Political History of Philippine Politics

 The Pre-Spanish Government

1. During this time, the early Filipinos had a government called ____________.
Answer: “balangay".
2. The head or the leader was called __________. Answer: Datu or Rajah
3. The datu was assisted by the ____________. Answer: elders in the community
4. There were three social classes during this time, the _____________ (Maharlika
(nobles)), the ____________Timawas (Freemen), the ____________ (Alipin
(slaves)).
5. The Datu or the Rajah always came from the ________ (Maharlika).
II. Government in the Philippines under the Spanish Rule
1. The Philippines was colonized by __________ (Spain) and ruled indirectly by the
King of Spain through the viceroy of Mexico.
2. The Philippines was ruled by Spain until it got the independence in 1898. The
national government was headed by a _________ (Spanish General) who was
appointed by the King of Spain.
3. Below the national government was the _________ (Alcaldia) or the provinces
headed by the _________ (Alcalde mayor).
4. Next were the ___________ (Pueblos) or recently called as towns which were led
by the __________ (Gobernadorcillo) known as the little governor and the
barangays which were led by the _____________ (Cabeza de Barangay).
5. During the Spanish government in the Philippines, many Filipinos established
organizations which main purpose was to overthrow the Spanish government
because of its tyranny. Among the key personalities who rose into rebellion were
_____________ (Andres Bonifacio) and ___________ (Emilio Aguinaldo).
6. Andres Bonifacio organized the ___________ ( Katipunan) and was replaced
because it was discovered by the Spanish authorities.
7. The new government was headed by ____________ (Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo) as
President in the Tejeros Convention held on March 22-23, 1897.
8. Emilio Aguinaldo then created the __________ (Biak-Na-Bato Republic) which
aimed to separate from Spain.
9. But Aguinaldo and his men were exiled in ______ (Hong Kong).
10. After his exile, he established a Dictatorial Government which resulted to the
proclamation of _________ (Philippine Independence) in Kawit, Cavite on June
12, 1898 and the reorganization of local governments.
11. On January 23, 1899, the _____________ (first Philippine Republic) was
established with Gen. Aguinaldo as the President.
III. The Government During the American Regime
1. The __________ (Americans) started the military rule in the Philippines on
August 14, 1898.
2. The President of the United States delegated his authority to the military
governor who exercised all powers of the government (as long as the war lasted)
- _________, ________, and ___________(executive,legislative and judiciary).
3. The ____________ (Spooner Amendment) ended the military regime in the
Philippines.
4. It was changed into _______ (civil) government headed by a __________ (Civil
Governor General)on February 6, 1905.
5. The Governor-general has _________ ( legislative powers), and he was the
President of the Philippine Commission from 1901-1907.
6. The _________ (Philippine commission) was the sole lawmaking body of the
Philippine assembly as the lower chamber.
7. The ________ (Jones Law of 1916) which became the fundamental law for the
Philippines vested the legislative power in an all Filipino lawmaking body
composed of the ____________ and __________ ( Philippine senate and the
House of Representatives).

IV. The Commonwealth Government

1. The ____________ (Tydings-McDuffie Law) in 1934 established the

Commonwealth Government.
2. It was a form of government in transition towards ___________
(independence). It provided for a ________ (ten) -year transition period after
which the Philippine Independence would be proclaimed and established.
3. The Commonwealth Government was inaugurated on November 15, 1935.
4. The first national election in the country was held on September 12, 1935.
_________ (Manuel L.Quezon) was the President, and his vice President was
___________
( Sergio Osmena).
5. The Commonwealth Government functioned in exile during World War II in
____________ (Washington,USA, )from May 13, 1942 to October 3, 1944.
6. It was re-established in ______ (Manila) on February 27, 1945.
7. The USA turned over to a Filipino President the full powers and
responsibilities of the Commonwealth Government under the ____ (1935)
Constitution.

V. The Government under the Japanese Occupation

1. The ________ (Japanese) military administration was established in ______

(Manila) on January 3,1942.
2. A civil government which was called the __________ (Philippine Executive
Commission) was established with _____________ (Jorge B. Vargas) as
Chairman.
3. It had legislative and executive powers, but the laws enacted through were
subject to approval by the __________ (Commander-in-Chief) of the Japanese
Forces.
4. On October 14, 1943, the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic with
____________ (Jose P. Laurel) as the President was inaugurated.
5. The ultimate source of authority was the Japanese administrator. It was
dissolved on August 17, 1945.
6. When the ________ (World War II) ended, the Philippines was emancipated
from the clutch of the dominion of the Japanese. The Filipinos gained
independence and started to elect own leaders of the Republic.