BIG PICTURE C

Week 6-7: Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO): At the end of the unit, you are expected
to:
a. Develop critical and analytical skills with exposure to primary sources of
historical
b. Identify the various agrarian reform practices during the colonial period up to
the present Philippine administration;
c. Trace the development of the Philippine Constitution by emphasizing its
salient features

Big Picture in Focus: ULOa. Develop critical and analytical skills with
exposure to primary sources of historical.
1.1. Write an essay on national integrity basing Monastic Supremacy
written by Marcelo H. del Pilar

Metalanguage
In this section, Marcelo H. Del Pilar’s La Soberania Monacalen
Filipinas(Monastic Sovereignty in the Philippines) that analyzed the political, religious,
and economic aspects of frailocracia in the Philippines during the late 19th century
ULOa will introduce you to the governance of Spain in the Philippines. You are
required to write an essay on national integrity.
• Frailocracia, the authority belong to the friars; a government controlled
by the friars.

Essential Knowledge

To perform the aforesaid big picture (unit learning outcomes) for the third and
fourth week, you need to fully understand the following essential knowledge that will
be laid down in the succeeding pages. Please note that you are not limited to
exclusively refer to these resources. Thus, you are expected to utilize other books,
research articles and other resources that are available in the university’s library e.g.
ebrary, search.proquest.com etc.

MONASTIC SUPREMACY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Marcelo H. Del Pilar’s La Soberenia Monacalen Filipinas, first published in
Barcelona, Spain, in 1889, and reprinted in Manila in 1898(Translated by Dr.
Encarnacion Alzona in 1957)
Source: Del Pilar, M.H. and Alzona, E. (1958). [La soberaniamonacalen Filipinas.]
Monastic supremacy in the Philippines. Translated from the Spanish by Encarnacion
Alzona. Quezon City: Philippines History Association.

The following are excerpts from Marcelo H. Del Pilar’s La SobereniaMonacalen

Filipinas, first published in Barcelona, Spain, in 1889, and reprinted in Manila in 1898.
Its publication in Spain was hailed by Spanish liberals and former Spanish
administrators in the Philippines, including former governor-general Emilio
Terrero(1885-1888) and Benigno Quiroga, former director general of the civil
administration in the Philippines, and such scholars as Miguel Morayta and Ferdinand
Bluementritt. Jose Rizal, the most cultured of the reformist group called Del Pilar’s
work as one that had “no chaff; it is all grain”. The following translation was made by
Dr. Encarnacion Alzona in 1957.

ITS POLITICAL ASPECT

1. The interference of the friars in the government of the Philippines is so
ingrained that without difficulty the friars control the status quo of the country
in defiance of the nation and the institutions.
1.1 In charge of almost all the parishes, their parochial mission takes on the
double character of a political organ and popular patronage.

1.2 This mission gives the curate great power in each locality; and this
power, as it does not lose its monastic character, is at the command of
the regular prelates under whose guidance the parish priests think,
preach, confess and act with marvelous uniformity.

1.3 Perhaps the guarantee of the moderating power of the parish priests
may be self to society to balance and harmonize the interests of the
people and the institutions; but the facts is that the convents are opposed
to this equilibrium and harmony.

1.4 The hatred and distrust between both elements constitute the life of the
convents.

1.5 To frighten the government with the rebelliousness of the country and
frighten the country with the despotism of the government – that is the
system that the friars have so skillfully evolved to be able to rule at the
expense of everyone.

2. They offer the government to suppress the country’s rebellious and the
government gives them all its autocratic support, going to the extreme if the
friars so demand, while they portray the ruler as the personification of
tyranny and despotism.
2.1 They offer the people to soften that tyranny and the people place its
wealth in their hands so that they may defend them against official
rapacity.

2.2 The basis of monastic wealth is the lack of union between the people
and the government and it is necessary to foster it by fanning the
resentment of the first and the despotism of the second. To achieve this,
they count on the diversity of languages among the rulers and the ruled.
3. In the Philippines, however, religious amortization is very conspicuous.
Ignorance and fanaticism encouraged by the monastic institutions and
ignoring the claims of blood relations as if they were contrary to divine law
have been responsible for centuries for the immense number of disinherited
families.
4. Today the convents are the millionaires of the country; their large funds
cannot be alienated. Their lands are cultivated without the stimulus of the
owners and with discouragement on the part of the tillers.
 4.1 They are leased and the rent increases from time to time and in
proportion to the improvements introduced on the land.

4.2 In the year 1887 the provincial government of Laguna tried to get
information about the increase in the income of the lands in Calamba
belonging to friars.

4.3 It found out that the annual income of five thousand pesos has been
sextupled, amounting to more than thirty thousand pesos.

5. Filipinos pay direct taxes consisting of the personal cedula, urban tax,
industrial subsidy and additional municipal tax, provincial tax, and personal
loan; and besides these, the indirect one of the markets, vehicles, horses,
stamps and surcharges, slaughter of cattle , river trolls, and others.
5.1 This is what we would call the tax of religious festivals.

5.2 The papal decree of 2 May 1867 aimed to relieve the Filipino Catholics
of this burden by reducing the number of feast days and ordering that
each diocese have only one patron saint to be named by the Holy See,
and in fact this was done.

5.3 But it is evident that the will of the Pope is ineffective and impotent so far
as the regular curates in the Philippine Archipelago are concerned.

5.4 Each parish church has a tutelary patron of the town besides the patron
saint of one or more confraternities and patron saints of secondary
importance venerated in some churches according to the curate’s
devotion.

5.5 Their respective saint’s day are celebrated with pomp at the expense of
the people.

5.6 During these celebrations the townspeople have to keep open house,
entertaining lavishly.
6. Aside from these numerous and costly festivals, in every district where fifty
families dwell, a chapel is erected at a cost of at least one thousand pesos;
there are some costing five, ten, and fifteen thousand pesos.
6.1 The dues of the stole and the foot of the altar are a legitimate source of
revenue of the priesthood.
6.2 They are not just mere alms as they think, they are a just remuneration;
Jesus Christ and common sense declare that the he who works
deserves to eat.

6.3 But the exaggerating collection of some dues without the sanction of
Jesus Christ hurt the interests of the Catholics and leads them to impious
reflections and to inquire in the light of economics about the productive
value of this social element whose manifestation are purely those of the
consumer.
 6.4 The Reverend Fathers are empowered to name the persons who ought
to be deported; and the Government solemnly declares that the parish
curate’s opinion suffices so that the deportation may not be arbitrary.

6.5 It is no longer fanaticism that builds this opulence, no; it is fear of the
group which has been raised to the power which, with no one stroke of
the pen or a low whisper, can kill the happiness of one who obstructs or
does not cooperate in the development of its schemes of exploitation.

ITS RELEGIOUS ASPECT

1. In the performance of their duties, the municipal officials depend on the
parish priest. To report the conduct of a citizen the testimony of one hundred
members of the Principalia is not enough.
1.1 The essential requirement is the curate’s approval. The signature of the
curate is necessary to the census of residents in a municipality, to the
conscription of eligible young men, to formalize accounts and other
official documents; to everything and for everything the curate’s
signature is an essential requisite.

1.2 On the other hand, there exists no ruling prescribing the conditions under
which the curate should grant or withhold his approval.

1.3 The curate approves it or denies it, according to his will or the order of
his prelates.
2. Supreme orders are carried out if the crate so pleases. If the superior
authority tries to demand an energetic enforcement of his orders, the curate
informs the prelate of his convent and this one obtains dismissal of the
public official.
2.1 His powerful argument which produces a magical effect is that national
integrity is in danger.

2.2 The foundation of a building is to be laid and the curate does not like it,
then national integrity is in danger; public health demands that the
corpses should not be brought into the churches; well nothing, national
integrity is in danger. And the same litany in everything.

2.3 The guarantee of national integrity is not the church nor can it be in the
friars; it is in the same popular aspiration of fusing and identifying the
interests of the Philippines with those of the country that gave her
political life, that shaped and educated her to be worthy of modern
civilization and sheltered her from the covetousness of foreign nations.
3. To consolidate the fraternity between Spain and Philippines is the best
defense of national integrity; it is Spain’s ideal; it is the dream of the
Philippines.
3.1 Ah, let the government consider that, let Spain consider that. As for us,
we don’t believe it prudent to leave national integrity in the hands of the
friars. Neither it is good for the reigning monarch nor for any political
interest does that monasticism continue to be the arbiter of the fate of
Spain in the Philippine Islands.
ITS ECONOMIC ASPECT
The laws that regulate the foundation and development of convents in the
Philippines are undoubtedly based on the belief that monastic life is unproductive.
Numerous are the regulations pertaining to the supplying their need for wine, oil, and
other things of the kind.

But the abundance found in the convents makes laughable the pity of the
government. The Philippine government lacks resources to undertake public works;
on the other hand, the monastic orders build grand and costly convents in Manila and
in each parish of three thousand souls, they erect a spacious palace for the residence
of the regular curate.

The government establishes primary schools in each town. The government

houses are made of light materials, like those destined for the tribunal which hardly
approximate the stable of the friar curators.
1. The government finds a thousand obstacles in collecting taxes from the tax-
paying public; but the monastic orders empty without the difficulty the purse
of the same public in return for heavenly promises.
1.1 The government worries about meeting its peremptory financial needs,
but the monastic treasuries are overflowing with money so that their only
worry is how to send away from the country their copious savings that
foster the banking interest of foreign trade.

1.2 The government refrains from creating new sources of revenue in order
not to burden Filipino interests, but the friars invent every day new forms
of devotion, some very costly, and the public pay, not because of
fanaticism, but rather, for fear of displeasing the friars whose power they
know has sent many innocent victims to exile.

1.3 Because of this, there is a notable contrast between the poverty of the
government and the opulence of the vow of property. Let us analyze this
economic phenomenon
2. The amortization of lands is fatal to agriculture everywhere. Experience and
economics have shown the needs for laws of disentail. In the countries
where such wise measures have been adopted, capital was immediately
channeled to greater and better production.
2.1 The sale of religious objects that rise in price by reason of priestly
blessing constitutes a true and indisputable simony; and notwithstanding
one of the principal sources of income of the monastic order is the trade
in religious objects.

2.2 The ready-made belt without priestly blessing costs and is sold at four or
five pesos a hundred, but the moment the priest blesses it and the belt
passes on to the class of spiritual things and becomes an object of papal
and Episcopal indulgences, from that moment the price rises one
hundred per cent at least. To the new member of confraternity, it is sold
at sixty-two cents, four eights of peso each belt, the price going down
until twenty-five cents minimum when the buyer is an old customer.
 2.3 What is true of belt is also true of scapulars of the Recollect fathers, of
the rosaries of Dominican fathers, of the cords of the Franciscan friars,
and of various others too many to enumerate.

Self Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you further
understand the lesson:

1. Coleman, A. (2011). The friars in the Philippines. Retrieved at

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/36438/36438-h/36438-h.htm

2. Efa, Samantha Lorraine. (2014). Monastic supremacy. Retrieved

at:https://prezi.com/npgyxbznoalk/monastic-supremacy/
3. Ligan, Vigan, et al., (2018). Readings in Philippine history. Mutya Publishing
House, Malabon City.
4. Peter, Jhon, (2016). Filipino revolts against Spain. Retrieved at
http://polsciportal.blogspot.com/2016/02/chapter-13-filipino-revolts-
against.html
5. Pilar, M.H. del (10058). Monastic supremacy in the Philippines/Marcelo H. del
Pilar; translated from the Spanish by Encarnacion Alzona. Marcelo Hilario del,
1850-1896. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Historical Association.
6. Robinson, A. G. (1901), The Philippines: the war and the people, pp. 314-
333 as cited by http://www.philippinehistory.net/1901robinson.htm

Let’s Check

Activity 1. Find and encircle the words that are in relation to the monastical supremacy
in the Philippines during Spanish era.
V M O N O P O L Y L A J E K C

C U W C L S E X A T Z R V L H
H N P O P E X V S E S A I B U
O J J R W S T C E L L O C E R
O U Q P E T S R A I R F V P C
L S K R S M O N O P O L Y B H
S T F E A H E C N E U L F N I
Z C F U N D S N O I G I L E R

Let’s Analyze
Activity 1. Now that you have an idea of the political, religious and economic aspects
of the friar orders in the Philippines through del Pilar’s La Soberenia Monacal Filipinas
you are going to write an essay on national integrity.
FORMAT:
 • Font style: Arial
• Font size:12
• Paper size: A4
• Content: It should possess creativeness and aesthetic value and should have
a concise and brief explanation, with evidences such as pictures and dates.

In a Nutshell
Democratic Points: You are going to jot down the things that you have
learned in bullet form. You may express it in sentence or in phrase.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Question & Answer (Q&A)

You are free to list down all the emerging questions or issues in the provided
spaces below. These questions or concerns may also be raised in the LMS or other
modes. You may answer these questions on your own after clarification. The Q&A
portion helps in the review of concepts and essential knowledge.

Questions/Issues Answers

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
Keywords

• Frailocracia • Supremacy

Big Picture in Focus: ULOa. Develop critical and analytical skils with
exposure to primary sources of historical data.
1.2 Make a reaction paper based on the revolts of the Filipino against the
abuses of the Spaniards.

Metalanguage
In this section, you are going to know about the forms of taxes levied by
the Spanish government on the Filipinos, and the revolts that were carried out against
these taxes and other forms of Spanish economic abuses ULOa will help you
understand revenues enjoyed by the Spanish government for more than three
centuries of their occupation of the Philippine islands. You are required to make a
reaction paper based.
• Taxation, they were compulsory during Spanish period to support the
colony.

Essential Knowledge
To perform the aforesaid big picture (unit learning outcomes) for the third to fourth
week of the course, you need to fully understand the following essential knowledge
that will laid down in succeeding pages. Please note that you are not limited to
exclusively refer to these resources. Thus, you are expected to utilize other books,
research articles and other resources that are available in the university’s library e.g.
ebrary, search.proquest.com etc.

TAXATION DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD

This is a brief discussion of the revenues enjoyed by the Spanish government
for more than three centuries of their occupation of the Philippine islands. Only the
salient features of the central or insular revenue system that has historical significance
were included in the discussion.

TAXES IMPOSED BY THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

Taxation during the Spanish period was compulsory. All Spanish colonies
America and the Philippines were required to pay taxes from two reasons: (1) as
recognition of Spain’s sovereignty over the colonies, and (2) to defray the expenses
of pacification (te act of forcibly suppressing hostility within the colonies) and
governance, thereafter.

Several colonial laws on taxation were made by the Real y SupremoConjeso

de las Indias (Royal and Supreme Council of the Indies) for the Spanish monarch.
These laws were embodied in the compilation of legislation related to the New World
called the Recopilación de leyes de los reynos de las Indias. It was a four-volume
collection of laws relating to the Indies, which was published in Madrid in 1861.
 Taxes during the Spanish period in the Philippines were the tribute, sanctorum,
donativo, caja de communidad, and servicio personal (Boncan, 2016).
1. Tributowas a general tax paid by the Filipinos to Spanish which amounted
to eight Reales. Those who were required to pay the tribu to were the (1) 18
to 50 years old males, (2) carpenters, bricklayers, blacksmiths, tailors, and
shoemakers, and (3) town workers such as those in road construction, and
those who is public in nature.

2. Sanctorum was a tax in the amount of 3 Reales. These were required for
the cost of Christianization, including the construction of churches and the
purchase of materials for religious celebrations.

3. Donativo was a tax in the amount of half Real for the military campaign of
the government against the Muslims. In later years, however, the amount
collected from donativo was almost exclusively used for the Spanish fort in
Zamboanga.

4. Caja de comunidadwas a tax collected in the amount of 1 Real for the

incurred expenses of the town in the construction of roads, repair of bridges,
or the improvement of public buildings.

5. Servicio personal also called polo y svicio was a form of forced labor during
the Spanish period in the Philippines. All able-bodied males, 16 to 60 years
old were required to work in the construction of bridges, churches, and
galleon ships. They were called polista. Earlier, the polistas were required
to work for 40 days; however, the number of days was lowered to 15 days
in 1884 as a result of the tax reform issued through a Royal Decree.
5.1 Some of the polistas were brought to fight against the Muslim and others
were brought in the Spanish expeditions.

5.2 The only way that a polista can be freed from forced labor was when he
paid a falla, or fine. But only very few could afford to pay the fine. The
gobernadorcillo, cabeza de barangay, and other members of the
principalia were exempt from forced labor and falla.

REVOLT AGAINST THE TRIBUTE

1. Cagayan and Dingras Revolts (1589). In 1589, the Cagayan and Dingras
Revolts against the tribute occurred on Luzon in the present-day provinces
of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte. The revolt of the Ilocanos, Ibanags and other
Filipinos was triggered by the alleged abuses of the tax collectors, including
the collection of high taxes.
1.1 Six tax collectors who had arrived from Vigan were killed by the natives.
Governor-General Santiago de Vera sent Spanish and Filipino colonial
troops to pacify the rebels. The rebels were pardoned in the end. The
Philippine tax system was also reformed because of the revolt.

1.2 These were the first native revolts against the hated tribute and the
corrupt tribute collectors. Although they were easily suppressed by
government troops, more revolts of a similar nature were to come one
after another in subsequent years.
 2. Agustin Sumuroy’s Revolt (1649-1650). On June 1, 1649, Agustin
Sumuroy, who was a Waray from Palapag in today’s Northern Samar,
together with his followers rose in arms against the Spaniards over the polo
y servicioor forced labor system being started in Samar.
2.1 The revolt was triggered when the town mayors sent the Warays to the
shipyards in Cavite for forced labor, contrary to the directive of the
government of Manila that all natives subject to the polo would not be
sent to distant people from their hometowns to do forced labor.

2.2 The rebels were responsible for the death murder of the parish priest of
Palapag. The revolt spread to Cebu, Masbate, Camiguin, Bicol,
Camarines, Albay, Zamboanga and Mindanao and Surigao.

2.3 The rebels succeeded in establishing a rebel government in the

mountains of Samar. However, the capture and execution of Agustin
Sumuroy on June 1650 led to the eventual defeat of the rebels.

2.4 David Dula, Sumuroy’s co-conspirator, continued the quest, but was
wounded in one of the fierce battles he fought with the Spaniards years
later. He was captured and later executed in Palapag, Northern Samar.
His men, the seven key lieutenants, were also executed.
3. Francisco Maniago’s Revolt (1660-1661). In 1660, Francisco Maniago, a
Kapampangan, led an uprising in Pampanga. The Kapampangans were
against the tribute, forced labor, and rice exploitation. For eight months, they
were made to work under unfair conditions and were not paid for their labor
and for the rice purchased from them. Because of this, they set their
campsite on fire and the fight ensued. This was the start of a bloodier revolt
in Pangasinan.
4. Andres Malong Revolt (1660-1661).Malong( who was the Maestro de
Campo of Binalatongan, now San Carlos City, Pangasinan), in the 1660s
was coaxed by Maniago to revolt against the abuses of the Spaniards
because they were experiencing the same abuses. Malong, hoped to be
King in the province of Pangasinan, as he assisted many Spaniards in
governing different towns in the said province, but abandoned it when the
war broke out in Pampanga. He heeded the call of Maniago and led the
people of Pangasinan to take up arms against the Spaniards. When he
succeeded, he proclaimed himself King of Pangasinan.

THE TAX REFORM OF 1884

1. One of the good reforms which Spain introduced in the 19th century was the
Tax Reform of 1884, as provided by the Royal Decree of March 6, 1884,
this tax reform contained two important provisions: (1) abolition of the hated
tribute and its replacement of cedula tax, and (2) reduction of the 40-day
annual forced labor (polo) to 15 days.

1.1 The Cedulas Personales. Cedulas were first issued based on the
Royal Decree on March 6, 1884. All men and women residents of the
islands – Spaniards, foreigners, and natives – who were over 18
years old were required to obtain a cedula.
 1.2 The only exceptions were the Chinese, who paid another poll tax,
the remontados deinfieles, that were not subject to the loca
administration, and the natives and colonists of the archipelago of
Jolo and of the island of Balabac and Palawan.
2. All in all, there were 16 different classes of cedulas. Originally, there were
nine classes taxed, the rates of taxes ranged from 1.50 pesos to 25 pesos,
and a tenth, gratis, for priests, soldiers and privileged classes.

Self Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you further
understand the lesson:

1. Gonzales, J. M. G. (2013) Abuses of the Spaniards towards Filipinos (Spanish

colonization). Retrieved at https://prezi.com/3-x3z6bm6uia/abuses-of-the-
spaniards-towards-filipinos-spanish-
colonizat/?frame=dac0747b3db4638e5b6cc2afc6d241d69ff3094c

2. Liclican, J. P. (2014). Chapter 13 Filipino revolts against Spain. Retrieved at

https://www.slideshare.net/praejames245/chapter-13-filipino-revolts-against-
spain

3. Ligan, Vigan, et al., (2018). Readings in Philippine history. Mutya Publishing

House, Malabon City.

4. Mangaoang, Philip and Pelayo, Erica (2019). Evolution of Philippine taxation.

Retrieved at: https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/tarlac-state-
university/philippine-history/other/evolution-of-philippine-taxation/5523598/view

5. Matic, T. IV. (2016). A history of the Filipino revolt (from the Tagalog
perspective). retrieved at: https://www.1898miniaturas.com/en/article/history-
filipino-revolt/

6. Peter, Jhon, (2016). Filipino revolts against Spain. Retrieved at:

http://polsciportal.blogspot.com/2016/02/chapter-13-filipino-revolts-against.html

Let’s Check
Activity 1. After knowing the forms of taxes levied by the Spanish government on
the Filipinos, and the revolts that were carried put against these taxes and other
forms of Spanish abuses you are going to answer the following:

A.Write true if the statement is correct, otherwise, write false.

____________1. The Filipinos pay direct taxes which consists of urban tax,
municipal tax, and personal cedula among others.

____________2. Both the curates and the government officials during the Spanish
period personified despotism and tyranny.
____________3. The native’s submission and compliance to friar rule was due to
profound respect to authority.

____________4. A provincial tax is a direct tax, while stamps and surcharges are
indirect taxes

____________5 Trade of religious objects is one of the curates’ sources of income

during the Spanish era.

B. Give a concise explanation/discussion on the following items

1. What is the essential idea in this phrase, “poverty of the government and
opulence of the vow of poverty”?
2. What was the powerful weapon held by the curates through which they
maintained power and influence?
3. What is the relative importance of taxation to the economy of the country?
Discuss clearly the importance.

Let’s Analyze

Activity 1. Now for you to be able to involve yourself in the context of this lesson you
are going to research about a Filipino revolt, any article, relevant video or a
documentary film that tackles about the revolts of the Filipinos against the abuses of
the Spaniards. After reading or watching you are required to submit a reaction paper
based on the video.
Format: Arial 12 / spacing 1.5 / 300 words

Rubric for Research

Criteria Description Points Rating

Content The paper is concise and informative. It 15

comes in various credible resources and
the paper manifests the deep
understanding of the student in the
research done by him/her.

Organization It is well written and follows the format 10

given. It uses transitions and the
thoughts are organized in such a way
that it is readable and understandable to
the reader.

Language There are minimal to no grammatical 5

errors observed. The words are well
chosen and are appropriate as to what
the student wants to convey.
 Total 30 points

In a Nutshell
Democratic Points: You are going to jot down the things that you have
learned in bullet form. You may express it in sentence or in phrase.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Question & Answer (Q&A)

You are free to list down all the emerging questions or issues in the provided
spaces below. These questions or concerns may also be raised in the LMS or other
modes. You may answer these questions on your own after clarification. The Q&A
portion helps in the review of concepts and essential knowledge.

Questions/Issues Answers

Keywords
 • tribute • revolts
• Sanctorum • servicio personal
• Caja de comunidad • cedulas

Big Picture in Focus: ULOb. Identidy the various agrarian reform practices
during the colonial period up to the present Philippine administration.

Metalanguage
In this section, you are going to study the different agrarian reforms in the country from
the Spanish colonial Philippines to the present in order to demonstrate ULOb. Your
task involves discussing the agrarian agenda of each of the Philippine presidents. You
are required to differentiate the land system of ownership during pre-colonial and
Spanish era using Venn Diagram.
• Land reform has gained great significance all over the world as it aims to
achieve social justice and full development of human dignity. Throughout time,
the issue of land reform has been persistent, demanding measures to stop
social unrest.

Essential Knowledge
To perform the aforesaid big picture (unit learning outcomes) for the fifth and last week
of the course, you need to fully understand the following essential knowledge that will
be laid down in succeeding pages. Please note that you are not limited to exclusively
refer to these resources. Thus, you are expected to utilize other books, research
articles and other resources that are available in the university’s library e.g. ebrary,
search.proquest.com etc.

AGRARIAN REFORM FROM THE SPANISH COLONIAL PHILIPPINES TO THE

PRESENT

1. Land reform has gained great significance all over the world as it aims to
achieve social justice and full development of human dignity. Throughout
time, the issue of land reform has been persistent, demanding measures to
stop social unrest.

1.1 Worst scenarios were observed during the colonial era when the Spanish
colonizers introduced new land-holding systems to caciques.
1.2 The introduction of Torrens system created serious problems that have
far-reaching effects on the early systems of landholding. The nature
inhabitants lost their ancestral domains to the colonialists.
 1.3 The poor economic and social condition of the peasants in the Philippines
need immediate agrarian reform measures by the Philippine government.

PRE-SPANISH PERIOD

1. Filipinos already lived in villages and barangays even before the Spaniards
came to the Philippines. The settlements were ruled by chieftains or datus
who comprised the nobility.

1.1 There were also the maharlikas (freemen), the aliping namamahay
(serfs) and aliping saguiguilid (slaves).
1.2 Despite the existence of a social structure, everyone had access to the
fruits of the soil. Rice was the medium of exchange as money was yet
unknown.
1.3

SPANISH PERIOD (1521-1896)

1. The Spaniards introduced the concept of encomienda to the Philippines.

Encomienda was a system of giving lands (Royal Land Grants) to the
Spanish conquerors that were loyal to the Spanish monarch. As a matter of
policy, encomenderos must defend his encomienda from external attack,
maintain peace and order within, and support the missionaries.

2. In turn, the encomenderos were given the right to collect taxes (tribute) from
the indios (natives). Because of this, encomenderos started to abuse their
power by renting their lands to a few powerful landlords, and the natives
who once freely cultivated the land became share tenants.

AGRARIAN UPRISING (1745-46)

1. Taxation was not only the reasons for the revolts of the Filipinos during the
Spanish period, but the agrarian unrest as well. The Agrarian Revolt
happened between 1745 and 1746 in Batangas, Laguna and Cavite, and
Bulacan.

1.1 The revolt happened in the towns of Lian and Nasugbu in Batangas.
The grabbing of lands by the Catholic religious orders angered the
native lands owners and demanded that their lands be returned based
on ancestral domain.
1.2 However, the Spanish priests refused which resulted to riots and
massive looting of convents and the burning down of churches and
ranches.
1.3 Troops were sent from Manila to Batangas to quell the disturbance. The
encounter was bloody and those who surrendered were pardoned.

2. The uprising resonated in other towns of the neighboring provinces, notably

Biñan, Imus, Silang, Kawit, Bacoor, San Mateo, Taguig ,Parañaque, and
Hagonoy. The agrarian conflicts reached the ear of King Philip VI who
appointed Oidor (a judge of the Royal Audiencias and Chancillerías) Pedro
 Calderon Enriquez to investigate the charges brought against the religious
orders and to ascertain the validity of their titles to the lands in question.

2.1 The friars were ordered to submit their titles to a secure judge, but
refused to comply, claiming ecclesiastical exemption.
2.2 In the face of their opposition the governor general dispossessed the
friars of the lands which were said to have been illegally occupied by
the friars and which they were continuing to hold without legitimate title,
restoring the lands to the Crown.
2.3 The case was appealed by the friars to the Royal Audiencia of Manila
and that tribunal upheld the first decision; then the case was further
appealed to the Council of the Indies in Spain and again the decision
was confirmed.
2.4 But the whole matter did not stop here; subsequently, the friars won
their case and retained the disputed lands, and their ownership of the
lands remained interact even after the end of the Spanish regime.

THE FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC

1. When Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo came to power in 1899, the Malolos

Constitution which they crafted intended to confiscate the so-called Friar
lands and other large estates. However, the First Philippine Republic was
short-lived so that the plan to confiscate the lands was never executed.

AMERICAN PERIOD (1898-1935)

1. There were some noteworthy regulations enacted during the American

period. These were the Philippine Bill of 1902, which set the ceilings on the
hectarage of private individuals to 16 hectares, and 1,024 hectares for
corporations. The Land Registration Act of 1902 (Act No. 496), which
provided for a comprehensive registration of land titles under the Torrens
system.

1.1 The Public Land Act of 1903, which introduced the homestead system
in the Philippines. The Tenancy Act of 1933 (Act No. 4054 and 4113),
which regulated relationships between landowners and tenants of rice
(50-50 sharing) and sugar cane lands.

2. The Land Registration Act of 1902 did not completely solve the problem of
land registration under the Torrens system because the lands owners might
not have been aware of the law or that they could not pay the survey cost
and other fees required in applying for a Torrens title.

COMMONWEALTH PERIOD (1935-1942)

During this period, President Manuel L. Quezon advocated the Social Justice
program to block the increasing social unrest in Central Luzon. Significant legislations
enacted during Commonwealth period were the following:
 1. The 1935 Constitution, which was promulgated for the promotion of social
justice to ensure the well-being and economic security of all people, should
be the concern of the State.
2. The Commonwealth Act No. 178(An Amendment to Rice Tenancy Act No.
4045), enacted on Nov. 13 1936, provided for certain controls in the
landlord-tenant relationships.
3. The National Rice and Corn Corporation (NARIC)of 1936 established the
price of rice and corn that helped the poor tenants as well as consumers.
4. The Commonwealth Act No. 461, 1937, specified the reasons for dismissal
of tenants and only with the approval of the Tenancy Division of the
Department of Justice.
5. The Rural Program Administration, created on March 2, 1939, provided the
purchase and lease of haciendas and their sale and lease to the tenants.
6. The Commonwealth Act No. 411, enacted on June 3, 1939, created the
National Settlement Administration with a capital stock of Php 20,000,000.

JAPANESE OCCUPATION

1. During the Second World War (that started in Europe in 1939 and in the
Pacific in 1941), the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban saHapon(HUKBALAHAP)
controlled the areas of Central Luzon.

1.1 The HUKBALAHAP was composed of peasants and workers who took
up arms against the Japanese forces. Peasants who supported them
earn fixed rentals, while landowners who supported the Japanese lost
their lands to peasants. But this was short-lived because it ended with
the end of WWII.

2. The problem of the land tenure in the Philippines remained even after the
Philippine Independence in 1946. To address the problem, the Philippines
Congress revised the tenancy law.

PRESIDENT MANUEL ROXAS (1946-1948)

1. During Roxas’ administration, the following laws were enacted: Republic

Act No. 34, which established the 70-30 sharing arrangement and regulated
the share-tenancy contracts.
2. Republic Act No. 55, which provided for more effective safeguard against
arbitrary ejectment of tenants.

PRESIDENT ELPIDIO QUIRINO (1948-1953)

President Elpidio Quirino (1948-1953) issued Executive Order No. 355 on

October 23, 1950, replaced the National Land Settlement Administration with Land
Settlement Development Corporation (LASEDECO) that took over the responsibilities
of the Agricultural Machinery Equipment Corporation and the Rice and Corn
Production Administration.

PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY (1953-1957)

President Ramon Magsaysay (1953-1957) enacted the following laws:
 1. Republic Act No 1160 of 1954, which abolished LASEDECO and
established the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration
(NARRA) to resettle dissidents and landless farmers. It was particularly
aimed at rebel returnees providing home lots and farmlands in Palawan and
Mindanao.
2. Republic Act No. 1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954), which governed
the relationship between landowners and tenant farmers by organizing
share-tenancy and leasehold system. It also created the Court of Agrarian
Relations.
3. Republic Act No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955), which created the Land
Tenure Administration (LTA) that was responsible for the acquisition and
distribution of large tenanted rice and corn lands over 200 hectares for
individuals and 600 hectares for corporations.
4. Republic Act No. 821 (Creation of Agricultural Credit Cooperative
Financing Administration), which provided loans to small farmers and share
tenants with interest rates as low as six to eight percent.

PRESIDENT CARLOS P. GARCIA (1957- 1961)

President Carlos P. Garcia (1957-1961) who succeeded the presidency after

the death of President Ramon Magsaysay continued the program.

PRESIDENT DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL (1961-1965)

1. President Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965) enacted Republic Act No.

3844 of August 8, 1963 (Agricultural LAND Reform Code) that abolished
share tenancy, institutionalized leasehold, set retention limit at 75 hectares,
invested rights of preemption and redemption for tenant farmers, provided
for an administrative machinery for implementation, institutionalized a
judicial system of agrarian cases, incorporated extension, marketing and
supervised credit system of services of farmer beneficiaries.

PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS (1965-1986)

1. The Philippines “New Society” (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) was ushered in

by the proclamation of Martial law (Proclamation No. 1081) on September
21, 1972. During this time, the Agrarian Reform program was put into law
and land reform program was implemented.

2. In the events of the followed, President Marcos decreed the following :

2.1 Republic Act No. 6389, (Code of Agrarian Reform) and RA No. 6390
of 1971 that created the Department of Agrarian Reform and Agrarian
Reform Special Account Fund and expanded the scope of agrarian
reform.
2.2 Presidential Decree No. 2, September 26, 1972, declared the country
under land reform program and activated the Agrarian Reform
Coordinating Council. All government agencies were ordered to fully
cooperate and assist the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
 2.3 Presidential Decree No. 27, October 21, 1972, restricted the land
reform scope to tenanted rice and corn lands and set the retention limit
at 7 hectares.

PRESIDENT CORAZON C. AQUINO (1986-1992)

Article II, Sec. 21 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that “The State
shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform”. With this,
President Cory Aquino signed into law the following:

1. Executive Order No. 228, July 16, 1987, which declared full land ownership
to qualified farmer-beneficiaries covered by PD 27.
2. Executive Order No. 229, July 22, 1987, provided the mechanism for the
implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
3. Proclamation No. 131, July 22, 1987, which instituted the CARP as a major
program of the government. It provided for a special fund known as the
Agrarian Reform Program (ARF), with an initial amount of Php 50 billion to
cover the estimated cost of the program from 1987-1992.
4. Executive Order No. 129-A, July 26, 1987, which streamlined and
expanded the power and operations of the DAR.
5. Republic Act No. 6657, also known as the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Law (CARL) which was signed into law on June 10, 1988. This law
instituted a comprehensive agrarian reform program to promote social
justice and industrialization. This law is still at work until the present.
6. Executive Order No. 405, June 14, 1990, which conferred in the Land Bank
of the Philippines (LBP) the responsibility to determine land valuation and
compensation for all lands covered by CARP.
7. Executive Order No. 407, June 14, 1990, which accelerated the acquisition
and distribution of agricultural lands, pasture lands, fishponds, agro-forestry
lands and other lands of the public domain suitable for agriculture.

PRESIDENT FIDEL V. RAMOS (1992-1998)

President Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1998) enacted laws that would promote a more
meaningful agrarian reform program. These laws include:

1. Republic Act No. 7881 of 1995. This law amended certain provisions of RA
6657 and exempted fishponds and prawns from CARP coverage.
2. Republic Act No. 7905 of 1995, which strengthened CARP
implementation.
3. Executive Order No. 363 of 1997, which prescribed the guidelines for the
protection of areas non-negotiable for conversion and monitoring
compliance with Section 20 of the Local Government Code.
4. Republic Act No. 8435 of 1997 (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization
Act AFMA), an act prescribing urgent related measures to modernize the
agriculture and fisheries sectors of the country in order to enhance their
profitability and prepare said sectors for the challenges of globalization
through an adequate, focused and rational delivery of necessary support
services, appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes.
 5. Republic Act 8532 of 1998, an act strengthening further the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), by providing
augmentation fund therefor, amending for the purpose Section 63 of
Republic Act No. 6657, otherwise known as “The CARP Law of 1988”. This
law provided an additional Php 50 billion for CARP and extended its
implementation for another 10 years.

PRESIDENT JOSEPH E. ESTRADA (1998-2000)

1. ERAP initiated the enactment of Executive Order No. 151, September

1999 (Farmer’s Trust Fund), which established the farmers trust
development program and provided institutional reforms and fund
mechanisms for mobilizing long term private sector capital for rural
development
2. President Estrada launched the Magkabalikat para sa KaunlarangAgraryo
or MAGKASAKA. The DAR forged into joint ventures with private investors
into agrarian sector. The “AgrikulturangMaka Masa” was also launched that
achieved an output growth of 6 percent, which lowered the inflation rate from
11 percent in January 1999 to just a little over 3 percent by November of the
same year. This was a record high at the time.

PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (2001-2010)

Pres. Arroyo envisioned to make the countryside economically viable for the
Filipino family by building partnership and promoting social equity and new economic
opportunities towards lasting peace and sustainable rural development. So, on
September 27, 2004, President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, signed:

1. Executive Order No. 379 s 2004, amending Executive Order No. 364
entitled Transforming the Department of Agrarian Reform into the
Department of Land Reform (DLR), which broadened the scope of the
Department by making it responsible for all reform in the country.
1.1 It also placed the Philippine Commission on Urban Poor (PCUP) under
its supervision and control. DLR was also responsible for the
recognition of the ownership of ancestral domain by indigenous
peoples, under the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
(NCIP).
1.2 Memorandum Circular No. 4 series of 2003 operationalized the
development of KapitBisig Laban saKahirapan Agrarian Reform Zones
(KALAHI ARZones).
1.3 Republic Act No. 9700 s 2009, an act strengthening the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), extending the
acquisition and distribution of all agricultural lands, instituting
necessary reforms, amending for the purpose certain provisions of
republic act no. 6657, otherwise known as the comprehensive agrarian
reform law of 1988, as amended, and appropriating funds therefor.

PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON COJUANCO AQUINO III (2010-2016)

 1. President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III (2010-2016) together with
farmers, Catholic bishops, and other land reform advocates developed a
plan of action for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER).
2. Aquino established the multi-stakeholders mechanism, composed of
representatives from the Department of Agrarian Reform and other CARP
implementing agencies of the government, Church officials, non-
governmental organizations, peoples organizations, and other farmers’
groups and federation to monitor the implementation of the CARP, specially
focusing on:
2.1 Coverage and distribution of agricultural lands;
2.2 Movement and performance of Department of Agrarian Reform
personnel;
2.3 Delivery of support services to the beneficiaries; and
2.4 Budget allocation and utilization.

PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE (2016-PRESENT)

1. The issue of land reform has been persistent even up to the present time.
The current Duterte administration is committed to pursuing the agrarian
reform program in the country. President Duterte, who is also the chairman
of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC), has included land
tenure security in his 10-piont socio-economic agenda to improve the quality
of life of farmers and raise their productivity.

Self Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you further
understand the lesson:

Cepillo, J. (2014). Agrarian (land) reform in the Philippines during Spanish period.
Retrieved at: https://www.slideshare.net/lolxie/land-reform-duing-spanish-period

Madrigal, Faye (2016). History of agrarian reform. Retrieved at:

https://www.slideshare.net/FayeMadrigal1/history-of-agrarian-reform

Ligan, Vigan, et al., (2018). Readings in Philippine history. Mutya Publishing House,
Malabon City.

Let’s Check
Activity 1. Now that you know the agrarian reform from the Spanish colonial
Philippines to the present. You are going to give the complete meaning of the following
acronyms you encountered in this lesson.

1. HUKBALAHAP
______________________________________________________________
__
2. LASEDECO
 ______________________________________________________________
__
3. NARRA
______________________________________________________________
__

4. KALAHI ARZones
______________________________________________________________
__
5. PCUP
______________________________________________________________
__
6. LTA
______________________________________________________________
__
7. CARL
______________________________________________________________
__
8. CARPER
______________________________________________________________
__
9. NCIP
______________________________________________________________
__
10. DLR
______________________________________________________________
__
11. CARP
______________________________________________________________
__
12. DAR
______________________________________________________________
__
13. AFMA
______________________________________________________________
__
14. MAGKASAKA
______________________________________________________________
__
15. ARF
______________________________________________________________
__

Let’s Analyze

1. The Spaniards introduced this system of giving lands to the Spanish officials who
were loyal to the Spanish monarch.
a. falla b. tributo c. encomienda d. bandala
 2. Among the following which is Pres. Manuel Roxas’ notable agrarian reform
program?

A. Republic Act No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955), which created the Land
Tenure Administration (LTA) that was responsible for the acquisition and
distribution of large tenanted rice and corn lands.
B. Republic Act No. 3844 that abolished share tenancy, institutionalized
leasehold, set retention limit at 75 hectares.
C. Republic Act No. 34, which established the 70-30 sharing arrangement and
regulated the share-tenancy contracts.
D. Republic Act No. 6657, also known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Law (CARL) which instituted a comprehensive agrarian reform program to
promote social justice and industrialization.

3. Who launched the “Magkabalikat para sa KaunlarangAgraryo or MAGKASAKA”?

A. Pres. Corazon Aquino C. Pres. Gloria Arroyo
B. Pres. Carlos P. Garcia D. Pres. Joseph Estrada

4. Which prescribed modernization of the fishery sectors to enhance profitability and

prepare them for the challenges of globalization through adequate, focused and
rational delivery of necessary support services, appropriating funds therefore and for
other purposes.
A. Philippine Fisheries Modernization Act
B. Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act
C. Philippine Aquatic Resources Modernization Act
D. National Fisheries Administration

5. In 1936 this established the price of rice and corn which aid the poor tenants as well
as consumers.
A. National Rice Authority
B. National Rice Program Administration
C. National Rice and Corn Corporation
D. The Philippine Rice and Corn Corporation

6. Which act strengthened the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP),

extending the acquisition and distribution of all agricultural lands, instituting necessary
reforms, and amendments.
A. RA 6657 C. RA 8435
B. RA 9700 D. RA 8532

7. The National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) greatly focuses

in ______?
A. Resettling landless farmers and providing home lots and farmlands in
Palawan and Mindanao to the rebel returnees.

B. Resettling migrants from China and Thailand and providing them at least 30
hectares per family in Bukidnon.
C. Being in charge of the responsibilities of the Agricultural Machinery
Equipment Corporation and the Rice and Corn Production Administration
 D. Distributing f large tenanted rice and corn lands over 200 hectares for
individuals and 600 hectares for corporations.

8. Which among the following are the noteworthy accomplishments of the Agricultural
Land Reform Code by Pres. Disosdado Macapagal?
I. institutionalized leasehold and set retention limit at 75 hectares
II. provided for an Agrarian Reform Program (ARF), with an initial amount of Php
50 billion
III. provided administrative machinery for implementation
IV. institutionalized marketing and supervised credit system of services of farmer
beneficiaries
V. established the 70-30 sharing arrangement and regulated the share-tenancy
contracts

A. I, II, III, IV B. I, III, IV C. I, II, IV, V D. All of the above

9. It provided loans to small farmers and share tenants with interest rates as low as six
to eight percent.
A. Land Settlement Development Corporation
B. Agricultural Credit Cooperative Financing Administration
C. Land Bank of the Philippines
D. Farmers’ Trust Fund

10. In which period was the introduction of the homestead system in the Philippines?
A. Spanish Period C. Japanese Period
B. American Period D. First Philippine Republic

In a nutshell

Activity 1. Now that you are knowledgeable enough about the various agrarian
reforms from the Spanish period up to the present, let’s differentiate the land system
of ownership during pre-colonial and Spanish era using Venn diagram.
Question & Answer (Q&A)

You are free to list down all the emerging questions or issues in the provided
spaces below. These questions or concerns may also be raised in the LMS or other
modes. You may answer these questions on your own after clarification. The Q&A
portion helps in the review of concepts and essential knowledge.

Questions/Issues Answers
Keywords • Encomiendero
• Friar estate
• Land Reform • DAR
• LASEDECO • HUKBALAHAP
• NARRA • CARL

Big Picture in Focus: ULOd. Trace the development of the Philippine Constitution by
emphasizing its salient features.

Metalanguage
In this section, the most essential terms relevant to the study of Philippine Constitutions will
be defined andin order to demonstrate ULOcthe development of the Philippine Constitution
through time will be discussed.
• Constitutionis a set of fundamental principles or established precedents
according to which a state or other organization is governed.

Essential Knowledge
To perform the aforesaid big picture (unit learning outcomes) for the sixth and seventh week
of the course, you need to fully understand the following essential knowledge that will laid
down in succeeding pages. Please note that you are not limited to exclusively refer to these
resources. Thus, you are expected to utilize other books, research articles and other
resources that are available in the university’s library e.g. ebrary, search.proquest.com etc.

THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

1. A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents

according to which a state or other organization is governed.

1.1 It symbolizes the country’s freedom and independence.

1.2 The Philippine Constitution has evolved since 1897: the 1897 Constitution
of Biak-na-Bato, the 1899 Malolos Constitution, Acts of the United States
Congress (Philippine Organic Act of 1902, Philippine Autonomy Act of
1916, and Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934), the 1935 Constitution, the 1943
Constitution, the 1973 Constitution, the 1986 Freedom Constitution, and
the 1987 Constitution.

THE 1897 CONSTITUTION OF BIAK-NA-BATO

1. The Tejeros Convention held at San Francisco de Malabon in Cavite on March 22,
1897 was the result of the Katipunan Revolution. In this convention, the first
president and vice president (of the Philippines) were elected by the members of
 the Katipunan. The elected president was Emilio Aguinaldo, and the vice president
was Mariano Trias.
2. It was on November 1, 1897 that the Republic of Biak-na-Bato in the town of San
Miguel de Mayumo in Bulacan. This was a De Facto Constitutional Republic. In
this meeting, the constitution written by IsabeloArtacho and Felix Ferrer was
promulgated by the Katipunan, which acted as Constitutional Assembly. The
Constitution of Biak-na-Bato known as the “ConstituciónProvinsional de la
República de Filipinas” was short-lived as it operated only from November 1, 1897
to December 14, 1897.
3. The Preamble of the 1897 Constitution of Biak-na-Bato reads, “The separation of
the Philippines from the Spanish monarchy and their formation into an independent
state with its own government called the Philippine Republic has been the end
sought by the Revolution in the existing war, begun on the 24 th of August, 1896;
and therefore, in its name and by the power delegated by the Filipino people,
interpreting faithfully their desires and ambitions, we, the representatives of the
Revolution, in a meeting at Biac-na-Bato, Nov. 1st 1897, unanimously adopt the
following articles for the Constitution of the State”.
4. The 1899 Malolos Constitution or the Political Constitution of 1899
(ConstituciónPolítica de 1899) was the basic law of the First Philippine Republic
whose from of government was unitary semi-presidential constitutional.

4.1 The Malolos Constitution was the first republican constitution in Asia (Tucker,
2009) written by Felipe Calderón y Roca and Felipe Buencamino after the
declaration of Philippine independence from Spain on 12 June 1898. It was
signed into law by the Malolos Congress and promulgated on January 21,
1899. The Malolos Constitution was in operation from January 23, 1899 to
March 23, 1901.

5. The salient features of the 1899 Malolos Constitution include the declaration of
sovereignty of the people, the enumeration of the basic civil rights, the separation
of the Church and State, it provided for the creation of an Assembly of
Representatives to act as the legislative body, and a parliamentary republic a the
form of government.

6. The Preamble of the 1899 Malolos Constitution reads “ We, the Representatives
of the Filipino people, lawfully convened, in order to establish justice, provide for
common defense, promote the general welfare, and insure the benefits of liberty,
imploring the aid of the Sovereign Legislator of the Universe for the attainment of
these ends, have voted, decreed, and sanctioned the following.”

7. The Acts of the United States Congress was in operation from December 10, 1898
to March 24, 1934, since the Philippine was a territory of the United States during
this period because of the Treaty of Paris which transferred the sovereignty from
Spain to the United States. The acts, such as the Philippine Organic Act of 1902,
the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916, and the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934,
passed by the United States congress were considered as the Philippine
constitutions because they provided for the fundamental political principles and
established the structure, procedures, powers and duties of the Philippine
government.
 8. Philippine Organic Act of 1902, also known as the “Philippine Bill of 1902”, was the
first organic law enacted by the US Congress for the Philippines. It provided for the
creation of the Philippine Assembly, and a bicameral legislature composed of a
Philippine Commission (upper house) and the Philippine Assembly (lower house)
were the lawmaking power was vested. Like other constitutions, it also enumerated
the bill of rights for the Filipinos and provided for the appointment of two non-voting
Filipino Resident Commissioners of the Philippines that would represent the
Philippines in the US House of Representatives.

9. Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916, also known as the “Jones Law”, amended the
structure of the Philippine government that was provided for in the Philippine Bill of
1902. It removed the Philippine Commission (upper house) and replaced it with the
Senate whose members were elected by the Filipino voters.

TYDINGS-MCDUFFIE ACT OF 1934

1. On March 24, 1934 the United States passed the Tydings-McDuffie Act that
allowed the Filipino nation to have a self-government. A ten-year transition period
was granted by this Act so that Filipinos could be prepared for self-government and
full independence.
2. Unlike the other two acts which could be considered constitution, the Tydings-
McDuffie Act of 1934 could not be considered as a constitution, but still a very
important document which provided authority and defined mechanisms for the
establishment of a formal constitution via a constitutional convention.
3. The eventful day arrived on July 4, 1946, when the United States recognized
Philippine independence in Treaty of Manila. The Philippine-American friendship
day is celebrated every 4th of July to commemorate the Philippine independence
from the United States of America.

THE 1935 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

1. This constitution was written in 1934 with the goal of meeting the United States’
expectation of political maturity among Philippine leaders so that a full and real
independence could be granted by the US. This constitution was promulgated by
the 1934 Constitutional Convention and was in operation during the
Commonwealth era (1935-1946) until the Third Republic (July 4, 1946 – January
16, 1973). The third Republic started with the granting of Philippine independence
from US domination on July 4, 1946 to Roxas Administration (1946-48), Quirino
Administration (1948-53), Magsaysay Administration (1953-57), Garcia
Administration (1957-61), and Macapagal Administration (1961-65).
2. During the Commonwealth period, the form of government was Presidential
system, with the president serving a six-year term without reelection. It also
provided for a unicameral National Assembly. However, in 1940 an amendment
was done establishing a Bicameral Congress of the Philippines composed of a
Senate and House of Representatives, as well the creation of an independent
electoral commission. Moreover, President’s term was changed from six years
without reelection to a four-year term with a maximum of two consecutive terms in
office.
3. In the Third Republic, the 1935 Constitution was still in operation, the form of
government of the Philippines was Unitary Presidential Constitutional Republic.
 Again, an amendment was made in 1947, which provided for the provision of the
Parity Rights between the America and the Filipino citizens. The Parity Rights
granted in U.S. citizens and corporations equal rights with Filipino citizens over the
Philippines natural resources.
4. The Preamble of the 1935 Constitution reads, “The Filipino people, imploring the
aid of the Divine providence, in order to establish a government that shall embody
their ideals, conserve and develop the patrimony of the nation, promote the general
welfare, and secure to themselves and their posterity the blessings of
independence under a regime of justice, liberty, and democracy, do ordain and
promulgate this Constitution.”

THE 1943 CONSTITUTION

1. The Preparatory Committee for the Philippine Independence (PCPI) promulgated

the 1943 Philippine Constitution during the Japanese occupation of the country.
Mostly of the members of the PCPI were delegates to the convention that drafted
the 1935 Constitution. The Constitution was ratified by the popular convention of
the KALIBAPI in the Manila on September 7, 1943.
2. Following its ratification, the Second Republic was then formally proclaimed. The
Second Philippine Republic was single-party authoritarian republic. Jose P. Laurel
was appointed as President by the National Assembly and was inaugurated into
office in October 14, 1943, and Benigno Simeon Aquino Sr. was the Speaker of
the National Assembly.
3. The 1943 Constitution was in operation in Japanese-controlled areas of the
Philippines from October 14, 1943 to August 17, 1945. However, the United States
and the Commonwealth government which was in exile did not recognize the said
constitution. Laurel formally dissolved the Second Philippine Republic following the
surrender of Japan in World War II.
4. The Preamble of the 1943 Constitution reads: “The Filipino people, imploring the
aid of Divine Providence and desiring to lead a free national existence, do hereby
proclaim their independence, and in order to establish a government that shall
promote the general welfare, conserve and develop the patrimony of the Nation,
and contribute to the creation of a world order based on peace, liberty, and moral
justice, do ordain this Constitution.”

THE 1973 CONSTITUTION

1. The 1973 Constitution was promulgated by the 1973 Constitutional Convention,

after Marcos declared martial law. The 1973 Constitution ruled the Fourth
Philippine Republic from January 17, 1973 to February 22, 1986. A unicameral
legislature was established during this period whose members were elected for
six-year term of office. The President was elected from among the members of
the National Assembly for a six-year term and eligible for reelections. The
elected president will serve only as purely ceremonial head of state. Executive
power was exercised by the Prime Minister who was also elected from amongst
the members of the national assembly. The Prime Minister was the head of
government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
2. The Preamble of the 1973 Constitution reads “We, the sovereign Filipino
people, imploring the aid of Divine Providence, in order to establish a
Government that shall embody our ideals, promote the general welfare,
 conserve and develop the patrimony of our Nation, and secure to ourselves and
our posterity the blessings of democracy under a regime of justice, peace,
liberty, and equality, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.”

THE 1986 FREEDOM CONSTITUTION

1. Right after the 1986 People Power Revolution that compelled President Marcos
to step down from power, President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No.
3 to serve as a provisional constitution. The proclamation contained some
provisions adopted from the 1973 Constitution. Powers such as government
reorganization, removal of officials, appointment of a commission to draft a new
and more formal Constitution, which upon ratification, would supplant the
Freedom Constitution.

THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

1. The 1987 Philippine Constitution was drafted by a constitutional assembly that

was mandated in Proclamation No. 3. The commission composed fifty
members appointed by President Corazon Aquino from various backgrounds.
2. The final draft of the 1987 Constitution was finished on October 12, 1986 and
was presented to President Aquino on October. The constitution was ratified on
February 8, 1987 through a nationwide plebiscite.
3. The 1987 Constitution operates since 1987, during the administration of Cory
Aquino (1986-1992), Fidel Ramos (1992-1998), Joseph Estrada (1998-2001),
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001-2010), Benigno Aquino III (2010-2016) and the
current administration of Rodrigo RoaDuterte (2016-present).
4. The Preamble of the 1987 Constitution reads ,” We, the sovereign Filipino
people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane
society, and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and
aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony,
and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and
democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love,
equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.”

Self-Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you
further understand the lesson:

1. Caragos, G. (2020) Evolution of the Philippines constitution. Retrieved from:

https://www.coursehero.com/file/43281221/Evolution-of-the-Philippines-Constitutionpptx/
2. Constitution Net. (2016). Constitutional history of Philippines. International Institute
for Democracy and Eloctoral Assistance. Retrieved at:
http://constitutionnet.org/country/constitutional-history-philippines
3. Dragneel, C. (2018). Evolution of the Philippine constitution. Retrieved at:
https://prezi.com/p/vjleexn-eu2j/evolution-of-the-philippine-constitution/
4. Robles, Chan (2020). Constitutions of the Philippines from past to present.
Retrieved at: https://www.chanrobles.com/philsupremelaw.htm#.Xsa1K2gzZPY
 5. Ligan, Vigan, et al., (2018). Readings in Philippine history. Mutya Publishing House,
Malabon City.
6. Atienza, Maria Ela (2019). Chronology of the 1987 Philippine constitution. University
of the Philippines, Diliman, Philippines. Retrieved from:
https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/chronology-of-the-1987-philippine-
constitution.pdf

Let’s Check

Activity 1. Being acquainted with the different constitutions from 1897 to 1987, it’syour turn
to answer the following questions provided.

1. Cite at least one (1) right of the Filipinos stated in the Article 3, Bill of Rights of the 1987
Philippine Constitution and explain what is it all about.

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________.

2. After knowing the salient features the different Philippine Constitutions from 1897 to 1987,
provide recommendations and changes that should be made in order to address problems in
the present.

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________.
Let’s Analyze

Activity 1. After knowing the historical evolution of the Philippine Constitutions, you are
going to fill in the table below. Give the salient features of the following Constitutions of the
Philippines in terms of the powers of the president, the function of the legislature, the bill of
rights, the declaration of principles and state policies, and national territory.

1987 Constitution 1973 Constitution 1935 Constitution

Preamble
 Powers of the
President

Functions of the
Legislature

Bill of Rights

Declaration of
Principles and
State of Policies

National Territory

In a NUTSHELL! In this section you will provide the very gist of the unit that you have
learned.

Democratic Points: You are going to jot down the things that you have learned in
bullet form. You may express it in sentence or in phrase.
 __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Question & Answer (Q&A)

You are free to list down all the emerging questions or issues in the provided spaces
below. These questions or concerns may also be raised in the LMS or other modes. You may
answer these questions on your own after clarification. The Q&A portion helps in the review
of concepts and essential knowledge.

Questions/Issues Answers

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Keywords
• Constitution
• Malolos Constitution
• 1935 Philippine Constitution
• 1973 Philippine Constitution