aTRANSITION OF PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT

PRE – SPANISH ERA

o Prior to the arrival of Spaniards, the Philippines was composed of settlements or villages.
o Each called barangay (consisting of more or less 100 families)
o Barangay is named after BALANGAY
o Balangay is a Malayan word it means “boat”
o Thereby confirming the theory that the early Filipinos came to the Philippines on boat.

DATU/RAJAH/SULTAN/HADJI- ruled the barangay

ROLE OF A DATU
o Chief executive
o Law-giver
o Chief judge
o Military head
Maginoos/Council of Elders – which served as advisers of the Datu.

WRITTEN LAWS/ TWO FAMOUS CODES IN PRE – SPANISH ERA

 Maragtas Code - Datu Sumakwel of Panay
 Kalantiaw Code- Datu Kalantiaw of Panay
UNWRITTEN LAWS – consist of customs and traditions which had been passed down from generation
to generation.

SOCIAL CLASSES IN BARANGAY

1. Maharlika – the nobility (to which the Datu belonged)
2. Timawa – the freemen
3. Aliping Namamahay – the Serfs
4. Aliping Sagigilid – the Slaves

SPANISH PERIOD

Spanish Colonial Government

o Philippines was indirectly governed by the King of Spain through Mexico
o Reason is the distance between Spain and Philippines
o When Mexico obtained her independence from Spain, the Philippines was directly governed by
Spain
Council of Ultramar – Counlcil of Ministers who temporarily performed legislation as replacement of the
Council of the Indies which were abolished.

Unitary Government – government which Spain established in the Philippines was centralized in
structure and national in scope.

Pueblos- towns
Gobernadorcillo – little governor/ capitan
Ayuntamiento – City Council

GOVERNOR GENERAL –enjoyed more powers than the King of Spain due to the distance of Spain from
Philippines.

POWERS AS GOVERNOR GENERAL

o Administrative
o Executive
o Legislative
o Judicial Powers

POWER AS CAPTAIN GENERAL - Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces in the Philippines

POWER AS VICE ROYAL PATRON – exercised certain religious powers`

MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGASPI – first Spanish Governor- General

DIEGO DE LOS RIOS – last Spanish Governor General

Government during revolutionary era

Katipunan Government (KKK)

 Organized by Andres Bonifacio
 signed the covenant of the Katipunan with their own blood
 the first clear break from Spanish rule
 ultimate goal is to establish a free and sovereign Philippines

Tejeros Convention
 replacement of KKK
  headed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
 first government to unify all rebel forces

Biak-na-Bato Republic
 now San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan
 had a constitution which was to take effect for two years only
 aim was to separate the Philippines from Spanish Monarchy and their formation into an
independent state.

TREATY OF PARIS - an agreement between Spain and USA during their outbreak
- agreement that the Philippines was ceded by Spain to the United States

Dictatorial Government
 established by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
 following the outbreak of the Spanish – American war
 greates achievement was the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at Kawit, Cavite
 proclamation dated on June 12, 1898

Revolutionary Government
 established on June 29, 1898
 replacement of the dicatorial government
 Gen. Aguinaldo was the president and a congress
 Aims of the new government were “to struggle for the independence of the Philippines until all
nations including Spain will expressly recognize it”.
 And to prepare the country for the establishment of a real Republic

FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC

THE BIRTH OF MALOLOS CONSTITUTION
 Ratified the revolutionary government
 September 29, 1898 in Malolos Bulacan
 First democratic constitution ever promulgated in the whole Asia
 Establish a free and independent Philippine Republic
 Inaugurated on January 23, 1899
 General Emilio Aguinaldo as President defining its structure and vision
 Gen. Aguinaldo was captured
 The Republic was short-lived, its independence cut short
 Had no opportunity to operate

Government during american regime

Military Government
 American Military rule the Philippines on August 14, 1898 the day after the capture of Manila
 Existence of war gave the President of the United States the power to establish military
government
 He was the Commander-in-Chief of all Armed Forces of the United States
 His authority was delegated to the Military Governor who exercised all powers of government as
long as war lasted.
Three American Military Governor
1. General Wesley Merritt
2. General Elwell E. Otis
3. General Arthur MacArthur

Civil Government
 Jones Law of 1916 new oragnic and kbasic law of the Philippines
 It promised in its preamble to grant the Philippines independence as soon as the Filipinos could
establish stable government.
 First Civil Governor was Judge William H. Taft
 Frank Murphy last Governor General

Commonwealth Government
 Tydings Mcduffie Law
 Provided for a transition period of ten years
 Expiration is July 4, 1946

1935 Constitution
 First National Election on September 12, 1935
 Manuel L. Quezon – President
 Sergio Osmena – Vice President
 Republican in form
 Presidential type
 Legislative was first unicameral
  Later on changed to Bicameral
 Very autonomous
 Filipinos had almost complete control over the domestic affairs
 United States retaining control over foreign affairs

PARITY RIGHTS- amendment of 1935 constitution stating that American should have also
equal rights like Filipinos.
 General Douglas MacArthur turned over to President Osmena the full powers and responsibilities
of the commonwealth government under 1935 constitution.

Japanese occupation

JAPANESE MILITARY ADMINISTRATION

 Establish on Manila on January 3, 1942 one day after its occupation
 Under a proclamation issued by the Japanese High Comman
 The United States sovereignty over the Philippines was terminated

PHILIPPINE EXECUTIVE COMMISSION

 Also known as Civil Government
 Compsed of Filipinos
 Jorge B. Vargas as a chairman
 Organized by military forces of occupation
 Exercised both legislative and executive powers

JAPANESE SPONSORED REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

 Inagurated on October 14, 1943
 Inagurated with Jose P. Laurel as President
 Same character as the PEC
 August 17, 1945 dissolution of this republic

Previous philippine republics

1. Malolos Constitution – January 23, 1899
2. Japanese Sponsored Constituion – October 14, 1943
3. 1935 Constitution – July 4, 1946
4. 1973 Constitution – June 30, 1981