PRE SPANISH AND SPANISH GOVERNMENT

Democracy and Democratization

• Democracy- is a system of government in which the citizens exercise power directly or elect
representatives from among them selves to form governing body.

- referred to as "the rule of majority"

• Democracy as the rule of the many and a society in which equality before law prevails. (Herodotus)

• The classical Theory of Democracy suggested the triple meaning:

1. Source of state the power of the people

2. The purpose of the government- the common good

3. The method of choosing political leaders- by the people.

• Democracy is the "Government of the people, by the people and for the people", ( Abraham Lincoln)

• Democracy consist of 4 key elements:

1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections

2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life

3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens

4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens

• Democratization- involves 3 basic components:

1. Ending am authoritarian regime

2. Installing a democratic regime

3. Consolidating a democratic regime

• The first wave of democracy began in the early 19th century.

• The second wave were between 1962 and the mid-1970

• The third wave began in 1974

PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TRANSITION TOWARDS DEMOCRATIZATION

PRE SPANISH

• 333 years of colonization of Spaniards in the Philippines

• The form of government prior to the arrival of Spaniard was composed of settlements or villages. It
was known in the history as the Barangay (derived from Malayan word Balangay means " boat".

• Every barangay before was equivalent to a state.

• Headed by Datus, Rajah, Sultan, Lakan and other chief executives (chieftains). They were assisted by
the counsil of elders or "Agorangs"

Early written Laws:

• Maragtas Code- was believed to be written by Datu Sumakwel around 1250 AD

• Alleged Code of Kalantiaw- which was written by Datu Kalantiaw of Panay around 1433.

GOVERNMENT DURING SPANISH PERIOD

• 1512- rediscovery of Philippines by Magellan

•1565-1821- the Philippines was governed by the Spanish crown through the Viceroy of Mexico

• 1837- the council (Council of Indies) was abolished and temporarily replaced by the Council of
Ministries

•The Philippines had 3 representations to the Spanish Cortes ( the Spanish Legislative) from 1810-1813,
1820-1823, 1836-1837

• Unitary government during Spanish colonization.

• The government general was at the top of the government.

• Barangays were consolidated into towns (pueblos) headed by gobernadorcillo (little governor)

• 1565- Cebu was the first established city and it was known as Ciudad del Santissimo Nombre De Jesus.
Second is Manila.

• Two important movements rose against Spanish Crown (1. The Filipino intellegencia composed of the
illustrados and established propaganda movement. 2. Secret society KKK established upon the exile of
Dr. Jose Rizal. It was organized by Andres Bonofacio and members signed the covenant with their own
blood (known as the Pacto De Sage) in July 8, 1892.

• Nov. 1, 1897 a republic was established by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Biak- na- Bato (San Miguel De
Mayumo, Bulacan). This government is also known as the Biak- na- Bato Republic.

• May 23, 1896- Gen. Aguinaldo established a Dictatorial Government.

• June 12, 1898- the Declaration of the Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite.

• The Malolos Congress convened and ratified the declaration of independence made by Aguinaldo on
September 29, 1898.

• The convention resulted to the establishment of the First Republic.

• The Congress also adopted a constitution and it was known as the Malolos Constitution.