HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF PHILIPPINE DEMOCRATIC POLITICS

The Evolution of Philippine Politics and Governance

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD (BEFORE 1565)

 A system of governance in pre-colonial period already existed before Spaniards arrived in
the Philippines in 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.

SPANISH PERIOD (1565-1898)

 In this period, Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines and this country became the
Spanish Crown’s basis for the occupation of the archipelago. 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 PERIOD (1868-1898)

 In revolutionary period, the nationalist sentiments of the Filipinos were awakened. Jose
Rizal, Marcelo H. del 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 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(The constitution specifically provided for safeguards against
abuses, and enumerated the national and individual rights not only of the Filipinos and of
the aliens.). 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 PERIOD (1898-1941)
 The signing of the Treaty of Paris signaled the end of the Spanish-American War. The
Treaty involved United 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 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)( it provided a Bill of Rights for the Filipinos that
protected their rights: to live, to acquire property, to practice their religion, to be subjected to due
process, to exercise their obligations, to enjoy compensations due to them, and freedom of
expression.) 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) ( AN ACT To provide
for the complete independence of the Philippine Islands, to provide for the adoption of a constitution
and a form of government for the Philippine Islands, and for other purposes.) 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 (a political system virtually identical to the American one,
became operative. The system called for a President to be elected at large for a 4-year term
(subject to one re-election), a bicameral Congress, and an independent Judiciary), 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 OCCUPATION (1941-1945)

 The Japanese military forces established the Philippine Executive Commission
(PEC), a civil government that 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 government” was similar to PEC in terms of
its executive, legislative, and judiciary
 In 1944, the Commonwealth government was reestablished 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.

POST-WAR ERA OR THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1946-1971)

 On July 4, 1946, the Tydings-McDuffie Act was granted independence to the
Philippines after the 10-year transitional period, which was mentioned earlier. The
Third Republic was also inaugurated in the same day. 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 ERA (1972-1981) AND THE FOURTH REPUBLIC (1981-1986)
 Ferdinand Marcos ran for re-election and succeeded that made the only
president under the 1935 Constitution to be elected for a second term. During this
time, the country experienced the worse economic condition, deteriorating peace
and order, social discontent, and a 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 thriving and self-reliant
society.
 A new constitution was adopted in 1973 which provided that the Philippines will
have a modified parliamentary (punong ministro ang pinuno) form of government.
 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(protects against unlawful and
indefinite imprisonment. Translated from Latin it means "show me the body." ) 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 THE FIFTH REPUBLIC (1986-PRESENT)

 1986 onward was the restoration of democracy. The end of the dictatorial rule
marked the shift toward re-democratization and return to constitutionalism. A
revolutionary government was created following Corazon 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. Civilian
authority through the president was recognized supreme over the military. An
independent judiciary was also reestablished. 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.The Philippines was headed by Rodrigo Roa
Duterte from 2016-2022. And our 17th president Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos
Jr.