Contesting Sovereignty: How Palawan Nearly Became Part of the USA

Abstract

The study examines the 1926 Bacon Bill, introduced by U.S. Congressman Robert L. Bacon, which proposed separating Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan from the Philippines and placing them under direct American administration. The bill arose from petitions by Moro leaders seeking continued U.S. protection amid resistance to integration into a predominantly Christian Filipino state. Using a historical approach grounded in archival analysis, the study situates the proposal within broader debates on Philippine independence, sovereignty, and decolonization. It argues that while the bill was framed as a protective measure for Moro communities, it also reflected American strategic and economic interests.

In particular, Palawan’s inclusion revealed motivations beyond humanitarian concerns, including its potential for a naval base and source of natural resources such as rubber. The proposal challenged Philippine sovereignty and provoked strong opposition from Filipino nationalists like Emilio Aguinaldo, Manuel Quezon, and Sergio Osmeña, as well as local leaders who favored national integration. Ultimately, the bill failed due to combined resistance from Filipino politicians, American critics, and divided Moro support. Although its defeat preserved territorial integrity, it left unresolved questions of regional identity and Moro self-determination, issues that continue to shape political discourse.