HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

OF PHILIPPINE DEMOCRATIC
POLITICS

Lesson 14
Philippine politics travelled the long
road of evolution from the
barangays of pre-Hispanic times to
the present form of government
under the 1987 Constitution.
Indeed, the Filipinos already had a
government and civilization before
being colonized by the Spaniards.
The Spaniards, to their
credit, introduced a
central government
which ironically
awakened in Filipinos a
sense of nationhood.
The abuses of the colonizers
prompted initially calls for
reform, which later
morphed into cries for a
revolution uniting many
Filipinos throughout the
archipelago.
The American colonizers
introduced the Filipinos to the
democratic practices of the
west. Left on their own, the
Filipinos had a bumpy road to
democratic politics beginning
with the Third Republic in 1946.
 THE EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS,
GOVERNMENT, AND GOVERNANCE
1. The Government
- No
central government before the Spaniards
came
- Governance came from barangays scattered
throughout the islands
- Barangay is derived from the Austronesian
balangay which is a boat used by the
Austronesian immigrants in sailing to the Philippines
 THE EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS,
GOVERNMENT, AND GOVERNANCE
1. The Government
- The datu (chieftain) ruled each barangay
- The datu wielded executive, legislative, and judicial
powers.
- The datu took on the role of supreme commander
during wartime
- As a lawmaker, he was assisted by a council of elders
called the maginoos which advised him in the
administration of justice
 THE EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS,
GOVERNMENT, AND GOVERNANCE
2. The Datu as Legislator
- Issued the laws as the chief legislative authority
- Would consult the council of elders to enact a law
- Would
order the barangay crier (umalokohan) to
announce to the people the approval of the new
law
 THE EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS,
GOVERNMENT, AND GOVERNANCE
3. The Datu as Judge
- Courtof justice was composed of the datu as the
judge, and the maginoos as the members of the
jury
- Ancient
Filipinos used trial by ordeal to determine
who was lying and telling the truth
- Test
consisted of several activities such as testing
the physical ability of a person
 THE EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS,
GOVERNMENT, AND GOVERNANCE
3. The Datu as Judge
- Theone who came out with lesser injuries or was
relatively unharmed was pronounced the victor
- The
local chieftains therefore used religion in
governing their subjects.
THE PHILIPPINES UNDER
COLONIAL RULE
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
1. The Magellan Expedition
- Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese, ignored by his
king when he broached his plan to sail to
Malacca and Africa
- In 1519, King Charles of Spain provided him with a
fleet of 5 ships: Trinidad, Victoria, Concepcion,
Santiago, and San Antonio
- Magellan & his crew saw the mountains of Samar
on March 17, 1521 after months of difficult voyage
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
1. The Magellan Expedition
- Theylanded in Homonhon on the following day to
allow the sick men to recuperate.
- When the fleet sailed again, they reached the islet
of Limasawa ruled by Rajah Kulambu which he
befriended and celebrated a mass afterwards.
- Magellan then took possession of the islands and
called them Archipelago of St. Lazarus.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
1. The Magellan Expedition
- The
Spanish fleet next sailed toward the island of
Cebu on April 8, 1521.
- The
chieftain of Cebu, Rajah Humabon,
welcomed the Spaniards.
- Rajah
Humabon, his wife, and many natives
became Christians after the Spaniards celebrated
a mass and erected a cross on the island.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
2. The Battle of Mactan
- Rajah Sula, one of the chieftains of Mactan,
sowed intrigue by complaining to Magellan that
Rajah Si Lapulapu, Sula’s rival, refused to pay
tribute to the King of Spain.
- Sulaasked for Magellan’s help in defeating Rajah
Si Lapulapu. During the battle that ensued, one of
the natives wounded Magellan in the leg and
Lapulapu’s men killed him eventually.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
3. The Villalobos and Legazpi Expeditions
- In
1542 King Charles of Spain sent another
expedition headed by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos.
- Villalobos
and his men were able to reach
Mindanao in February 1543. The natives refused to
welcome them.
- Villalobosthen sent a man in Tandaya (Samar) to
look for food. Datu Makandala of Tandaya
provided food for Villalobos.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
3. The Villalobos and Legazpi Expeditions
- Delighted,
Villalobos named the islands of Samar
and Leyte, Felipinas, in honor of Prince Philip of
Spain, who later on became King Philip II.
- In
1564, King Philip II sent an expedition to the East
led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
- The
expedition reached Cebu in February 1565.
Legazpi also reached Cibabao (Leyte), Samar,
Camiguin Island, Butuan in Mindanao, and Bohol.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
3. The Villalobos and Legazpi Expeditions
- When Legazpi & his men reached Cebu, chieftain
Tupas and the Cebuanos were hostile to them.
- AfterTupas was defeated by the Spaniards, he
fled to the mountains.
- Legazpi then adopted a policy of securing
friendship to Cebuanos by encouraging those in
the mountains to come down and live peacefully
with them.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
3. The Villalobos and Legazpi Expeditions
- Tupasand his men returned to the lowland and
entered into an agreement with Legazpi to
maintain peace in Cebu
- Legazpiestablished the first Spanish settlement in
Cebu and called it “City of the Most Holy Name of
Jesus.”
- Legazpi founded the second Spanish settlement in
Panay.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
3. The Villalobos and Legazpi Expeditions
- Legazpi sent men to Manila and found out that it
was a prosperous Muslim Kingdom ruled by Rajah
Sulayman or Soliman who refused to pay tribute to
his men.
- Martin de Goiti, an official of Legazpi, defeated
Sulayman of Manila.
- Legazpi was then appointed by the king of Spain
as the captain-general of the islands (governor-
general)
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
3. The Villalobos and Legazpi Expeditions
- On
June 24, 1571, Legazpi made Manila the
capital of the Philippines. At the same time, he
organized a city government or ayuntamiento.
- Legazpi
appointed two alcaldes or
magistrates, an alguacil mayor or chief
constable, twelve regidores or legislative
council members, and one escribano or court
clerk.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
4. The Philippines Under Spanish Rule
- As
a colony of Spain, the Philippines was
administered by the Council of the Indies.
- The King of Spain issued royal decrees and
orders appointing the Spanish officials in the
Philippines
- In1863, the Philippines was placed under the
jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Colonies or
Overseas Ministry
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
5. The National Government, its Head and its
Branches
- TheSpaniards established a highly centralized
form of government in the Philippines
- The national government was so powerful that
it controlled almost every aspect of
governance.
- It was headed by a governor-general
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
5. The National Government, its Head and its
Branches
- The governor-general could appoint minor
officials in the government including the parish
priests
- He was commander in chief of the armed
forces
- There
were only 2 branches of the
government: executive and judiciary
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
5. The National Government, its Head and its
Branches
- Therewas no legislature because the laws for
the Philippines were crafted by the Spaniards
in Spain.
- Thejudicial powers of the government were
vested in the royal audiencia and the lower
courts.
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5. The National Government, its Head and its
Branches
- Theaudiencia was the highest court in the
country and had the power to audit the
finances of the government
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6. The Local Government
- Therewere local governments in the
provinces, municipalities, and barangays.
- A.
The Provincial Government – headed by a
governor or alcalde mayor (appointed by the
Governor General).
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
6. The Local Government
- B.
The Municipal Government – headed by a
gobernadorcillo or captain municipal (chosen
by 13 electors).
- Selection
of gobernadorcillo had to be
approved by the Spanish friar curate.
- GovernorGeneral in Manila has the final
approval of the selection.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
6. The Local Government
- C.
Barrio or Barangay – smallest unit of the
government
- Headed by a cabeza who was tasked to
maintain peace and order, and collect taxes
in the barangay
- City
or ayutamiento served as the center of
social, commercial, religious, & cultural life.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
7. The Early Revolts
- Therevolts were not because of a sense of
nationalism but to regain the lost of freedom
- There was a natural desire to bring the old
native religion back (rejected Catholic
religion)
- The revolts failed
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
8. The Reform Movement and the Katipunan
- In
1872, educated and well-to-do Filipinos
began the peaceful campaign for reforms.
- The campaign reforms (Propaganda
Movement) sought the assimilation of the
Philippines as a province of Spain,
representation in the Spanish lawmaking body
called the Cortes, and equality of the Filipinos
and the Spaniards before the law.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
8. The Reform Movement and the Katipunan
- Most famous reformists were Jose P. Rizal,
Graciano Lopez Jaena , and Marcelo H. Del
Pilar.
- After
the failure of the Propaganda
Movement, Andres Bonifacio founded the
“Kataastaasan,Kagalanggalangan Katipunan
ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK).
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
9. The 1896 Revolution
- Thediscovery of the Katipunan marked the
outbreak of the 1896 Revolution
- Many Filipino suspected to be members of the
Katipunan were captured, tortured, and
persecuted.
- Bonifacio and his men fought the Spanish
forces.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
9. The 1896 Revolution
- The
revolution spread to provinces in Luzon
(Cavite, Manila, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan,
Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija) which
were then placed under martial law by the
governor general.
- Suspectedmembers of Katipunan were
punished without trial
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
9. The 1896 Revolution
- In
the morning of December 10, 1896, Rizal was
executed for his alleged connection with the
Katipunan’s attempt to topple the
government.
- The event angered the Filipinos and further
emboldened them to fight for the country and
its independence.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
10. The Tejeros Convention and the Naic
Military Agreement
- Under
Emilio Aguinaldo, the Filipino rebels won
every battle against the Spaniards in Cavite
- Katipunerosin Cavite were divided into two
factions: the Magdalo group, headed by
Aguinaldo’s cousin and the Magdiwang group
headed by Bonifacio’s uncle
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10. The Tejeros Convention and the Naic
Military Agreement
- Conflict
between the 2 groups (Magdalo and
Magdiwang) worsened
- On March 22, 1897 the Katipuneros decided to
form a new government, Aguinaldo was
elected President while Bonifacio was elected
as the Director of the Interior
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
10. The Tejeros Convention and the Naic
Military Agreement
- DanielTirona questioned Bonifacio’s
educational qualifications that led to
Bonifacio’s declaration of the result of the
election to be void
- Bonifaciosigned the Acta de Tejeros which
contained a resolution nullifying the results of
the Tejeros convention
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
10. The Tejeros Convention and the Naic
Military Agreement
- Bonifaciothen signed a document known as
the Naic Military Agreement stating that a new
form of government will be established
- Theupper class and educated were unwilling
to accept Bonifacio as part of the newly
created government
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
11. The Execution of Bonifacio
- Bonifacio was captured and was tried for
treason
- He
was sentenced to be shot to death, but
Aguinaldo commuted the death penalty to
banishment
- OnMay 10, 1897, Bonifacio and his brother
Procopio were executed
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
12. The Biak-na-Bato Republic
- Aguinaldo
first established a republican
government called Biak-na-Bato Republic
- He later entered into an agreement with the
Spaniards whereby he and his men would go
into exile in Hongkong in exchange for
P800,000.00
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
13. The Spanish-American War
- On April 25, 1898, the US Congress formally
declared war on Spain (after Spain attacked
the American battleship USS Maine stationed
at Havana Harbor in Cuba)
- On May 1, 1898 the American fleet proceeded
to Manila Bay to attack the Spanish fleet
- Thiswas a turning point in the history of the
Philippines
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
14. The Return of Aguinaldo
- Convinced by the Americans that the US was
not interested in colonizing the Philippines,
Aguinaldo agreed to return to the Philippines
and continue the struggle against the
Spaniards.
- ByJune of 1898, the entire Luzon was in the
hands of the Filipino rebels. On June 12, 1898
Aguinaldo signed the Proclamation of
Philippine Independence in Kaiwt, Cavite.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
15. The Dictatorial Government and
Revolutionary Government
- OnMay 24, 1898, Aguinaldo established a
dictatorial government wherein the chief of
state was called the Dictator.
- OnJune 23, 1898, Aguinaldo changed the
form of government from dictatorial to
revolutionary. The chief of state was then
called the President.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
16. The First Philippine Republic and the
Malolos Constitution
- TheMalolos Constitution established a
government intended to be popular,
representative, and responsible.
- Thegovernment was then divided into three
branches: the executive, the legislative, and
the judiciary.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
16. The First Philippine Republic and the
Malolos Constitution
- The President was elected by a unicameral
assembly which took the place of Congress.
The department secretaries were responsible
to the assembly.
- Thefirst Philippine Republic was inaugurated
on January 23, 1898 with Aguinaldo as its
President.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
17. The Treaty of Paris
- On December 10, 1898, the Spanish and
American peace commissioners signed the
Treaty of Paris wherein Spain turned over the
Philippines to the US for the sum of
$20,000,000.00 as payment for the
improvements made by Spain in the
Philippines.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
18. The Filipino-American War
- The suspicion of the Filipinos of the true
motive of the Americans in coming to the
Philippines was aroused by several events:
The Mock Battle of Manila, The Treaty of
Paris, and the Benevolent Assimilation
Proclamation.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
18. The Filipino-American War
- These
events outraged the Filipinos and
fueled the war against the US. The well-
armed Americans defeated the brave, but
poorly-equipped army of the first Philippine
Republic after three years of hostilities.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
19. American Colonial Rule
- ThePhilippines was administered by the
President of the US through the military
- Themilitary governor had vast authority
which included executive, legislative and
judicial powers.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
20. The Civil Government
- In
March 1902, the US Congress passed the
Army Appropriations Act. It contained an
amendment which authorized the US
President to establish a civil government in
the Philippines. Thus, on July 4, 1901, the
civil government was inaugurated.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
21. The Philippine Bill of 1902
- On July 1, 1902, the Philippine Bill of 1902
was enacted by the US Congress. It
provided for a Bill of Rights for the Filipinos,
the appointment of two Filipino non-voting
commissioners to the US Congress, and the
establishment of a Philippine Assembly to
be elected by the Filipinos.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
22. The First Philippine Assembly
- Elections
were set for the first Philippine
Assembly on July 30, 1907.
- 59seats were won by the Partido
Nacionalista while 16 seats were won by
the Partido Progresista. The remaining seats
were won by independent candidates
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
22. The First Philippine Assembly
- As a law-making body composed of
Filipinos, the Philippine Assembly became
the lower house of the Philippine
Legislature. On the other hand, the
Philippine Commission was the upper
house. Through that, Filipinos were able to
participate in the making of laws for the
country.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
23. The Jones Law
- TheJones Law of 1916 signaled that the
Americans would fulfill their promise to help
the Philippines attain independence as
soon as a stable government was in place.
- Thelaw abolished the Philippine
Commission and established the Philippine
Senate which became the upper house of
the legislative branch.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
23. The Jones Law
- ThePhilippine Assembly became the House
of Representatives or the lower house of
the legislature.
- The law also provided for a Bill of Rights for
the Filipinos (freedom of speech, freedom
of the press, freedom from illegal search,
and other rights).
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
24. Commonwealth Era and the World War II
- TheCommonwealth Government was
inaugurated on November 15, 1935 with
Quezon as the President and Osmeña as
the Vice President. It served as a
transitional government preparatory to the
resumption of Philippine independence.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
24. Commonwealth Era and the World War II
- The preparations for independence were
stalled when the war in the Pacific broke
out in 1941.
- In1942, the Japanese occupied most parts
of Luzon. Shortly after, the Japanese
reorganized the Philippine government and
renamed it Central Administrative
Organization.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
25. The Second Republic
- The Japanese created a commission for
the purpose of framing a constitution
approved by a convention. On September
25, 1943, the National Assembly elected
Jose P. Laurel as the President of the
Second Republic.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
25. The Second Republic
- After
the death of Quezon, the Americans,
through the leadership of General Douglas
MacArthur, began its offensive against
Japan.
- When the Japanese were finally defeated
in the Philippines, MacArthur re-established
the Commonwealth on October 23, 1944.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
25. The Second Republic
- MacArthurbecame the Military
Administrator but on February 27, 1945, he
turned over the reins of government to
Osmeña.
THE REPUBLICAN
YEARS
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
1. Third Republic
- In
October 1945, the American Congress
passed the Bell Trade Relations Act which
granted parity rights to the Americans. This
meant that the Americans would be given
the right to use and exploit the natural
resources of the Philippines on equal
footing with Filipinos.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
1. Third Republic
- In
the election of April 23, 1946, Manuel A.
Roxas was elected as President. On July 4,
1946, Philippine independence was
proclaimed.
 THE PHILIPPINES UNDER COLONIAL RULE
2. The 1971 Constitution
- Severalgroups called for the replacement
of the 1935 Constitution which they
criticized as a product of US dictation. In
June 1971, the Constitutional Convention
started framing a new constitution.
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3. Declaration of Martial Law
- On September 21, 1972, President
Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Proclamation
No. 1081 declaring martial law in the
Philippines. With this, Marcos as the
President assumed the executive,
legislative, and judicial powers of the
government. Military courts took the place
of regular courts.
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4. The 1973 Constitution
- Marcosorchestrated the adoption of the
1973 Constitution which changed the
system of government to a modified
parliamentary system. He exercised both
executive and legislative powers.
- Because
of the amendments, the country
was then ruled by Marcos as dictator.
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4. The 1973 Constitution
- The basic freedoms of the people were
curtailed. Press freedom, academic
freedom, respect for human rights, and
accountability of public officials and the
military to the people disappeared.
- Marcos lifted martial law on January 17,
1981.
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4. The 1973 Constitution
- Theassassination of Senator Benigno
Aquino on August 21, 1983 intensified the
clamor of the people for the restoration of
democracy. Rallies and mass actions
challenging Marcos to step down were
held by people across socioeconomic
classes.
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5. The 1986 Snap Elections
- Towardthe end of Marcos’ third term as
President, protest rallies called the
“parliament of the streets” erupted in
Manila and other major Philippine cities.
This prompted the US to pressure Marcos for
an early election date.
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5. The 1986 Snap Elections
- Thus,
on February 7, 1986, Marcos
announced a “snap” presidential election.
He was declared the President-elect on
February 20, 1986.
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6. The People Power or the EDSA Revolution
- CoryAquino, widow of Ninoy Aquino and
the opposition’s candidate for president,
claimed victory and accused Marcos of
massive electoral fraud. She called for civil
disobedience after the National Movement
for Free Elections (NAMFREL) declared her
as the winner in the snap election.
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6. The People Power or the EDSA Revolution
- These
events led to the People Power
Revolution along Epifanio delos Santos
Avenue (EDSA) on February 25, 1986 which
brought an end to Marcos’ dictatorship
and prompted his exile in the US (Hawaii).
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7. The 1987 Constitution
- WhenCory Aquino ascended to the
presidency after the EDSA Revolution she
refused to abide by the 1973 Constitution.
- She
promptly proclaimed a provisional
constitution called the “Freedom
Constitution” on March 25, 1986.
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7. The 1987 Constitution
- It
required her to create a Constitutional
Commission (ConCom), which she did.
- Aquino convened the ConCom which
drafted the Philippine Constitution. On
February 2, 1987, the people ratified the
Constitution in a plebescite.
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7. The 1987 Constitution
- The1987 Constitution which is the present
Constitution of the Philippines restored the
presidential form of government and the
bicameral Congress. It provided for the
independence of the Constitutional
Commissions and the judiciary from the
other branches of the government.