EVOLUTION OF

PHILIPPINE POLITICS
AND GOVERNANCE
HUMSS 11
The historical development of
Philippine Politics and Government
can be studied through its evolution
from the Pre-historic period which
contributed to the formation of
modern Philippine Politics and
Government.
 The early Filipinos had a government which they
called “Balangay”.
 The head or the leader was called a Datu or Rajah who
was assisted by the elders in the community.
 All powers of the government were exercised by the
datu or rajah. He was the chief executive, law giver,
chief judge and military head.
 There are three social classes at that time namely:
 The Maharlika (Nobles),
 the Timawas (Freemen) and the
 Alipin (Slaves).
 The Datu or the Rajah came from the Maharlika (The upper
class).
The Maharlika (Nobles),
The Timawas (Freemen)
The Datu or the Rajah
Government in the Philippines under the
Spanish Rule
 The Philippines was governed indirectly by the
King of Spain through the Viceroy of Mexico.
 When Mexico, also a former colony of Spain
gained her freedom in 1821, the Philippines was
ruled directly by Spain until 1898.
 The government established in the Philippines
was centralized.
Government in the Philippines under the
Spanish Rule
 The national government was headed by a Spanish
Governor General, who was appointed by the King
of Spain.
 The Governor-General was at times called the
“Representative of the King of Spain” or the
“Little King in the Philippines”.
 In theory, he was the highest government official
in the country, and practice frailocracy “Rule of
friars” existed thus overpowering the Governor
General.
Government in the Philippines under the
Spanish Rule
 Below the national government was the
 Alcaldia (Provinces) headed by the Alcalde
Mayor,
 the Pueblos (Towns) which were led by the
Gobernadorcillo (little governor) and the
 barangays which were led by the Cabeza de
Barangay.
Excessive interference of church
officials on the colonial administration,
especially by some members of the
monastic orders (Dominicans,
Augustinians, Franciscans, and
Recollects), sparked deep and
widespread resentment leading the
Philippine Revolution
Government in the Philippines under the
Spanish Rule
 Andres Bonifacio organized the Katipunan, a secret
revolutionary organization of the Filipinos.
 Its aim was a complete separation from Spain.
 It precipitated the Philippine Revolution on August
26, 1896 (De Leon & De Leon, 2014).
 It was replaced by another government when it
was discovered by the Spanish authorities.
 The new government was headed by Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo as President in the Tejeros Convention
held on March 22-23, 1897.
Government in the Philippines under the
Spanish Rule
 The Biak-Na-Bato Republic was created by
Gen. Aguinaldo on November 1, 1897.
 Its aim was separation from Spain and formation
of the Philippines as an independent state.
 The Republic existed until December 15, 1897,
with the signing of the Pact of Biak-Na-Bato.
Government in the Philippines under the
Spanish Rule
 It resulted in the Revolutionary exile of
Aguinaldo and his men to Hongkong provided
that General Primo de Rivera would pay
$800,000. On May 24, 1889, Gen. Aguinaldo
established a dictatorial government when he
returned from his exile in Hongkong.
 The notable achievements of the Dictatorial
Government were:
 1) the proclamation of Philippine Independence at
Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898; and
 2) the reorganization of local governments.
Government in the Philippines under the
Spanish Rule
 A Revolutionary Government replaced the
Dictatorial Government still with Gen. Aguinaldo
as the head. On January 23, 1899, the first
Philippine Republic was established with Gen.
Aguinaldo as the President.
The Government during the American
Regime
 The Americans started the military rule in the
Philippines on August 14, 1898.
 The president of the United States delegated his
authority to the military governor who exercised
all powers of the government (until the war
lasted) - executive, legislative and judiciary.
The Government during the American
Regime
 The Spooner Amendment ended the military
regime in the Philippines.
 It was changed into civil government headed by
Civil Governor on July 4, 1901.
 The title was changed to Governor General on
February 6, 1905.
 The Governor General has legislative powers, and
he was the President of the Philippines
commission from 1901-1907.
The Government during the American
Regime
 The Philippine Commission was the sole law
making body of the Government.
 Eventually, this became the upper house of the
legislative department of the Philippine Assembly
(Created by Philippine Bill of 1902) as the lower
chamber.
 The Jones law of 1916 which became the
fundamental law for the Philippines vested the
legislative power in an all- Filipino law-making
body composed of the Philippine Senate and the
House of Representatives.
The Commonwealth Government
 The Tydings-Mcduffie Law in 1934 established
the Commonwealth Government.
 It was a form of government in transition toward
independence.
 It provide for a ten-year transition period after
which the Philippine independence would be
Proclaimed and established.
The Commonwealth Government
 The Commonwealth Government was inaugurated on
November 15, 1935.
 The first National Election in the country was held
September 12, 1935. Manuel L. Quezon was the
President, and his Vice-President was Sergio Osmena.
 The Commonwealth Government functioned in exile
during World War II in Washington, USA, from May
13, 1942 to October 3, 1944 after which it was
reestablished in Manila on February 27, 1945.
 The USA turned over to a Filipino President the full
powers and responsibilities of the Commonwealth
Government under the 1935 Constitution.
The Government under the Japanese
Occupation
 The Japanese military administration was established
in Manila on January 3, 1942. A civil government
which was called the Philippine Executive
Commission was established with Jorge
B. Vargas as chairman.
 It had legislative and executive powers but laws
enacted though were subject to approval by the
Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese forces. On
October 14, 1943,
 the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic with
Jose P. Laurel as the President was inaugurated.
The Presidents of the
Philippines
Since independence in 1898 and the
ratification of the Philippine
Constitution in the First Republic,
there have been 16 presidents.

Starting with General Emilio

Aguinaldo all the way to current
president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
General Emilio Aguinaldo
Manuel L. Quezon
Jose P. Laurel
Sergio Osmeña
Manuel Roxas
Elpidio Quirino
Ramon Magsaysay
Carlos P. Garcia
Diosdado Macapagal
Ferdinand Marcos
Corazon Aquino
Fidel V. Ramos
Joseph Estrada
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Benigno Aquino III
Rodrigo R. Duterte
 The 1987 Philippine Constitution
The 1987 Constitution established a representative
democracy with power divided among three separate
and independent branches of government: The
Executive, a bicameral Legislature, and the Judiciary.

There were three independent

constitutional commissions as well: The
Commission on Audit, The Civil Service
Commission, and the Commission on
Elections.
 System of Government under 1987
Constitution
Branch Hierarchy Appointment Powers Removal from
Office

Elected by 1. Nominates the 1. Upon the

EXECUTIVE President direct vote of Cabinet and other
high officials
end of 6 year
the registered 2. Head of term in a
voters Government Presidential
Ensures faithful
execution of the
Election
laws
3. Commander-in-
Chief of the Armed
Forces
2.Upon
4. Contracts for resignation
foreign loans
Declares martial law
3. Upon
(will be further impeachment
discussed in module
9) (will be further
 System of Government under 1987
Constitution
Branch Hierarchy Appointment Powers Removal from
Office

Elected by direct If the President 1. Upon the end

Vice President vote of the becomes of 6 year term in
registered voters incapacitated, a Presidential
the Vice Election
President will 2.Upon
take charge of resignation
the official 3. 3. Upon
functions (will be impeachment
further discussed (will be further
in module 9) discussed in
module 9)
 System of Government under 1987 Constitution
Branch Hierarchy Appointment Powers Removal from
Office
Cabinet Secretaries Appointed by the Advises the 1.Upon removal
Executive Secretary,
Secretary of Agrarian
President and President by the President
Reform, Secretary of confirmed by a 2.Upon
Agriculture, Secretary of commission on resignation
Budget and Management,
Secretary of Education,
appointments
Secretary of Energy.
Secretary of Environment
and Natural Resources,
Secretary of Finance,
Secretary of Foreign Affairs,
Secretary of Health,
Secretary of Justice,
Secretary of Labor and
Employment, Secretary of
National Defense, Secretary
of Public Works and
Highways,
 System of Government under 1987 Constitution
Branch Hierarchy Appointment Powers Removal from
Office
Local Elected by direct Performs
Government Unit vote of the executive 1. Upon the end
Governor, Vice- registered voters function under of a term in a
Governor,Mayor, their Local/National
Vice-Mayor, jurisdictions Election
Councilors,  2.Upon
Sangguniang resignation
Bayan
3. Upon proper
legal proceedings
 System of Government under 1987 Constitution
Branch Hierarchy Appointment Powers Removal from
Office
Senate Elected by direct
LEGISLATIVE Senate President vote of the 1.Introduces and 1.Upon
24 Senators registered voters passes legislation resignation
by a majority 2.Upon the end
vote of a 6 - year term
 2.Conducts
inquiries in
pursuit of
passing
legislation with
joint two-thirds
vote of Congress
 System of Government under 1987 Constitution
Branch Hierarchy Appointment Powers Removal from
Office
House of 1.Elected by 1.Upon
Representatives direct vote of the 1. Introduces resignation
Speaker of the registered voters and passes 2.Upon the end
House from their legislation of a 3 - year term
243 district.  2. Introduces 3. Upon proper
Congressional 2. Elected by budget allotment legal proceedings
Districts direct vote of the for a fiscal year
61 Party-List registered voters through budget
Representatives for a party-list hearings with
system joint two-thirds
vote
 3.Conduct
inquiries in
pursuit of
passing
legislation
 System of Government under 1987 Constitution
Branch Hierarchy Appointment Powers Removal from
Office
Supreme Court Appointed by the 1.Administrative
1 Chief Justice
JUDICIAL 14 Associate Justices
President supervision over 1.Upon
Lower Collegiate Courts: other courts resignation
 Court of Appeals 2.Jurisdiction 
 Court of Tax Appeals
 Sandiganbayan
over cases
 Ombudsman involving 2.Upon reaching
ambassadors the age of 70
Regular Courts: and public 3.Upon
 Regional Trial Courts
 Metropolitan Trial Court officials Impeachment
 Municipal Circuit Trial 3.Constitutional
Courts review
Muslim Courts 4.Hear, Try and
 Sharia District Courts decide cases