Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Bohol
PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND
GOVERNANCE

Quarter : 1 Week : 7 Day : 1 Activity No. : 1

Competency: : Analyze the evolution of Philippine politics and governance (No code indicated)
Objective : Recognize the Pre-Spanish Government of the Philippines
Topic : Pre-Spanish Government of the Philippines
Materials : Bond paper
Reference : https://www.slideshare.net/jhengrayn/politicaldevelopmentofthephilippine
government
Copyrights : For classroom use only

Concept Notes:

Pre-Spanish Government of the Philippines

Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the Philippines was composed of settlements or villages, each called
barangay, named after balangay, a Malayan word meaning “boat”.
Each 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 purpose of mutual protection
against common enemies.

The Datu
Each barangay was ruled by a chief called datu in some places, and rajah, sultan or hadji in others.
He was its chief executive, law giver, chief judge and military head. In the performance of his duties, he was
assisted usually by the council of elders (maginoos) which served as his advertisers. In form, the barangay
was monarchy with the wealth or physical prowess.

Social Classes in the Barangay

The people of the barangay were divided into four classes, namely: the nobility (Maharlika), to which
the datu belonged, the freemen (timawa), the serfs (aliping namamahay), and the slaves (aliping sagigilid).

Early Laws in the Barangay

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 AD by Datu Sumakwel of Panay, and the Kalantiaw Code written in 1433 A.D. by
Datu Kalantiaw, also of Panay.

Activity. Answer the questions below.

1. What is the form of government during the Pre-Spanish/ pre-colonial government?

2. Name the social classes in the barangay.
3. Explain the greatest contribution of pre-colonial government to the present government.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Bohol
PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND
Quarter : 1GOVERNANCE
Week : 7 Day : 2 Activity No. : 2
Competency: : Analyze the evolution of Philippine politics and governance (No code indicated)
Objective : Cite the importance of Spanish Government in the Philippines
Topic : Spanish Government of the Philippines
Materials : Bond paper
Reference : https://www.slideshare.net/jhengrayn/politicaldevelopmentofthephilippine
government
Copyrights : For classroom use only

Concept Notes:

Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines 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.

Spanish Colonial Government

From 1565 to 1821, 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
presentation 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.

Governor-General
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, thus, the Governor-General enjoyed more powers
than the King of Spain himself.
In the administration of the Philippines, the Governor-General was assisted by many boards and
officers, particularly the Board of Authorities and the Council of Administration.

Activity:

During the Spanish Colonial government, who ruled the Philippines?

What are the roles of governor-general?
3. In your own idea, what do you think the greatest contribution of the Spanish government to
the Philippines? Give three answers.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Bohol
PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND
Quarter : 1GOVERNANCE
Week : 7 Day : 3 Activity No. : 3
Competency: : Analyze the evolution of Philippine politics and governance (No code indicated)
Objective : Identify the revolutionary movements during Spanish Government
Topic : Spanish Government of the Philippines - Revolutionary Era
Materials :
Reference : https://www.slideshare.net/jhengrayn/politicaldevelopmentofthephilippine
government
Copyrights : For classroom use only

Concept Notes:

Philippines’ Revolutionary Era: Governments and Republics during the Spanish Regime

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 (Sangguniang Bayan).
The Judicial Power 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.

The 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 was to take effect for two years only.
It was declared that the aim of the revolution 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”.

The Dictatorial Government

Following the outbreak of the Spanish-American war on April 25, 1898, Gen. Aguinaldo in view of
the chaotic conditions in the country, 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, Cavite on June 12, 1898 by General Emilio Aguinaldo and the
reorganization of local governments.

The Revolutionary Government

In the administration of the Philippines, the Governor- General was assisted by many boards and
officers, particularly the Board of Authorities and the Council of Administration.
On June 23, 1898, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo established the Revolutionary Government replacing the
Dictatorial Government.
The decree-making such change stated that the aims of the new government were “struggle for
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.”

Activity:

1. What is the highlight of Katipunan government?

2. Name the different revolutionary government during the Spanish regime.
3. Why there was a revolution during the Spanish government?