HUMSS 2 (PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE)

READING MATERIAL

LESSON 6 : POLITICS IN THE PRE-SPANISH TO SPANISH PERIOD

I. Introduction
There are two misconceptions about Philippine politics that must be corrected. First, that
there was no politics the Philippines prior to colonization period. By definition of politics,
whenever a group is formed and leaders are chosen, there is already a play of power even
without the group is formed and leaders are chosen, there is already a play of power even
without being aware of such concept. Additionally, there are accounts or records that prove the
existence of politics in the Philippines prior to colonization period.
The second misconception is that every issue or problem we have in politics and
governance was caused by colonization. This is not true since a lot of political issues and
concerns we have to this day can be traced back even before colonization.

II. Objectives
After this lesson, you should be able to:
1. describe Philippine politics and governance from the pre-colonial period to Spanish
period;
2. identify similarities and differences between today’s politics and the experiences and
processes of politics in the past;
3. discuss the changes in Philippine politics and governance; and
4. assess the effects of the colonial experience of the country in its present politics and
governance.
III. Pretest
Write atleast 2 attributes of a good government and discuss why it is important.

IV. Discussion / Course Content

THE PRE-SPANISH GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the Philippines was composed of settlements or
villages, each called barangay, named after balangay, a Malayan word meaning “boat”. Every
barangay was virtually a state, for it possessed the four basic elements of statehood. At times,
however, some barangays joined together as “confederations” mainly for the purpose of mutual
protection against common enemies. Each barangay was ruled by a chief called datu in some
places, and rajah, sultan or hadji in others. He was its chief executive, law giver, chief judge,
and military head. In the performance of his duties, however, he was assisted usually by a
council of elders (maginoos) which served as his advertisers. In form, the barangay was
monarchy with the wealth, or physical prowess. The people of the barangay were divided into
four classes, namely: the nobility (maharlika), to which the datu belonged, the freemen (timawa),
the serfs (aliping namamhay), and the slaves (aliping sagigilid). SOCIAL CLASSES IN THE
BARANGAY
The early Filipinos had both written and unwritten laws. The written laws were
promulgated by the datus. The two known written codes in the pre- Spanish era are the
“Maragtas Code” which was said to have been written about 1250 A.D by Datu Sumakwel of
Panay, and the Kalantiaw Code written in 1433 A.D by Datu Kalantiaw, also of Panay.It can be
said that the laws of the barangay were generally fair. The system of government, although

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defective was not so bad considering the conditions in other lands in the age during which it
flourished.
PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD
It was based on the discovery made by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, consummated by
its conquest by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi 45 years later and long possession for almost four
centuries, until it was terminated in 1898, when by the Treaty of Paris, the Philippines was
ceded by Spain to the United States. From 1565 to 1821, the Philippines was indirectly
governed by the King of Spain through Mexico. From 1821 when Mexico obtained her
independence from Spain, to 1898, the Philippines was ruled directly from Spain. From 1863,
the military of Ultramar (colonies) exercised general powers of supervision over Philippine
affairs. Three times during the Spanish period (1810-1813, 1820-1823, and 1836-1837), the
Philippines was given representation in the Spanish cortes, the legislative body of Spain.
The government which Spain established in the Philippines was centralized in structure
and national in scope. The barangays were consolidated into towns each headed by a
GOBERNADORCILLO, popularly called capitan, and the towns into provinces, each headed by
a governor who represented the Governor General in the province.
The power of the government were actually exercised by the Governor-General who
resided in Manila. He was “Governor-General” “Captain-General”, and “vice-royal patron.” As
Governor-General, he had executive, administrative, legislative and judicial powers. As Captain-
General, he was Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces in the Philippines. As the vice-
royal patron, he exercised certain religious powers. Because of these broad powers, it has been
said that the Governor General enjoyed more powers than the King of Spain himself. This was
justified, however, because of the distance of the Philippines from Spain.
For additional reading material, refer to the following links:
https://www.slideshare.net/jhengrayn/political-development-of-the-philippine-government
https://www.slideshare.net/Kate_JRG/pre-spanish-period-in-the-philippines

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