HISTORICAL

BACKGROUND OF
PHILIPPINE
POLITICS
 OUTLINE OF MAJOR PERIODS IN
HISTORY
◦ Pre-Colonial Philippines
◦ Spanish Rule
◦ American government
◦ Japanese Occupation
◦ Republican Years
Pre-Colonial Philippines
 Pre-Colonial Philippines
◦ The barangays were ruled by the Datu who wielded
Executive, Legislative and Judicial powers.

◦ As a lawmaker the Datu was assisted by the council

of elders called “Maginoos”
 Pre-Colonial Philippines
◦ After a law is enacted, the Umalohokan or
announcer would announce it to the public.

◦ In terms of trial, the maginoos act as jury along

with the Datu. Innocence is proven by trial by
ordeal.
UNDER COLONIAL RULE
 Magellan’s Expedition
◦ On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain in
an effort to find a western sea route to the rich Spice
Islands of Indonesia.

◦ King Charles I of Spain gave Magellan the men and ships

he needed for his voyage.
 Magellan’s Expedition
◦ Magellan was credited in naming the Pacific Ocean and
finding a way to the East through the Atlantic ocean.

◦ Magellan met his death in the Philippines when he was

caught between the rivalry of neighboring chieftains
Humabon and Lapu Lapu.
The Villalobos and Legazpi Expeditions
◦ In 1542, Ruy Lopez de Villalobos was commissioned by
the Spaniards for an expedition to the Philippines.
Villalobos first and his men first arrived in Mindanao and
then moved to Samar.
The Villalobos and Legazpi Expeditions
◦ Villalobos is credited in naming the islands Felipinas in
honor of the Spanish King Philip II.

◦ Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was commission for an

expedition in 1564 and arrived in Cebu in February 1565.
The Villalobos and Legazpi Expeditions
◦ Legazpi was able to secure
peace with locals in Cebu,
Panay, and Bohol.
The Villalobos and Legazpi Expeditions
◦ Juan de Salcedo a grandson
of Legazpi, reported that
there was prosperous
Muslim Kingdom in Manila.
The Villalobos and Legazpi Expeditions
◦ Salcedo and Martin de Goiti
led expeditions to Manila.

◦ They were met with resistance

by Rajah Sulayman but he was
defeated by the Spaniards.
 Spanish Government in the Philippines
◦ Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was appointed as the the first
Governor-General of the Philippines and Spanish rule
quickly spread throughout the Philippine Islands.
 Spanish Government in the Philippines
◦ The Philippines is ruled by the King
of Spain through the Viceroy of
Mexico. From 1565-1821.

◦ The King and the Viceroy appoints a

Governor-General who shall oversee
the administration of the country.
 Spanish Government in the Philippines
◦ The Royal Audiencia serves as the
Judiciary branch in deciding cases as well
as auditing the finances of the
Government.

◦ No legislative branch was created because

orders directly come from the Spanish
crown.