The Sabah Documents: A Legal-Administrative Glossary on North Borneo
Date Published: June 29, 2026
By Diana A. Galang
Earlier this year, the Philippines reasserted its sovereignty over North Borneo (Sabah) in a communication to the United Nations Secretary-General. In a note verbale dated March 19, the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations emphasized that the country “has never relinquished its sovereignty over North Borneo.” This renewed assertion gives historical records and legal references renewed importance, prompting the NHCP’s Serafin D. Quiason Resource Center to share its Sabah Documents.
It is fortunate that the NHCP’s Serafin D. Quiason Resource Center has in its possession a reproduction of the primary sources. This opportunity may have resulted from the membership of the former NHI Chairman in the committee, after whom the Resource Center is named. According to Fernandez, “Part One was the result of a study by an ad hoc committee composed of UP Professors Cesar Adib A. Majul, Perfecto Fernandez, and Serafin D. Quiason, among others.”
As stated in its preliminary pages, the manuscript is a reproduction from the Bibliotheque Nationale Paris, Department des Manuscrit. The three-volume Sabah Documents are a unique compilation of legal and administrative terms, rules, and procedures concerning North Borneo. Unlike the Affairs of Sulu which is a collection of correspondences and treaties, this collection functions as a glossary, providing definitions, instructions, and examples of governance, and administrative practices in the territory.
Organized systematically, the glossary explains the responsibilities of local leaders, officials, and mediators, along with administrative procedures, disciplinary rules, reporting requirements, and record-keeping practices. It details how officers should handle transactions or disputes and how higher authorities were informed, providing guidance on overseeing and enforcement of the local system.
It further provides insights into the authority of the colonial government, management of resources, and the legal basis for concessions and agreements, offering readers a clear view of how governance functioned in North Borneo. Terms related to governance, tribute collection, and official conduct are explained in detail, giving researchers a clear and organized understanding of the region’s legal and administrative framework. Digital copies of these documents can be accessed in the National Memory Project through the following links:
Sabah Documents, vol 1:
https://memory.nhcp.gov.ph/?s=sabah+documents#item76794_1
Sabah Documents, volume 2:
https://memory.nhcp.gov.ph/?s=sabah+documents#item76797_1
Sabah Documents, volume 3:
https://memory.nhcp.gov.ph/?s=sabah+documents#item76800_1
As a reference, the Sabah Documents are invaluable for scholars studying North Borneo’s historical governance and the historical basis of Philippine territorial claims. The preservation and digitization of these volumes are deemed necessary to allow scholars to explore these records with greater accessibility, ensuring that these materials remain available for future research.
Reference:
1. Fernandez, Erwin S. “Philippine Malaysia Dispute over Sabah: A Bibliographic Survey.” Asia Pacific Social Science Review 7, no. 1 (December 2007): 53. Accessed December 23, 2025. De La Salle University Manila. https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/pdf/research/journals/apssr/pdf/200712/4Fernandez.pdf
2. Hofilena, Saul Jr. Counting Filipinos. Manila: Baybayin Publishing, 2025.
3. Philippine claim to North Borneo. Manila : Bureau of Printing, 1964.
4. PH revives Sabah claim in note to United Nations.” Inquirer Global Nation. March 19, 2025. Accessed December 27, 2025. https://globalnation.inquirer.net/269575/ph-revives-sabah-claim-in-note-to-united-nations.
