GROUP 1

UNIT V:
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF PHILIPPINE DEMOCRATIC POLITICS
LESSON 1: THE EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS, GOVERNMENT, AND GOVERNANCE

HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

THE ANCIENT FILIPINOS:

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
 The "barangay" is composed of well-organized and independent villages. The name
originated from "balangay" meaning sailboats, evident from the sailboats which brought our
ancestors to the Philippines.
 The barangays generally consisted of 30 to 100 families. Some were quite large having a
population of more than 2,000 already by the time of the arrival of the Spaniards. Among
them were Sugbu (Cebu), Bigan (Vigan), and Maktan (Mactan). Maynilad (Manila) was
approximately 4,000 already.
 These barangays made wars, made peace, traded and had relations with each other.
Manila, when Legazpi came to conquer, was already a center for trade. Islamic sultanates
in Mindanao such as the Sultanate of Sulu and Maguindanao, have prospered.

THE PRE-COLONIAL SOCIETY

 The pre-colonial society was divided into three social classes namely: 1. Maharlika (nobles)
2. Timawa (freemen) 3. Alipin (slaves). The nobles constituted the barangay's highest social
class.To the Maharlika belonged the affluent slave-owning families that included the Datu.
The Timawa consisted the middle class who composed the majority of the people of the
barangay.
 The lowest class was the Alipin which consisted two types: a. the "namamahay" who
enjoyed some rights like owning properties and b. the "saguiguilid", who lived in their
master's house and could be sold anytime.

THE BARANGAY CHIEF: DATU

 The ancient Filipinos who lived in barangays were ruled by a chieftain called datu, who
were addressed either as Raja or Lakan. The datu exercised all powers of government. He
was the chief executive, the lawmaker, and the judge, so much so that he became very
powerful and influential. He obtained his position either by inheritance, strength, bravery or
wisdom.
 The Datu promulgated laws with the help of the elders or advisers consisting of former
datus. Once a law was made,a town crier called Umalohokan, would go around the village
and announce to the people the new law. Violators were punished by fines, swimming for
long hours, exposure to ants, death or slavery.

SPANISH ERA
 The Philippines was a crown colony ruled by Spain through Mexico from 1565 to1821, as
such, Spain ruled the Philippines with the help of the Council of the Indies, created in 1524,
which was an overseas ministry governing the colonies of Spain.
 The head of the council was the Viceroy of Mexico. Laws in the Philippines were from Spain
and consisted of royal decrees issued by the king. The laws were compiled to become the
colonial code entitled "Recopilacion de las Leyes de Indias," or the Laws of Indies.

SPANISH INSTITUTIONS
 Part of the Spanish rule was the institution of systems adopted by all the colonies. Among
these was the Polo, the forced labor rendered by Filipinos and the falla, the exemption fee
for forced labor.
  Another was the paying of the tribute, or the tax called tributo, which was replaced by the
cedula tax. Bandala was also a system that oppressed the Filipinos wherein farm produce
were sold compulsory to the government.

SPANISH GOVERNOR- GENERAL

 The chief executive of the Philippines was the general. He was the king's official
representative to the colony governor. He possessed tremendous powers with executive,
legislative and judicial powers under his control. As chief executive he enforced the Spanish
laws and royal decrees in the Philippines. He appointed all subordinate officials including
the "alcalde mayor" (provincial governor).
 For his legislative power, he enacted and issued laws, regulations and decrees. For his
judicial power, he was the president or presiding officer of the "Royal Audencia", the
supreme court of the Philippines during the Spanish era. He was also the commander in
chief of the armed forces.The governor also had ecclesiastic powers, the power to
recommend priests for appointment and intervene in controversies within the Church.
During the encomienda period, he was in full control of the operations of the church.

GOOD SPANISH GOVERNOR-GENERALS

 From 1565-1898, a total of 122 governors general served in the Philippines. Accordingly,
there were more undesirable governors who only exploited the Filipinos than serve them.
There were, however, a few good men who truly served well and are remembered by
Filipinos.
 One was Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who was the first governor general, from 1565-1572 and
is remembered for his diplomacy with the natives. At a time of rigid racism, Legazpi worked
on for the Spaniards and native Filipinos to live together as one community. He is
remembered for founding the cities of Manila and Cebu.
 Historical Background Spanish colonization in the Philippines started in 1565 during the
time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi,the first Spanish governor-general in the Philippines.
Miguel Lopez de Legarps
 Literature started to flourish during his time.

Another outstanding governor was Jose Basco y Vargas (1778-1787) for his agricultural
contributions, and economic programs that made Philippines financially independent from Mexico.
He established the "Economic Society of the Friends of the Country," to help in the development of
agriculture, and in 1782,established the tobacco monopoly.

Jose Basco y Vargas

 44th governor of the Philippines
 formulated a general economic plan (self-sufficiency of the colony) established Sociedad
Economica de los Amigos del Pais

The most liberal-minded governor general was Carlos Ma. De la Torre (1869-1871). His
liberal policies included the abolition of press censorship and the encouragement of
liberal discussions. He encouraged movements calling for reforms and sympathized with the
Filipinos aspirations for freedom and change.

Liberal Regime of De La Torre

 He was welcomed by both Filipinos and Spaniards -- June 23, 1869
 A liberal Spaniard who practiced liberal and democratic principles He abolished flogging,
relaxed media censorship, and began limited secularization of education

SPAIN INSTITUTED THE CENTRALIZED FORM OF GOVERNMENT

 Spain instituted the centralized form of government. The barangays became part of the
unitary government. Philippines was divided into provinces of two types: 1) the pacified
provinces called alcaldia mayor headed by the alcalde mayor and, 2) the unpacified
 provinces called corregimentos, each under a corregidor. The provinces were divided into
towns or pueblos, administered by a gobernacillo (petty governor).
 Another town official was the teniente mayor (chief lieutenant) who was in charge of peace
and order. A pueblo was divided into barrios or barangays under a cabesa. Both the
gobernardorcillo and cabesa served without salary. Large towns were organized into cities.
The city government was called avuntamiento. The council that governed the city was the
cabildo composed of the alcalde regidores, alguacil mayor and the escribano.

THE DIOCESE OF MANILA

 Under the Patronato Real, in the case of Spain, the Church was placed under the care of
the royal government. The Diocese of Manila, with its bishop, was at the top of the
ecclesiastical hierarchy in the colony. The bishop was appointed by the pope upon the
recommendation of the king of Spain. The other early dioceses established were Cebu,
Nueva Caceres (Naga) and Nueva Segovia (Vigan), all in 1595 the Diocese of Jaro (lloilo)
was created on May 27, 1865.
 The four regular orders assigned to Christianize the natives, were the Augustinians, who
came with Legazpi, the Discalced Franciscans (1578), the Jesuits (1581), and the
Dominican friars (1587).

ENCOMIENDA SYSTEM
 Part of the process on how Spain governed was through the "encomienda system", the first
governmental system where lands were politically divided to those given grants, a reward
for persons who have rendered valuable services to the king of Spain. Those who were
given were called "encomenderos." The grant of encomienda, by the Spanish Crown was
one that of a trusteeship.
 The first to benefit were men of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first Spanish Governor-
General, who colonized Cebu. The three classes of encomienda were the royal,
ecclesiastical and private. Those that were set aside for the king were “royal"; those
assigned to the religious order were "ecclesiastical encomiendas"; and for those who
helped in the conquest and colonization were "private encomiendas" or repartimientos.

ROLES OF ENCOMENDEROS
 The land belonged to the Spanish Crown but the encomendero received income from the
land, imposed the tribute and governed the people therein. He was obliged by law to (a)
promote the welfare of his constituents, (b) protect them from enemies (bandits and
pirates), (c) assist the Church in evangelization, (d)maintain peace and order, (e) promote
education, and (f) render humane treatment among his subjects. Most encomenderos
abused their power and committed acts of injustice. Subsequently, the encomienda system
was abolished beginning the 19th century. It was a primary cause of rebellions that broke
out in the islands. The encomiendas were transformed become part of provinces. Former
encomenderos were given vast tracks of "hacienda" lands for their ownership.

FILIPINO RESISTANCE (REVOLTS)

 The imposition of the polo, the tribute and other Spanish policies, the delegation of strong
political powers to the friars referred to as "frailocracy", and all the injustices, abuses and
maladministration committed by the government officials met resistance all throughout the
islands at different periods during the colonization.
 About a hundred revolts and other forms of resistance were launched for freedom and
justice. Some had momentary successes and were left alone without intrusion, however, in
the end, the colonizers still prevailed.

DAHOHOY REVOLT: LONGEST FILIPINO REVOLT

FRANCISCO DAGOHOY
(Bohol, c. 1740)
Enraged by the refusal of a Spanish friar to bury his brother, he led a rebellion against Spanish
rule which lasted from 1744 to 1829. The rebellion which was also fueled by excesses of the
Spanish authorities lasted for more than 30 years, the longest in Philippine history.

VARIOUS NATIVE REVOLTS

 Some of the Filipino heroes who emerged during these periods were: Magalat (Cagayan
revolt of 1596); Francisco Sumorov (Samar revolt of 1649); Tamblot and Bankaw (Religious
revolts in Bohol and Leyte); Dagohoy (85 years of Boholano revolt, 1744-1829); Diego and
Gabriela Silang (llocos revolt); Hermano Pule (Tagalog religious revolt of 1840); and the
many Muslim resistance which extended throughout the entire period of colonization.

REVOLUTION AND THE FIRST REPUBLIC

 Dr. Jose Rizal left the Propaganda in Europe and returned to the Philippines to introduce
change through his civic association La Liga Filipina. But then he was arrested and put to
exile where he will stay for 4 years. In Rizal's absence the Katipunan was founded and
advocated complete Philippine independence, thereby starting the Philippine Revolution in
1896 under the command of Andres Bonifacio.

RIZAL'S EXILE AND EXECUTION

 After Rizal's exile, he was put to trial being implicated as primary leader of the revolt, was
executed of Jose on December 30, 1896. The revolution intensified.

INTERNAL RIFT IN THE REVOLUTION

 The Katipunan in Cavite, the revolution stronghold, was split into the Magdiwang and
Magdalo factions. The Tejeros convention in 1897 was held for unity, resulting to the
dissolution of the Katipunan and the founding of the revolutionary government. Emilio
Aguinaldo was elected President while Bonifacio, who was almost disqualified, rejected all
results of the conference and walked out. Bonifacio was hunted down, arrested, tried for
treason and executed.

EMILIO AGUINALDO
 Right after Bonifacio's death, the Spanish forces was strengthened. Aguinaldo and his men
retreated northward reaching Biak-na-Bato, Bulacan. The Spaniards and the revolutionaries
signed the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, that provided for Aguinaldo's exile to Hong Kong, and
amnesty and payment of indemnities by the Spaniards to the revolutionaries. However,
both sides violated the agreement, and this gave an opportunity for the US admiral George
Dewey to lead his squadron to Manila Bay, defeating the Spanish navy.

FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC

 Aguinaldo returned from exile, most of the Philippine revolutionists rallied to his cause, and
negotiated with the Americans, while the Americans in 1898 defeated the Spaniards in what
was called a mock battle in Manila, and took control of the city. Aguinaldo then proclaimed
the independence of the Philippines on June 12, 1898 in Cavite. The Malolos Congress
was convened in January 1899 in Barasoain Church.

TREATY OF PARIS
 The Americans bought the Philippines from Spain with Guam and Puerto Rico through the
Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898 with strong opposition from Aguinaldo's government
and inaugurated the first Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899.
 The Americans have also built the U.S. Military Government to strengthen their position.
The Philippine-American War erupted in February 4, 1899 in a skirmish in Manila; the
Filipinos lost the battle, and Aguinaldo again began a northward retreat. After many battles,
Aguinaldo was captured on April 1, 1901 at Palanan, Isabela, while the Americans had
already started setting up a civil government to replace the military one.
AMERICAN OCCUPATION AND WW2
 The Americans passed the Philippine Organic Act in 1902 to introduce a national
government; by 1907, an election to the Philippine Assembly was held. Led by Sergio
Osmeña, the assembly was held predominantly by the Nacionalista Party, which advocated
independence.
 The Americans controlled the Philippine Commission, the upper house of the Philippine
Legislature. Under the Jones Law of 1916 the Philippine Assembly and Commission were
later replaced by a bicameral Congress. However, the Nacionalistas were split between the
camps of Sen. Osmeña and Senate President Manuel L. Quezon

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE MISSIONS

 Several independence missions went to the US and the OsRox Mission led by Osmeña and
House Speaker Manuel Roxas resulted to the independence law Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act.
However, the Quezon rejected this and worked on another law, the Tydings-McDuffie Law
which was minimally different from the previous one. The law facilitated for the
Commonwealth of the Philippines, a 10 year preparatory government.

LAST PRE-WAR ELECTIONS

 Quezon and Osmeña reunited, and were elected as president and vice president
respectively in 1935. With independence in the near future, Quezon pushed for
constitutional amendments that would allow him to a second term, and the restoration of a
bicameral legislature. Both amendments were achieved as Quezon, Osmeña and the
Nacionalista Party as a whole won the elections in 1941.

PHILIPPINES UNDER JAPANESE RULE

 The Japanese invasion of 1941 at the onset of World War II delayed the independence,
forced the Commonwealth government to go into exile, and subjected the country to a
puppet government. Initially, the Japanese created the Executive Commission as the
collaborating government for the occupied Philippines, created KALIBAPI which became
the only political party, and Jose P. Laurel was declared president of the Second Philippine
Republic.
 This nationalist government espoused anti-American sentiment. In 1944, the Philippines
was liberated with the return of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the Allied Forces. Osmeña,
who succeeded Quezon upon the latter's death, restored the Commonwealth government.