LEC1: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS AND BASIS OF A NATION:

GOVERNANCE
A group of people who share:
POLITICAL SCIENCE
1. Common descent or history
● In its simplest terms, political science is the
2. Traditions and culture
systematic study of the state and the
government. The word “political” is derived fom 3. Common language
the Greek word “polis” which means a city. The
word “science” comes from the Latin word 4. May or may not have its own country
“scire” which “means to know”. Can there be a state without a nation?
● This is a study of the state and the government
with all the activities and phenomena about it.
Can there be a nation without a state?
WHAT IS A STATE?

- A state is a community of persons, more

or less numerous, permanently
occupying a definite portion of a
territory, having a government of their
own through which a great number of
inhabitants render habitual obedience
and enjoying freedom from external
control.

ELEMENTS OF THE STATE

1. People CONCEPT OF A NATION-STATE

2. Territory - In political science, nation refers to a

3. Government
4. Sovereignty
- Internal
- External
WHAT IS A NATION?
- A nation is a large body of people united
by common descent, history, culture, or
language, inhabiting a particular country
or territory. The word “nation” can also
refer to a group of people who share a
history, traditions, culture and, often,
language— even if the group does not
have a country of its own.
group of people sharing a common
social origin, language, customs and
traditions. A nation-state is one which is
a state (having all the elements of the
state which also possess the
characteristics of a nation) Examples of a
nation-state are Japan, South Korea,
Iceland and Portugal
WHAT IS A GOVERNMENT?
- It is an agency through which the will of
the state is formulated, expressed and
carried out. An institution that should
protect the rights of its people and that
acts as the machinery of the state.
 LEC 2 : THE EVOLUTION OF THE PHILIPPINE
GOVERNMENT
GENERAL TIMELINE OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY
BEFORE 1521 PRE- COLONIAL PERIOD
1565-1898 SPANISH ERA
1879-1946 AMERICAN REGIME
WORLD WAR II
1942-1945 JAPANESE OCCUPATION
1946 - POST WAR PERIOD
PRESENT
THE PRE-COLONIAL GOVERNMENT
- The barangay was the pre-colonial
sociopolitical unit in the Philippines. It is
headed by a chieftain usually called as
datu, rajah or sultan (mostly in the
southern part of the country). The
chieftain is the highest among the social
class and possesses the executive,
legislative and judicial power of his
kingdom.
- In the performance of his duties, he was
assisted usually by a council of elders
(maginoos) which served as his advisers.
One could be a datu by inheritance,
wisdom, wealth or physical prowess.
SPANISH ERA
- The Spanish colonial system ruled the
Philippines from 1565-1898. The powers
of the government were actually
exercised by the Governor-general. As
Captain general he is the commander in
chief of the armed forces. The first
governor general of the Philippines is
Miguel Lopez De Legazpi.
- It is said that the governor general
enjoys more power than the King of
Spain. He can even ignore the orders
given by the King (royal decrees). The
power is called cumplase. The decrees
passed by the governor general on the
other hand is called superior decrees.
The Katipunan was a secret society that
precipitated the glorious revolution of 1896
against Spain. Its ultimate goal is to establish a
free and sovereign Philippines. The Katipunan is
a government having an organized structure.
The central government is vested in the Supreme
Council. In each province there is a Provincial
council and, in each town, a Popular council. The
judicial power was exercised by the Judicial
council.
THE FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC
On September 15, 1898, a revolutionary
Congress of Filipino representatives met in
Malolos, Bulacan at the call of the Revolutionary
Government. After the promulgation of the
Malolos Constitution on September 15, 1898,
the Malolos Congress formally ratified on
September 29, 1898 the proclamation of
Philippine Independence made by General
Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.
AMERICAN REGIME
- During the American regime there were
two types of government that were
established. The first was a Military
government from 1898- 1901. Later by
the virtue of the Spooner amendment, a
Civil government was inaugurated in
1901. After several legislations by the
American government it allowed us to
have an election for the Commonwealth
government.
- Elections in 1935 gave rise to Manuel
Quezon as the First president of the
Commonwealth government with Sergio
Osmena as his Vice-President. The
Commonwealth government was
pursuant to a law by the United States
Congress known as the Tydings Mcduffie
Law. It is said that the Commonwealth
status was a form of government in
transition towards independence.
- The Commonwealth was a presidential
type with a unicameral Congress (one
chamber) called as the National
Assembly. Later, a bicameral congress
(two chambers) was established.
 Because of this, the Congress will be
composed of two houses called as the
Senate and the House of
Representatives. The eruption of the
Second World War affected the
Commonwealth government which will
be forced into exile to the United States.
- After the ousting of Ferdinand Marcos,
Corazon Aquino ascended as President of
the Philippines which is known as the start
of the Fifth republic. Her tenure was from
1986-1992. The Philippine government was
restored into a democracy and a new
constitution was adopted.

JAPANESE OCCUPATION

- The occupation of the Japanese Imperial

Army to the Philippines led to the
appointment of Jose P. Laurel as the
President of the Japanese Sponsored
government known as the Second
Republic of the Philippines. Upon the
defeat of Japan in the war, the United
States recognized the independence of
the Philippines in 1946 and paved way to
the Third republic.

POST WAR PERIOD

- Ferdinand Marcos was elected as President

from 1965-1969 and won in a re-election of
the presidential race in 1969. His terms
should have ended in 1973 but a year
before his term expires, he proclaimed
Martial law. The proclamation of Martial
suspended the elections of 1973 and
dissolved the Congress. Marcos was the last
president of the third republic because in
1981, he reorganized the government into a
semi parliamentary type which is known as
the Fourth republic. He ruled the Philippines
until 1986.
LEC 3: THE CONCEPT OF THE CONSTITUTION
2. Flexible or elastic
MEANING OF THE CONSTITUTION
- One that possesses no higher legal
• In its broad sense, the term constitution refers authority than ordinary laws and can be
to that body of rules and principles with which altered in the same way as other laws.
the powers of sovereignty are regularly
exercised.
To describe the Philippine Constitution
• With reference to the Constitution of the
Philippines, it may be defined as a written - Conventional
instrument by which the fundamental powers of - Written
the government are established, limited and - Inelastic
defined and by which these powers are
REQUISITES OF A GOOD WRITTEN
distributed among the several departments or
CONSTITUTION
branches for their safe and useful exercise for
the benefit of the people (De Leon 2008) - Brief - The constitution should not be
too detailed because it would lose the
advantage of a fundamental law which
KINDS OF CONSTITUTION in a few provisions outlines the structure
of the government of the whole state
A. As to their origin or history
and the rights of the citizens.
Furthermore, it would be then necessary
1. Conventional or enacted
to amend it once in a while to cover may
- One which is enacted by a constituent
future contingencies.
assembly or granted by a monarch to his
subjects.
- Broad - It has to be as comprehensive as
possible
2. Cumulative or evolved
- One which is a product of growth or a
long period of development originating
- Definite - - It should be clear because any
in customs, traditions, judicial decisions
vagueness may lead to opposing
rather from a formal or deliberate
interpretations which may cause
enactment
incalculable harm
-
B. As to their form A GOOD WRITTEN CONSTITUTION MUST
1. Written CONTAIN ALSO THREE SETS OF
- One which is has been given definite PROVISIONS/PARTS
written form at a particular time, usually
by a “constitutional convention” - Constitution of Government – a part
which contains the structure of the
2. Unwritten Philippine government
- One which is a product of political
evolution, consisting of customs, judicial - Constitution of Liberty
decisions and statutory enactments. – a part which contains the fundamental
rights of the people and imposing certain
limitations on the powers of the
government as a means of securing the
C. As to the manner of amending them
enjoyment of rights
1. Rigid or inelastic
- One which cannot be amended or
altered by ordinary legislative process
 LEC 4: PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT & HISTORY OF
- Constitution of Sovereignty THE CONSTITUTION
- Contains the mode and procedure for
BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT
amending or revising the constitution
1. EXECUTIVE BRANCH
- Tasked to administer and enforce the
HIERARCHY OF LAWS laws

1. Constitution
2. Statutes – Laws made by the legislative branch
(Congress)
3. Ordinances- Laws made by the local legislative
branch (Provincial or City council)
• The constitution is the fundamental law of the
land and is supreme to all other laws. Therefore,
all other laws must conform to the constitution
• Any law which will contradict the provisions of
the constitution will be declared
unconstitutional. The one who declares a law
unconstitutional is the Judicial branch
particularly the Supreme Court
2. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
- Makes, alter, or repeal the laws
3. JUDICIAL BRANCH
- Interprets the laws and decide on cases
WHAT IS CONSTITUTION?
1. The fundamental law of the land
2. Provides the framework of the
government
3. Supreme or highest among all other laws
created by the government
4. Specifies the powers of the government
and the limitations of such powers
5. Contains the rights and duties of the
people

CONSTITUTION VS STATUTE

COSNTITUTION STATUTE
A legislation directly from Legislations from the people
the people S representative
(CONGRESS)
States the general Provides the details of the
framework of the subject which it treats
government
Intended not merely to Intended to meet existing
meet the existing conditions only
conditions but to govern
the future
The supreme law which all
other laws must conform

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PHILIPPINES

1. BIAK NA BATO CONSTITUTION

- When the revolutionary forces of
General Aguinaldo reached Bulacan,
they established the Biak-na-bato
republic/government. An assembly of
Filipino rebels were called and agreed
that a republican government would be
formed.

- Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer were
tasked to draft a constitution. Then on
November 1, 1897, the constitution was
promulgated by the Philippine
revolutionary government.
2. MALOLOS CONSTITUTION
- This constitution was crafted when
congress started the discussions after
the submission of a draft by Felipe
Calderon.
- The approval of the constitution had a
delay due to the objections of Apolinario
Mabini. He saw the several defects of
the constitution and stated that it is not
suitable to the situation at that time. It
also appears that the constitution
empowers the congress more than the
other branches of the government.
3. 1935 CONSTITUTION
- The said constitution served as the
fundamental law of the land from 1935-
1972. This established the
Commonwealth of the Philippines and
provides that upon the withdrawal of
the American forces in the Philippines, it
shall be known as the Republic of the
Philippines.
- The constitution was approved by U.S
President Franklin Roosevelt on March
23, 1935 and ratified by the Filipino
people in a plebiscite on May 14, 1935
4. 1943 CONSTITUTION
- When the Japanese Imperial Army took
over the Philippines, the commonwealth
government headed by Quezon was in
exile to the United States. Japan
therefore created a government which
they appointed Jose P. Laurel as
president and adopted a constitution.
- The 1943 constitution was basically a
condensed version of the 1935
constitution and by nature, it only
became effective during the duration of
the war. When Philippines became
independent in 1946 after the war, it
reverted back in using the 1935
constitution.
5. 1973 CONSTITUTION
- By the virtue of the 1935 constitution, a
president was allowed to run for re-
elections which gave President Marcos a
chance to win in his re-election bid in
1969. He then declared Martial law in
1972 citing provisions of the 1935
constitution, and few months later, a
new constitution was drafted and
ratified. The constitution was approved
in January 17, 1973.
- The constitution provided a
parliamentary form of government
which the legislative power was vested
in the Batasang Pambansa.
6. FREEDOM CONSTITUTION
- After the ousting of Ferdinand Marcos
from the presidential palace, the Aquino
government took control of the country.
- Immediately they abolished the
government of her predecessor and
sought to establish a new government.
Suspending the use of the 1973
constitution, a temporary or transitional
constitution was drafted pending the
approval of the new constitution known
as the 1987 constitution
7. 1987 CONSTITUTION
- The 1987 constitution was made by
virtue of the Freedom constitution.
President Aquino appointed members of
the Constitutional Commission, a group
that is tasked to draft the 1987
constitution representing various
sectors of society from politics, arts to
 religion. The Commission was headed by
Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma.
- On February 11, 1987, the new
constitution was proclaimed ratified and
in effect.
THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
- IT HAS 18 ARTICLES WITH A PREAMBLE
- A PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM RESTORED A
BICAMERAL CONGRESS ( 2 HOUSES)
- IT CONTAINS MODIFIED BILL OF RIGHTS
- CREATED A COMMISSION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS
- RECOGNITION OF AUTONOMOUS
REGION OF MUSLIM MINDANAO AND
THE CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE
REGION
LEC 5 : INHERENT POWERS OF THE STATE &
INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION
INHERENT POWERS OF THE STATE
Once a state existed, meaning it possessed all
the elements of the statehood, it also possesses
the inherent powers.
The three inherent powers of the state are :
POLICE POWER, POWER OF TAXATION AND
POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN
1. POLICE POWER
- referred to as the power of the state to
enact such laws or regulation and
enforce it in relation to persons and
property as may promote public health,
public morals, public safety and general
welfare.
2. POWER OF TAXATION
- the power of the state to impose charge
or financial burden upon persons and
property or property rights, for the use
and support of the government and to
enable it to discharge its duties and
functions
3. POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN
- power of the state to take private
properties for public use upon paying to
the owner a just compensation
WHAT IS A CONSTITUTION?
PREAMBLE
• It is the introductory part of the
constitution
• It came from the word “preambulare”
which means to walk before
• It is not considered as part of the
constitution

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.
LEC 6: BASIC FORMS OF THE GOVERNMENT:
FUNDAMENTALS OF POLSCI
“Government should be set up so that no man
need be afraid of another.”
- BARON DE MONTESQUIEU
THE GOVERNMENT
A. FUNCTIONS OF A GOVERNMENT
1. DEFENSE
- Protect its citizens and its territory
against external threats
2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Helps in the sustainance and growth of
the economy
3. LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Implementation of laws for peace and
order in the state
4. LEGITIMATION
- Legislation and administration of justice
system
-
B. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
1. AS TO THE NUMBER OF PERSONS
EXERCISING POWER:
- MONARCHY
● A government in which the supreme
and final authority is in the hands of a
single person without regard to the
source of his election or the nature or
duration of his tenure.
TYPES OF MONARCHY
• ABSOLUTE
- the monarch rules in virtue of
the divine right. He exercises
absolute powers, he is the chief
executive, the legislator and the
judge at the same time
• LIMITED OR
CONSTITUTIONAL
- In a limited monarchy, the
monarch rules in accordance with
a constitution or set of laws to be
followed
- ARISTOCRACY
● A government in which the political
power is exercised by a few privileged
classes. This form of government was
practiced before by ancient Greece.
Likewise, ancient Rome also had this form
of government consisting of the consuls,
the senate and tribal assembly.
- DICTATORSHIP
● This is a form of government ruled by a
dictator. The dictator usually would have his own
way to remain in office and maintain his power.
TYPES OF DICTATORSHIP
• AUTHORITARIAN
- the leader only controls the political
sphere of the certain state
• TOTALITARIAN
- he leader controls all aspects of life
(politics, education, religion, culture)

- DEMOCRACY
● This is derived from the Greek term demos,
which means people and kratos which means
rule. The political power is exercised by the
majority.
TYPES OF DEMOCRACY
• DIRECT OF PURE
the will of the state is formulated or
expressed directly and immediately
through the people in a mass meeting or
primary assembly
• INDIRECT OF REPUBLICAN
- One in which the will of the state is
formulated and expressed through the
agency of selected persons chosen by
the people to act as representatives.
2. AS TO THE EXTENT OF POWERS
EXERCISED BY THE CENTRAL
GOVERNMENT:
A. UNITARY
- one in which the control of national and
local affairs is exercised by the central or
national government.
- PHILIPPINES
B. FEDERAL
- one in which the powers of government are
divided between two sets of organs, one for
national affairs and the other for local affairs,
each organ being supreme within its own
sphere.
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3. AS TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE
BRANCHES:
A. PRESIDENTIAL
- one in which the executive branch is
constitutionally independent of the
legislature as regards his policies,
powers and tenure.
-
- In a presidential system, the president is
elected by the people through the
process of election and has a fixed term
of office. He may also be removed from
office through legal processes like
impeachment
B. PARLIAMENTARY
- one in which the executive and
legislative branch are fused into one
body called the parliament which makes
laws and policies at the same time
enforcing it.
- In a parliamentary system, the people
will elect the members of the
parliament. The Prime Minister is then
elected by the installed parliament. His
tenure will last until the parliament will
vote for the loss of confidence to the
prime minister
 LEC 7 : NATIONAL TERRITORY

ARTICLE I OF THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

The national territory comprises the Philippine

archipelago, with all the islands and waters
embraced therein, and all other territories over
which the Philippines has sovereignty or
jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial
and aerial domains, including its territorial sea,
4. AS TO ITS LEGITIMACY the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and
other submarine areas. The waters around,
A. DE JURE between, and connecting the islands of the
- LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT archipelago, regardless of their breadth and
dimensions, form part of the internal waters of
B. DE FACTO the Philippines.

- NO LEGAL RECOGNITION

Remember: The distinction only becomes MEANING OF ARCHIPELAGO

relevant when there are two existing - The term archipelago was derived from
governments at the same time the Greek word pelagos which means
“sea” It has been defined as a sea or part
of a sea studded with islands , often
C. DESCRIPTION OF THE PHILIPPINE synonymous with island groups or as a
GOVERNMENT large group of islands in an extensive
THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT body of water.

● Democratic

● Republican (indirect democracy) - In other words, it includes both sea and

islands which geographically may be
● Unitary considered as an independent whole.
● Presidential
Other areas included in the Phil. Archipelago

1. THE TERRITORIAL SEA- It is that part of the sea

extending 12 nautical miles (19 kms.) from the
low-watermark, It is also called marginal sea, the
marine belt or the marginal belt

2. THE SEABED- This refers to the land that holds

the sea, lying beyond the seashore including
mineral and natural resources

3. SUBSOIL- This refers to everything beneath

the surface soil and the seabed, including
mineral and natural resources
4. INSULAR SHELVES (CONTINENTAL SHELVES)-
They are the submerged portions of a continent
or offshore island, which slope gently seaward
from the low waterline to a point where a
substantial break in grade occurs, at which point
the bottom slope seaward at a considerable
increase in slope until the great ocean depths are
reached
5. OTHER SUBMARINE AREAS- They refer to all
areas under the territorial sea. Among
oceanographic terms used are seamount,
trench, basin, deep, bank, shoal and reef
V Section 2. The Philippines renounces war as an
THREE-FOLD DIVISION OF NAVIGABLE WATERS
1. INLAND OR INTERNAL WATERS
- They are parts of the sea within the
land territory. Also called as national
waters
2. TERRITORIAL SEA
- It is the belt of water outside and
parallel to the coastline or to the outer
limits of the inland or internal waters
- Section 5. The maintenance of peace and order,
3. HIGH OR OPEN SEAS
- These waters that lie seaward of the
territorial sea
ARCHIPELAGIC DOCTRINE
- It meant that an archipelago shall be
regarded as a single unit, so that the
waters around, between and connecting
the islands of the archipelago,
irrespective of their breadth and
dimensions form part of the internal
waters of the state subject to its
exclusive sovereignty.
LEC 8 : DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND
STATE POLICIES
Section 1. The Philippines is a democratic and
republican State. Sovereignty resides in the
people and all government authority emanates
from them.
instrument of national policy, adopts the
generally accepted principles of international
law as part of the law of the land and adheres to
the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom,
cooperation, and amity with all nations.
Section 3. Civilian authority is, at all times,
supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of
the Philippines is the protector of the people and
the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of
the State and the integrity of the national
territory.
Section 4. The prime duty of the Government is
to serve and protect the people. The
Government may call upon the people to defend
the State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all
citizens may be required, under conditions
provided by law, to render personal, military or
civil service.
the protection of life, liberty, and property, and
promotion of the general welfare are essential
for the enjoyment by all the people of the
blessings of democracy.
Section 6. The separation of Church and State
shall be inviolable.