PHILIPPINE POLITICAL HISTORY

From Pre-Colonial to the Post-Martial Law Period

Pre-Colonial Early Filipinos possessed a well-

organized political structure even before the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century.

Barangays, a Malay word “balangay” which means sailboat, are small self-sustaining communities consisted of 30 to 100 families.

Each barangay is independently ruled by a datu, raja, hari, or lakan.

Barangay Government

Chief

Barangay Government The position of barangay chieftain is a

hereditary position. In the absence of a legitimate son or

daughter of the deceased chieftain, the all noble and freemen elect their new chief, on the basis of:1. Wealth2. Strength3. Wisdom.

Barangay Government Aside from the right of the people to

choose their new chieftain, in cases necessary, the early barangay government manifested signs of democracy.

Albeit the great powers of the datu, they are not absolute. Hence, consultation with the elders or “Maginoo” is required in cases of: Declaration of war; Marriage of the lakan or lakambini;

Barangay Government

Entering of Inter-Barangay Alliance; Passage of new barangay laws; and Judgment of certain crimes.

Pre-Colonial: Social ClassesMaharlikas

Timawas

AlipinAliping NamamahayAliping Saguiguilid

Inter-Barangay Relations In order to protect themselves against

bigger and stronger barangays, some barangays entered into alliances or confederations. Usually, confederations existed because of: Military Protection; Trade; Marriages of the lakans and lakambinis.

Treaties were sealed by the traditional “sandugo” [one blood] or blood compact.

Arrival of the Spanish March 16, 1521, the Portuguese explorer and

commander of the Spanish Expedition, Ferdinand Magellan rediscovered the Philippine Islands.

March 17, 1521, the expedition first landed on a small uninhabited islet of Homonhon

March 18, 1521, the Spaniards first encountered the Filipino natives, bearing bananas, fish, coconuts and palm wine.

March 29, 1521, Raha Kolambu & Magellan made the first recorded blood compact between a native & a foreigner.

Arrival of the Spanish March 31, 1521, first Catholic Mass held

on the shores of Limasawa[?] April 7, 1521, Magellan landed on Cebu

& made a blood compact with Raja Humabon.

April 27, 1521, Magellan fought the forces of Lapu-Lapu and was killed during the battle.

Arrival of the Spanish After the Magellan Expedition, there were

five (5) more expeditions to the Orient:1. Loaisa – 15252. Cabot – 15263. Saavedra – 1527: Reached Mindanao but

failed to colonize4. Villalobos – 1542: Reached Mindanao but

failed to colonize. Named Mindanao “Cesarea Caroli” in honor of King Charles I of Spain. Named the Philippines “Islas Filipinas” in honor of then Crown Prince Philip.

5. Legazpi – 1564: Successful colonization.

Arrival of the Spanish February 13, 1565, Legazpi arrived in Cebu. February 22, Legazpi and Datu Urrau of Samar

entered into a blood compact. March 9, Legazpi landed in Limasawa and was

hospitably received by Datu Bankaw. March 16, Legazpi & Sikatuna entered into a

blood compact. After a few days, Legazpi did the same with Sigala.

April 27, Legazpi sailed back to Cebu and fought the defiant forces of Raja Tupas, who was defeated by the Spanish forces.

Period of Spanish Colonialism The Philippines was a part of the

Viceroyalty of Mexico. After the separation of Mexico from Spain in

1821 and until 1898, our country was directly ruled by Madrid, Spain, through the appointed colonial officers.

Being a part of the expansive colony of the Spanish empire, all affairs of the colonies, including the Philippines, were handled by the Council of the Indies.

Period of Spanish Colonialism The Council of the Indies was later

replaced by the Ministerio de Ultramar.

Minister of Colonies

Consejo de Filipinas• Deputy

Minister of Colonies

• Directors of the Ministry [Ex-Officio Member]

• 12 Regular Members appointed by the Spanish Crown

Philippine Colonial Government

Governor-General[Executive Powers]

National

Philippine Colonial Government

Alcaldia

Corregimiento

Ayuntamiento

Pueblo

Barrio

Era of Philippine Revolution Reasons for the early revolutions against

Spain:1. To regain lost freedom & happiness;2. To fight Spanish oppression;3. To denounce religious persecution;4. To struggle against tributes & forced

labor;5. Agrarian disputes;6. Wine monopoly.

Era of Philippine Revolution

Propaganda Movement Reforms Desired by the Propaganda

Movement1. Equality of Filipinos & Spaniards before

the law.2. Assimilation of the Philippines as a regular

province of Spain.3. Restoration of Philippine representation in

the Spanish Cortes.4. Filipinization of the Philippine parishes and

expulsion of the friars.5. Human rights for Filipinos.

The Katipunan Founded on the 7th of July, 1892 at

No. 72 Azcarraga St., Tondo, Manila.

Aims of the Katipunan:1. To unite the Filipinos; and2. To fight for Philippine Independence.

Independence through violent revolution.

The Katipunan Government

Katipunan MembershipBonifacio

Diwa

Plata

Convert

Convert

Bayani

Kawal

Katipun

The Philippine Revolution

August 26, 1896 – The Cry of Balintawak

August 30, 1896 – The Battle of San Juan

November 9-11, 1896 – Battles of Binakayan & Dalahican

Magdiwang & Magdalo Councils

King Andres Bonifacio

Vice-King Mariano Alvarez

Minister of War

Minis ter of Interior

Minis ter of Finance

Minister of Natural Resources

Captain General

President Baldomero Aguinaldo

Vice-President Edilberto Evangelista

Secretary of War

Sec. of Interior

Sec. Natural Resources

Sec. Agriculture

Lieutenant General

The Imus Assembly

Establishment of a revolutionary government under new elected officials.

Uniting the Magdalo & Magdiwang forces under a single command.

The Tejeros Assembly Same objectives of the Imus

Assembly. Controversial. Conflict-filled.

Result of the Tejeros Election

President Emilio Aguinaldo

Vice-President Mariano Trias

Captain General Artemio Ricarte

Director of War Emiliano Riego de Dios

Director of War Andres Bonifacio

Naic Revolutionary Assembly

President Emilio Aguinaldo

Vice-President Mariano Trias

Captain General Artemio Ricarte

Sec. Interior Pascual Alvarez

Sec. State Jacinto

Lumbreras

Sec. Finance Baldomero Aguinaldo

Sec. of Commerce &

Industry Mariano Alvarez

Sec. Justice Severino

delas Alas

Sec. War Emiliano Riego de

Dios

Bonifacio’s Execution Bonifacio vs. Aguinaldo in Limbon,

Indang, Cavite. May 5, 1897 – Bonifacio Bros. were

charged before the Court-Martial May 6, 1897 – the Council of War

rendered its decision recommending the death penalty.

May 8, 1897 – Aguinaldo commuted the death penalty of death to banishment to an isolated place.

May 10, 1897 – Andres & Procopio Bonifacio were executed by firing squad at Mount Hulog, Maragondon, Cavite.

Biak na Bato Assembly Under the Biak na Bato Asembly,

the Biak na Bato Republic was inaugurated and the Biak na Bato Constitution was promulgated.

The Constitution was patterned closely after the Cuban Constitution. It was written by Isabelo Artacho & Felix Ferrer.

Term of effectivity: Two years only.

It declared that the aim of the revolution was the separation into an independent state.

Government was vested to a Supreme Council, headed by a President, Vice-President, & four secretaries.

Executive power resided in the President, or in his absence, the Vice-President.

Judicial power was vested in a Supreme Council of Grace & Justice.

Official language of the Republic: Tagalog.

The Biak na Bato Constitution also contained a Bill of Rights to safeguard the human rights of the people.

Aguinaldo on Exile The Pact of Biaknabato was a peace

agreement between the Spanish Governor & General Aguinaldo. It declared the cessation of military actions between the 2 parties & the enactment of reforms and amnesty.

In accordance with the Pact of Biaknabato, entered between Governor Primo de Rivera & General Aguinaldo, Aguinaldo ceased all military actions, received in behalf of the Filipino people sum amount of monetary indemnity, and went abroad for exile.

Entry of the Americans to Philippine Soil

The Battle of Manila Bay

Filipino-American Collaboration

Aguinaldo’s Dictatorial Government When Aguinaldo was on exile, he

planned on establishing a Federal Republic of the Philippines. Mariano Ponce wrote the

Constitution in Hong Kong. Upon recommendation &

advice, Aguinaldo established a temporary dictatorial government on May 24, 1898.

Proclamation of Philippine Independence

June 12, 1898, Kawit, Cavite – the Philippine Independence was proclaimed & the country is to be governed by a dictatorial government. Formal unfurling of the Filipino Flag; Playing of the National Anthem; Reading & signing of the “Act of the

Declaration of Independence”.

June 23, 1898 – under the advise of Apolinario Mabini, Aguinaldo changed the dictatorial government into a revolutionary government.

End of Filipino-American Collaboration

August 18, 1898 – Manila was “captured” by the Filipino & American forces.

Treaty of Paris – Spain ceded the Philippines to the USA for the amount of $20 million.

The Malolos Congress Malolos Congress was inaugurated at

the Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan. The Congress was able to achieve the

following:1. Ratification of the Philippine Independence;2. Floating of a domestic loan of

P20,000,000.00 redeemable in 40 years after the date of issue;

3. Promulgation of the Malolos Constitution.

Malolos Constitution 3 Consitutional Drafts:

1. Mabini Plan: Constitutional Programme of the Philippine Republic;

2. Paterno Plan3. Calderon Plan – the draft which was

considered the best and later on approved by the Malolos Congress.

January 21, 1899 – Aguinaldo proclaimed the Malolos Constitution as the law of the land

Birth of the Philippine RepublicMalolos Republic – The first Philippine Republic It was the first republic in Asia. January 23, 1899 Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan.

It lasted for 2 years, 1 month & 10 days.

America’s Rule“The Philippines are

ours, not to exploit, but to develop, to civilize, to

educate, to train in the science of self-

government.” – US Pres. Mckinley

Philippine Democratization

Military Government• The Military

Governor governed the country under the direct authority of the US President as Commander-in-Chief of the USAF.

• 1898-1901

The Philippine Commission• Tasked to make a

survey if the Philippine conditions & to achieve the peaceful extension of American sovereignty in the country

• Schurman Commission

• Taft Commission

Civil Government• By virtue of the

Spooner Amendment, the authority to govern the Philippines passed from the President to Congress.

• Filipinos were given greater participation in the governance of the country.

Commonwealth Government• Tydings-Mcduffie

Law authorized the Philippine Legislature to call a Constitutional Convention to draft the constitution of the Philippines.

• The 1935 Constitution was written, passed, and ratified during this period.

Japanese Occupation

Japanese Military Administration• Established on

January 3, 1942.• Created for the

purpose of supervising the political, economic, & cultural affairs of the Philippines

The Philippine Executive Commission• Following the last

instructions of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, the Filipino leaders were forced to “collaborate” with the Japanese in order to save more Filipino lives.

Japanese-Sponsored Republic• “Withdrawal” of the

Japanese Military Administration

• Although Filipinos were occupying the official posts, Japanese “advisers” were always stationed in their offices to supervise.

Independence & the Third Republic Roxas Administration: began the

rehabilitation & reconstruction of the war-ravaged Philippines. Established a pro-American policy. Supported the Parity Amendment

Quirino Administration: continued economic reconstruction of the nation and the restoration of the faith & confidence of the people in the government. Hukbalahap insurgency grew stronger.

Magsaysay Administration: 1st President to improve the conditions of the barrios & the indiscriminate slaughter of carabaos. SEATO was established. Laurel-Langley Agreement between the

Philippines & the US was concluded. It provided for the gradual abolition of free trade between the US and the Philippines.

Reparation Agreement with Japan was signed. It provided that Japan would pay reparations for the destruction committed by the Japanese forces during WWII totalling $300,000,000 for 25 years.

Garcia Administration: strengthened Philippine democracy revived Filipino culture. Adopted the “Filipino First” policy to promote

greater Filipino participation in business. Macapagal Administration:

the agricultural Land Reform Code was enacted. Propagation of the Filipino Language. Independence day was changed from July 4 to

June 12. Officially filed a claim over Sabah, North Borneo. Formation of MaPhilIndo.

Marcos Administration: 1st Term

1. Stabilization of government finance2. Greater production of rice by promoting the

cultivation of “miracle rice”, the construction of more irrigation systems & giving financial & technical assistance to the farmers.

3. Building of more roads & bridges, school houses & other public works.

4. Intensive drive against smuggling, crime syndicates, and the communist NPA.

2nd Administration Problems:

1. Prevalence of dirty politics2. Rampage of graft & corruption3. Widening gap between the rich &

the poor4. Impotency of the 1935 Philippine

Constitution to cope with the new socio-economic problems of the times

5. Rising tide of communism, crime & subversion.

Martial Law Regime 9:00pm September 22, 1972 – Proclamation 1081

was implemented. 1973 Constitution was finally passed, adopted, &

ratified.1. Establishment of a Parliamentary Government.2. Legislative power was vested in a unicameral

National Assembly.3. Emphasis on the duties & obligations of citizens, as

well as their rights & duty to vote.4. Parity rights was terminated.5. Marcos was given the power to legally exercise

legislative powers & his term was to be extended beyond 1973.

The New Society The conquest of mass poverty & the

democratic distribution of wealth & property. Land reform is considered as the greatest

achievement of President Marcos under martial law.

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) was established.

Tax reforms were implemented quadrupling the government revenue from Php5.3 Billion to Php19.2 Billion.

January 17, 1981 – Proclamation 2045, ended the 8 years & 4 months of martial law in the Philippines.

June 30, 1981 – Marcos inaugurated the “New Republic”, history-wise is the 4th Philippine Republic.

Restoration of Democracy in the Philippines Vox populi, vox dei. During the transitory government of

Aquino, she promulgated the Provisional Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines or the “Freedom Constitution”.

June 2, 1986 – Constitutional Commission for the framing of a new Constitution was created.

February 2, 1987 – Constitution was ratified by the people.

CONCEPT OF THE CONSTITUTION

Definition

[T]hat body of rules & maxims in accordance with which the powers of sovereignty are regularly exercised. (Cooley, as cited by I. Cruz, Consti. Law)

Purpose

1. To prescribe the permanent framework of a system of government;

2. To assign to the several departments their respective powers & duties, &

3. To establish certain first fixed principles on which government is founded.

Supremacy of the Constitution

The Constitution is SUPREME. No act shall be valid, however

noble its intentions, if it conflicts with the Constitution. [Supremacy of the Constitution must prevail.]

Classification

Written

Unwritten

Evolved

EnactedRigidFlexible

Written

RigidConventional

Essential Qualities of the Written Constitution

Constitution

Broad Brief Definite

Essential Parts of the Written Constitution

Constitution

Constitution of Liberty

Constitution of GovernmentConstitution of

Sovereignty