List of recorded datu in the Philippines

In some indigenous Lumad and Muslim societies in Mindanao, titular Datus of ancient royal and noble families still exist. Some of them are active government officials of the Republic of the Philippines, while continuing their cultural and tribal roles as community leaders of their people. Some, although do not have official duties in the Republic, exercise some leadership roles in their tribes. Still others are claimants to these titles. Some of these present day Datus are:

• Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. – Present datu and one of the most infamous among datus, because he is the culprit of Maguindanao Massacre.
• Datu Pax S. Mangudadato – Present day datu and governor of Sultan Kudarat (2001–2004)
• Datu Zaldy Ampatuan – Regional Governor, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
• Datu Zamzamin Ampatuan – Undersecretary, "Department of Energy"
• Datu Micko Alunan S. Ampatuan also known as Datu Alunan – born in 1995, was the next in line to the datus. He is the successor of Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr..
• The Sultanate of Sulu has had succession of titular Sultans[1] during the past decades: Mohammad Jamalulul Kiram III (1984–1990);[2][3] Mohammad Akijal Atti (1990–1999), who was Raja Muda to self-proclaimed Sultan Mohammad Jamalulul Kiram III before he assumed the title as self-proclaimed titular Sultan;[4][5][6] However at present, the legitimate ruling house of the Sultanate of Sulu (Cf. Royal Sultanate of Sulu), states Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram of Sulu is the legitimate head and Sultan of Sulu. Datu Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram was crowned in 1974 as Raja Muda ( Crown Prince) through an official Memorandum Order N. 427, issued by Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos.[7][8] He was crowned beside his father, Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram, the last Philippine Government recognised Sultan of Sulu.[9] Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram is the last Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Sulu to receive official recognition from a Philippine President.[10][11]
• The Sultanate of Maguindanao has an incumbent titular Sultan, Hajji Datu Amir bin Muhammad Baraguir – the 25th Sultan of Maguindanao.Son of Al-Marhum Sultan Hajji Datu Muhammad G.M. Baraguir,Llb. the 24th Sultan of Maguindanao[12]
• The Maranaos have sixteen royal houses who rule the four principalities in what is referred to as the Confederation of Sultanates in Lanao.

A 1926 photograph of Bagobo (Manobo) warriors in full war regalia. The Bagobo tribe is one of the Lumad tribes in Mindanao.

• Datu Julius Cayon

• Datu Benhur – Lumad leader of the Banuaon tribe[13]

• Datu Viloso Suhat, also known as Datu Lipatuan – a tribal leader from the Tinananon Menuvo tribe in Arakan, North Cotabato, and the first Lumad to sit in a local legislative body in central Mindanao.[14]

• Datu Lamparan Talima Danda – the tribal chief from Subanen tribe, and a second generation descendant of Timuay Danda Antanao from Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay. Elected Mayor of Kabasalan, serving from 1961 to 1964. He was the Secretary General of United Subanen Community Association Inc.

• Datu Wata Eduardo Lihao Danda- a tribal leader in charge of the communications for the entire Subanen Tribe. He functioned under Datu Lamparan Lihao Danda, his elder brother. He was enlisted into United States Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFFE) during World War II, attach to the Medical Detachment of 106th Infantry (Filipino) Division with rank of Corporal, and captured by the Japanese in May 1942. Datu Wata Eduardo was imprisoned in Camp 78 in Davao, escaped the same year and re-joined with US Army 41st Division. After the liberation of the Philippines from Imperial Japanese forces, he reenlisted to the Philippine Constabulary and retired in 1972. He served as the Secretary General of United Subanen Community Association, Inc. in Zamboanga Sibugay, succeeding his elder brother.

• Datu Labi José Lihao Cayon – a tribal chief of the Subanen tribe and the 1st cousin of Datu Wata Eduardo Lihao Danda and Datu Lamparan Lihao Danda

• Datu Labi Julius Mascarinas Cayon – board member of Zamboanga Sibugay Province And the Son of late Datu Labi JoseLihao Cayon, he is recognized as the Tribal Chieftain not just in Zamboanga Sibugay but entire Region 9 and partly in Region 10. "NCIP" - national commission on indigenous people, record section.

• Datu Lumok Imbing – 2nd cousin of Datu Laparam Talima Danda and a tribal leader from Subanen Tribe, who leads the aborigins of the Municipality of Lapuyan, Zamboanga Del Sur Province.

• Datu Wilborne Sanghanan Danda – a board member of Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zamboanga Sibugay (2000–2013), Elected Vice Mayor of Municipality of Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay from year 2010–2013, He is the son of Datu Lamparan Talima Danda.

• Datu Langhap Dacanay – he is the 2nd generation of the royal blood stream and a 3rd degree relative of Datu Wilborn Sanghanan Danda

• Bae Sonita Manda Ryde – the 1st highest women handle the position she was proclaimed by former President Gloria Arroyo and she is in the 2nd generation royal blood stream a relative of Datu Lamparan T. Danda, Datu Wata Eduardo Lihao Danda and Datu Labi Jose Lihao Cayon

• Datu Wilfredo Lunsayan Sunggayan – 1st Indigenous Peoples representative in local legislative councils in the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay an none blood stream ordained appointed as Datu for Subanen political affair from the provincial down to the barangay level pursuant to RA 8371.

• Apo Dr. Pio Lledo – Tagbanwa Tribal Chieftain of Calauit Is. Ancestral Domain[15]
• Apo Rodolfo Aguilar – Tagbanwa Paramount Tribal Chieftain of Coron Is. Ancestral Domain[16]