Filipino Societies and Colonial Politics

Types of Filipino Societies

• Classless Societies: Communities too small to need a leader.
• Warrior Societies: Defined warrior class, who lead in legislation, inter-ethnic relations, and judicial matters.
• Petty Plutocracies: Clear economic class divisions, with leaders proven themselves.
• Principalities: Clear leaders, with datus and sultans.

Colonial Period Political System

• Indigenous political systems replaced by colonial governance for easier management.
• King, Viceroy, Governor-General, Alcalde-Mayores, Corregidores, Gobernadorcillos, and Cabeza de Barangays.
• Real Audencia: Provided counsel to Governor-General, handled judicial and executive affairs, reviewed Governor-General's actions.
• Intendente/Treasurer: Controlled governor-general's revenue control.
• Consejo de Administracion: Included attorney general, army/navy head, commerce president, religious leaders. Replaced Royal Audencia, acting as counsel.
• Residencia: System investigating executive officials' careers and possible offenses during their term.
  • Service record review
  • Impeachment

Visitas

• Inspections conducted by Visitador evaluating colonial conditions.

Alcadia and Corregimiento

• Two provincial units (during Spanish colonial period.)
• Alcadia: Under Spanish civil government, led by Alcalde-Mayor, occupied by Spanish people.

Corregimiento

• Under Spanish military rule, led by Corregidor.
• Not fully occupied by Spanish people.

Junta Provincial

• Provincial governor is a member. Has eight additional members, responsible for administration, monitoring municipal funds, consultation, and elections.

Pueblo

• Led by Gobernadorcillo, made up of barangays.

Barangays

• Led by Cabeza de Barangays (former datus)
• Collected taxes, judged disputes, and enforced laws.

Propaganda

• Focused on assimilation of the Philippines to Spain and Filipino representation in Cortes.

Katipunan (KKK)

• Explicitly stated needs for separation.
  • Magdalo: Led by Aguinaldo
  • Magdiwang: Led by Bonifacio

Tejeros Convention

• Revolutionary government (led by Aguinaldo): Significant loss.

Treaty of Paris

• Sold the Philippines to the US (US acquired the Philippines) for $20,000,000.

Patronato Real

• Spanish Monarch agreement with the Catholic Church.
• Affected Filipinos' political and economic life.

Democracy in the Philippines

• Derived from "demos" (to govern), and "kratos/kratia" (power). Democracy is rule by the people.
• Power comes from the people, not divine right.

Power of the People's in a Democratic Society

• Freedom of expression.
• Equal representation.
• Right to vote for government representatives.
• Right to vote for and against legislation.

Introduction of Democracy

• Influenced by French Revolution's democratic and liberal ideas.
• Propagated by ilustrados (educated Filipinos) via the propaganda movement (Marcelo H. Del Pilar).

Bonifacio's Democratic Appeal

• Andres Bonifacio's group (KKK) adopted democratic ideals.

American Period

• Democracy fully implemented as a political system during the American period.
  • U.S. military rule under General Wesley Meritt (August 14, 1898.)
  • Schurman Commission (1899-1900): Establishment of civil government.
  • Taft Commission (1901-1935): Created insular government, granted Filipinos congress representation through First Philippine Assembly.
• Taft Commission (1901-1935) Established insular government, providing Filipino representation in Congress through the First Philippine Assembly.
• Commonwealth Period (1935-1945): 10-year transition, interrupted by WWII.
• Third Philippine Republic (1945-1972): Philippines gained independence.
• Martial Law (1972-1986): Marcos declared martial law, established new constitution.

1987 Constitution

• Marcos ousted (1985); new constitution created to prevent abuse of martial law powers.

The 1935 Constitution

• Instituted American democracy.
• Male Filipinos received voting rights.
• Manuel Quezon won the 1935 presidential election.
• Women received the right to vote in 1937.

1972-1973 Constitution

• Re-modeled the 1935 Constitution.
• Implemented strict discipline over the economy, legislature, and media.

1987 Constitution

• Reinstated democracy.
• Helped reinstate democracy in the country.

The Executive

• President: Head of government and state.
• Executive Power: Enforce and administer legislation.
• Qualifications for president: Natural-born Filipino citizen, registered voter, at least 40 years old, resident of Philippines for at least 10 years.
• Same for Vice-president.
• Presidents/Vice-presidents are elected through direct vote and begin their six-year term 30 days after the election.

President's Powers

• Appointment power, executive departments, control of executive departments, bureaus, and offices.
• Military power, command of armed forces, suspend habeas corpus, place areas under martial law in cases of invasion, rebellion, or public safety.
• 48-hour report to Congress on martial law proclamation.
• Habeas Corpus (suspended during times of invasion, rebellion), Martial Law (tool for use in emergency situations).

The Legislative

• Congress: Senate (upper house) and House of Representatives (lower house).
• Senators and representatives terms.
• Vacancies, filled per prescribed law.
• Responsibilities of senators and representatives include making, proposing, and enacting legislation.

Bill Creation Process

• Bills come from senators/representatives, the people they represent, or other government branches.
• Elected representatives (congressmen/women) represent constituents.
• Detailed bill-making process with drafts, readings, committee reviews, and debates.

Bill Approval Process

• Bicameral Conference Committee (created when chambers disagree).
• Senate/House vote on bill passage (second reading).
• Final version passed, sent to president for signature (President final approval).
• Law is enacted if signed.
• Veto: President can veto, House/Senate can override.
• Law enacted if not vetoed within stipulated time.

Types of Resolutions

• Joint Resolutions: Have the force of law.
• Concurrent Resolutions: Do not have the force of law - policy statement.
• Simple Resolutions: Do not have the force of law – policy statement in one house of Congress.

Power of Congress

• Declare war, revoke martial law.
• Hearings, funding, approving presidential appointments.