PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

First Semester S.Y. 2021-2022
WEEKLY HOME LEARNING PLAN
YEAR LEVEL : Grade 11
TRACK : GAS
LEARNING AREA: Philippine Politics and Governance
MODE OF DELIVERY: Distance Learning Modality
GENERAL INSTRUCTION: Read and understand the concepts discussed on Module 7 in a self-paced
manner.
REQUIREMENT : Notebook

Output to
Most Essential
Day & be
Learning Learner's Tasks / Responsibility
Time Submitted
Competency
on Friday
BREAK TIME
10:30 AM -
(Preparation of modules, learning activity sheets,
10:00 AM
notebooks, etc.)
11:00 AM - Task Answer the PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY, write Output:
Analyze the
12:00 NN 1: your answers in your notebook LEARNE
evolution of
R’S
Philippine
12:00 NN - ACTIVIT
Politics and LUNCH BREAK
1:00 PM Y SHEET
Governance
ONLY
Answer the LEARNERS ACTIVITY
3:00 - 5:00 Task
SHEET, Write your answer on a sheet of paper
PM 2:
(Intermediate paper)

Lesson 6-7 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

1 OF PHILIPPINE
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT: The First Republic
WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

The First Republic of the Philippines was established after the declaration of the Philippine
Independence in Kawit, Cavite and after the ratification of the Malolos Constitution. Emilio
Aguinaldo was considered as the president of the First Republic and it was established in spite of the
presence of the American forces in different part of the country.

The First Republic did not realize its aims because the Filipino-American started in February 4, 1899
and the inauguration of the First Republic happened in January 23, 1899.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO LEARN?

Content Standard:
 The learners demonstrate an understanding of the historical background of
Philippine democratic politics, the executive, the legislative, the judiciary, and
decentralization and local governance.

Performance Standard:
 The learners explain the roles of different political institutions.

Objectives:
After the lesson, the learners should be able to:
1. discuss the structure and functions of the Malolos Republic;
2. identify the features of the Malolos Constitution;
3. understand the kind of government proposed by Apolinario Mabini;
4. analyze the reasons of the failure of the Republic; and
5. value the importance of Unity in the government.

PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY

Reflect the different circumstances shown in the movie General Luna. Then write a 1-
paragarph essay about it.

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THE BIAK-NA-BATO REPUBLIC

After the execution of Andres Bonifacio and the downfall of the Filipinos forces in Cavite,
President Emilio Aguinaldo decided to travel to Biak na Bato, San Miguel de Payumo Bulacan
because he thought that it was the safest place to hide. In November 1, 1897, they established the Biak
na bato Republic and Emilio Aguinaldo was the president, however, in December 12-15, 1897, the
Filipino forces headed by Aguinaldo had the agreement with the Spaniards known as the Treaty of
Biak na Bato.

THE TREATY OF BIAK-NA-BATO

The chance of reconciliation was mediated by Pedro A. Paterno, a creole who wanted that the
Spanish government to still take over the administration of the country. He negotiated with Emilio
Aguinaldo and Prinmo de Rivera to return the peace and order in the country. In December 12-15,
1897, both sides worked for a peace settlement. In December 15, 1897 after the three revisions, Pedro
Paterno signed tor the part of the Filipinos and Primo de Rivera for the part of the Spaniards in the
treaty of Biak na Bato.

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THE CONTENTS OF BIAK NA BATO:

1. The group of Emilio Aguinaldo will leave the Philippines to Hongkong as voluntary
exile.

2. The Spanish government will pay 800,000 to the Filipinos in three installments, the first
payment is 400,000 upon the departure of the group of Aguinaldo, the second payment is 200, 000
when the revolutionist surrendered their arms and the third is 200,000.

3. The Spanish government will pay an additional of 900,000 to the families of the
Filipinos who are not part of the revolution.

The group of Aguinaldo left the country in December 27, 1897 for Hongkong upon receiving
the 400,000 from the Spaniards. However, the other Filipinos did not recognize the treaty and
continued their struggle against the Spaniards and did not recognize the Treaty of Biak na Bato. And
the others did not surrender their weapons because they did not trust the Spaniards.

THE AMERICAN INTERVENTION

In April 23, 1898, Howard Bray, an American who stayed in the Philippines for a long time
informed Emilio Aguinaldo about the request of the American Consul for a conference with him. And
because Aguinaldo had hesitation of having a communication with Americans, Bray assured him that
the Americans had no intention of colonizing the Philippines since they did not colonize Cuba, a
country which was nearer to them. So Emilio Aguinaldo with two companions travelled to Singapore
and met the American Consul Spencer Pratt. The American consul encourages Aguinaldo to
cooperate with Commodore George Dewey in their attack to the forces of the Spanish in the
Philippines. Emilio Aguinaldo then expressed the he wanted to return to Manila so Commodore
George Dewey gave him instruction that he should go back to Hongkong because they would sail to
Manila however, when Emilio Aguinaldo arrived in Hongkong, Dewey's ship already sailed to the
Philippines.

The American forces headed by Commodore George Dewey arrived at Manila bay in May 1,
1898 and faced the Spanish forces headed by Patricio Montojo.

The famous battle of Manila bay was also the first encounter between the Spanish and the Americans
after the war declaration of Americans against the Spaniards in February 1898. In the said battle,
Commodore Dewey was able to defeat the Old naval ship of the Spaniards, the Spanish Armada and
between the two forces, they only had one casualty and the approximately 230 casualties came from
the Filipinos who witnessed the war between the Spaniards and the Americans. However, the battle of
Manila Bay became the front page news in America because they were able to defeat a world power.

When Emilio Aguinaldo heard the news about the battle of Manila Bay his eagerness to return
to the Philippines increased and he informed the Americans about his plan of going back to the
Philippines but George Dewey said that they were preparing the way for the return of Aguinaldo in
the country.

In May 4, 1898, the members of the Hongkong Junta had the meeting and then advised
Emilio Aguinaldo to return to the Philippines and then again he insisted to the Americans that he
needed to return to the Philippines. After of the delays, Aguinaldo boarded the USS Mculloch in May
17, 1898 with the weapons that he bought using the money that he got from the Treaty of Biak na
Bato and arrived in Cavite in May 19, 1898 and in the same day he was fetched by Commodore

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George Dewey and asked to board in the ship Olympia where he received the military honor which
according to Dewey was his personal recognition and not compromising the American government.

THE RETURN OF EMILIO AGUINALDO AND THE DECLARATION OF

INDEPENDENCE

As soon as Emilio Aguinaldo arrived, he informed the Filipinos that they would renew their
struggle against Spain. And most of the Filipinos showed their eagerness to fight for their
independence so from May 21 until June 1898, the Filipinos fought to win the different provinces of
their country. And in the end of June, they were able to crush the Spanish forces and the only
remaining strong force of Spanish was in the wall city of Intramuros.

In June 12, 1898 as suggestion of other revolutionist, Emilio Aguinaldo declared the
independence of the Philippines against Spain in the balcony of his house at Kawit, Cavite even the
Spanish colonial government in Manila did not surrender yet. In the declaration they showed the Flag
of the Philippines by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad in
Hongkong and they let the crowd hear the Marcha National Filipina or the National Anthem of the
Philippines composed by Julian Felipe from the writings of Rafael Palma. The declaration of the
Independence of the Philippines made by Aguinaldo gave him the popularity as the First President of
the country; however, during his declaration there was no presence of American officials or any
representative that could give recognition to the independence of the Philippines as declared by
General Emilio Aguinaldo.

THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT AS PROPOSED BY APOLINARIO MABINI

One of the most brilliant political analysts in Philippine history was Apolinario Mabini. After
the exile of the group of Emilio Aguinaldo to Hongkong, he wrote newsletter for the Filipino to
encourage them to continue their resistance their even after the treaty of Biak na Bato. His
contribution for the continuance of the revolutionary spirit was recognized by Emilio Aguinaldo and
upon his return, he asked his men to look for Apolinario Mabini. And in the reorganization of the
Philippine government, Aguinaldo hired Mabini to be one of advisers.

Following the advice of Mabini, Aguinaldo signed the three decrees, first was the Decree of
June 18, 1898 which established the Dictatorial government, the second Decree was the Decree of
June 20, 1898 which ordered the election for the local government and the third decree is the Decree
of June 23, 1898 which established the Revolutionary government.

The Dictatorial government was replaced by the Revolutionary government after of five days.
The dictatorial government was establish for the easy implementation of policies and decision making
since the country is in war however Mabini wanted to establish a democratic government if possible
and while working for this kind of government he established the Revolutionary government headed
by President Emilio Aguinaldo.

According to Mabini's plan, the local government or the Junta Popular would be composed
of the municipal head, officer of the Police and internal order, officer of Justice and Civil Registry and
the Officer of the collection of Taxes and Property. These officers were elected by the people who had
the following qualifications: first at least 20 years old, honorable conduct and committed to the
independence of the country. Then the officers of the towns or Junta Popular would elect the
Provincial Government or the Jefe de Provincia which was composed of the Chief of the Province
and three provincial councilors. The provincial government would supervise the implementation of

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the orders of the central government. And the election of the local government was supervised by the
commissioners appointed by the central government. The Local Government had the autonomy over
their jurisdiction in peaceful times however it there was a threat of invasion or war the military officer
appointed by the Central Government would take charge. They also have the power in their budget
but they needed to submit their proposed budget to the provincial government, then from provincial to
the central government for approval.

The Congress according to the plan of Mabini was also elected the Chief of the Towns,
wherein each town would have one representative for the Congress. The functions of the Congress to
make laws and act as the advisory council of the Central Government. However, the Revolutionary
Congress in reality was a legislative body but only the Council for the president and the real
democratic process did not take effect because still the country was in the face of war.

THE ELECTION

The provisions set by Apolinario Mabini for election did not require certain properties and
position during the time of the Spanish Colonial Government so this could be the way for the ordinary
citizens to participate in the election, however, because of the continuous war still many of the
Filipinos could not participate in the election.

Place Population Election Date No. of Votes

Lipa, Batangas 40,733 July 3, 1898 25
Vigan, Ilocos Sur 19,000 November 23, 1898 116
Gammu, Isabela 6,101 October 5, 1898 72
Echangue, Isabela 5,400 October 7, 1898 54
Cabagan, Isabela 6,420 Octpber 2, 1898 111
Table 6. From the Report of John Taylor, Organization for the
Administration of the Civil Government.

THE MALOLOS CONGRESS

In the proclamation of Emilio Aguinaldo in July 28, 1898, he gave the Malolos Congress the
power to advice the president, however, during the meeting of the Congress in September 15, 1898,
they decided to create a Constitution which would be the framework of the government of Emilio
Aguinaldo. The Malolos Constitution was the first constitution in Asia and it was based on the
proposed framework of Felipe Calderon which he based from the Constitution of the countries in
Latin America.

The Constitution was ratified in January 21, 1899 and had the following important provisions:

1. The legality of the Declaration of Independence in Kawit, Cavite.

2. The Separation of Church and State.

3. The establishment of a Republican Government.

4. The division of the government into three branches, the Executive, Legislative and
Judiciary.

5. The legislative branch is higher than the Executive and Judiciary.

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 6. The Unicameral legislature.

7. The bill of rights of the citizens.

8. The Suffrage.

The ratification of the Malolos Constitution gave legality to the First Republic headed by
Emilio Aguinaldo as president and his leadership was assisted by the following Cabinet members
which he personally chose before the inauguration of the constitution:

1. President of the Cabinet and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Apolinario Mabini

2. Secretary of Interior Teodoro Sandico

3. Secretary of War Baldomero Aguinaldo

4. Secretary of Finance Mariano Trias

5. Secretary of Welfare - Gracio Gonzaga

THE TREATY OF PARIS

In line with the initial protocol signed in August 12, 1895 gave way to the surrender of the
Spanish troops headed by Governor General Basilio Agustin to the American troops headed by
Commodore George Dewey, five Americans and Spaniards were commissioned by their government
to meet in Paris for the drafting of the peace treaty between US and Spain.

The American Commissioners:

1. Cushman Davis

2 William P. Frye

3. Whitelaw Reid

4. George Gray

5. William R. Day

The Filipino Commissioners

1. Eugenio Montero Rios

2. Buenaventura Abarzuza

3. Jose de Garnica

4. Wenceslao Ramirez de Villa-Urrutia

5. Rafael Cerero

THE TREATY OF PARIS AND THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN WAR

The Treaty of Paris was signed in December 10, 1898. According to the treaty, the Spanish
government ceded the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico and Cuba to US government, the US
government would pay 20,000,000 dollars to Spanish government as payment for the permanent
structures that the Spaniards built in four counties Spanish would maintain their free trade in the four

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countries until the tenth year of the existence of the treaty and the friars and the religious orders would
remain in the country and their properties would remain to them. However, the content of the treaty
wall not be implemented without the ratification of the US congress and the majority of the members
of the American legislature was not in favor of the colonization until the incident of the between the
Americans and the Filipinos happened in February 18 wherein the Filipinos were blamed as the one
who started the war. The hostilities of the Filipinos against the Americans according to the report of
Commodore George Dewey made the American legislature to sign for the ratification of the Treaty of
Paris.

THE END OF THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN WAR

The Filipino-American war ended upon the captivity of Emilio Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela
in March 23, 1899 with the help of the revolutionist from Macabebe, Pampanga. The Americans were
able to intercept the message of Aguinaldo to other Filipino soldiers asking for reinforcement when
they captured Ceilio Segismundo. And then the Americans conspired with the people of Macabebe,
Pampanga against Emilio Aguinaldo. General Frederick Funston asked the help of the Macabebes to
act as the reinforcement for Aguinaldo and when they were able to get inside Palanan they revealed
their identity and the American troops entered Palanan to capture Aguinaldo.

Upon captivity, Emilio Aguinaldo was brought to Malacanang palace and William Howard
Taft convinced him to cooperate with the American government and in return he would receive the
Hacienda de Imus. And in April 1, 1901, Emilio Aguinaldo pledged alliance to the Americans.

1. The Malolos Constitution is the framework of the First Republic of the

Philippines.
2. The Americans offered their assistance to the group of Emilio Aguinaldo
against the Spaniards.
3. Apolinario Mabini proposed for the establishment of a dictatorial
government.
4. The Malolos Congress framed the Philippine Constitution in 1899.
5. The establishment of Republican government, the separation of Church
and State, the division of the government into three branches and the
legality of the declaration of independence of the Philippines in June 12,
1898 were the important provisions in Malolos Constitution.

LEARNER ACTIVITY SHEET # 7

I. MULTIPLE CHOICE. Answer the following question. Write the letter of the correct answer.

1. The form of government of the Philippines as stated in the Malolos constitution.

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 A. Federal

B. Parliamentary

C. Republican

D. Dictatorship

2. The Chairman of the committee which frame the Malolos Constitution.

A. Felipe Calderon

B. Emilio Aguinaldo

C. Apolinario Mabini

D. Rafael Palma

3. The kind of legislature stated in Malolos Constitution.

A. Unicameral

B. Bicameral

C. Federal

D. Unitary

4. What is the evidence that Emilio Aguinaldo is willing to compromise to the Spaniards?

A. He issued a proclamation which states the demands of the Filipinos.

B. He had the meeting with the Spanish Governor General.

C. He ordered the surrender of the weapons of the Filipinos to Spanish government.

D. None of the above.

5. Who is the mediator between the Spaniards and the Filipino during the Treaty of Biak na bato?

A. Apolinario Mabini

B. Jose P. Laurel

C. Isabelo Artacho

D. Pedro Paterno

6. Who is the Spanish Governor General during the signing of Treaty of Biak na Bato?

A. Primo De Rivera

B. Carlos Ma. De la Torre

C. Basilio Agustin

D. Camilo Polavieja

7. Which among these statements is NOT part of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato?

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 A. Aguinaldo must go into exile

B. Filipino revolutionaries must be imprisoned not shorter than 6 years

C. The Spanish government will pay P400, 000 to Aguinaldo when he goes into exile

D. The Spanish government will pay P900, 000 to the non-combatants and their families

8. How does the Filipino-American war started?

A. The American soldiers shot the Filipino soldiers.

B. The Filipino soldiers shot the American soldiers.

C. The Americans violated the treaty of Paris.

D. The Filipinos violated the treaty of Paris.

9. How did the Americans able to enter the camp of Emilio Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela?

A. They were able to intercept the message of reinforcement from Cecilio Segismundo.

B. They bribe the other soldiers of Emilio Aguinaldo.

C. Juanuario Galut show them the secret passage in going to Palanan, Isabela.

D. General Emilio Aguinaldo surrender to them and let them enter the camp.

10. What is the significance of the treaty of Paris to the Philippine history?

A. The Philippines was ceded to America.

B. The Philippines was divided into different regions.

C. The Philippines gain support from the international market.

D. All of the above.

II. Identify the term being described in the following statements. Write the answer in the space
provided.

____________________1. The chairman of the framing of Malolos Constitution.

____________________2. The President of the Philippine First Republic.

____________________3. The treaty that ended the Filipino and Spanish War.

____________________4 The Treaty which ended the American and Spanish War.

____________________5. The political adviser of the Emilio Aguinaldo.

____________________6. The place of the first Republic in the Philippines.

____________________7. The chief negotiator of the US forces in Singapore

____________________8. The head of American forces in the Battle of Manila bay.

____________________9. The last headquarters of the Filipino forces in the US-Filipino War.

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____________________10. The president of America in the time of the Spanish-American war.

III. Arrange the following events. Write letter A-E in the space provided.

A.

_______1. The Return of Emilio Aguinaldo in the Philippines.

_______2. The meeting of Aguinaldo and Spencer Pratt in Singapore.

_______3. The arrival of Commodore George Dewey in Manila Bay.

_______4. The voluntary exile of Aguinaldo to Hongkong.

_______5. The destruction of the Spanish Armada.

B.

_______1. The declaration of Independence.

_______2. The creation of the Malolos Constitution.

_______3. The return of Aguinaldo to the Philippines

_______4. The Mock battle.

REFERENCES

Francisco, P. & Francisco, V. (2016). Philippine Politics and Governance for Senior High
School. Mindshappers Co., Inc., Intamuros, Manila.

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