Pre-Colonial

Year: Before 1565

General Condition: The Philippines is composed of different barangay in Luzon and in Visayas while in Mindanao and
some part of Manila had Sultanate. Each barangay had autonomy and to avoid being annexed to other big barangay,
they created confederation. Hence there is no centralized government which govern the barangays. The economy is
subsistence and the trading system is barter.

Terms to remember:
1. Datu- the chief executive, the head of the legislative and the highest judge in the judiciary in the baranganic
society.
2. Sultan- the chief executive, the head of the legislative and the highest judge in the judiciary in the sultanate.
3. Umalohocan- the town crier or the announcer of the new laws
4. Maginoo- the council of elders who assisted the datu in making laws
5. Babaylan- the lady priest in Visayas
6. Catalonan- the lady priest in Luzon
7. Barter- the product to product exchange and means of trading
8. Maharlika- the highest social class, tax exempted and the ruling class
9. Timawa-the middle class and the taxpayers
10. Alipin or Oripun- the lowest social class and the social class of the workers

Era: Spanish Era

Year: 1565 to 1898
General Conditions: The Spaniards unified the different islands under a centralized government. The main goals for
colonization can be summarized to 3G or God, Gold and Glory. Since based on their observations, the natives are
religious, they Catholicism as means of colonization and pacification. They imposed different policies which
transform the subsistence economy to feudalism. The inter-marriage of the Spaniards to the natives resulted to the
emergence of the creoles who will encourage the Indios to unite and end the Spanish Dominance in the Philippines.

Terms to remember:
1. Treaty of Tordesillas- the treaty which divided the earth for exploration for Portugal and Spain. The western part
belongs to Spain while the eastern part was given to Portugal
2. Ferdinand Magellan- the leader of the Spanish expedition, which was able to reach Homonhon, Samar and proven
that the earth is a sphere.
3. Humabon- the rajah of Cebu who welcome Magellan
4. Limasawa- the venue of the first mass (March 31, 1521)
5. Battle of Mactan- the battle headed by Lapulapu and the first triumph of the Asians against the Western powers
(April 27, 1521)
6. Ruy Lopez de Villalobos- the leader of the 4th expedition who named our country as Las Islas de Felipinas to
honored king Felipe of Spain
7. Miguel Lopez de Legaspi- the first Spanish governor general in the Philippines and also known as Adelantado de
Filipino
8. Enconmienda- the system of land owning
9. Polo Y Servicios- the forced labor imposed to male 16 to 60 years old. The polistas are obliged to ender their
service for 40 days. However the people who can afford to pay for Falla can be exempted.
10. Galleon Trade- the trading initiated by the Spanish government. The trading route is limited to Manila,
Philippines and Acapulco, Spain. Since this is monopoly in terms of trading only the people who can afford to pay
Boleta or ticket for the Galleon can join the international trading.
11. Governor General- the highest executive official in the country, appointed by the Viceroy. He had the power of
cumplace or the power of the governor general to choose the laws that he will implement in the country. He also
had the fiscal power and power to grant pardon.
12. Alcalde Mayor-the head of the province and appointed from the gobernadorcillos.
13. Gobernadorcillos- the head of the town or pueblo. The only elected position in the country.
14. Cabeza de Barangay- the head of the barangay
15. Royal Audiencia- the Supreme Court during the Spanish Era
16. Peninsulares-the highest social class, the Spanish born in Spain
17. Insulares- the Spanish born in the Philippines
18. Creoles- the mixed blood
19. Illustrado- the well-educated Filipinos
20. Indio- the Natives
21. Pedro Pelaez- the Father of Secularization
22. La Solidaridad- the newspaper founded by the Filipinos in Madrid
23. La Liga Filipina- the civic society founded by Jose Rizal which aimed for Unity, Reform and Equality.
24. KKK- the secret society founded by Andres Bonifacio which aimed for independence of
the Philippines
25. Kartilya- the code of conduct of the Katipuneros?r
26. Kalayaan- the newspaper of KKK
27. Emilio Jacinto- the brain of KKK
28. Apolinario Mabini- the brain of Revolution
29. Mariano Alvarez- the head of the Magdiwang faction of KKK
30. Baldomero Aguinaldo- the head of the Magdalo Faction of KKK
31. Treaty of Biak na Bato – the treaty which ended the Filipino-Spanish war and the
voluntary exile of Emilio Aguinaldo to Hongkong after the payment of 400, 000
Mexican peso.

Significant Dates:
1. March 16, 1521 – The arrival of Ferdinand Magellan and his troops in Homonhon, Eastern, Samar.
2. March 31, 1521 – The first Mass in the country
3. April 27, 1521 – The Battle of Mactan
4. February 3, 1565 – The arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in Cebu
5. Jan 20, 1872- The Cavite Mutiny
6. February 17, 1872 – the Execution of Gomburza
7. July 3, 1892- The Founding of La Liga Filipina
8. July 7, 1892 – The Founding of KKK
9. August 19, 1896- The discovery of KKK
10. August 23, 1896- The start of Philippine Revolution
11. December 30, 1896 – The execution of Dr. Jose Rizal
12. March 22, 1897- The Tejeros Convention
13. May 10, 1897- The Execution of Andres Bonifacio
14. Dec 15, 1897- The Treaty of Biak na Bato

Era: American Era

Year: 1898- 1946
General Conditions: The American was able to intercede in Filipino- Spanish war and became one of the world
powers in the 20th century. The new colonizer used education and local government as an instrument of pacification
under their Benevolent assimilation principle. They created different infrastructures and made the Philippines as the
center of trade and commerce in the Pacific. However, they also imposed different rules which will create a
dominant impact to the country even after gaining independence in July 4, 1946.

Terms to Remember:
1. William Mckinley- the President of United States during their colonization
2. William Howard Taft- the First American Civil Governor in the Philippines and the architect of US colonization.
3. Treaty of Paris- the treaty which ceded the Philippines to Americans
4. Thomasites- the American trained teachers
5. Reconcentration Act- the policy imposed by the Americans which created zone for the Filipino communities for
easy administration
6. Payne Aldrich Act- the trading law in 1909 which implemented partial free trade between the Philippines and the
Americans.
7. Jones Act of 1916 – The law which transform the legislative body into Bicameral legislature, thus it created the
senate.
8. Cayetano Arellano- The first Filipino Chief Justice
9. Underwood Simmons- the trading law in 1913 which implemented full free trade between the Philippines and the
Americans.
10. Francis Burton Harrison- the Pro Filipino American Civil Governor
11. Hare- Haws- Cutting Law- the Independence bill resulted from the OSROX Mission.
12. Tydings Mcduffie Law- the Independence law which gave the Philippines a partial independence from the
Americans. It also leads to the creation of commonwealth government.
13. Macario Sakay- The founder of the Republikang Tagalog and one of the last generals to surrender to the
Americans.

Significant Events
1.May 1, 1898- The Battle of Manila Bay
2. June 12, 1898- The Declaration of Independence against Spain
3. September 15, 1898- Malolos Congress
4.December 10, 1898- Ratification of Treaty of Paris
5. February 4, 1899- San Juan del Monte Incident, Start of US-Philippine War
6.June 5, 1899 Death of Gen. Antonio Luna
7.December 2, 1899- Battle of Pasong Tirad
8.March 23, 1901- Captivity of Emilio Aguinaldo

Era: Japanese Era

Year: 1942-1945
General Conditions: The Second World War started in 1939 when Adolf Hitler invaded Poland. The Pacific became
part of WWII after the invasion of Japan to Pearl Harbor and Manila. The Allied Powers became active in freeing
Europe from the Axis Powers, so the American forces leave the Philippines for almost three years. In the midst of
war, the Filipino continue their loyalty to the American. And this resulted to the destruction of the infrastructures
and death of many Filipinos.

Terms to Remember:
1. Gen. Doughlas MacArthur – the field Marshall of the USAFFE
2. Manuel L/ Quezon- the president of Commonwealth government during the WWII
3. Axis Powers- Japan, Germany and Italy
4. Alied Powers- Great Britain, France, USSR and USA
5. Pearl Harbor- the biggest military bases of the Americans in the Pacific
6. Jose P. Laurel – The President of the Second Republic
7. Kalibapi- Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas, the only political party in the
Philippines during the Japanese Era
8. Kempeitai- The Japanese Military Police
9. Corregidor- The last US military Bases in Asia to surrender to the Japanese
10. Jonathan Wainright- the head of the US forces in Corregidor when they surrender to
Japanese forces.

Important Dates:
1. December 7, 1941- The bombing of Pearl Harbor
2. December 8, 1941- The invasion of Manila, Manila declared as Open City
3. April 9, 1942- The fall of Bataan
4.May 6, 1942- The Fall of Corregidor
5. January 23, 1943- The Second Republic
6.October 20, 1944- The Leyte Landing, the return of Douglas Mac Arthur
7. August 6, 1945- Bombing of Hiroshima
8. August 9, 1945- Bombing of Naagasaki
9. August 15, 1945- The surrender of Japan
SOCIAL SCIENCE ---- Evolution of Ph Constitution, form and Structure of the government

Constitution is defined as a set of fundamental principles or established precedent according to which a state or
other organization is governed, thus, the word itself means to be a part of a whole, the coming together of distinct
entities into one group, with the same principles and ideals.

The First Philippine Constitution.

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 24th 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 Biak-na-
bato, November 1, 1897, unanimously adopted the following articles for the constitution of the State.

BIAK NA BATO 1897

Aguinaldo and his men formed a new government as a replacement to the republic that was created at Tejeros. Felix
Ferrer and Isabelo Artacho drafted the Biak-na-Bato Constitution similar to the constitution of Jimaguayu, Cuba. It
outlined certain basic human rights. The form of government is the same as that of the Katipunan with the council
members:

President- Emilio Aguinaldo

Vice President- Mariano Trias
Secretary of Interior- Isabelo Artacho
Secretary of War- Emiliano Riego de Dios
Secretary of the Treasury- Baldomero Aguinaldo

MALOLOS CONSTITUTION
FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC
A revolution was launched against Spain and the revolutionaries declared Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite
on June 12, 1898. What became known as the Malolos Congress was convened on September 15, 1898 and the first
Philippine Constitution, called the Malolos Constitution, was approved on January 20, 1899, ushering what is called
the First Philippine Republic. Its main task was the framing of the Malolos Constitution, also known as the first
democratic constitution, ever promulgated in the whole Asia. On January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic was
inaugurated at Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan.

Proclamation of the Constitution

The Malolos Constitution was the First Constitution in Asia and it was based on the proposed framework of Felipe
Calderon.
The constitution was ratified on January 21, 1899 and had the following important provisions:
1. The legality of the declaration of independence in Kawit, Cavite.
2. The separation of church and state.
3. The establishment of a Republican Government.
4. The division of the government into three branches, the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary.
5. The Legislative branch is higher than the Executive and Judiciary.
6. The Unicameral Legislature
7. The Bill of Rights of Citizens
8. The Suffrage

1935 CONSTITUTION
The constitution during the time of the Commonwealth. The 1935 Constitution was ratified by the Filipino people
through a national plebiscite, on May 14, 1935 and came into full force and effect on November 15, 1935 with the
creation of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. One of its provisions was that it would remain operative once
independence was granted on July 4, 1946.
Some of the features of 1935 constitution are the following:

1. The establishment of bicameral legislature

2. Allowing the re-eligibility of the president and the vice-president for a second four (4) year term of office.
3. The Parity amendment which gave the American citizen an equal right with the Filipino with regard to exploitation
of our natural resources and operation of public utilities.

1943 Constitution
Japanese Military Government
January 21, 1943
Hideki Tojo (Premier of Japan) announced the establishment of the Republic of the Philippines because of the
cooperation of Filipinos to the Japanese Government.
Puppet Government
Central Administrative Organization
The National Government was replaced by the Central Administrative Organization which was composed of six
branches:
The Interior Department: Benigno Aquino Sr.
The Finance Department: Antonio de Las Alas
The Agriculture and Commerce Department: Rafael Alunan
The Educative Department: Claro M. Recto
The Public Welfare and the Public Works and Communication: Quintin Paredes
The Justice System: Jose P. Laurel
Chairman of the Executive Branch
Jorge B. Vargas

1973 Constitution
The constitution during the time of Marcos. Some of the provisions of this constitution are the
following:
1. Granting of law-making power to the president
2. Establishment of modified parliamentary form of government
3. Allowing the natural-born citizen who have lost their citizenship to be transferees of
private land.
1987 CONSTITUTION
Upon the restoration of democracy in 1986, the 1973 Constitution was replaced by the 1987
constitution.
The 1987 Constitution contain the following provisions:
1. Recognition of the aid of Almighty God
2. Sovereignty of the people
3. Renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy
4. Supremacy of civilian authority over the military
5. Separation of church and state
6. Recognition of the importance of the family as a basic social institution
7. Guarantee of human rights
8. Government through suffrage
9. Separation of powers
10. Independence of Judiciary
11. Guarantee of local autonomy
12. Government of laws and not of men.

FORMS OF THE GOVERNMENT

1. Monarchy –The King and Queen/Monarchs
 - Absolute Monarchy – Monarchs hold the supreme power and made all the decision.
- Limited Monarchy - Ruler rules according to the Constitution. Also known as Constitutional Monarchy
2. Aristocracy. Political power is exercised by a few privilege elite
3. Oligarchy – government of few/selected few.
4. Democracy – Political power is vested on the majority of people.
-Direct or Pure Democracy – the decisions are made directly from the people
- Indirect or representative Democracy – Decision are made from the representative of the people. People
will vote their representative in the Government.
5. Unitary Government – the power is vested to the national government.
6. Federal Government – the power of the government is divided between two set of organs. The purpose is to unite
different cultures into one nation
7. Communism – Majority of the activities are controlled by the Government.
8. Meritocracy – Leadership by Talent.
9. Presidential – The president holds executive powers only.
10. Parliamentary – The presidents hold Executive and Legislative Power

BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT

LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

Branch of the government which is responsible to create, amend or repeal the laws.
CLASSIFICATION OF POWERS OF CONGRESS
1. General Legislative Power – it is the power to enact laws intended for the public
2. Specific Power – They are powers which the constitution expressly directs congress to exercise such powers.
Examples are to promote president in case of tie, to approve the existence of war, to impeach.
3. Implied Power – They are those essential to the useful exercise of the powers particularly granted. Example is the
in aid of Legislation.
4. Inherent Power – it is the power which automatically exist as characteristic of sovereignty. Examples are the police
power, eminent domain, and taxation.

The legislative power shall be vested in the congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a senate and a house of
representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum.
(Article.VI, Sec. 1.)

Senate the upper chamber of the congress. It consists of 24 senators

- The term of office of senator is six (6) years with one reelection. Total of 12 years They
are prohibited to serve for more than two (2) consecutive term.

QUALIFICATION OF SENATORS
 Natural Born Citizen
 35 years of Age
 Read and Write
 Registered Voter
 Resident of the Philippine for not less than 2 years

House of Representative
- The lower house of the Congress.
- It composed of not more than 250 members unless otherwise fixed by law
- They are called as Congressman
- They are elected from congressional district and through partly-list system.
- Term of office is three (3) years with two reelections. Total of 9 years. They are prohibited to run consecutively for
more than 9 years.
QUALIFICATION OF CONGRESS
 Natural Born Citizen
 25 years of Age
 Read and Write
 Registered voter in their corresponding district
 Residing in his district for not less than one year

HOW A BILL BECOME A LAW.

1. FIRST READING
-Both houses can initiate their own bill (General rule)
-Introduction of the bill
-Referral to appropriate committee
2.SECOND READING
-Debate and Interpellation, changes, or amendment in the said bill.
3.THIRD READING
-Only yeas (Affirmative) or nays (Negative) for the bill and no amendment is allowed. Most of the members
constituting a quorum is sufficient to pass a bill.

REFERRAL TO THE OTHER HOUSE

-the bill will undergo the same process. If there is no changes or amendment by the other
house, the bill will be submitted to the office of the president.

BICAMERAL COMMITTEE.
If there is different opinion, conflict, and disagreement between the two houses, it should
be resolve in Bicameral committee.

SUBMISSION TO THE PRESIDENT

The bill should be forwarded to the office of the President for his signature or veto message. If the President
does not communicate his approval or veto message within 30 days, the bill shall become a law as if he
signed it.

As a general rule, the bill should be signed by president to become law. The exceptions are
the following:
1. If the President does not communicate his approval or veto message within 30 days, the bill shall become a law as
if he signed it.
2. If the president vetoes a bill and return the bill to the house where it originated. The Congress can override the
veto of the president by 2/3 vote of all member of both houses The bill will take effect after 15 days following the
completion of their publication in the official gazette, unless it is otherwise provided (Article 2, Civil code). This is to
inform the public about the new law.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Branch of the government which is responsible to administer, execute or implement the law.
Member of the Executive branch
- President
- Vice-President
- Department Secretaries
- Local government unit

QUALIFICATION
1. Natural born Filipino.
2. a registered voter.
3. must be able to read and write.
4. 40 years of age at the day of the election; and
5. must have resided in the Philippines ten years before the election is held.

JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

- Branch of the government which responsible to interpret or apply the Law. It is the
duty of court of justice to interpret and apply the laws.
-Supreme Court is the Court of the Last resort
-The Final Arbiter of the Law
Scope of Judicial review
1. Adjudicatory Power - To settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable
-If there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on any branches of
the government
2. Judicial Review – to declare the act of the executive or legislative as unconstitutional. To interpret the law and
render binding judgements.
3. Incidental powers – power to punish person

PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATION OF POWER

Each branches of Government are co-equal with each other and independent on their decision concerning to
their own sphere. One cannot meddle the function of another because they have the same authority and it is
presumed that they can decide in their own.

PRINCIPLE OF CHECK AND BALANCES

Under the constitution, there is no absolute separation among the three (3) branches of the government.
The constitution permits reasonable checking by one department in the functions of another department. This is to
prevent the abuse of power and maintain the balance among the organs of the government. The following are the
checks of each branches:

Legislative Check
- Override the Veto of the President
- Reject certain or some appointment of the President
- Revoke the proclamation of Martial Law by the President.
- Screen some treaties made by the President with other countries
- Prescribe the qualification of lower court judges

Executive Check
- Veto Power of the President
- Pardoning power of the president
- Approved the appointment of Chief Justice

Judicial Check
- to declare the act of the Executive or Legislative as unconstitutional