Historical Background of the

Philippine Democratic Politics

The different types of government in the Philippines from the beginning to the latest type of government

Pre-Spanish Era

01
Exposed to Western colonization before it had the chance to
grow either a centralized government administering over a
huge region or a dominant culture. Individuals lived in
expanded kinshipgroups known as Balangay (barangay),
each under the administration of a Datu, or clan leader. The
barangay, which normally numbered close to two or three
hundred people, was generally the biggest stable monetary
and political unit.

Monarchial in character

“Datu” acts as chieftain and belongs to the MAHARLIKA social class.

There are 3 social classes during this era MAHARLIKA (Noble), TIMAWA
(Freeman), and ALIPIN (Slaves). There are two types of slaves: Aliping
Namamahay is those that have a bit of freedom and Aliping
Saguiguilid is those that the owner has absolute ownership.
 The Justice System is by Rule of the Jungle in which if the Datu has no heir,
the council of elders may someone that is either physically strong and
most cunning that survives from the bloody confrontation. Slavery is
inherited however it may be broken if the slave can buy his freedom.
Economically the system is based on agriculture and is feudal. Religion is
Paganism. The judicial system was employed by “trial” or “ordeal”.

02
Spanish Era
Spain established a centralized colonial government in the Philippines that
was composed of a national government and the local governments that
administered provinces, cities, towns, and municipalities. THE
ENCOMIENDA SYSTEM in which King Philip II told Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
to divide the Philippines into large territories called ECCOMIENDAS that are
managed by ENCOMENDROS.
 Encomenderos had the right to collect taxes. However, the
Encomiendas were not there to claim. They are the domain managers
where they must (1) ensure the individuals in the Encomienda; (2) keep
up harmony and request; (3) advance instruction and wellbeing
projects; and (4) help the teachers spread Christianity and the most
significant is (5) to gather charge. There are 3 sorts of
Ecomienda: Royal – own by the King of Spain. Private – own by private
people or altruistic foundations. Ecclesiastical – own by the religious
orders.

Centralized Government

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: The lawmaking body of Spain is called CORTEZ (Parliament),

Recopilacion de Leyes de Las Indias (Law of the Indies or leyes de Indias), and Colonial
code. STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT: THE GOVERNOR GENERAL the King's representative
and the highest-ranking official oversees that the royal decrees and laws emanating from
Spain are implemented in the Philippines. The power to appoint and dismiss public
officials, except those personally chosen by the King. Supervised all government offices
and the collection of taxes. Exercises certain legislative powers, as well, issues
proclamations to facilitate the implementation of laws. Miguel López de Legazpi was the
first Governor-General. THE RESIDENCIA a special judicial court that investigates the
performance of a governor-general who was about to be replaced submits a report of its
findings to the King. THE ROYAL AUDIENCIA (SUPREME COURTS) an advisory body to the
Governor-General and had the power to check and report on his abuses and sends a
yearly report to Spain. THE VISITA a government official called the Vistador General to
observe conditions in the colony reports the findings directly to the King.
 THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT facilitates the country’s administration. There are two
types of local government units – the alcadia led by the alcalde mayor (represents the
Spanish King and the governor-general in their respective provinces), governs the
provinces that had been fully subjugated and the corregimiento headed by corregidor,
governed the provinces that were not yet entirely under Spanish control. Manages the
day-to-day operations of the provincial government, implemented laws, and supervised
the collection of taxes. Through they were paid a small salary, they enjoyed privileges
such as the indulto de comercio, or the right to participate in the galleon trade. THE
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT every province was divided into several towns or pueblos
headed by Gobernadordcillos, whose main concerns were efficient governance and tax
collection. Four lieutenants aided the Governardorcillo: the Teniente Mayor (chief
lieutenant), the Teniente de Policia (police lieutenant), the Teniente de
Sementeras (lieutenant of the fields), and the Teniente de Ganados (lieutenant of the
livestock).

Begun when the 3 famous Filipino priests the GomBurZa (Fathers Mariano
Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora) were executed on February 17, 1872.
03 Revolutionary Era
Andres Bonifacio founded the “Katastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng
Mga Anak ng Bayan” (KKK) on July 7, 1892, in a house on Azcarraga street (now
Claro M. Recto), in Tondo Manila. Symbol of the member’s loyalty is the solemn
rite of sanduguan (blood compact), wherein each one signed his name with his
blood. Members recruit more people using the “triangle system” of enlistment
in which the original member would recruit two new members as well as the
new members who will recruit also. Asked to contribute one Real (about 25
centavos) each month to raise funds for the association.
 OBJECTIVES OF KKK MEMBERS: political goal to completely separate the Philippines
from Spain after declaring the country’s independence. Moral goals teach Filipinos
good manners, cleanliness, hygiene, fine morals, and how to guard themselves
against religious fanaticism. A civic goal encourages Filipinos to help themselves and
to defend the poor oppressed. “Kataastaasang Sanggunian” (supreme council) the
highest governing body of the Katipunan. Headed by a SUPREMO, or president. Each
Katipunan Government province had a “Sangguaniang Bayan” (Provincial Council) and each town had a
“Sangguniang Balangay” (Popular Council). THE LEADERS OF THE
KATIPUNAN: Deodato Arellano -Supremo, Ladislao Diwa -Fiscal, Teodora Plata -
Secretary, Valentine Diaz -Treasurer, Andres Bonifacio -Controller. Leadership issue in
Imus, Cavite on December 31, 1897, because Aguinaldo was recognized as a leader
by the Magdalo faction and Bonifacio was recognized as the leader of the Katipunan
by the Magdiwang faction.

March 22, another assembly was held at Tejeros (known as the Tejeros Convention)
Aguinaldo won as president while Bonifacio was relegated as the Director of the
Interior. Bonifacio called the election void then formed the Naic Military Agreement,
essentially creating a government contending Aguinaldo. Bonifacio was captured,
stood trial, and was sentenced to death by a War Council of Aguinaldo's
government. Emilio Aguinaldo established the BIAK-NA-BATO CONSTITUTION The
Leaders are: Emilio Aguinaldo-President, Mariano Trias-Vice President, Antonio
Montenegro-Secretary of War, Baldomero Aguinaldo-Treasurer, and Emilio Riego de
Dios. THE MALOLOS CONGRESS ratified the declaration of Philippine independence
held at Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898, the passage of a law that allowed the
Philippines to borrow P 20 million from banks for government expenses, the
establishment of the Universidad Literatura de Filipinas, and other schools, drafting
of the Philippine Constitution, declaring war against the United States on June 12,
1899.
 MALOLOS CONSTITUTION headed by Felipe Calderon and aided by Cayetano Arellano,
the constitution was drafted, for the first time by representatives of the Filipino people
and it is the first republican constitution in Asia, inspired by the constitutions of Mexico,
Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil, Belgium, and France, paved the way to launching the first
Philippine Republic. It established a democratic, republication government with three
branches - the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, the separation of church and
state, and executive powers were to be exercised by the president of the republic with
the help of his cabinet. The FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC was inaugurated in Malolos,
Bulacan on January 21, 1899. The constitution was read article by article and followed
by a military parade. Apolinario Mabini was elected as a prime minister. The other
cabinet secretaries were: Teodoro Sandico, interior; Baldomero Aguinaldo, war; Gen.
Mariano Trias, finance & war; Apolinario Mabini, foreign affairs; Gracio Gonzaga for
welfare, Aguedo Velarde, public instruction; Maximo Paterno, public works &
communication; and Leon María Guerrero for agriculture, trade & commerce.

04
The Philippines pledge allegiance to the united states. US MILITARY
GOVERNMENT laid the foundation of the US civil government, introduced the
American education system with US soldiers as soldiers. President William
McKinley created the FIRST PHILIPPINE COMMISSION also known as
SCHURMAN COMMISSION that has a legislature of two houses (half elective
and the other half appointed) and the SECOND PHILIPPINE COMMISSION that
was the first to exercise legislative function. US CIVIL GOVERNMENT
introduced by Sen. John C. Spooner, the first organic act of governance in the
Philippines. COOPER ACT or PHILIPPINE ACT OF 1902 provision of the law
American Era
is: Extention of Bill of Rights, Appointment of two Filipinos to Washington,
establish an elective Philippine Assembly, Philippine Commission as upper
house and Philippines as the lower house. Sergio Osmeña the Governor of
Cebu and the first speaker. JONES LAW OF 1961 the 3rd organic law of the
Philippines, gives Filipino political self-government. Legislative function
transferred to the bicameral Philippine Legislature consisting of an upper
house (Senate 24 members) and lower house (House of Representative 93
members).
 First Senate President Manuel L. Quezon, First Hous of Rep. Speaker
Military Government Sergio Osmeña. OSROX MISSION (6th INDEPENDENCE MISSION) led by
Osmeña, brought the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act that grants the
Philippine Independence after a 10-year transition period. THE
TYDINGS-MCDUFFIE LAW paved the way for the election of delegates to
the 1934 Constitutional Convention. THE COMMONWEALTH
GOVERNMENT provided for a republican State. THE COMMONWEALTH
IN EXILE Philippine became a target of destruction by Japan and was
conquered by it.

Japan conquered Manila Led by GEN. MASAHARU HOMMA Commander-

in-chief of Japanese Imperial Forces established Military Administration in
the Philippines and wanted to establish "Philippines for the Filipino".
PHILIPPINE EXECUTIVE COMMISSION: reorganization of the government,
05
Japanese Era
a De Facto government, Philippine Council of State. Japanese Propaganda
Movement; "Asia for the Asiatic", Philippine For Filipinos", and "Asia As
One". KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Bayan) the chief
organ of Japanese propaganda. President Jose Vargas, Vice-President, and
Director-General Benigno S. Aquino, Sr. SECOND REPUBLIC supplanted the
Philippine Executive Commission.
Puppet Government
 MANUEL ROXAS last President of the Commonwealth and came to influence by
Post-Independence Phil. Government building up his ideological group – the Liberal Party. ELPIDIO QUIRINO he

06
declared the two principle focuses of his organization as financial reproduction of
the country and reclamation of the confidence and certainty of the individuals in
the government. RAMON MAGSAYSAY third President of the third Republic
otherwise called "Man of the Masses", he tended to the lacking "opportunity and
progress of the barrios". CARLOS GARCIA known for its slogan "Filipino First"
strategy, finished the Philippine monetary autonomy. DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL
essayists and political pioneers accepted that Macapagal was the most
scholastically arranged President ever.

FERDINAND MARCOS a famous President throughout the entire existence of the

Philippines given his accomplishments. During his initial term, he was a recall on two
front projects (1) foundation development and (2) independence in rice creation.
Corazon Aquino the principal lady President of the Philippines and in Asia. The
primary President of the 5th Republic. Fidel V. Ramos, his authoritative program was
Republic Government
secured on his trademark "Philippine 2000" to which he pledged to change the
Philippines as one of the new tiger economies of Asia. JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA his
official stage was imagined in his Medium-Term Development Program known as
"Angat Pinoy 20014". GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO the second lady President came
through EDSA Dos in 2001. Her legislature recalled by its wrongdoings rather by its
insignificant accomplishments. Benigno Aquino III, Aquino organization has been
consistently enhancing the great administration changes it has set up, which
incorporates fortifying the components important for the quick and proficient
conveyance of administrations to Filipinos. Rodrigo Duterte additionally called
Digong, a Filipino government official who was chosen leader of the Philippines in
2016. A Filipino government official who is the sixteenth and officeholder President
of the Philippines and the first from Mindanao to hold the office