PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE
INTRODUCTION: THE CONCEPT OF POLITICS AND
GOVERNANCE
Module 5
LESSON 5 – Evolution of Philippine Politics and
Governance
PRE - COLONIAL PERIOD
- The Negritos, the Indonesians, and the Malays
race of origin, they were believed to be the first
migrant tribes to reach the country
- The Pre-colonial period of the Philippines had a
rich political landscape consisting of polities.
- In strengthening societies was to make alliances
and networks rather than territorial conquest in
expanding their political power.
- Trades and commerce prospered as described
and documented in other countries whose early
traders were rich the Philippines.
- Barrow (2011) described that the early political
and social life of Filipinos was so weak. He said
that, in the Philippines, there were no large
states, or even great rajas and sultans such as
those found in the Malay Archipelago, but
instead on every island was a multitude of small
communities, each independent of the other
and frequently waging war.
- When the Spaniards arrived in the country, they
learned the presence of chieftains (Hari, Datu,
or Sultan) in every polity they encounter.
- small communities are called and organized as
Barangay (Balangay) and Sultanate, which with
about thirty to one hundred families.
- The chieftain is the one responsible in decision-
making, covering all aspects (social, cultural,
spiritual, and political) that affect their
community life.
- The responsibility of decision making means it
covers the power of Executive, Legislative, and
Judiciary
- The presence of a community head or leader
signifies the existence of a law.
- There was then a written or an oral Law
followed obediently. Examples of these were
the Maragtas Code by Datu Sumaktel of Panay
(1250), the Code of Kalantiaw in 1433, Kor an,
and the Sunnah.
THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION
- On August 30, 1896, Spanish Governor-General
Ramon Blanco placed the eight provinces of
Philippines under martial law, namely Manila,
Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna,
Batangas, and Nueva Ecija.
- a. It was because of the uprising of hundreds of
rebels and Katipuneros led by Andres Bonifacio
aiming for independence started at the Cry of
Pugad Lawin. Following Bonifacio's death in
1897, the Katipunan was headed by Emilio
Aguinaldo.
- How did the war end? The answer is Pack of the
Biak – na – Bato on December 15, 1897. It was a
truce that brings Aguinaldo's exile in Hong Kong.
However, in 1889, war broke out between the
United States of America and Spain. Aguinaldo
returned to the Philippines together with the
Americans signaling the resumption of
Revolution against Spain on May 19, 1898.
THE AMERICAN PERIOD and THE FIRST PHILIPPINE
REPUBLIC
- On August 13, 1889, the Mock Battle of Manila
As the Filipinos were hoping for independence, the
between America and Spanish forces happened.
Second World War broke out on December 8, 1941.
- It was a fact that in the Treaty of Paris, America
paid $20,000,000 to Spain in exchange for the - The aggressive Japanese tried to invade the
Philippines. Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine Philippines. That prompted President Manuel L.
independence at Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898 Quezon with his Cabinet left for the United
(known as the Philippine provisionary States.
government). - First President of the Second Republic, Dr. Jose
- On January 4, 1899, American President P. Laurel, regretted becoming one of them.
McKinley sends a special message to General - While the Japanese thought of winning the war,
Otis stating American sovereignty must be Filipino organized into groups called guerillas
recognized in the Philippines without and once again join forces with the Americans.
conditions. However, Filipinos longed for - The largest guerilla group formed was called the
independence so much that they fear for other HUKBALAHAP (People's Anti-Japanese Army) led
colonizers to invade again. by Luis Taruc
- Declaration of war between the Philippines and
THE THIRD, FOURTH, & FIFTH REPUBLICS
America happened. During those days, the
revolutionary government was drafting the - July 4, 1946, is the day of the inauguration of
Malolos Constitution until the inauguration of the Third Philippine Republic. Hence, from 1946
the Republic on January 23, 1899. to 1962, they celebrated Independence Day on
- Agoncillo commented that the Malolos that date. But in 1964, Congress assigned June
constitution is the first important Filipino 12 of every year as the date on which we
document ever produced by the people's celebrate Philippine Independence. That was to
representatives. It creates a Filipino state that commemorate June 12, 1898, the Proclamation
its government is popular, representative, and of Philippine Independence at Kawit, Cavite. But
responsible. It has also three distinct branches - July 4 was remembered as Republic Day.
the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.
- Aguinaldo was defeated and captured
eventually in Palanan, Cagayan. He remained
President of the Philippine First Republic until
June of 1901.
