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PHILIPPINE POLITICS
AND GOVERNANCE
Quarter 1- Module 5:
Historical Background of Philippine
Democratic Politics
Department of Education — Republic of the Philippines
Philippine Politics and Governance - Senior High School

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Quarter 1 - Module 5

First Edition, 2020

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Senior High School

PHILIPPINE POLITICS
AND GOVERNANCE
Quarter 1- Module 5:
Historical Background of Philippine
Democratic Politics

This instructional material was collaboratively developed and reviewed by

educators from public and private schools, colleges, and universities. We
encourage teachers and other education stakeholders to email their feedback,
comments, and recommendations to the Department of Education at
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We value your feedback and recommendations.

 Department of Education — Republic of the Philippines

Table Of Contents

Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1

Pre-test ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2

Lesson 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

Post-test ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 12

Answer Key ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 13

Reference ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
 What I Need To Know

For the Learners:

This module will start to elaborate the history and structure of the
Philippine government. The 1987 Philippine Constitution forms the basis for the
current governmental structure of the country. A general overview of the historical
background of the Philippine politics and governance can be viewed in this
module.
.

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

 relate the evolution of Philippine politics and governance;

 describe the different stages in the evolution of Philippine politics and
governance;
 analyze the evolution of Philippine politics and governance;
 assess the effects of the colonial experience on Philippine politics and
governance; and
 appraise the influence of prior stages of the Philippine political developments
on contemporary Philippine politics.

1
 What I Know (Pretest)

Directions: This will measure your prior knowledge on the evolution of Philippine
politics and governance. Identify in what period of history the statement
belongs. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. In what period of the evolution of Philippine politics and governance the term
“datu” was first used as chief of the barangay?
a. Spanish period b. Precolonial period c. Revolutionary d. Post era
2. The formal establishment of a colonial government took place only during the
conquest of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565. This event belonged to _____.
a. Spanish period b. Precolonial period c. Revolutionary d. Post era
3. The barangay was the Filipino's earliest form of government. This event is
under _____.
a. Spanish period b. Precolonial period c. Revolutionary d. Post era
4. What period did the first term of Ferdinand Marcos happen?
a. Spanish period b. Precolonial period c. Revolutionary d. Post era
5. The signing of the Treaty of Paris signaled the end of the Spanish-American
War. This particular event happened during _____.
a. Revolutionary b. Japanese occupation c. American periodd. Post era
6. In 1944, the Commonwealth government was re-established after the return
of Gen. Douglas MacArthur to the Philippines and Japanese forces eventually
defeated. This particular event happened during _____.
a. Revolutionary b. Japanese occupation c. American period d. Post
era
7. Andres Bonifacio and a group of patriots founded the Katipunan in 1892,
which sought independence from Spain and set the 1896 Revolution in
motion. This period belonged to _____.
a. Revolutionary b. Japanese occupation c. American period d. Post
era
8. The 1935 Constitution, provided for a presidential and unitary system, wherein
the president will be directly elected by the people and will serve for four years
with a maximum of two terms. This event happened during _____.
a. Revolutionary b. Japanese occupation c. American period d. Post
era
9. What period did Corazon Aquino serve as the president of the Fifth Republic?
a. Spanish period b. Martial Law era c. Post-EDSA d. Japanese
10. EDSA People Power ended the dictatorial regime of Marcus. This period is
under _____.
a. Spanish period b. Martial Law era c. Post-EDSA d. Japanese

2
Lesson Historical Development of Philippine
1 Democratic Politics

What’s New

Activity 1. My Presidents!

Directions: Think of three Philippine presidents that you have idolized. Then,
write their names inside the boxes provided, together with what you think their
best contribution in the country.

1Example:

o President Rodrigo
Roa Duterte
o Suspension and
removal of corrupt
government
officials

3
 What Is It

The Evolution of Philippine politics and Governance

The evolution of the Philippine politics may be presented through the various
historical periods that the country has undergone. The discussion will be provided as
follows:

Periods Events
 A system of governance in pre-colonial period already
Precolonial existed before Spaniards arrived in the Philippines in
( before 1565) 1521. Back then, the Philippines was an archipelago
organized into several independent and self-sufficient
political units known as the barangay, which was headed
by a chief known as datu.
 The barangay was the Filipino's earliest form of
government. It was an independent settlement
consisting of thirty to one hundred families usually
situated along a river bank or at the mouth of a river
spilling out to the sea. The term barangay was derived
from the Malay word barangay or balangay, which
means sailboat. The barangays were used to transport
the early Filipinos and their cargoes to the various
sections of the Philippine archipelago.
 Each barangay was ruled by a datu or village chief who
was also known as raha or rajah. Some datus were
more powerful than others and, consequently, were duly
respected and exercise tremendous influence. The
political development of the archipelago was such that
there was no national or central government yet. In other
words, there was no datu strong enough to consolidate
considerable power and to unite the archipelago into one
nation.
 The system of stratification was deemed politically
significant which was present also in precolonial period.
The stratification was based on class, which included the
nobility or maharlika, the freemen or timawa, the serfs or
aliping namamahay, and the slaves or aliping sagigilid.
The datu belonged to the maharlika class. Although this
period was already complex and sophisticated, women
held important positions and foreign relations were
established.

 In this period, Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the

Spanish Philippines and this country became the Spanish

4
 period Crown’s basis for the occupation of the archipelago.
( 1565- 1898) Accordingly, a number of expeditions were sent to
formally colonize the Archipelago. The formal
establishment of a colonial government took place only
during the conquest of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565.
 Changes in the structure of the government were made
and indirectly governed by the king of Spain through
Mexico through the council of Indies in Spain. The
Mexico gained independence in 1821 and this country
was directly ruled by Spain until 1898.
 The government during this period was centralized,
which was led by the governor-general. With his
authority based in Intramuros Manila, the governor-
general was likewise an all-powerful individual. He had
the executive, legislative, judicial, administrative, and
military powers. A Spanish influence was the
centralization of power and the creation of a basic
unitary government.
 It was at this period the Spaniards appointed the
chieftains as the cabeza de barangay. The datu’s
traditional powers were limited to collecting taxes. The
unified barangays composed the pueblo or towns, which
were led by the gobernadorcillo (“little governor”). The
consolidated towns then formed into provinces, which
could be categorized into two. Provinces that were fully
subjugated were called alcaldia, headed by the alcalde
mayor; while provinces that were not entirely pacified
under Spanish authority were called corregimiento, led
by the corregidor.

Revolutionary  In revolutionary period, the nationalist sentiments of the

period Filipinos were awakened. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del
(1868- 1898) Pilar, and Graciano lopez Jaena led the Propaganda
Movement, which advocated reforms that the same
rights and freedoms enjoyed in Spain would also be
granted to Filipinos. Novels, manifestos, and articles that
called for reforms were written. However, the failure of
the Propaganda to initiate changes in the society gave
birth to a secret association, the Kataas-taasang
Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan
(katipunan). Andres Bonifacio and a group of patriots
founded the Katipunan in 1892, which sought
independence from Spain and set the 1896 Revolution in
motion.
 The Katipunan as an organization adopted its own form
of government, which had national and local levels. The
Katipunan was governed by the Kataastaasang
Sanggunian (Supreme council), which was composed of

5
 the president, secretary/secretaries, treasurer, and
fiscal. The Sangguniang Balangay (Provincial Council)
and the Sangguniang Bayan (Popular Council) was also
organized in each province and town, respectively. A
Sangguniang Hukuman (Judicial Council) was also
created to adjudicate on cases involving members of the
organization.
 The Katipunan was divided into two factions: the
Magadalo and Magdiwang. On March 22 1897, the
Tejeros Convention was called where General Emilio
Aguinaldo was elected as president. On November 1,
1897, Aguinaldo established the Biak-na-Bato Republic
where its constitution declared the creation of an
independent Philippine State. The republic, however,
lasted for only a month after the Pact of Biak na Bato
was signed. It provided for the amnesty and monetary
indemnity of Aguinaldo and other revolutionaries,
including the exile of the revolutionary government to
Hongkong. The pact was supposed to signal the end of
the revolution, but Aguinaldo and his men prepare
themselves for another siege.
 The Spanish-American war broke out on April 1898.
Aguinaldo sailed for Cavite from Hong Kong and by 24
of May, he established a dictatorial government and the
Philippine independence from Spain was declared on
June 12 in Kawit, Cavite. Then, the dictatorial
government was replaced by a revolutionary
government, and months after the declaration of
independence, the Malolos Congress convened, which
produced the Malolos Constitution. On January 23,
1899, the First Philippine Republic was established with
Emilio Aguinaldo as its president. A Supreme Court of
Justice was likewise created which addressed cases.

American  The signing of the Treaty of Paris signaled the end of the
period Spanish-American War. The Treaty involved United
(1898-1941) States’ payment of $20 million to Spain after the latter
ceded all its imperial possessions, including Puerto Rico,
Guam, and the Philippines. The American occupation of
the Philippines definitely precipitated the Philippine –
American War. The official end of hostilities was
declared in 1902, following the capture of Emilio
Aguinaldo and the defeat of revolutionary forces.
 The United States forces established a military
government in the Philippines after America’s capture of
Manila in 1898. Gen. Wesley Merritt (1898), Gen. Elwell
Otis (1898-1900), and Maj. Gen.Arthur McArthur, Jr.
(1900-1901) were the military governors who
administered the Philippines through the authority of the

6
 US president.
 William H. Taft (in office 1901-1904) became the first
civil governor of the Philippines, acted as the head of the
executive branch and also exercised legislative powers
as the head of the Philippine Commission, a lawmaking
body, whose members were all appointed.
 The Philippine Organic Act (Cooper Act) was enacted in
1902, which provided for the creation of the Philippine
legislature. The legislature would be bicameral, with all
the-appointed Philippine Commission as the upper
house; and the Philippine Assembly, whose the
members were to be elected as the lower house. In
1907, the first nationwide election was held and the
Philippine legislature held its first session. By 1916, the
Philippine Autonomy Act (Jones Law) provided for the
reorganization of the Philippine legislature into a fully
elected and Filipino-controlled bicameral body. The
Philippine Commission became the Senate, while the
Philippine Assembly became the House of
Representatives. At the same time, Filipino statesmen
were already working toward total Philippine
Independence from the United States.

 Until 1934, the Tydings-McDuffie Act (Philippine

Independence Act) was ratified by the US congress. It
established the Philippine Commonwealth, which
provided for a 10-year transition period that would
prepare the Filipinos for self-governance. The 1935
Constitution was promulgated, which paved the way for
a presidential and unicameral legislative system called
the National Assembly of the Philippines. President
Manuel Quezon and Vice President Sergio Osmeña
headed the first Commonwealth government.

 Starting from 1942 to 1945, the Commonwealth

government went in exile when the Japanese occupied
the Philippines. The democratic political institutions
established, including electoral and party politics,
constitutional law, the secret ballot, and the legislature,
are manifestations of the influence the Americans had
on our current political system.

Japanese  The Japanese military forces established the Philippine

occupation Executive Commission (PEC), a civil government that
(1941-1945) would temporary rule the country and composed of
Filipinos. In 1943, a new constitution was promulgated
and the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic was
established with Jose P. Laurel as its president. The
Second Republic commonly referred to as a “puppet

7
 government” was similar to PEC in terms of its
executive, legislative, and judiciary.
 In 1944, the Commonwealth government was re-
established after the return of Gen. Douglas MacArthur
to the Philippines and Japanese forces eventually
defeated. The 1935 Constitution again became the
highest law of the land. In July 5, 1945, MacArthur
announced the liberation of the Philippines, but this
period encountered primary problems on the
reconstruction of the country and of the government.

Postwar era  On July 4, 1946, the Tydings-McDuffie Act was granted

or the Third independence to the Philippines after the 10-year
Philippine transitional period, which was mentioned earlier. The
Republic Third Republic was also inaugurated in the same day.
(1946-1945) On the 1935 Constitution, the structure of postwar
Philippine politics and government was founded.
 The 1935 Constitution, provided for a presidential and
unitary system, wherein the president will be directly
elected by the people and will serve for four years with a
maximum of two terms. Another was a bicameral
legislature composed of the Senate and the House of
Representatives, whose members are also directly
elected by the people. An independent judicial body
which was composed of the Supreme Court and the
lower courts was also created.
 The first president of the Third Republic was Manuel
Roxas in office from 1946 to 1948, followed by Elpidio
Quirino from 1948 to 1953, Ramon Magsaysay from
1953 to 1957, Carlos P. Garcia from 1957 to 1961,
Diosdado Macapagal from 1961 to 1965, and the first
term of Ferdinand Marcos from 1965 to 1969. The
second term of Marcos saw changes in the government
structure and the ratification of a new constitution in
1973.

Martial Law  Ferdinand Marcos ran for re-election and succeeded that
era (1972- made the only president under the 1935 Constitution to
1981) and the be elected for a second term. During this time, the
Fourth country experienced the worse economic condition,
Republic deteriorating peace and order, social discontent, and a
(1981-1986) growing Communist insurgency. Marcos announced on
nationwide radio and television that he was placing the
entire country under martial law, to “save” the Philippines
from turmoil and to reform the society on September 23,
1972. The declaration was made through the virtue of
Proclamation 1081 which was signed on September 21.
Marcos rationalized that martial law was the only option
that would solve the rebellion and then instituted the
Bagong Lipunan (New Society), which envisioned a

8
 thriving and self-reliant society.
 A new constitution was adopted in 1973 which provided
that the Philippines will have a modified parliamentary
form of government. The president will serve as a
ceremonial head of state with the following functions:
address the National Assembly at the opening of its
regular section; proclaim the section of the prime
minister; dissolve the National Assembly and call for a
general election; appoint all officers and employees in
accordance with the Civil Service Law, among others.
On the other hand, the prime minister will be the head of
the cabinet, be responsible to the National Assembly for
the program of government approved by the president
and determine the guidelines of national policy, and the
commander in chief of all armed forces in the
Philippines, among others. The president and the prime
minister were to be elected by the National Assembly, a
unicameral legislative body composed of assemblymen
elected by the people.
 The 1973 constitution was amended in 1976, and was
done again in 1981. Under 1976 amendments, Marcos
was allowed to be the president and the prime minister
at the same time. Marcos was able to stay in the
presidency longer and exercise greater powers. During
martial law, the political rights and the civil liberties of the
people as well as their human rights were suppressed
and violated. The suspension of writ of habeas corpus
led to the arrest and detention of any person without
proper court proceeding. There were cases of human
rights abuse among those who were vocal against the
regime and press freedom was suppressed as he
established control of mass media.
 In 1981, Marcos lifted the martial law but still he
continued to exercise dictatorial powers. EDSA People
Power ended his dictatorial regime.

Post-EDSA or  1986 onward was the restoration of democracy. The end

the Fifth of the dictatorial rule marked the shift toward re-
Republic democratization and return to constitutionalism. A
(1986- revolutionary government was created following Corazon
present) Aquino’s rise to presidency. A Freedom Constitution was
also framed, which served as the foundation of the
transitory government. A democratic and republican
government was established after a new Philippine
Constitution was ratified in 1987.
 The post-EDSA era, also known as the Fifth Republic,
saw the revival of democracy, wherein governmental
powers emanate from the people. Elections, political
parties, and civil societies were thus reinstituted. f
through the president was recognized supreme over the

9
 military. An independent judiciary was also re-
established. The Philippine legislature also returned to a
bicameral form with the rebirth of the Senate and the
House of Representatives.
 From 1986 to 1992, Corazon Aquino served as the
president of the Fifth Republic. Fidel Ramos followed in
office from 1992 to1998, then Joseph Estrada, who only
served half of his term from 1998 to 2001, after being
deposed by the EDSA People Power II. He was
succeeded by his vice president, Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo, who eventually won the 2004 presidential
election from 2001 to 2010. She was followed by
Benigno Simeon Aquino III in office from 2010 up to
2016. Presently, the Philippines is headed by Rodrigo
Roa Duterte, the first president to have hailed from
Mindanao.

What’s More

Activity 2. “Major-major event”

Directions: Describe each historical development of Philippine democratic politics
by providing one major event that happened in a particular period. Write your
descriptions in the space provided.
Example:
Precolonial period
Event: Each barangay was ruled by a datu or village chief who was
also known as raha or rajah. 
1. Spanish period
Event:

2. Revolutionary period
Event:

3. American period
Event:

4. Japanese occupation
Event:

10
 5. Martial Law era
Event:

What I Have Learned

Key Points

 A brief overview on how Philippine politics and government was transformed

through time.
 There are several institutions and political processes that trace their roots
from the precolonial up to the colonial periods.
 The structure of Philippine politics to date is not only a reflection of the
country’s struggle with colonialism but also with dictatorship.
 The return to democracy and constitutionalism, through the 1987 Constitution,
is a reflection of the country’s victory against the authoritarian system.

What I Can Do

Activity 3: Reflection!

 Question: What are the influences of prior stages of the Philippine political
developments on contemporary Philippine politics? Think of five (5) influences
that are visible in the present.

Examples: There is an organized government.

People have freedom of speech.
a. _____________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________
d. _____________________________________________________

11
 _____________________________________________________

CONGRATULATIONS FOR COMPLETING THIS MODULE!

You are now ready for the next Module!

Assessment (Post-test)

Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. We have seen women held important positions in the government today.
What period do you think this practice originated?
a. American b. Spanish c. Precolonial d. Japanese
2. Civilian authority through the president was recognized supreme over the
military. This event occurred in ____.
a. American b. Spanish c. Martial Law d. Post-EDSA
3. In what period do you think the influence of nationwide election started?
a. American b. Japanese c. Martial Law d. Post-EDSA
4. A Supreme Court of Justice was likewise created which addressed cases.
This happened during ____.
a. Revolutionary b. American c. Martial Law d Japanese occupation
5. The 1935 Constitution was promulgated, which paved the way for a
presidential and unicameral legislative system called the National
Assembly of the Philippines. What period do you think this event
happened?
a. Revolutionary b. American c. Martial Law d. Japanese occupation

12
Answer Key

Pretest

1. B
2. A
3. B
4. D
5. C
6. B
7. A
8. D
9. C
10. B

Post Assessment

1. C
2. D
3. A
4. A
5. B

13
References

1973 Constitution of the Philippines. Accessed on July 21, 2020.

http://www.gov.ph/constitutions/the-amended-1973-constitution-2/.

Local Governance in the Philippines. Accessed on July 21, 2020.

https:/asiafoundation.org/resources/pdfs/PhilippinesLocalGovernance.pdf.

De Leon, Hector. Textbook on the Philippine Constitution. Quezon City: Rex Printing
Company, INC. 1991.

Ramos, Renan E. 2016. Philippine Politics and Governance. Quezon City: Vibal
Group, Inc. .

Villanueva, Prince Aian G. 2017. Philippine Politics and Governance. Makati City:
DIWA Learning Systems Inc.

14
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