2 of
the 1987 Constitution and declared that RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of
1995 is unconstitutional for allowing fully foreign owned corporations to
exploit Philippine natural resources. Unlike the 1935 and 1973 Constitutions
that authorized the State grant licenses, concessions, or leases for the
exploration, exploitation, development or utilization of natural resources, the
1987 Constitution merely permits foreign owned corporations to provide
technical or financial assistance to the State for large scale exploration,
development and utilization of minerals, petroleum and other mineral oils.
The Supreme Court held: “In any case, the constitutional
provision allowing the President to enter into FTAAs with foreign-owned
corporations is an exception to the rule that participation in the nation’s
natural resources is reserved exclusively to Filipinos. Accordingly, such
provision must be construed strictly against their enjoyment by non-Filipinos.”
In this age of globalization and technological
innovation, we arbitrarily, capriciously limit foreign participation in our
ailing economy and industries when most governments the world over allow
Filipinos to invest and buy lands in their respective countries. Without a
doubt, Philippine protectionism is in violation of the principle of reciprocity
in international law. It is our mediocre, anti-reality, anti-economics
protectionism anchored on the statist principles of egalitarianism, Regalian
dogma, and social justice that have been driving our economy into the ground….
How freedom led to mining boom in the U.S.
In the early years of the United States, which is the
birthplace of free market capitalism, some of its ceded states were acquired
from Mexico and France— both of which had long-established mining laws, which
carried the influence of the Regalian Doctrine. The sway of this colonial
doctrine, which was paramount in these countries, had been said to be at odds
with the United States’ Anglo-Saxon common-law system. The American common-law
system gives a landowner a right to the minerals beneath the surface of his
land property.
According to Jesse Hoover, who wrote a compelling book
titled ‘The Economics of Mining’:
“The Regalian Doctrine did not prevail, and therefore a
patent from the federal government has ordinarily carried with it the right
both to hold the surface of the property and to mine all minerals beneath the
surface. Title vests in the patentee absolutely, and under most conditions the
land becomes private property.”
Mining claims and statist regulations of the mining
industry were virtually non-existent in the early free market years of the
United States. Such mining claims and regulations first existed in Europe and
in Latin America, wherein the Regalian Doctrine, or the notion that mineral
wealth pertains to the Crown, prevailed.
In 1807 the U.S. Congress started leasing mining lands,
however, the results were disappointing that it decided to abandon the system
in 1847.
Hoover said that miners began to search for a mining
sanctuary that guaranteed them freedom from government restriction and
intervention….
Objective law, not regulations
… how the Philippine government and the anti-mining,
anti-mind, anti-reality mob treat people in the mining industry, particularly
foreign investors who are willing to share their technical know-how,
technologies, and wealth with Filipinos. These technical people are being
publicly criticized by Filipino throwbacks who just can’t understand the
crucial, indispensable role of mining in human life.
Yet what these clueless anti-mining leftists do not
understand is that their lives and survival on earth largely depend upon the
people in the mining industry. Yes, the future lies in the ability and
willingness of some people to mine earth’s hidden resource and then transform
the same into an actual wealth.
America’s early mining industry did not succeed through
government help or government regulations. It succeeded by searching— and then
valuing— freedom, which was unfortunately eroded during America’s progressive
era. It’s no surprise that America became the most economically prosperous
nation on earth. All credit must go to America’s Founding Fathers who
understood and valued the concepts of limited government, individual rights,
and economic freedom.
The real enemy is this Regalian principle, which is one
of the root causes of injustice, poverty, and statism in the Philippines.
See also:
Mining 20: Miscellaneous Comments on Mining, May 18, 2013
Mining 21: Chile Policies, May 21, 2013
Mining 22: Philippines as EITI Candidate, June 05, 2013
Mining 23: On the Proposed 10 Percent Gross Revenue Tax, June 03, 2013
