THE PHILIPPINES: MINING LAW DEVELOPMENTS AND NATIVE TITLE IMPACTS

Abstract

Investors in the minerals sector in the Philippines have seen significant developments in the regulation of the industry since the 1987 Constitution confirmed State ownership of minerals and made provision for the President of the Philippines to enter into contracts with 100% foreign owned corporations involving the provision of financial or technical assistance for the large scale exploration, development or use of mineral resources. The key provision of the Constitution, Sec. 2, reads as follows