WHAT IS RACIAL DISCRIMINATION?

1. Racial Discrimination
in the Philippines
Concepts, Theories, and
Local Evidence

2. Definition
• Racial discrimination: unequal treatment
based on race, ethnicity, or cultural identity.
• In the Philippines, it often affects Indigenous
peoples (Lumad, Aeta, Igorot, Badjao), Moro
communities, and ethnic minorities (e.g.,
Chinese-Filipinos).

3. Historical Roots
• Colonial policies created racial hierarchies.
• Spanish and American colonization reinforced
inequality and 'colonial mentality'.
• Legacies persist in colorism, beauty standards,
and ethnolinguistic bias.

4. Theoretical Lens
• Conflict Theory: discrimination maintained by
dominant groups to preserve power/resources.
• Intersectionality: race interacts with class,
gender, religion (e.g., Moro women face
overlapping discrimination).

5. Contemporary Evidence
• Indigenous displacement due to mining/dams;
weak consultation processes.
• Moro communities stereotyped as 'rebels' or
'terrorists'.
• Chinese-Filipinos faced xenophobia during
COVID-19.
• Everyday colorism and skin-lightening culture
reflect structural bias.

6. Case Study: Marawi Siege (2017)
• Displacement of thousands in Muslim-majority
city.
• Highlighted bias in framing Moros as security
threats.
• Rehabilitation slow; showed long-term impact
of ethnic stereotyping.

7. Impacts of Discrimination
• Economic: less access to land, jobs, and
resources.
• Social: stereotyping, bullying, exclusion in
education/work.
• Political: underrepresentation in decision-
making bodies.
• Conflict: discrimination fuels insurgency and
terrorism.

8. Gaps & Policy Issues
• Laws exist (IPRA 1997, anti-discrimination
ordinances), but implementation is weak.
• UN and CHR reports call for stronger
protection of IP land rights.
• Need stronger monitoring and enforcement of
anti-discrimination measures.

9. Recommendations
• Strengthen enforcement of Indigenous land
rights and FPIC.
• Pass and implement stronger anti-
discrimination laws.
• Promote intercultural education and public
campaigns against colorism and stereotyping.
• Ensure fair representation of minorities in
policymaking.

10. Key References
• U.S. State Department (2023) – Country Report on
Human Rights: Philippines
• Commission on Human Rights Philippines – IP rights
statements
• UN/OHCHR – Indigenous land rights in PH
• Amnesty International – Marawi human rights reports
• Human Rights Watch – Discrimination & rights in PH
• Academic studies – Colonial mentality & colorism in
the Philippines