This document discusses politics and governance in the Philippines from the pre-Spanish period through the Spanish colonial period. In the pre-Spanish era, there were diverse systems of governance ranging from classless societies to principalities ruled by datus. During the Spanish period, indigenous political systems were replaced by Spanish colonial rule, with communities arranged according to the reduccion policy around colonial institutions like churches and municipal halls. The governor general led the colony, with local leaders like alcaldes below him in the hierarchy. Some aspects of traditional leadership continued despite changes introduced during colonial times that still influence modern Philippine politics and governance.

1. Politics in the Pre-Spanish to Spanish Period
Prepared by: Cherrylyn T. Magano, LPT

2. Objective
At the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:
1. Describe Philippine politics and governance from the pre-
colonial period to Spanish period;
2. Identify similarities and differences between today’s politics
and the experiences and processes of politics in the past.
3. Discuss the changes in Philippine politics and governance; and
4. Asses the effects of the colonial experience of the country in
its present politics and governance

3. A Glimpse Back
Write down five attributes of a good government and
discuss why each is important

4. Test your Stock Knowledge
There are two main concepts or process that Spaniards used in
conquering and ruling the natives of this archipelago. Divide et
empera and reduccion. Explain each concept.
1. Divide et empera
2. Reduccion

5. Two misconceptions about Philippine politics
that must be corrected

6. 1. There was no politics in the Philippines prior to colonization
period.
2. Every issue or problem we have in politics and governance was
caused by colonization.

7. Empower yourself
Politics during the pre-colonial Philippines was as diverse as the
heterogeneous cultural character of the country and by extension,
the region of Southeast Asia.

8. 4 Types of Filipino unhispanished societies in the country by
Scott (1979)

9. Classless Societies
• The communities that are so small that they do not have the need
to elect a leader
• The need for a leader only comes with the facilitating of hunting ,
but after every expedition, the appointed leader losses his power.

10. Warrior Societies
• Defined as warrior class who are also appointed leaders for
legislation, inter-ethnic relations, and judicial matters.
• Relatively larger than the first and have more or less hostile
relations with other groups, thus the need for the warrior class.

11. Petty plutocracies
• There is a clear division of economic class. In most instances, the
ruler of such communities comes from the privileged class.
• Being a ruler means having proven oneself to be of service to
the community.

12. Principalities
• There is a clear class of leaders through the datus or sultan.
• These communities follow political organization that was
brought by Islam and is the strongest and most organized
political entity in Philippine pre-colonial history(Scott 1979).

13. We are able to see that pre-colonial politics was molded by
community needs and the external influences of the Muslims
and the Indian traders and settlers in the country.
During the colonial period, the areas and the groups in the
Philippines that the Spaniards were able to occupy and influence
have experienced a radical change in politics and governance.

14. Indigenous political systems in hispanized areas were removed
and replaced by the colonial form of government for easier
management.
Hispanized areas in the Philippines became tied to the
government in Spain with the King as a head, followed by the
viceroy in Latin America (Gripaldo et al 2005)

15. Communities were arranged according to the reduccion policy
that centralized settlements around colonial institutions, such
as the church and municipal halls.
The governor general became the head of the colony, followed
by the alcaldes and corregimientos, governadorcillos and
cabeza de barangays(Gripaldo et al. 2005)

16. Analysis Guide
1. Which of the four types of traditional societies is similar to the
present political system of the country? Explain your answer.
2. Why did certain perceptions of leadership and system of politics
continue from the past to present?
3. To what extent did the Spaniards affects the governance of the
Philippines both during their time and the present year system?
Explain your answer.