SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMICS,

AND CULTURAL ISSUES IN

PHILIPPINE HISTORY.
GROUP N0:1
 CONTENTS
Here’s what you’ll find in this report:

1.Feudalism’s Historical Development

2.Impact of Spanish Colonization
3. Land Reform Measures
4. The Philipine Constitution
LAND REFORM OF THE
PHILIPPINES
Historical Development of Feudalism in the Philippines

Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the natives enjoyed the abundant produce of the
Philippines' fertile lands. However, the Spanish introduced the encomiendas, an
economic system that exploitation of the natives.”
The lands were awarded as royal grants to colonial officials and Catholic
religious orders in exchange for their conquest. This system was
essentially slavery, with the locals being educated and converted to
Christianity. Feudalism, a mode of production, began with the Sultanates
of Mindanao, which preceded the Spaniards by at least a century.
Land reform measures: from American period to
the Macapagal Presidency

When the United States took over the possessions of the Philippines
from the Spain, it addressed the land problems in the country. Among
the measures it took were the enactment of Land Registration Act of
1902 which facilitated the issuance of land titles to the Filipinos.
The following are the important events that took place
during the period:

 1907- the Cadastral Act was passed which was aimed at rectifying previous errors in land titles.

 1919 and 1920 – acts passed aimed at encouraging the peasants who were dispossessed of their
lands to acquire public lands through homestead, purchase or lease or limited areas.

 1933-prohibited tenants receiving less than 50% of the net crop, while the - the Rice Tenancy
Act and Commonwealth Act 4133 were passed to address peasant exploitation in sugar lands.
The Rice Tenancy Act Commonwealth Act required receipts.
 During Manuel L. Quezon's presidency, agrarian reforms addressed peasant unrest through
tenancy regulations, organized land settlements, anti-usury Law, free patents for homesteaders,
and a landed estates policy for negotiated land resale.

 President Elpidio Quirino created in 1950 the Land Settlement Development Corporation
(LASEDECO) for the resettlement of landless peasants, but it was not able to resettle as many
landless peasants as possible but only 400 families.

 President Ramon Magsaysay had resettlement projects under the Economic Development
Corporation (EDCOR) which settled more or less 1,000 families. In 1954, the National
Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration was established to take care of the resettlement
peasants.
  Still under the presidency of Ramon Magsaysay, the Land Reform Act of 1955 was passed which
created the Land Tenure Administration, the purpose of which was to expropriate landed estates, the
size of which exceeded the maximum retention limit of 300 and 600 hectares of contagious area for
private individuals.

 Diosdado Macapagal- the Agricultural Land Reform Code was passed in 1663. Unfortunately, there
was no record of landed estate purchase from the landlord for redistribution under this law during the
reign of Macapagal.

 The Rice Share Tenancy Act of 1933 and Republic Act No.31 were passed to address peasant
exploitation. The Rice Share Tenancy Act declared tenants received less than 50% of crop, while the
Republic Act No.31 protected tenants.
These land reform measures are the proof that many lands are seized from the Filipinos during
the Spanish era, lands and profit are being enjoyed only by the landlords and the persons
in authority way after the Spaniards, Americans and Japanese came to our country. Though
these land reform programs aim to ease the poverty and improve the livelihood of the less
unfortunate families.
 Presidential Decree No. 27 (Tenant Emancipation Decree)

President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos proclaimed Martial Law in 1972 to establish a new society
with discipline, self-sufficiency, peace, and selfreliance. He aimed to conquer mass poverty and
distribute wealth democratically. In 1972, he issued Proclamation No. 27, which abolished tenancy
in rice and corn lands, empowering the Department of Agrarian Reform to distribute land to tenant
farmers. This led to the Philippines becoming self-sufficient in rice production and exporting rice to
other countries. The decree aimed to lift the lives of farmers.
The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP)

Mrs. Corazon C. Aquino who was catapulted to the presidency through the EDSA People
Power in February 22-25, 1986 had for her most notable achievement, aside from the
restoration of the democracy, the passage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
Law or RA 6657 which limits the ownership of agricultural lands of five hectares only. The
law was signed by President Aquino on June 10, 1988.

CARL aims to redistribute public and private agricultural lands to landless farmers
and farm workers, promoting equitable land ownership and better quality of life.
 land Tenure Improvement is a major program, offering support services like
infrastructure, marketing, credit, and technical assistance. The law was amended
in 2009 to cover 1.1 million hectares of agricultural land and include seasonal
farmers. As of Dec. 31, 2013, 88% of the 7.8 million hectares were distributed, with
hacienda Luisita exempted.
THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTIONS
The constitution is the basic law of the land. It is sacred and must have to be defended by the people.
The nation, compared to a three-storey building, has the Constitution as its foundation, and as
such as it has to be strong and should stand the test of time. The Philippines had four
Constitutions framed by its people.

The constitution refers to “that body of rules and principles in accordance with which the powers of
sovereignty are regularly exercised.” The constitution serves as the supreme or fundamental law
and establishes basic framework and underlying principles of government. It speaks for the entire
population from whom it derives its claim to obedience.
 Understanding the Nature and Purpose or Function of
the Constitution

Constitution refers to that body of rules and principles in accordance with which the powers of
sovereignty are regularly exercised. Referring particularly to Philippine Constitution, it is defined
as the written instrument by which the fundamental powers of the government are established,
limited and defined by which these powers are distributed among the several departments or
branches for their safe and useful exercise for the benefit of the people.
 THE NATURE OF CONSTITUTION

1.
It serves as the supreme or
fundamental law and establishes
basic framework and underlying
principles of government.
2. 3.
It serves as framework of It governs all areas of
the social, economic and human endeavor
political life of the nation
 THE PURPOSE OF THE CONSTITUTION

CONSTITUTION

To prescribe the To assign the To establish certain To preserve and protect the
permanent different department basic principles on rights of individuals against
framework or the or branches, their which the the arbitrarily action of
system of the respective powers government is those in authority and its
government. and duties. founded. function is not to legislate
in detail but to set the limit
on the unlimited power of
the legislature.
CLASSIFICATION AND REQUISITES OF A
GOOD WRITTEN CONSTITUTION
Origin and History
Origin and History

Form
 Origin and History

Form

Manner of Amending
Constitution
REQUISITES OF A GOOD WRITTEN
CONSTITUITON
Brief
Brief

Broad
 Brief

Broad

Definite
 FIRST CONGRESS

The Malolos Constitution: Background of its Framing

Emilio Aguinaldo returned to the Philippines in 1898, establishing a temporary Dictatorial

Government. He proclaimed Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite, and later
changed the government to a Revolutionary Government. The new government had a
strong executive branch with four department heads. The Spanish government provided
amnesty, monetary, and indemnity to Aguinaldo and his fellow revolutionists in return
for voluntary exile. The Philippine Revolution ended with the signing of the Pact of
Biac-na-Bato.
 The Malolos Congress

The Malolos Congress was inaugurated on September 15, 1898, at the Barasoain Church.
It was created with elected delegates and appointed for provinces not liberated from
Spaniards. Congress's powers included overseeing the Philippine people's interests,
implementing revolutionary laws, discussing and voting on laws, approving treaties
and loans, and examining finance accounts.
 The Framing of the Malolos Constitution

The Malolos Constitution, drafted by Pedro A. Paterno, Felipe Buencamino, and Felipe
Calderon, was the first document in Philippine history. It was based on Aguinaldo's June 18,
1898 decree and was drafted by Joaquin Gonzales and Felipe Calderon. The committee,
consisting of Pedro Paterno, Pablo Tecson, and Pablo Ocampo, was responsible for the
draft. The Constitution, also known as the Political Constitution of the State, was ratified on
June 12, 1898, and passed several laws, including borrowing 20 million Pesos for
government expenses, constructing universities, creating the Philippines Constitution, and
declaring war against the Americans. The Malolos Constitution was presented by President
Emilio Aguinaldo on January 21, 1899, marking the first significant document in Philippine
history and initiating the separation of church and state.
 SECOND CONSTITUTION
The 1935 Constitution
The 1935 Constitution, considered one of the noblest documents written by Filipinos, was drafted and
approved by two Commissions during the American military regime. The Schurman Commission,
led by Dr. Jacob Schurman, aimed to survey Philippine conditions and achieve peaceful extension
of American sovereignty. However, due to the war between Filipinos and the Americans, the
Commission failed. The Taft Commission, led by Judge William H. Taft, was more successful and
remained in the Philippines from 1900 to 1902, enacting 499 laws. Despite these efforts, the
Filipinos' strong desire for freedom persisted, leading to the enactment of suppressive laws like the
Sedition Law and the Flag Law. In 1912, Francis Burton Harrison became the new governor-
general, and the Jones Law in 1916 paved the way for independence. The Tydings-McDuffie Act,
signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, established the process for the Philippines'
independence and limited Filipino immigration to the United States.
 The Constitution Convention

The Tydings-McDuffie Act established a Constitutional Convention in the Philippines to draft the
country's constitution. The legislature elected 202 delegates and submitted proposals to the
convention. The final draft was approved by the Convention on February 8, 1935, with a 177 to 1
vote. The birth of the second constitution was a peaceful battle for Philippine independence, with
Filipino politicians expressing differing views on independence. The Tydings-McDuffie Law,
passed by the American Congress, was approved by the Filipinos.
 THE THIRD CONSTITUTION
The 1973 Philippine Constitution
The 1935 Constitution of the Philippines was drafted during the Philippines' colonial period
and was not responsive to the country's needs. In 1971, Resolution No. 2, s. 1967 was
approved, leading to the election of a delegate to the Constitutional Convention.
However, the convention was interrupted by Martial Law in 1972, and a plebiscite was
cancelled. Instead, President Marcos instituted barangay citizen assemblies to ratify the
new Constitution by referendum. The 1973 Constitution was ratified by the Filipino
people, and the 1935 Constitution became irrelevant as the Philippines became an
independent country. Some allegations suggest that the change was for President
Marcos' personal gain, allowing him to extend his rule over the country.
 Amendments to the 1973 Constitution

1. The 1976 amendment contained several other provisions such as Pres. Marcos would also become
the Prime Minister, thus, he would exercise the powers of both the executive and the legislative
and when he deemed it necessary, he was authorized to make laws outside the parliament. This
makes him more powerful since he can make law and execute it almost at the sametime without
the approval of the members of the legislation.

2. The 1980 amendment was the extension of the retirement age of the members of the judiciary from
65 to 70.

3. The 1981 amendment states that the President as head of state and chief executive may run for as
many as six-year terms as he wished.
 FOURTH CONSTITUTION
THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

Following the 1986 coup d'etat by Juan Ponce Enrile and Fidel Ramos, EDSA People Power overthrew
President Ferdinand Marcos, leading to the establishment of a transitional revolutionary
government. Corazon C. Aquino was elected President and issued Proclamation No. 3,
establishing the Freedom Constitution. The Constitution was ratified by the Filipino people in a
plebiscite, and is still used today. However, there is a call for a new constitution to address the
country's problems.
CONCLUSION:

The history of land reform in the Philippines is marked by exploitative systems

introduced by Spanish colonial rule, which continued during American rule. Land
reform measures started in the post-World War II era, culminating in the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in 1988 under President Corazon
Aquino. The 1987 Philippine Constitution addresses agrarian reform. Challenges
persist, including land concentration and resistance from landowners, and
discussions about constitutional changes are ongoing.
THANK YOU!