Governance and Leadership of the Palaw’an Tribe of Palawan, Philippines

This study dealt with the governance and leadership of the Palaw’an Tribe of Palawan. The respondents of the study were the 115 tribal leaders who assumed leadership in their community. This study employed historical, descriptive, quantitative and qualitative research methods. The study revealed that almost all of the respondents are pure-blooded palaw’an, males, married, elementary level, farming as the basic source of living and ages 60 to 65 years old. They were selected foremost by means of hereditary attribute. The criteria in selecting leader include the knowledge of customary law, prove his worth, integrity and have strong sense of justice, professed the value of being equal and fair, respect for the deity and in showing pride to being a Palaw’an. The function of the Palaw’an Tribal Leaders along executive, legislative, judiciary and religious were to maintain traditional law, mediate, settle conflicts or problems, resolve and hear cases, resolve family problems, help community rites and practices, maintain customs and traditions and have high respect on their deity, god and elders.