Qualifications for a Subanen Ruler, Minister and Council Member
Subanen in traditional practice does not set a very high standards of qualification for a ruler, minister or council member as each of them would rose to power voluntarily according to their interest to rule and their skills and capability that encompasses with loyalty however, due to the continues inflow of the migrants, it is hard to just allow anyone without following the Subanen standards to rule the people therefore His Majesty Datu Gendao set these standard for all the coming rulers.
Though this still follow the traditional practice, the highest ruler his Majesty Datu Gendao clarified the requirements and qualification to protect the Subanen people from conmen who are not really from the blood of the Subanen people but would rule without passing the standard qualifications.
Requirements of a ruler, minister and councilmen
- Required traditional name based on Subanen culture, tradition and language.
- Since Subanen People's Kingdom is under the Philippine Government then a requirement of a ruler should be a holder of valid Philippine Government Identification Card to prove his/her citizenship. In absence of this requirement, an interested ruler would be verified by the people and be proved that a certain ruler has been exercising his authority for a certain period of time and his origin is verifiable that he is from the blood of the Subanen people.
- A ruler is on his maturity age to rule. At least 26 years old and could show his proof of capability and experience. Ruler of a younger age is still welcome but the full recognition for his authority would only happen as soon as he would meet the minimum official age standard to rule.
- A ruler has already established his community to be ruled and is just needing for official recognition to be added in the roosters of rulers.
Ruler is following the traditional practice of equality, mutual and power respect, no interference, and no contesting of power. (See the Subanen government structure) A ruler should follow the Subanen principle that all and each and every Subanen are relatives and family that should live with equality. Subanen believe of "Commonwealth" that no one should own the land or territory but all the people within.
The Highest Ruler "DATU GENDAO"
His Majesty Datu Gendao a surviving descendant of the Datu of Sindangan would not be contested of his authority based on mutual and power respect principle. His Majesty re-established the Subanen People's Kingdom (SPK) after more than 300 years of it's fall from the Spanish Colonizer is a proof of his capability to rule the entire territory. His Majesty revived the culture with the help of the People and tell us the history that most of our people have already forgotten. His majesty re-established the laws, guidelines, rules and policy of the Subanen People's Kingdom. His Majesty the bearer of the Sun and a star with 11 other stars that symbolizes the Governorates and would reign forever until the sun rises and the stars still gives the light. His Majesty may handover his authority to his chosen successor of which could be either is family, his son a ruling Datu or anyone from the roosters of ruling Datu who is willing to take over his authority according to his will before his death.
The next ruler shall bear the same name as Datu Gendao the symbol of a Sun and lone star with other 11 Stars that symbolizes the Eight Governorates and three independent Cities. The name Datu Gendao is the highest ruler of the Subanen territory, the name of the ruler that would last forever until the Subanen civilization exists since the same name would be passed on to the next ruler after the death of the reigning ruler.
For the Governorates and Independent Cities Ruler
Every ruler of each governorates and Independent Cities are required the following:
- A Datu has been ruling the territory and with recognition by his people as the Ruler
- A Datu ruler of the governorates or Independent Cities should have governed at least three Datus and its territory. If during the time of his rose to power he is not yet ruling at least three Datu's then he is required to elevate and enthrone another Tim'uay who is capable to become a new Datu to fulfill the requirement before he would officially recognized as the new official ruler.
- An elder Datu, a ruler of any governorates or Independent Cities is required to have ruled at least three Datus and its territory. If during the time of his rose to power he is not yet ruling at least three Datu's then he is required to elevate and enthrone another Tim'uay who is capable to become a new Datu to fulfill the requirement before he would officially recognized as the new official ruler.
- Each ruler qualifies the three basic requirement of a ruler.
For City Ruler
Every ruler of each cities are required the following:
- A Datu has been ruling the territory and with recognition by his people as the Ruler
- A Datu ruler of the City should have governed at least three Tim'uays and its territory. If during the time of his rose to power he is not yet ruling at least three Tim'uay's then he is required to elevate and enthrone another young Tim'uay who is capable to become a new Tim'uay with elder status to fulfill the requirement before he would officially recognized as the new official ruler. A City could be ruled by a Datu but these leader should work closely with the elder Datu the Governorate leader which they were under the authority.
- An elder Tim'uay, a ruler of any City is required to have ruled at least three Tim'uays and its territory. If during the time of his rose to power he is not yet ruling at least three Tim'uay's then he is required to elevate and enthrone another young Tim'uay who is capable to become a new Tim'uay in elder level to fulfill the requirement before he would officially recognized as the new official ruler. One of the factor that an elder Tim'uay remains his title is because he choose to be just an elder Tim'uay instead of accepting the level of Datu.
- Each ruler qualifies the three basic requirement of a ruler.
For Village Ruler
Every ruler of each cities are required the following:
- A Subanen man could be a Tim'uay if he desires to lead his family and his village.
- His skills and leadership to lead is a prerequisites. The role is not appointed but voluntary
- Each ruler qualifies the three basic requirement of a ruler.
A family is the basic government unit of the Subanen People's Kingdom. The head of the family is the first Tim'uay to role his house. A family is a training ground for leadership and skills in ruling a village.
