SPECIALIZED SUBJECT-HUMSS

PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND

GOVERNANCE
_____ Semester, SY _____________
QUARTER 1, MODULE 7
EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPINE
POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE
Philippine Politics and Governance
Self-Learning Module
1st Semester, Quarter 1 – Module 7: Evolution of Philippine Politics and Governance
First Edition, 2021

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 Lesson PRE-SPANISH AND DURING
1 SPANISH PERIOD

INTRODUCTION

How are you Grade 12 students?

This time we will get to know more about the evolution of Philippine Politics and
Governance.

After studying this module, you should be able to:

1. analyze the evolution of Philippine Politics and Governance.

Motivation Question:

Are you excited to get to know more about governance?

Well, in this module we will explore and discover the evolution of Philippine Politics
and Governance!

LESSON AND PRACTICES

Discussion:

The historical development of Philippine Politics and Government could be studied

through its evolution from pre-Historic period which contributed to the formation of modern
Philippine Politics and Governance. As time passes by, there were a lot of changes and
development that took place in our government.

In this lesson, we are going to learn each stage that contributed to the evolution of
Philippine Politics and Governance starting from the Pre-Spanish period up to present.
A. Pre-Spanish Government of the Philippines

Started in 1565, prior to the arrival of the

Spaniards, the Philippines was composed of
settlements or villages, each called barangay,
named after bala ngay, 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 https://salirickandres.altervista.org/pre-spanish-
period/
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 serves as 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.

Social Classes During the Pre-Spanish Period

mhygodihatedrugs/photos

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 from Panay.
 The laws of the barangay were generally fair. The system of government, although
defective was not so bad considering the conditions in other lands in the age during which it
flourished.

B. During Spanish Period: Its Government and Ruler

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

https://filipiknow.net/7-myths-about-spanish-colonial-period-
in-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.

PRACTICE EXERCISES

Practice Exercise 1: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement is
incorrect. Underline the term or statement which make it incorrect.

_______1. “Balangay” is a Malaysian word which means “boat”.

_______2. A “Datu” serves as chief executive, law giver, chief judge, and military head.
_______3. The Datu was assisted usually by a council of elders (Maginoos) which served as
his campaigners.
_______4. The two known written codes in the pre- Spanish era are the “Maragtas Code” and
“Kalantiaw Codes.
_______5. Gobernadorcillo was also known as Mayor.
_______6. The power of the government was actually exercised by the Governor-General
who resided in Visayas.
_______7. Spanish Cortes is the legislative body of Spain.
_______8. In the year 1825, Philippines had been ruled directly from Spain.
_______9. Pre-Spanish period is the fourth period.
_______10. Pre-Spanish period is the period before the Spaniards came.
 Lesson PHILIPPINES’ REVOLUTIONARY
ERA AND GOVERNMENTS DURING
2 AMERICAN OCCUPATION

A. Philippines’ Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics of that Period

A.1. The Katipunan Government

The Katipunan was secret society

that precipitated our glorious revolution on
August 26, 1896. It was organized by
Andres Bonifacio. The central government
of the Katipunan was vested in a Supreme
Council (Kataastaasang Sanggunian).

In each province there was a

Provincial Council (Sangguniang Balangay)
and in each town, a Popular Council
https://steemit.com/filipino/@juvyjabian/bonifacio-and-the- (Sanggunian Bayan). The Judicial Power
katipunan-kkk-as-national-government
was exercised by a Judicial Council
(Sangguniang Hukuman). The Katipunan was replaced by another government whose officials
headed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo as President, were elected in the Tejeros Convention held
on March 22, 1897.

A.2 Biak na Bato Republic

On November 1, 1897, a republic

was established by Gen. Aguinaldo in Biak-
na-Bato (now San Miguel de Mayumo,
Bulacan). It had a constitution which took
effect for two years only. It declared that the
aim of the revolutions was the “separation
of the Philippines from the Spanish
monarchy and their formation into an
independence state.” The Biak-na-Bato
Republic lasted up to December 15, 1897,
with conclusion of the “Pact of Biak-na-
Bato.”

A.3 The Dictatorial Government


https://www.slideshare.net/km434gatt/emilio-
aguinaldo
A.4 The Revolutionary Government
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/1180788214589644
50/
B. Governments of the Philippines During the American Occupation
B.1 The Military Government
The American military guideline in the
Philippines started on April 4, 1898, the day
after the catch of Manila. The presentation
gave the President of the United States the
ability to set up a Military Government in the
Philippines, as Commander-in-Chief of all
Armed Forces of the United States.
His position was appointed to the
tactical lead representative who practiced as
long as the conflict endured, all forces of
Due to the outbreak of the Spanish-American
war on April 25, 1898, Gen. Aguinaldo established
the Dictatorial Government on May 24, 1898. The
most important achievements of the Dictatorial
Government were the Proclamation of the Philippine
Independence at Kawit on June 12, 1898 and the
reorganization of local governments.
The Dictatorial Government of the
Philippines was a radical government in the Spanish
East Indies initiated during the Spanish–American
War by Emilio Aguinaldo in a public location on May
24, 1898 on his re-visitation of the Philippines from
oust in Hong Kong, and officially settled on June 18.
Gen. Aguinaldo established the
Revolutionary Government replacing the Dictatorial
Government on June 23, 1898. The decree-making
such change stated that the aims of the new
government were “struggle for the independence of
the Philippines, until all nations, including Spain will
expressly recognize it,” and “to prepare the country
for the establishment of a real Republic.”
https://military.wikia.org/wiki/United_States_Military_G
overnment_of_the_Philippine_Islands
government – leader, authoritative and legal. The first American Military Governor was
General Wesley Merritt, the second was General Elwell E. Otis, and the third and last was
Major General Arthur MacArthur.

B.2 The Civil Government

As per the purported Spooner Amendment

(on the military apportionment act passed in the
US Congress on March 3, 1901) which finished
the tactical system in the Philippines, the Civil
Government was initiated in Manila on July 4,
1901. The Civil Governor whose positions was
created on October 29, 1901. The Civil Governor,
also exercised legislative powers. He remained as
President of the Philippine Commission, the sole
law-making body of the government from 1901 to
1907.

From 1907 to 1916, the Philippine

Commission went about as the upper place of the
administrative branch with the Philippine
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/the- Assembly filling in as the lower house. With the
history
entry of the Spooner Law in 1916, these two
bodies offered way to the Philippine Legislature. The Philippines was addressed in the United
States by two Resident Commissioners who were chosen the Philippine Legislature.

B.3 Commonwealth Government of the Philippines

 The following stage in the political
improvement of the Filipinos was the foundation of
the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines
in accordance with a demonstration of the United
States Congress on March 24, 1934, usually
known was the Tydings-McDuffie Law.

Among other things, the law provided for a

transition period of ten years during which the
Philippines Commonwealth would operate and at
the expiration of said period on July 4, 1896, the
independence of the Philippines would be
proclaimed and established. The new
administration of the Commonwealth of the
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/the-
Philippines, considered replacement to the
commonwealth-of-the-philippines/ Government of the Philippine Islands, was initiated
on November 15, 1935, following the primary
public political decision under the 1935 Constitution hung on September 12, 1935, with Manuel
L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña, as President and Vice-President, respectively.
Independence Missions from 1919 onwards were periodically sent to the U.S.
Congress and the White House to lobby for and negotiate independence. In 1931, the OsRox
Mission (which stands for “Osmeña and Roxas”) successfully lobbied for the enactment of the
Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act, which was passed over President Herbert Hoover’s veto in 1932.
This was, however, rejected by the Philippine Legislature. In 1934, a new mission (the
QuAquAl Mission, made up of Quezon, Benigno Aquino Sr., and Rafael Alunan) negotiated
the Tydings-McDuffie or the Philippine Independence Act, which set a ten-year transition
period to be known as the Commonwealth of the Philippines, followed by the recognition of
the independence of the Philippines by the United States.

PRACTICE EXERCISES

Practice Exercise 2: Match the descriptions in Column A with each corresponding terms in
Column B. Write the correct answer on your answer sheet.

Column A Column B

1. Establishment of Dictatorial Government. A. May 24, 1898

2. This Republic aims the separation of the B. Katipunan
Philippines from the Spanish monarchy and C. General Wesley Merritt
their formation into an independence state. D. March 24, 1934
3. A secret society that precipitated our glorious E. July 4, 1901
revolution on August 26, 1896. F. Legislative power
4. Date of confirmation of Tydings-McDuffie Law. G. Biak na Bato
5. The first American Military Governor.
 6. Meaning of OsRox Mission. H. Quezon, Benigno Aquino Sr.,
7. Meaning of QuAquAl Mission. and Rafael Alunan
8. The date when the Civil Government was I. Osmeña and Roxas
initiated. J. General Arthur MacArthur
9. The third and last Major General during the
Military Government.
10. Other existing control (or power) of Civil
Governor.

Direction: Write or articulate the things that you have learned from the above (or given)
discussion. Do this in your answer sheet.

Upon reading the lesson above, I learned that ______________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
and realized that ___________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________.

WRITTEN WORKS

Directions: You have already discovered the evolution of Philippine Politics and Governance.
This time let us see how much you have learned about our lesson. Fill in the table with the
important information. The first one is done for you.

Period Timeline Leaders Key Features/ Highlight

Pre-Spanish Period 1565 Headed by a  The early Filipinos had both
Datu 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 from Panay.

PERFORMANCE TASK
Analyzing

Direction: Based from what you have learned, which among the periods contributed most to
the present governance that we have? Choose only one and explain its contribution. You will
be graded based on the rubric below.

RUBRIC

Performance Very Good Good Needs Improvement

Areas 10-8 7-5 4-1
Article has specific
central idea that is clearly Central idea is vague;
Unable to find specific
Content stated in the opening non-supportive to the
supporting details.
paragraph, appropriate, topic; lacks focus.
concrete details.
Central point and flow
Article is logically Writing somewhat
of article is lost; lacks
Organization organized and well- digresses from the
organization and
structured. central idea.
continuity.
Written work has no Written work is relatively
errors in word selection free of errors; some
Written article has
and use sentence aspects of sentence
Mechanics several errors in word
structure, spelling, structure, punctuation,
selection and use.
punctuation, and and capitalization are
capitalization. not well-observed.
Website Content:

“7 Myths About Spanish Colonial Period Filipinos Should All Stop Believing. filipiknow dot
net. Last modified August 5, 2021. https://filipiknow.net/7-myths-about-spanish-
colonial-period-in-the-philippines/

Revillame, Jezreel A. “Evolution of Philippine Government”. Slideshare.net. Accessed

August 6, 2021. https://www.slideshare.net/parexevol17/evolution-of-philippine
government?qid

“The History of the Senate of the Philippines”. Republic of the Philippines, Official Gazette of
the Philippines. Last accessed August 5, 2021.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/the-history-of-the-senate-of-the-
philippines/

Photographs and Images:

Official Gazette of the Philippines. Champion of the Masses-President Ramon M.

Magsaysay. Last accessed August 8, 2021.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/images/uploads/Champion-of-the-Masses-
President-Ramon-Magsaysay-was-warmly-received-by-the-crowd-during-one-of-his-
Presidential-visits.-.jpg

Andres, Salirick. Pre-Spanish Period, “The Mindsmith”, Accessed August 7, 2021.

https://salirickandres.altervista.org/pre-spanish-period/

Hugpong ni Digong FB page. “Maharlika, Timawa, Alipin”. Accessed August 8, 2021.

https://web.facebook.com/mhygodihatedrugs/photos/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Blount, James H. “The American Occupation of the Philippines”. Accessed August 6, 2021.
https://dawnhoneymae.wordpress.com/

“7 Myths About Spanish Colonial Period Filipinos Should All Stop Believing”. filipiknow dot
net. Last modified August 5, 2021. https://filipiknow.net/7-myths-about-spanish-
colonial-period-in-the-philippines/

Javian, Juvy. “Bonifacio and the Katipunan: KKK as National Government”. Last accessed
August 8, 2021. https://steemit.com/filipino/@juvyjabian/bonifacio-and-the-katipunan-
kkk-as-national-government
Mitra, Karyll. “Emilio Aguinaldo - Dictatorial and Revolutionary Governments”.
Slideshare.net. Accessed August 7, 2021.
https://www.slideshare.net/km434gatt/emilio-aguinaldo-dictatorial-and-revolutionary-
governments-45555626

“The History of the Senate of the Philippines”. Republic of the Philippines, Official Gazette of
the Philippines. Last accessed August 5, 2021.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/the-history-of-the-senate-of-the-
philippines/

Video Content:

Teacher Kennedy Vagay. Philippine Politics and Governance MELC #5: Evolution of
Philippine Politics and Governance. Accessed August 4-9, 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QGnbuMFndw&t=171s
 LESSON 1
Practice Exercise 1:
1. FALSE, Malaysian
2. TRUE
3. FALSE, campaigners
4. TRUE
5. FALSE, Mayor
6. FALSE, Visayas
7. TRUE
8. FALSE, 1825
9. FALSE, fourth
10. TRUE
LESSON 2
Practice Exercise 2:
1. A
2. G
3. B
4. D
5. C
6. I
7. H
8. E
9. J
10. F
Key to Practice Exercises