Lesson II.

THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT

I. The Founding of the KATIPUNAN
Andres Bonifacio firmly believed that the happiness and welfare of the Filipino people
could not be achieved by peaceful requests for reforms, but by violent revolution.
On July 7, 1892, he and some patriotic friends met at the house of Deodato Arellano ,
brother-in-law of M.H. Del Pilar at #72 Azcarraga St, Tondo, Manila. They founded here the
secret revolutionary society, which was a government by itself, called Kataastaasan
Kagalannggalangan Katiupunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan ( highest and Respected Society of the
Sons of People). The aims of the KKK were 1) to unite the Filipinos, 2) to fight for Philippine
Independence.
The KKK members agreed on the following objectives:
▪ The political goal was to completely separate the Philippines from Spain after declaring the
country’s independence.
▪ The moral goal was to teach the Filipinos good manners, cleanliness, hygiene, fine morals,
and how to guard themselves against religious fanaticism..
▪ The civic goal was to encourage Filipinos to help themselves and to defend the poor
oppressed.

*Supreme Council –(Kataastaasang Sanggunian ) the central government of the Katipunan, with
a president, a fiscal, a secretary, a treasurer and a comptroller. In each province, there was a
Provincial Council (Sangguniang Bayan) and in each town, a Popular Council (Sangguniang
Balangay).
*Deodato Arellano – the first president of the Katipunan
Judicial Council (Sangguniang Hukuman ) – in which the judicial power of the Katipunan
resided; passed judgement over those members who violated the secrets of the society and
decided differences among members.
Composition of the Supreme Council of the Katipunan (on the eve of the revolution in August
1896)
Andres Bonifacio – Supremo
Emilio Jacinto – Secretary of State
Teodoro Plata – Secretary of War
Bricio Pantas – Secretary of Justice
Aguedo del Rosario – Secretary of Interior
Enrique Pacheco – Secretary of Finance
The Katipunan was finally discovered by the Spanish authorities on August 19, 1896 when one
member of the Katipunan revealed its secrets to an Augustinian priest who rushed to the
authorities and denounced the revolutionary plot of the Katipunan.
 II. The Naic Revolutionary Assembly
On April 17, 1897, Emilio Aguinaldo convened a revolutionary assembly in Naic, where he
completed his cabinet.
President ……………………………… Emilio Aguinaldo
Vice President …………………….. Mariano Trias
Captain General …………………. Artemio Ricarte
Secretary of the Interior…….. Pascual Alvarez
Secretary of State ……………... Jacinto Lumbreras
Secretary of Finance…………... Baldomero Aguinaldo
Secretary of Commerce & Industry….. Mariano Alvarez
Secretary of Justice …………… Severino Delas Alas
Secretary of War ………………. Emiliano Riego de Dios
*Matters taken up and approved in the Naic assembly
a. adoption of a new flag of red, white and blue with a sun at the center of a white triangle
b. reorganization of the revolutionary army with new fighting units added to it
c. adoption of standard uniform for the soldiers – the rayadillo
d. adoption of new rules fixing military ranks and their insignias
III. The Biaknabato Republic
On November 1, 1897, the Biaknabato Republic was inaugurated under a
constitution written by Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer, which was patterned closely after
the Cuban Constitution of 1895. This constitution was to take effect for only two years. It
declared that the aim of the Revolution was “the separation into an independent state”. The
Supreme Council, which was composed of a President, a Vice President and four
secretaries, could “ give orders with the force of the law, impose and collect taxes, and
supervise and direct military operations”.
The officials of the Biaknabato Republic were :
President ……………………………… Emilio Aguinaldo
Vice President …………………….. Mariano Trias
Secretary of the Interior…….. Isabelo Artacho
Secretary of Foreign Affairs ……………... Antonio Montenegro
Secretary of Treasury…………... Baldomero Aguinaldo
Secretary of War ………………. Emiliano Riego de Dios
 IV. Dictatorial Government
On his return from exile in Hongkong, Emilio Aguinaldo established the Dictatorial
Government on May 24, 1898. He proclaimed that this government was temporary and was
to last only until a republic could be established.
The most significant achievement of the Dictatorial Government was the
proclamation of Philippine Independence at Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898. The ceremony
included the formal unfurling of the Filipino flag , the Philippine National Anthem was played
and Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista read the “Act of the Declaration of Independence “, a
declaration signed by 98 persons, including American L.M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery

V. Revolutionary Government
Upon Apolinario Mabini’s advice, General Aguinaldo changed the Dictatorial
Government to Revolutionary Government on June 23, 1898. Aguinaldo gave up his title of
“Dictator” and assumed the position – “President of the Revolutionary Government “. Apolinario
Mabini, the “Sublime Paralytic” , became the adviser of General Aguinaldo and he was called
the “Brains of the Philippine Revolution”, just as Emilio Jacinto, also known for his intellectual
talents, was called the “Brains of Katipunan”.
Cabinet Members :
Secretary of the Interior…….. Baldomero Aguinaldo
Secretary of Justice ……………... Gregorio Araneta
Secretary of Treasury…………... Mariano Trias
Secretary of Promotion ………………. Felipe Buencamino
Director of Diplomacy ……………… T.H. Pardo de Tavera
By a decree of June 18, 1898, Aguinaldo provided for the election of
representatives to a republic assembly, which was to constitute the lawmaking body of the
nation. This was the Malolos Congress. During this period, the municipal and provincial
governments were organized throughout the country.
VI. The First Philippine Republic
On January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic, popularly known as the
Malolos Republic, was inaugurated at Barasoain Church. This was also the first Republic in
Asia.. Sources of government revenues were, a) war tax, b) national loans, c) voluntary
contributions, d) postage and documentary stamps, e) municipal and provincial licenses.
Fast forward to the plight of this government, with battles of the Filipinos and
Americans, General Aguinaldo was captured on March 23, 1901 and took the oath of allegiance
to the United states on April 19, 1901. His capture marked the end of the First Philippine
Republic.

VII. Civil Government

On July 4, 1901, the Civil Government was inaugurated in Manila with William H.
Taft as Civil Governor ( Governor-General). The Civil Government exercised jurisdiction over
the pacified provinces. The Philippine Commission was the legislative body.
 Unlike in Spanish time, the Filipinos were now given greater participation in the
government of their own country. The local government was completely controlled by Filipinos.
The municipal and provincial executives were elected by qualified voters. Various key positions
were opened to Filipinos. Cayetano Arellano, was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court, being the first Filipino to occupy such high office. Gregorio Araneta was the first Filipino
to head an executive department as Secretary of Finance and Justice.
The first Congressional Law about the government of the Philippines was the
Cooper Act, also known as the Philippine Bill of 1902.
To give the Filipinos as much self-government as they possibly enjoy, the US
Congress passed the Jones law on August 19, 1916, signed by President Wilson. This law
contained a preamble declaring the independence would be granted to the Filipinos as soon as
a stable government could be established.

VIII. Commonwealth Government

On March 25, 1935 , President Roosevelt approved the Constitution of the
Philippines. A plebiscite was held on May 14,1935 and the Constitution was ratified. (* This was
the first time that Filipino women voted and exercised their right of suffrage). The first national
election under this constitution was held on September 17, 1936 where Manuel L. Quezon and
Sergio Osmena ( from the Coalition Party ) emerged as winners as president and vice
president, respectively.
The Commonwealth of the Philippines was inaugurated on November 15, 1935.
After the oath taking ceremony of the President and Vice president-elect, Secretary of War
George Dern proclaimed the termination of the government under Jones Law and the birth of
the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
On January 2, 1942, Japanese invaders entered Manila. Quezon with his family
and the War cabinet left the Philippines and went to the United States.
IX. Second Republic of the Philippines
The period of the Japanese occupation (1942-1945) was one of the darkest
times in the history of the Philippines. Japan installed a puppet republic, the Second Republic of
the Philippines. On January 3, 1942, LT. Gen. Masaharu Homma, Commander in Chief of the
Japanese Imperial Forces in the Philippines, proclaimed the establishment of the Japanese
Military Administration for the purpose of supervising the political, economic, and cultural
activities of the land. Martial law was declared.
On January 23, 1942, the Philippine Executive Commission was established by the
Japanese High Command.
*Composition of the Philippine Executive Commission
Commissioner of the Interior - Benigno S. Aquino
Commissioner of Finance - Antonio delas Alas
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce - Rafael Alunan
Commissioner of Justice - Jose P. Laurel
Commissioner of Education, Health & Public Welfare - Claro M. Recto
Commissioner of Public Works and Communication - Quintin Paredes
 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court - Jose Yulo

 To each department of the Executive Commission was assigned a Japanese

adviser and several Japanese assistant advisers.
The Constitution framed and finished, signed on Sept. 4, under the pressure of
Japanese authorities, provided for a “Republic of the Philippines with tripartite powers –
Executive (President), Legislature ( National Assembly) and Judicial ( Supreme court and Lower
courts ) . On October 14, 1943, the new Republic (Second Republic of the Philippines – “Made-
in- Japan” republic ) was inaugurated, with Jose P. laurel as President. Under the new
Republic, the Ministries were established, replaced the Phil. Executive Commission. On August
17, 1945, two days after Japan surrendered, President laurel dissolved the “Republic of the
Philippines.

 Take note that while the Filipinos agonized under the Japanese occupation, the
government of the “Commonwealth-in-exile” was functioning in Washington DC with Quezon as
the President and Osmena as Vice. The Commonwealth-in-Exile existed from May 13,1942 to
October 3, 1944.

X. The Third Republic of the Philippines

On July 4, 1946, the Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated and Philippine
independence was proclaimed. Manuel A. Roxas and Elpidio Quirino were inducted into office
as president and Vice President, respectively. On April 17, Qurino assumed the Presidency
when Roxas died of heart attack.

 November 8, 1949 - President Quirino (Libertad Party) was elected on the first
national election under the Republic
 November 10, 1953 – Ramon Magsaysay, “Man of the Masses “, won the
Presidential election.
 March 18, 1957, Vice President Carlos P. Garcia was inducted into office after Pres.
Magsaysay died in a plane crash . He also won in the presidential election of
November 12, 1957.
 November 14, 1961 – Diosdado Macapagal , the poor boy from Lubao “, won the
presidential election.
 November 9, 1965 – Ferdinand Marcos won the presidential election.He served as
President until his ouster in 1986.

Reference :
History of the Republic of the Philippines. By Gregorio F. Zaide