Special regional autonomy in a unitary system – preliminary observations on the case of the Bangsomoro homeland in the Philippines

The region of Bangsomoro, situated within the island Mindanao, which in turn is part of the Philippines, has been experiencing one of the longest self-determination struggles in the world. Recently, with the enactment of the Basic Law (special law to set out autonomy for Bangsomoro), a system of asymmetrical self-government was introduced for Bangsomoro. This article places the Bangsomoro arrangement in context of international experiences with asymmetrical autonomy and makes recommendations about how certain aspects of the Basic Law can be improved. The article focuses particularly on conceptual clarity about some of the terms used in the Basic Law, demarcation of boundaries of Bangsomoro, intergovernmental relations between Manila and Bangsomoro, representation of Bangsomoro in national institutions, and amendments of the Basic Law.