Evolution of Philippine Politics

and Governance

Euthenics 3
The historical development of
Philippine Politics and Government
can be studied through its
evolution from the Pre-historic
period which contributed to the
formation of modern Philippine
Politics and Government.
 The early Filipinos had a government which they called
“Balangay”.
 The head or the leader was called a Datu or Rajah who
was assisted by the elders in the community.
 All powers of the government were exercised by the datu or
rajah. He was the chief executive, law giver, chief judge and
military head.
 There are three social classes at that time namely:
 The Maharlika (Nobles),
 the Timawas (Freemen) and the
 Alipin (Slaves).
 The Datu or the Rajah came from the Maharlika (The upper
class).
The Maharlika (Nobles),
The Timawas (Freemen)
The Datu or the Rajah
Government in the Philippines under
the Spanish Rule
 The Philippines was governed indirectly by the
King of Spain through the Viceroy of Mexico.
 When Mexico, also a former colony of Spain
gained her freedom in 1821, the Philippines
was ruled directly by Spain until 1898.
 The government established in the Philippines
was centralized.
Government in the Philippines under
the Spanish Rule
 The national government was headed by a
Spanish Governor General, who was appointed
by the King of Spain.
 The Governor-General was at times called the
“Representative of the King of Spain” or the
“Little King in the Philippines”.
 In theory, he was the highest government
official in the country, and practice frailocracy
“Rule of friars” existed thus overpowering
the Governor General.
Government in the Philippines under
the Spanish Rule
 Below the national government was the
 Alcaldia (Provinces) headed by the Alcalde
Mayor,
 the Pueblos (Towns) which were led by the
Gobernadorcillo (little governor) and the
 barangays which were led by the Cabeza de
Barangay.
Government in the Philippines under
the Spanish Rule
 Andres Bonifacio organized the Katipunan, a
secret revolutionary organization of the Filipinos.
 Its aim was a complete separation from Spain.
 It precipitated the Philippine Revolution on
August 26, 1896 (De Leon & De Leon, 2014).
 It was replaced by another government when
it was discovered by the Spanish authorities.
 The new government was headed by Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo as President in the Tejeros
Convention held on March 22-23, 1897.
Government in the Philippines under
the Spanish Rule
 The Biak-Na-Bato Republic was created by
Gen. Aguinaldo on November 1, 1897.
 Its aim was separation from Spain and
formation of the Philippines as an independent
state.
 The Republic existed until December 15, 1897,
with the signing of the Pact of Biak-Na-Bato.
Government in the Philippines under
the Spanish Rule
 It resulted in the Revolutionary exile of
Aguinaldo and his men to Hongkong provided
that General Primo de Rivera would pay
$800,000. On May 24, 1889, Gen. Aguinaldo
established a dictatorial government when he
returned from his exile in Hongkong.
 The notable achievements of the Dictatorial
Government were:
 1) the proclamation of Philippine Independence
at Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898; and
 2) the reorganization of local governments.
Government in the Philippines under
the Spanish Rule
 A Revolutionary Government replaced the
Dictatorial Government still with Gen.
Aguinaldo as the head. On January 23, 1899,
the first Philippine Republic was established
with Gen. Aguinaldo as the President.
The Government during the American
Regime
 The Americans started the military rule in the
Philippines on August 14, 1898.
 The president of the United States delegated
his authority to the military governor who
exercised all powers of the government (until
the war lasted) - executive, legislative and
judiciary.
The Government during the American
Regime
 The Spooner Amendment ended the military
regime in the Philippines.
 It was changed into civil government headed by
Civil Governor on July 4, 1901.
 The title was changed to Governor General on
February 6, 1905.
 The Governor General has legislative powers,
and he was the President of the Philippines
commission from 1901-1907.
The Government during the American
Regime
 The Philippine Commission was the sole law
making body of the Government.
 Eventually, this became the upper house of the
legislative department of the Philippine
Assembly (Created by Philippine Bill of 1902)
as the lower chamber.
 The Jones law of 1916 which became the
fundamental law for the Philippines vested the
legislative power in an all- Filipino law-
making body composed of the Philippine
Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Commonwealth Government
 The Tydings-Mcduffie Law in 1934 established
the Commonwealth Government.
 It was a form of government in transition toward
independence.
 It provide for a ten-year transition period after
which the Philippine independence would be
Proclaimed and established.
The Commonwealth Government
 The Commonwealth Government was
inaugurated on November 15, 1935.
 The first National Election in the country was held
September 12, 1935. Manuel L. Quezon was the
President, and his Vice-President was Sergio
Osmena.
 The Commonwealth Government functioned in
exile during World War II in Washington, USA, from
May 13, 1942 to October 3, 1944 after which it
was reestablished in Manila on February 27,
1945.
 The USA turned over to a Filipino President the full
powers and responsibilities of the Commonwealth
Government under the 1935 Constitution.
The Government under the Japanese
Occupation
 The Japanese military administration was
established in Manila on January 3, 1942. A civil
government which was called the Philippine
Executive Commission was established with
Jorge
B. Vargas as chairman.
 It had legislative and executive powers but
laws enacted though were subject to approval
by the Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese
forces. On October 14, 1943,
 the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic
with Jose P. Laurel as the President was
The Presidents of the Philippines
Since independence in 1898 and the ratification
of the Philippine Constitution in the First
Republic, there have been 16 presidents.

Starting with General Emilio Aguinaldo all the

way to current president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
General Emilio Aguinaldo
Manuel L. Quezon
Jose P. Laurel
Sergio Osmeña
Manuel Roxas
Elpidio Quirino
Ramon Magsaysay
Carlos P. Garcia
Diosdado Macapagal
Ferdinand Marcos
Corazon
Aquino
Fidel V. Ramos
Joseph Estrada
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Benigno Aquino III
Rodrigo R. Duterte
Thank you...