Republika ng Pilipinas
Pang-Estadong Unibersidad ng Pangasinan
Kolehiyo ng Panggurong Edukasyon
Unang Semestre A.T. 2023-2024
POLITICS
GE 05: Contemporary World
Submitted by:
Clarissa Balodong
Jian Brylle Castrence
Trisha Cusion
Roman De Guzman
Mysseren Valencerina
II – BSEd FILIPINO
Submitted to:
Ma’am Alexies Claire Raoet
Instruktor
History of Philippine politics
Politics has existed as long as humans have faced scarcity, have had different beliefs and
preferences, and have had to resolve these differences while allocating scarce resources. It will
continue to exist so long as these human conditions persist—that is, forever. Politics are
fundamental to the human condition.
Politics means different things to different people. Politics, and related terms like political
and politician, can have both positive and negative connotations. The Greek philosopher Aristotle
argued that humans were “political animals” in that only by engaging in politics could humans
reach their highest potential. Yet often, the terms political and politician can be used in disparaging
ways to refer to individuals using trickery or manipulation to obtain or preserve their status or
authority. More formally, a politician is someone running for an elective office or serving in it or as
a person who is using the skills of a politician in other social interaction. A political actor is anyone
who is engaged in political activity. Politics involves all the actions of the government and all the
people who work for, serve, or challenge it.
Political scientist named Harold Lasswell defined politics as “who gets what, when, how.”
Politics exists wherever people interact with one another to make decisions that affect them
collectively. Politics exists within families. When parents decide where the family will live:
politics. The family (who) gets a place to live (what) at the point of decision (when) based on the
parents’ choice (how). When your school decides what tuition to charge: politics. When the
government imposes taxes or funds education: politics. Most generally, politics is any interaction
among individuals, groups, or institutions that seek to arrive at a decision about how to make a
collective choice, or to solve some collective problem. Political science focuses primarily on these
interactions as they involve governments.
POLITICS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Politics in the Philippines has traditionally been dominated by clans and political bosses
and patronage and is characterized by law makers that make decisions based on fiscal incentives
rather than beliefs and voters that make choices based on personality rather than reasoned policies.
Under the traditional “utang na loob” system of patronage, or obligation earned through favors,
voters expect money or jobs in return for their political support. In many cases, politician’s
performance was based on dole-outs not on programs or policies. Philippine concepts about debt
repayment and kinship responsibilities play a major role in how political networks are set up and
run.
Personalities are more important than parties in Philippine politics. Movie stars and other
celebrities have enjoyed considerable success. In addition, several prominent families play a
disproportionate role in politics. The support of the military and the Catholic church are key to
political survival and success in the Philippines. Promises are generally not kept. Arroyo, for
example, pledged to bring cheap power to the poor as a campaign pledge and then doubled power
rates after she was elected. She also promised not to run for a second time but changed her mind
because she said God made her decide to run.
The Philippines Is known for its rough-and-tumble political scene. Politicians are
rountinely killed and sometimes they even kill themselves. Every now and then, it seems that the
entire country is on the verge of collapse because of a coup attempt, People Power protest or
impeachment effort. On the day-to-day level, politicians are unable to achieve many of their goals
and carry out programs they proposed due to political opposition, mainly from the ruling elite.
HISTORY OF POLITICS IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines has one of the richest political histories in the world. It is the only nation in
Southeast Asia that was colonized by the West for more than 3 centuries. Even before the foreign
colonizers’ settlement in the country, politics already existed. Powerful datus (chiefs) ruled over
the social groups. The domination of Spanish, American, and Japanese colonizers over the
Philippines was not just tagged with oppression of freedom, but also societal transformation and
proof of bravery.
The political history of the Philippines begins clearly from the formation of various ethno-
linguistic groups with distinct territorial imperatives and traditions. The political system revolved
around a kinship-based power or influence hierarchy headed by a leader called mampus or mapalon
among the Ivatan, babacnang or “amaen ti ili” among the Ilocano, apo among the Igorot,
benganganat among the Ilongot, mingal among the Gaddang, gator lakan among the Tagalog, rajah
among the Bisayan, timuay among the Subanun, datu among the lumad and Muslim of Mindanao,
and nakurah among the Sama. After almost two centuries of Islam, the sultanate system was
superimposed on the ancient political institutions gradually integrating them into the sultanates of
Sulu in 1450 A.D. and Maguindanao in 1511. The third process in Manila was about to emerge
when colonial contact preempted it.
EARLY FILIPINO SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
The government was exemplified by the territorial unit called barangay, the pre-colonial
counterpart of the Greek-city states. Every barangay was virtually a state for it possesses the four
basic elements of statehood.
Each barangay is headed by datu, raja, or sultan. They lead according to the established
norms of the village.
The office the datu, resembling that of a monarchy, is hereditary.
Any man in the barangay may ascend the throne by virtue of his wisdom, physical power, or
wealth in the event that the datu without an heir.
Four Classifications of people in pre-colonial times
Maharlika- the nobility, to which datu and his family belonged
Timawa- the freemen, also known as the commoners
Aliping namamahay- refers to alipin that had their own houses, which was usually built on the
property of their masters
Aliping sagigilid- refers to unmarried alipin without a house and whose existence was completely
dependent on the graces of their masters.
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN THE SPANISH PERIOD
In light of the writings of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Spanish administration of the Philippines was
characterized by brutality and repression. The presence of the Spaniards in the country was
originally to spread Roman Catholicism, not to colonize the Filipinos. They helped transform
Philippine education, architecture, and way of life. But, the Spanish government was later
tarnished by abuse, slavery, and corruption.
The long history of colonization and imperialism in the Philippines by the Spanish colonists
is significantly reflected in the country’s politics and culture. As Spanish leaders ended the treaty of
friendship with the Filipino native chiefs in 1565, the entire archipelago was placed under Spain.
Spanish colonial government.
During the Spanish colonial period, the Philippines was governed by the King of Spain and
was even granted representation in the Spanish Cortes, the legislative body of Spain. A
fundamental principle introduced by Spain was the union of the church and the state, deeply
intertwining religious and governmental authority in the colony.
Unitary Government
The government which Spain established in the Philippines was centralized in structure and
national scope.
Local Government Structure
The barangays were consolidated into towns (pueblos) each headed by a goberrnadorcillo
(little governor), popularly called capitan, and the towns into provinces, each headed by a governor
representing the Governor General in the province.
Cities governed under special characters were also created. Each of these cities had an
ayuntamiento or cabildo (city council).
National Government Structure
Spanish’s colonial government in the Philippines was a unitary one. The entirety of the
territory was under the supervision of the Manila-based colonial government led by the Governor-
General.
Titles of Governor-General
“Governor-General” “Captain General” and “vice-royal patron.”
Governor-General-he had executive, administrative, legislative, and judicial powers
Captain-General-he was Commander-in-chief of all the Armed Forces in the Philippines.
Vice-royal patron-he exercised certain religious powers.
The first Spanish Governor-General in the Philippines was Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (1565
1571) and the last was Gen. Diego de los Rios (1898).
Junta de Autoritades (Board of Authorities)- cabinet of the Governor-General
Consejo de Administracion (Council of Administration)- studied the government’s budget and took
care of questions relating to royal patronage
Royal Audiencia- served as the highest court justice in the Philippines. It’s justices were called
oidores.
Revolutionary Era
The Katipunan Government
Organized by Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan marked the first clear break from Spanish
rule, with the ultimate goal of establishing a free and sovereign Philippines.
The Biak-na-Bato Republic
Established by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the Biak-na-Bato Republic declared the aim of the
revolution as the “separation of the Philippines from the Spanish monarchy and their formation
into an independent state.” This republic had a constitution that was intended to be in effect for only
two years.
Dictatorial Government
On May 23, 1898, the Dictatorial Government was established. Its most important
achievements included the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at Kawit, Cavite on June 12,
1898, and the reorganization of local governments.
On June 29, 1898, Gen. Aguinaldo established the Revolutionary Government replacing
the Dictatorial Government with himself as President and a Congres whose function was advisory
and ministerial.
First Philippine Republic.
On September 15, 1898, revolutionary Congress of Filipino representatives met in Malolos,
Bulacan at the call of the Revolutionary Government.
This Constitution was the first democratic constitution ever promulgated in the whole of
Asia. It established a “free and independent Philippine Republic” which was inaugurated on
January 23, 1899 with Gen. Aguinaldo as President.
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN THE AMERICAN PERIOD
The Philippines was ceded by Spain to the United States in 1898 after the Spanish defeat in
the Battle of Manila Bay, also known as the Mock Battle of Manila. This transfer of sovereignty
was facilitated by a clandestine agreement between American and Spanish military leaders who
staged a mock battle. The Treaty of Paris formalized this arrangement, establishing American rule
over the Philippines which lasted until 1946.
The Brigandage Act
-Intended to divide the support of the people against those who fight the Americans.
The Sedition Law
-Prohibited any persuasion in achieving independence be it through peaceful or violent means.
The Flag Law
-Prohibited the public display of anything particularly the Philippine flag and KKK that would
serve as a reminder of freedom.
Laws passed by the U.S. Congress for the independence of the Philippines.
The Cooper Law
Jones Law
Hare-Hawes-Cutting Law
Tydings-McDuffie Law
The Tydings-McDuffie Law provided the necessary steps that the Filipinos take in order to
prepare for the coming independence. Filipino representatives made the Constitution during the
Constitutional Convention.
May 14, 1935 became a very important event for women because they were allowed to vote
for the first time.
The Commonwealth was established under the 1935 Constitution. Manuel Quezon was
elected President of the Commonwealth while Sergio Osmena was elected Vice-President.
After more than 4 decades of taking control over the archipelago, the Americans freed the
Philippines on July 4, 1946. However, in 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal changed the date of
Philippine Independence to June 12, 1898. He believed that it was the original date of winning the
right of freedom from Spain.
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN THE JAPANESE PERIOD
Hours after the Pearl Harbor bombing on December 7, 1941, the Japanese imperialist army
took over the Philippines. A puppet government was established in the Philippine Islands between
1942 and 1945.
Although Jose P. Laurel was appointed president, the country did not have sovereign
control over its territory because decisions must be approved by the Japan government. It was until
March 29, 1942 when Hukbalahap was organized. Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon or
Hukbalahap (people’s anti-Japanese army) is a military arm of the Communist Party of the
Philippines that aimed to stop the abuses of the Japanese soldiers to the Filipinos.
With the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945, the Japanese lost to Allied Powers
(United States, Great Britain, China, and the Soviet Union) during World War II. The United States
regained territorial ownership of the Philippines, and granted its full independence in 1946. At last,
the Philippines was formally recognized as a republic.
PHILIPPINES DURING EDSA PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION
Politics in the Philippines struggled to get back to its feet after World War II. It can be
remembered that from 1946 until 1965, Manuel A. Roxas, Elpidio R. Quirino, Ramon Magsaysay,
Carlos P. Garcia, and Diosdado P. Macapagal Sr. served as the president of the republic.
In 1972, President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. placed the country under Martial Law.
Unfortunately, Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr.’s assasination at Manila International Airport on
August 21, 1983 inflamed the people’s desire to take their protests to the streets. Public outrage,
allegations of corruption, and human rights abuses led to the snap election in 1986. Marcos
questioned the results of the snap election, and refused to vacate his seat. This led to a series of
rallies and demonstrations along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), Manila in February 1986.
Such a revolt resulted in the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 22 to 25, 1986.
On February 25, 1986, Corazon “Cory” Aquino, the widow of late Senator Benigno S.
Aquino Jr., replaced Marcos in the presidential seat. During her 6-year term as the country’s leader,
democratic reforms were made including the abolition of Martial Law.
The subsequent decades witnessed a succession of presidents elected through popular vote,
each facing unique challenges and opportunities in further consolidating the nation’s democracy.
These administrations navigated issues such as economic development, social inequality, political
stability, and the ongoing struggle against corruption. The re-establishment of a multi-party system
and a vibrant civil society marked a significant departure from the authoritarian rule of the past.
However, Philippine politics continued to grapple with issues such as the influence of
political dynasties, persistent corruption, and the complexities of a diverse and evolving electorate.
Despite these challenges, the commitment to democratic principles and the active participation of
its citizenry have remained defining characteristics of the post-EDSA era, shaping the ongoing
narrative of Philippine political history into the 21st century.
IMPORTANCE OF POLITICS
Politics plays a vital role in the functioning and development of a country. It is essential for
a nation to have politics to ensure smooth governance, maintain social order, and promote the
welfare of its citizens.
Politics is the foundation of governance in a country. It helps in forming and maintaining a
system of government that ensures the proper functioning of the nation. A well-structured political
system allows for the formation of laws, regulations, and policies that guide the country’s
development and progress. Furthermore, politics enables the selection of leaders who can
effectively manage the country’s resources and make crucial decisions that impact the lives of its
citizens.
Politics is responsible for maintaining social order in a country. By creating and enforcing
laws, it ensures that people follow rules and respect each other’s rights. It also provides a platform
for individuals to voice their concerns and participate in the decision-making process, which helps
in fostering a sense of unity and cohesion among the population. Politics encourages dialogue and
negotiation between different interest groups, allowing for the resolution of conflicts and the
establishment of a stable social environment.
Politics is crucial for promoting the welfare of a country’s citizens. Through the
implementation of policies and programs, political leaders can address issues such as poverty,
education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. By doing so, they can improve the quality
of life for the people and create a more equitable society. Moreover, politics enables citizens to hold
their leaders accountable for their actions and decisions, ensuring that the government is
responsive to their needs and concerns.
Global the implications as to how filipinos collectively select political leaders
The oddity of Filipinos electing political leaders with horrible human rights record has been
the subject of our curiosity for years now. Why would Filipinos, who already deposed the bloody
and violent Marcos regime, readily choose to elect his heirs and political leaders like Duterte?
The most powerful political positions that will be decided in the upcoming election are
president, vice-president, and the 24-member Senate. From 1946 until the declaration of martial
law under Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1972, presidents were limited to serving no more than eight
consecutive years (two four-year terms). After Marcos’s ouster in 1986 and the drafting of a new
Constitution in 1987, term limits were introduced for all elected officials, and presidents were
limited to a single six-year term. If a president left office before the end of his or her term, their
mid-term replacements were ineligible for re-election.
For the presidency, the qualifications for candidacy are quite broad. They include being at
least 40 years of age on the day of the election and a natural-born citizen of the Philippines. Having
a criminal record, however, is not a disqualifier. For example, Joseph Estrada served as president
from 1998 to 2001 before being impeached on corruption charges. Despite being subsequently
convicted of plunder, he ran (unsuccessfully) for re-election to the presidency in 2010.
Also, presidential elections in the Philippines are genuinely competitive and are typically
contests amongst several candidates. The winning candidate does not need to reach a minimum
threshold of votes – they merely need to get more votes than the other candidates to be declared the
winner. Because of the number of candidates, it is not uncommon for the winner to come up short
of a majority: in 2010, Benigno Aquino won with 42 per cent, and in 2016, Duterte won with only
39 per cent.
Although the electoral system in the Philippines was inherited from the U.S., a curiosity is
that the vice-president is voted for separately from the president. This means that the president and
vice-president can have different platforms and even have a confrontational relationship with one
another. On the one hand, this arrangement could help to foster checks and balances between the
two. On the other hand, it can contribute to a lack of coherence and organizational capacity, while
also producing conflicting policy interests. For example, Duterte has repeatedly attacked his Vice-
President, Leni Robredo, in public, while Robredo, for her part, has actively criticized the
president’s stance on the War on Drugs and his COVID-19 policies.
Half of the Senate’s 24 members will also be chosen on May 9 (the other 12 seats will be
contested in the next by-election in 2025). Senators in the Philippines are subject to a national vote
rather than sub-national districts, which tends to make the Senate a kind of ‘training ground’ for
future presidential candidates.
Campaign season is usually a festive affair in the Philippines, with colourful posters,
splashy motorcades, and energetic rallies. These events and materials have been a significant
means through which members of the public come to know about the candidates, and ‘face time’
can be more influential than campaign platforms in how voters ultimately decide.
But there are also some less savoury aspects of Philippines’ elections. For example, vote-
buying was, for many election cycles, something that was carried out more often in poorer areas of
the country, with campaign workers distributing cash in exchange for votes. It is believed that the
practice has subsided, but in some cases, it has taken on somewhat of a veneer of respectability
under the name “ayuda,” or “assistance,” in the form of gifts of money, clothes, food, or other
items. In essence, though, this is still vote-buying that appeals to a Filipino cultural trait of “utang
na loob,” or “debt of gratitude,” which is often taken advantage of by the wealthier and more
powerful classes, including those in the political class.
National elections are not only a matter of voting, but an opportunity to analyze and critique
the electoral system in our country. If we perceive elections as a sacred exercise in a democratic
society, then it is our duty and right to defend the people’s option to elect and to guard the sanctity
of those elections and make sure that they will not be tarnished by fraud, corruption, violence, and
even intimidation.
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-political-science/pages/1-1-defining-politics-who-gets-
what-when-where-how-and-why
https://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Philippines/sub5_6f/entry-3904.html#chapter-0
https://philippinestravelguides.com/travel-tips/brief-political-history-philippines/
https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-cultural-heritagesch/
historical-research/politico-diplomatic-history-of-the-philippines/
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/evolution-of-philippine-governmentpptx/251506356
https://medium.com/@opiyothomas/importance-of-politics-in-a-country-cf14a676426a
https://www.asiapacific.ca/publication/election-watch-philippines-dispatch-1-primer
https://opinion.inquirer.net/177595/voter-education-necessary-to-help-filipinos-choose-the-right-
leaders
