PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNACE

1. MODULE 5: HISTORICAL
DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE
DEMOCRATIC POLITICS

2. THEE DEVELOPMET OF PHILIPPINE
GOVERNMENT
- The evolution of Philippine politics may be presented through the various historical periods that
the country has undergone. The discussion will be divided as follows:
1. precolonial period ( before 1565)
2. Spanish period ( 1565- 1898)
3. revolutionary period ( 1868- 1898)
4. American period ( 1898-n1941)
5. Japanese occupation ( 1941- 1945)
6. postwar era or the third Philippine republic ( 1946- 1971)
7. martial law era ( 1972- 1981) and the fourth republic ( 1981- 1986)
8. post- EDSA or the fifth republic ( 1986- present)

3. PRECOLONIAL PERIOD
 Even before the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines in 1521, there already existed a system of
governance in precolonial Philippines.
 Back then, the Philippines was an archipelago organized into several independent and self-
sufficient political units known as the BARANGAY.
 This unit is headed by a chief as the DATU.
 Present also during the precolonial times was the system of stratification. The stratification was
based on class, which include:
a. nobility( maharlika)
b. freeman ( timawa)
c. the serf ( aliping namamahay)
d. the slaves ( aliping sagigilid)

4. SPANISH PERIOD
 Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines in 1521 became the
Spanish crown’s basis for the occupation of the archipelago.
 Thereafter, a number of expeditions were sent to formally colonize the
archipelago.
 However, it was only during Miguel de Lopez conquest of the islands
in1565 did the formal establishment of a colonial government take place.

5.  The precolonial government was characterized by independent barangay, the Spaniards consolidated
power under a centralized government which was led by the GOVERNOR- GENERAL.
 With his authority based in Manila( intramuros), the governor- general was likewise an all powerful
individual.
 Recognizing the influence of the datus for the easier pacification of natives, the Spaniards appointed the
chieftains as the CABEZA DE BARANGAY.
 The unified barangays composed the pueblos or town which were led by the GOBERNADORCILLO (
LITTLE GOVERNOR).
 The consolidated towns then form into provinces which could be categorized into two:
a. alcaldia- provinces fully subjugated headed by ALCALDE MAYOR.
B. corregimiento- provinces that were not entirely pacified under spansh authority led by
CORREGIDOR.
- ROYAL AUDIENCIA- is an independent body created to hear and solve cases.
- audiencias were established in MANILA, CEBU, VIGAN.

6. REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD
 The PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT, led by key figures such as Jose Rizal , Marcelo H. del Pilar and
Graciano Lopez Jaena advocated reforms such that the same rights and freedoms being enjoyed
in Spain would also be granted to Filipinos.
 They also wrote novels, manifestos and articles that called for reforms.
 However, the failure of the propaganda to initiate changes in the society gave birth to a secret
association (KKK).

7.  As an organization, the katipunan adopted its own form of government,which had national and
local levels.
 The katipunan was governed by the:
1. kataastaasang sanggunian( supreme council) – which was composed of the president,
secretary/ies, treasurer and fiscal.
2. sngguniang balangay ( provincial council)
3. sangguniang bayan ( popular council )
4. sangguniang hukuman ( judicial council)

8.  Events, however, led to the division of the kaatipunan into two factions:
a. the Magdalo
b. Magdiwang
- On march 22, 1897, the Tejeros Convention was called, where Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as
President.
- On November 1, 1897, Aguinaldo established the BIAK- NA- BATO REPUBLIC. Its constitution declared the
creation of an independent Philippine state.

9. AMERICAN PERIOD
 The signing of the TREATY OF PARIS signaled the end of the Spanish- American war.
 The treaty involved United States payment of $20 million to Spain after the latter ceded all as
imperial possessions including Puerto Rico, Guam and Philippines.
 WILLIAM H. TAFT became the first civil governor of the Philippines. The civil governor acte as the
head of the executive branch and also exercised legislative powers as the head of the Philippine
Commission, a lawmaking body whose members were all appointed.

10.  In 1902, the Philippine Act( cooper act) was enacted which provide for the creation of a Philippine
legislature.
 By 1916, the Philippine Autonomy Act( Jones law) provided for the reorganization of the Philippine
legislature into a fully elected and Filipino- controlled bicameral body.
 Until in 1934, tydings- McDuffie Act ( Philippine Independent Act) was ratified by the US Congress.
 It established the Philippine Commonwealth, which provided for a 10- year transition period that
would prepare the Filipinos for self- governance.
 President Manuel Quezon and Vice President Sergio Osmena headed the first commonwealth
government.

11. JAPANESE PERIOD
 The Japanese occupation of Manila signaled the establishment of the Japanese Military
Administration on January 3, 1942.
 An initial move, the Japanese military forces established the Philippine Executive Commission
(PEC) a civil government that would temporary rule the country.
 In 1943, aa new constitution was promulgated and the Japanese sponsored Philippine Republic
was established.
 JOSE P. LAUREL served as its president, also called the SECOND REPUBLIC.
 Second Republic is commonly referred to as a PUPPET GOVERNMENT.

12. POSTWAR ERA
 The structure of postwar Philippine politics and government was founded on the 1935
constitution.
 The first president of the third republic was Manuel Roxas, followd by Elpidio Quirino, Ramon
Magsaysay, Carlos P. Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal and the first term of Ferdinand Marcos
 Marcos second term saw changes in the governmental structure and the ratification of a new
constitution in 1973.

13. MARTIAL LAW ERA AND THE FOURTH REPUBLIC
 In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos was elected to the presidency and his administration was
characterized by an :
A. INCREASED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY
B. MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
C. DEFINING DIPLOMATIC POLICY
In 1969, he ran for reelection and succeeded, making him the only president under the 1935
constitution to be elected for a second term.
That time, however the country was undergoing worsening economic condition, deteriorating peace
and order, social discontent and a growing communist insurgency.

14.  Under Marcos administration, a new constitution was adopted in 1973.
 The 1973 constitution provided that the Philippines will have a modified parliamentary form of
government.
 During Martial law, the political rights and civil liberties of the people as well as their human rights
were suppressed and violated.
 Marcos lifted martial law by 1981, he continued to exercise dictatorship powers.
 Calls to end his dictatorial regime brought Filipinos to take to the streets to participates in a
popular and nonviolent uprising called the EDSA PEOPLE POWER which osted Marcos and ended
his dictatorial rule.

15. POST- EDSA PERIOD
 The period from 1986 onward is the restoration of democracy. The fall of the dictatorship marked
the shift toward redemocratization and return to constitutionalism.
 A revolutionary government was created following Corazon Aquino’s ascent to presidency.
 When the new Philippine Constitution was ratified in 1987, a democratic and republican
government was established.
 The POST- EDSA era also known as the FIFTH REPBULIC.
 CORAZON AQUINO served as the first [resident of the fifth republic. Followed by FIDEL RAMOS,
JOSEPH ESTRADA after being dispose by the EDSA PEOPLE POWER II.
 ESTRADA was succeded by his vice president GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, followed by
BENIGNO AQUINO.
 Today, the Philippines is headed by RODRIGO DUTERTE, the first president to have hailed from
Mindanao.