Lesson 1: Philippine Politics and With the exception of Governor General,
Governance during the Spanish Period
Branches of the Government
1. Governor General
- is the chief executive of the
Philippines. He is also the commander in
chief of all arm forces. He is the king’s
official representative in colonial
Philippines. He has the power to appoint
all subordinate officials. He is vested
with executive, legislative, and judicial
powers. He also possessed ecclesiastic
power which is the power to recommend
priest in appointment and intervene in
controversies between religious
authorities.
2. Royal Audencia
- in the event of the inability of the GG
to continue his duties, the Audiencia
was empowered to assume the
government. He has the power to
summon citizens of the island either in
peace or war. Apart from his judicial
functions, he has the power to check,
advise, and audit the expenditures of
the government.
3. Spanish Cortes
- the most powerful governmental
institution of the state. It is made up
of lower house, the Congress of
Deputies and upper chamber, the Senate.
It is the law-making body of the Spain
and the colonial states.
-- Governor General is the most
powerful public official in the
Philippines under the Spanish rule. He
was appointed by the Viceroy of New
Spain upon the recommendation of the
Spanish Cortes.
Why is the GG the most powerful public
figure in the colonial Philippines during
the Spanish era?
-- He is vested with executive,
legislative, judicial, and ecclesiastic
power.
What powers Royal Audiencia which are
unique from the powers of governor
general?
-- Royal Audiencia’s advisory, checking
and auditing powers are unique from
the GG’s powers.
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is there a branch of the government in
the Philippine under Spanish era which
can enact laws?
-- No. Only the Spanish Cortes enact
laws applicable and enforceable.
Can the GG be removed from office?
-- Yes. The power to appoint includes
the power to remove. The King of Spain
can remove the GG from office if he no
longer trust him.
With the exception of the loss of trust,
what other grounds can the GG be
replaced?
-- sickness and death
Lesson 2: The General Government, and
Local Government Under Spanish Period
A. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
1. Spanish Empire
a. Monarch of Spain- vested with civil
and spiritual authority
b. Council of Indies- governed all the
Spanish colonies in the King’s name
2. Viceroyalty of Spain
a. Viceroy- governed the New Spain on
the King’s behalf
b. Governor General- initially exercised
executive (as Governor), legislative,
judicial (as President of the Audiencia),
military (as Captain General), and
ecclesiastic (as Vice Patron) powers.
3. Central Government in Manila
a. Archbishop of Manila- had full
spiritual authority over the army and
navy as military Vicar General of the
island. Advised the Captain General in
matters concerning governance and
provisioning the Church in the
Philippines.
b. Royal Audiencia in Manila- functioned
as the Supreme Court and advised the
Captain General. It is initially composed
of four judges (oidores), an attorney-
general (fiscal), and a constable.
B. LOCAL GOVERNMENT
1. Province/Alcaldia
a. Alcalde Mayor (for provinces)-
exercise executive and judiciary powers
in the province. Collected tribute. Until
the mid-19th century, he had the
privilege to engage in trade and there
was no provision made restricting him
to do so.
b. Corregidor (for districts)- if a
province was large, the alcalde mayor
had a corregidor to administer over the
provincial district. He exercised
executive and judiciary power.
c. Junta Provincial- composed of public
prosecutor, finance administrator,
treasurer, vicars, provincial doctors,
and 4 principle of the capital.
2. Pueblo/Municipalities
a. Gobernadorcillo- position was initially
restricted to the local married men of
the elites. By 1768, it became elective and
any person elected must acquire elite
status.
b. Capitan Municipal- head of the
Tribunal Municipal. Elected by the
residents of the municipio.
c. Tribunal Municipal- composed of
municipal captain, chief lieutenant,
lieutenant of police, lieutenant of fields,
and lieutenant of livestock. Elected by
the residents of the municipio.
3. Barangay
a. Cabeza de Barangay- adminitered over
a barangay of 40-50 families. Collected
tribute in the barangay. Position was
originally hereditary and was only made
elective in 1786. After 3 years of service,
a cabeza was qualified for election to the
office of the gobernadorcillo.
Is there a separation of Church and
State during the Spanish era in the
Philippines?
-- No. The GG enjoys political power as
well as ecclesiastical power.
Does the Archbishop possess political
power?
-- No, He has only full spiritual
authority over the army and navy as
military Vicar General of the islands.
Lesson 3: The Courts and Taxation and
Revenue
Taxation- it is an inherent power of the
state that imposes burdens upon
subjects and objects within its
jurisdiction for the purpose of raising
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revenue to carry out the legitimate
objects of the government.
Tax- is a compulsory contribution to
state revenue, levied by the government
on workers’ income and business profits,
or added to the cost of some goods,
services, and transactions.
ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS DURING THE
SPANISH COLONIAL GOVERNMENT
1. Tribute- Filipinos were compelled to
pay tribute called TRIBUTO, to the
colonial government. It is imposed as a
sign of the Filipinos’ loyalty to the King
of Spain.
2. Cedula- a certificate identifying the
taxpayer.
3. Tithes- tax consisting of one-tenth
of the produce of one’s land.
4. The Donativo de Zamboanga- tax
specifically used for the conquest of
Mindanao.
5. Vinta- tax collected to fund vintas to
guard the coastal areas of Luzon to
defend the area against Muslim pirates.
6. Bandala- system that increase the
funds for wars against other European
explorers.
- the farmers are forced to sell
their produce to the government. The
government would buy the harvests of
the farmers but would only give them a
PROMISSORY NOTE. RESULT: the Filipinos
became poorer.
7. Polo Y Servicios- all male Filipinos
from 18-60 y/o were required to give
their free labor called POLO, to the
government.
- obligated to do construction
of buildings, churches, cutting trees to
make logs.
- this labor was for 40 days a
year. To be exempted, pay FALLA= 1 1/2
reals.
8. Galleon Trade- government monopoly
lasted for 250 years.
The Royal Audiencia
- conduct the RESIDENCIA: the process
of submitting the GG to a trial before
the court for the purpose of punishing
corrupt and dishonest officials.
Who are responsible for the checking of
the abuses of the GG?
-- The Royal Audiencia which is
composed of Council of Judges.
Which taxes is still levied today?
-- The cedula or the resident certificate
tax. This is also known as Poll Tax. The
1987 Constitution specifically stated
that no person shall be imprisoned for
the non-payment of Poll tax.
Why is taxation important?
-- Taxation is the life blood of the
government. The government cannot
function without it.
What is the counterpart of the Royal
Audiencia in the present?
-- The Supreme Court. However, the role
of checking of the abuses of the
officials is now under the Sandigan
Bayan and the Office of the
Ombudsman.
Lesson 4: Philippines Under US Rule
Administrative Policies Implemented
1. Pres William Mc. Kinley’s Benevolent
Assimilation
- envisioned as benevolent from
governance, this policy aimed to bring
about social, economic, and political
reforms for the betterment of the
Filipino people.
2. Manifest Destiny
- a phrase coined in 1845, is the idea
that the United States is destined to
expand its dominion and spread
democracy and capitalism across the
world. This statement saw the Filipinos
as children who are unable to
accomplish anything themselves and
must rely on US in order to become
civilized.
3. Jacob Gould Schurman’s Commission
-the first Philippine Commission. This
commission recommended establishment
of a civil government, bicameral
legislature and a public school system in
the Philippines.
4. William Howard Taft’s Commission
- as the first civilian governor, this
commission defined its mission as
preparing the Filipinos for eventual
independence, and focused on economic
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development, public education, and the
establishment of representative
institutions.
5. Spooner Amedment
- It authorized President Mc Kinley to
withdraw military rule and establish
civilian government.
Distinguish Schurman Commission from
Taft Commission.
-- The Schurman Commission
recommended the establishment of civil
government while the Taft Commission
prepared the Filipinos for eventual
independence, focused on economic
development, public education, and the
establishment of representative
institution.
What is the expansionism policy of US
in the Philippines?
-- The Manifest Destiny policy. It
asserted that it was America’s duty to
closely watch and monitor the
Philippines in order that it may become
a civilized and upright nation.
What is the most important legacy of
the Americans to the Filipinos?
-- Democracy
Lesson 5: From Inclusion to Exclusion
A. SCHURMAN COMMISSION
- the first Philippine Commission
appointed by President Mc Kinley on
January 20, 1899 headed by Dr. Jacob
Schurman, President of Cornell
University.
Recommendations
1. There is a deep Filipino aspiration for
independence; however, the Philippines
was not ready for it.
2. Establishment of civilian government
as rapidly as possible.
3. Establishment of a bicameral
legislature.
4. Establishment of Autonomous
governments on the provincial and
municipal levels.
5. Establishment of a system of free
public elementary schools.
B. TAFT COMMISSION
- headed by federal judge William H.
Taft, to begin designing a civil
government based on America’s model.
Commission Report issued in August 1900
1. Filipinos were describe as being
“ignorant, superstitious, and credulous
in remarkable degree.” Taft laid out a
plan to introduce government
institution.
2. Establish a civil service
3. Enact currency and tax programs
4. Creates public works, capital
investment, and educational reform.
What is the most important
contribution of the Schurman
Commission?
-- Its recommendation of the
establishing civil government
in lieu of the military government.
What is the most important
contribution of the Taft Commission?
-- The commission designed a civil
government based on American’s model.
Which one is better, a military
government or a civil government?
-- Civil government is better than
military government. In the military,
leader is considered a totalitarian
authority. It is not a democracy where
everyone gets a vote. Rank is
everything. Its top leaders follow orders
from the president and federal
government without question unless
they are given unlawful orders.
Unlawful orders that are followed can
be grounds for punishment. In that
sense, its a slippery slope. However, like
its civilian counterpart leaders, there is
still some resemblance of a democracy
in that they tend to lead and make
decisions by committee when necessary
because no leader can do or know
everything. He or she must also rely
upon opinion. However, ultimately, he or
she makes the final decision regardless
of committee opinion.
Lesson 6: War, Post-War Recovery and
Independence
1. Tension Began During the Great
Depression
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- Before the Pearl Harbor attack,
tensions between Japan and US had
been mounting for the better part of a
decade. During the Great Depression of
the 1930’s, Japan sought to solve its
economic and demographic woes by
forcing its way into China. They
proceeded to carry out six weeks of
mass killings and rapes now the
infamous as the “Nanjing Massacre”.
2. Destroying the Base at Pearl Harbor
Would Mean Japan Controlled the
Pacific
3. 2 Powers
- Allied Powers V.S. Axis Powers in World
War II.
Allied Powers- Great Britain, France,
Soviet Union, United State
Axis Powers- Germany, Italy and Japan
4. Japanese Occupation (1942-1945)
- Japan occupied the Philippines for
over three years, until the surrender of
Japan.
5. Puppet Government
- The Second Philippine Republic,
officially known as the Republic of the
Philippines and also known as the
Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic,
was a puppet government. The 1943
Constitution was labeled as puppet
government. As the word puppet, it
symbolizes manipulation and control.
6. Laurel and the 1943 Constitution
- Jose P. Laurel was the president during
that time and he drafted the 1943
Constitution which established a
republican government with a strong
executive. It stressed the duties and
obligations of the people rather than
the rights and privileges.
7. KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod
sa Bagong Pilipinas)
- the semi-political organization the
Japanese had created to replace all pre-
war political parties.
8. GEACPS (Greater East Asia Co-
Prosperity Sphere
-concept created and promulgated
during the Showa era by the
government and military of the Empire
of Japan. It represented the desire to
create a self-sufficient “block of Asian
nations led by the Japanese and free of
Western powers”.
What is the purpose of GEACPS?
-- It extended across the Asia-Pacific
and promoted the cultural and
economic unity of East Asians,
Southeast Asians, South Asians and
Oceanians. It also declared the intention
to create a self-sufficient bloc of Asian
nations which would be led by the
Japanese and be free from the rule of
Western powers.
Why did Japan attack Philippines?
-- They wanted to gain power over their
neighbors and also to outs American
and European influences from the
region.
What is totalitarian form of
government?
-- Totalitarianism is a concept or form
of government or political system that
prohibits opposition parties, restricts
individual opposition to the state and
its claims, and exercises an extremely
high degree of control over public and
private life. It is regarded as the most
extreme and complete form of
authoritarianism. In totalitarian states,
political power has often been held by
autocrats.
- the backbone which supports the
muscular function of the entire
Philippine public administration.
Administrative Law and Public
Administration in connection with
Political Science
Administrative law regulates the actions
of administrative agencies, ensuing
they operate within legal parameters.
This legal framework is crucial in
maintaining accountability and
transparency in public administration,
which is responsible for implementing
government policies and programs.
Political Science analyzes the dynamics
of political systems, including the
interactions between branches and the
role of public administration. The study
of administrative law provides insights
into the legal aspects of political
structures, influencing the functioning
of public administration within the
broader political context.

Public Administration
- encompasses the study of how
governments govern, regulate, and
administer their jurisdiction.
- promotion of common good and the
general welfare of the state is the
central idea of the existence and
essence of Public Administration.
Administrative Law
- a law which gives the executive
branch a capacity to act in a quasi-
legislative and quasi-judicial manner
which interferes with the purpose of
promoting the well-being of the
community.

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