Lesson 5.

The Political Self

The Philippines is not only the first country in Southeast Asia to gain
independence; it is also the only country in the world known to hoist the flag upside
down during war. Truly, we have a lot to be proud of. If only we realize that there are
things unique to the identity of the country, we might be able to rethink our sense of
pride. For example, our University of Santo Tomas in Manila and the University of San
Carlos in Cebu are among the oldest schools in the world, and they have outdated most
of the known schools today.

Filipinos are known for their greatness. One will be surprised to see the
monuments of Dr. Jose Rizal not only in the Philippines but throughout Asia and
Europe. Another controversial physician, Dr. Abelardo Aguilar helped in the discovery of
antibiotic erythromycin (Ilosone) that has been saving millions of people until today. The
famous Carlos P. Romulo was the First Asian to become President of the United
Nations. This is not to mention the countless professionals, athletes, beauty titlist, and
artists who made it to the global stage.

In this lesson, we will trace the historical roots of our values and traits, and we
will consider the community and institutional factors that affect the Filipino identity.
Secondly, we will consider the role of the self in establishing a democratic culture. The
primary goal is to help the self- discover one’s source of pride –the national heritage
from which can truly develop a political self with an authentic Filipino identity. Political
self –concepts however, may be considered a collection of perceptions about one’s role,
competence, and engagement in politics.
What to expect?

At the end of this lesson, the student is expected to:

1. Trace the historical context of the political self of the Filipinos;

2. Take pride of the Filipino identifying values and traits; and
3. Connect the current trends or social upheavals to the historical viewpoints of
independence and liberation.

Developing a Filipino Identity: Values, Traits, Community and Institutional Factors

Our historical experience provides a profound trace of how our identifying values
and traits have developed. In the precolonial era, the Filipinos were free. The system of
government was wide ranging in small units called “balangay”- a term derived from a
wooden boat used by a community of families for their living. The notes of Antonio
Pigafetta, the scribe of the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan, revealed that the
natives of the Philippine islands were autonomous and economically prosperous.

When the Spanish colonizer, Miguel Lopez de Lagazpi made a kinship pact, the
“sanduguan”, with a native chieftain Sikatuna of Bohol, the pact was initially understood
as a mutual promise, like blood brother, of helping one another in times of need and
development. The blood compact was primarily grounded on the Filipino value of
“katapatan” (true to one’s promise). For over three centuries the Filipinos helped the
colonizers build their military fortress, paid their taxes, joined their civil guards and
constructed their government and religious infrastructures. However, the Spanish
colonizers did not remain faithful to the pact that they have agreed with the Filipinos.
Towards the end of the third century under the Spanish colonial rule, a few educated
“indios” (Filipino natives), reminded themselves of the original kinship pact, and faithful
to the traditional values and traditions of the prosperous “balangay”, they manifested the
value of “katapangan” (courage) to fight back against the oppressive rule of the
colonizers.
 The reformist Dr. Jose Rizal of Laguan used his talent and skill as a poet and
writer to enlighten the Filipinos about the oppressive structures brought by the
colonizers. He burned in them the spirit of “pagka-makabayan” (patriotism) once again
after centuries of hopelessness and desperation. He trusted the Filipino intelligence and
banked on it to awaken the consciousness of the people. His satirical novels – “Nole Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo” candidly depicted the worsened tyranny, oppression and
domination of Filipinos under colonial rule.

The last poem written by Jose Rizal – “Mi Ultimo Adios” – seemed to favour the
armed wing of the same revolutionary struggle of Andres Bonifacio. It seeks to uphold
and advocate the pact between brothers to sustain “kalayaan” (liberty) and
“pakikipagkapwa- tao” (being faithful to the goodness of the other).

While the colonial powers and influence were so ingrained in the Filipino system,
the revolutionary movements against the Spaniards began to claim only little and
scattered victories all over the country. Then the American intervened to help the
Filipinos win the war and gain liberation from Spain. In 1898, the country gained its
independence from Spain. However, for the next fifty years, the Americans remained in
the country and continued to intervene with its political, educational, economic and
military affairs. Thus, the Philippine- American war broke and costed the lives of
thousands of Filipinos and Americans.

The superiority and might of American military led to the surrender of the
Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo. This signified the end of the revolutionary
struggles of the Filipinos. This led the political pragmatist Manuel Quezon to bring the
fight to the US Congress and eventually won the Jones Law. He became the
Commonwealth President, and in 1946 the country finally received its independence.

(Jones Law. AN ACT TO DECLARE THE PURPOSE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES
AS TO THE FUTURE POLITICAL STATUS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, AND TO
PROVIDE A MORE AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT FOR THOSE ISLANDS.)
Establishing a Democratic Culture

Just shortly after we have gained independence from the United States, Filipino
democracy started to take shape; the Japanese occupied the country and established
the Japanese- sponsored Philippine Republic. President Jose Laurel cushioned the
impact of the atrocities and violence by constantly winning the trust of the Japanese
while faithfully serving the suffering Filipinos. He was the guerrilla who fought his battle
not in the jungles but in the embattled office in Malacañang.

The defeat of japan in World War II also meant the regaining of Philippine
independence. Since then, we struggled to rebuild our communities and the structures
of our democracy. Filipinos lived their liberated hopes and dreams until the
establishment of the 1973 Marcos Constitution. After 13 years under Martial Law, the
people became fed up with so much corruption, injustice and violence that eventually
led to EDSA Revolution. The People Power in EDSA remains to be a compelling
message to the world that the Filipinos values freedom so dearly.

The historical bloodless EDSA People Power revolution guided the promulgation
of the 1987 Constitution. This document defined how the institutions and systems of
government function in the way of democracy. Since President Corazon Aquino, until
the present administration under President Rodrigo Duterte, the Filipinos became highly
vigilant and watchful to safeguard the democratic processes in the government and
communities.
 In recognition of the importance of People Power, and the fortification of democratic
culture, the 1987 constitution ensures the following:

1. That the government shall afford full protection of Filipino workers here and
abroad, and provide equality of employment opportunities (Article XIII, Section 3).
2. That everyone guarantees the right of workers to self-organization, collective
bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities in accordance with
law (Article XIII, Section 3).
3. That the institutions recognize the rights of farmers and land owners, as well as
cooperatives and farmers’ organizations (Article XIII, Section 3).
4. That the authorities protect the rights of subsistence fisherfolks (Article XIII,
Section 7).
5. That the people may pursue and protect, within the democratic framework, their
legitimate and collective interest through peaceful and lawful means (Article XIII,
Section 15).
6. That the government ensures the right of the people and their organization to
effective and reasonable participation at all level of social, political and economic
decision-making (Article XIII, Section 16).
7. That congress provides a system of initiative and referendum where people can
directly propose and enact or reject laws passed by congress or local legislative
body (Article XVI, Section 32).
What is Democracy?

Democracy is a Greek word composed of two parts: “demos”, the people and
“kratos”, the rule of the people. Democracy is described as the awareness and
understanding that the self and community are both the foundation of democratic
practice and the result of it.

The following are identified as attributes of a democracy society:

1. Empowerment of the people

2. Consultation
3. Popular decision-making
4. Total development
5. Delivery of services
6. Fair and impartial system of justice
7. Accountability of public officials
8. Promoting respect for the rights of others
9. Concern for their welfare
10. Unity
11. Justice and equity

If the government officials and the society cooperate with each other, respect each
other, know how to handle situations, this will lead to a better democratic government, a
stronger sense of community, a stronger sense of belonging and a more stable, more
meaningful and healthier sense of self.