Historical development of Philippine Politics is one of the essential learning competencies in the Politics and Governance subject of HUMSS students

1. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
OF PHILIPPINE
POLITICS
Gytzy Mae Castillo

2. • Analyze the evolution of Philippine politics and
governance

3. • Before the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan,
the Philippines was split into
numerous barangays, small states that
were linked through region-wide trade
networks.
• The name "barangay" is thought to come
from the word balangay, which refers to
boats used by the Austronesian people to
reach the Philippines.

4. • These societies had three classes: the
Nobles (Maharlika), Freemen (Timawas),
and Slaves (Alipin).
• The head or the leader was called a datu or
Rajah who was assisted by elders in the
community. He was the chief executive, law
giver, chief judge and military head.
• The Datu or Rajah came from the Maharlika
class.

5. • The first large state was Sulu, which
adopted Islam in the 15th century.
• This system then spread to the
nearby Sultanate of Maguindanao and
the Kingdom of Maynila.
• Ferdinand Magellan's death in 1521 can be
partly attributed to a dispute between Lapu-
Lapu and Rajah Humabon for control of
Cebu.

6. • Spanish Captain-General Miguel López de
Legazpi established a settlement in Cebu in
1565.
• Maynila was conquered in 1571, and
• Manila subsequently became the center of
Spanish administration.
• Spain gradually conquered the majority of
the modern Philippines, although full control
was never established over some Muslim
areas in the south and in the Cordillera
highlands

7. • The Philippines was governed indirectly by
the King of Spain through the Viceroy of
Mexico.
• When Mexico, also a former colony of Spain
gained freedom in the 1821, the Philippines
was ruled directly by Spain until 1898.
• The government established in the
Philippines was centralized. The national
government was headed by Spanish
Governor General, who was appointed by the
King of Spain.

8. • The Governor-General was at times called
the “Representative of the King of Spain” or
the “Little King in the Philippines.”
• In theory, the Governor-General was the
highest government official, in practice
though frailocracy “rule of the friars” existed
thus overpowering the governor-general.

9. • Below the national government:
Alcadia (provinces) – headed by Alcalde Mayor
Pueblos (towns) – led by Gobernadorcillo (little
governor)
Barangays – led by the Cabeza de Barangay
• Andres Bonifacio organized the Katipunan, a
secret revolutionary organization.

10. • Katipunan
 its aim was a complete separation from Spain
 It precipitated the Philippine Revolution on
August 26, 1896
 It was replaced by another government when
it was discovered by Spanish authorities.
 The new government was headed by Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo as President in the Tejeros
Convention held on March 22-23, 1897.

11. • Biak-na Bato Republic
 Created by Gen. Aguinaldo on Nov. 1, 1897.
 Its aim was separation from Spain and
formation of the Philippines as an
independent State.
 Existed until December 15, 1897, with the
signing of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato
 It resulted to the exile of Aguinaldo and his
men to Hong Kong provided that Gen. Primo
de Rivera would pay $800,000.

12.  On May 24, 1898, Gen. Aguinaldo established a
dictatorial government when he returned from his
exile in Hing Kong.
 Notable achievements of the Dictatorial gov’t.:
1. the Proclamation of the Phil. Independence in
Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.
2. the reorganization of local governments.
 A Revolutionary Government replaced the Dictatorial
government still with Gen. Aguinaldo as the head.
 On January 23, 1899, the first Philippine Republic
was establish with Gen. Aguinaldo as the President.

13. • The Americans started the military rule in the
Philippines on August 14, 1898.
• The President of the US (William McKinley)
delegated his authority to the military
governor who exercised all the powers of the
government (as long as the war lasted) –
executive, legislative and judiciary.
• The Spooner Agreement ended the military
regime in the Philippines.
• It was changed into civil government headed
by a Civil Governor on July 4, 1901.

14. • The title was later changed to Governor
General on Feb. 6, 1905.
• The Governor General has legislative
powers, and he was the President of the
Philippine Commission from 1901-1907.
• 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 Phil. Bill of 1902) as
the lower chamber.

15. • The Jones Law of 1916 which became the
fundamental law for the Philippines vested
the legislative power in an all-Filipino
lawmaking body composed of the Philippine
Senate and the House of the
Representatives.

16. • The Tydings-McDuffie Law in 1934
established the Commonwealth Government.
• It was a form of government in transition
toward independence.
• It provided for a ten-year transition period
after which the Philippine independence
would be proclaimed and established.
• Commonwealth government was inaugurated
on Nov. 15, 1935.

17. • The first national election in the country was held
on Sept. 12, 1935.
• Manuel L. Quezon was the President, and his
Vice-President was Sergio Osmeña.
• The Commonwealth gov’t. functioned in exile
during World War II in Washington, USA, from May
13, 1942 to October 3, 1944, after which it was re-
established in Manila on Feb. 27, 1945.
• The USA turned over to a Filipino President the full
powers and responsibilities of the Commonwealth
Government under the 1935 Constitution.

18. • 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.
• The Philippine Executive Commission had
legislative and executive powers but laws
enacted though were subject to approval by
the Commander-In-Chief of the Japanese
forces.

19. • On October 14, 1943, the Japanese-
sponsored Philippine Republic with Jose P.
Laurel as the President was inaugurated.
• The ultimate source of authority was the
Japanese administrators.
• It was dissolved on August 17, 1945.

22. THANK YOU!