Philippine History: Land and Agrarian Reform Review

Refers to programs and measures aimed at improving land control and use for community benefit. Often involves government takeover of large landholdings with compensation and redistribution to smaller farmers or landless workers.

Encompasses land reform and measures to modernize agricultural practices and improve living conditions for the entire agricultural community. Includes support for agricultural education, cooperatives, credit, marketing, processing, and agro-based industries.

The desire to achieve social justice and develop human dignity in land ownership and use. This concept gains importance in agricultural countries with unequal land distribution.

Land concentration in the hands of a few powerful figures, often landlords, who wield significant social and economic influence. These 'caciques' can dictate political choices and maintain the status quo.

The pre-Spanish Filipino social system centered on a warrior class who lived off the labor of serfs and slaves. Serfs held property rights and shared the produce with their masters, while slaves were owned and could be sold.

Grants of land during the Spanish colonial period, initially intended to encourage settlement and reward soldiers. Encomenderos were responsible for defense, order, and supporting missionaries in exchange for tribute collection from native Filipinos.

Large landowners who emerged during the Spanish era, often acquiring their land through the encomienda system. The term 'haciendero' reflects the concentration of land ownership in a few hands.

Tenants who leased land from the Dominican friars during the Spanish period. They paid rent and had a right to the land, but faced exploitative practices that led to dispossession.

The first Philippine Republic, established in 1899, aimed to confiscate large estates, particularly the Friar Lands. However, the Republic was short-lived and the plan was not implemented.

Laws passed during the American era to regulate land ownership and tenure. These included the Philippine Bill of 1902, Land Registration Act of 1902, and Rice Share Tenancy Act of 1933.

The Torrens system of land registration, introduced by the Americans, aimed to grant titles only after surveys and legal proof of ownership. However, it did not fully solve the problem of dispossession.

The Friar Lands, owned by religious orders, remained untouched during the American era due to protection under the Treaty of Paris. The US government eventually purchased and disposed of most of these lands.

The Commonwealth period, under Manuel Quezon, saw a focus on social justice and addressing land tenure issues. Laws were improved, and efforts to expropriate large estates were initiated.

A revolt led by Pedro Calosa in 1931, highlighting the growing discontent among tenants due to exploitative land practices.

Manuel Roxas' administration saw the passage of Republic Act No. 34, which shifted the tenancy share from 50-50 to 70-30, favoring tenants who bore the cost of planting and harvesting.

The Magsaysay administration focused on resettlement and rehabilitation for farmers, particularly those involved in the Hukbalahap movement. Acts were passed to provide security of tenure and shift to leasehold agreements.

The Agricultural Land Reform Code, passed during the Macapagal administration, aimed to abolish share tenancy, establish leasehold arrangements, and provide rights for tenant farmers.

Marcos' administration focused on land reform, instituting new codes and decrees. Presidential Decree No. 27, passed during Martial Law, aimed to emancipate farmers from tenancy and distribute rice and corn lands.

The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), launched by President Corazon Aquino, aimed at comprehensive land reform, covering all agricultural lands. It involved land acquisition and redistribution, and aimed to achieve social justice.

Republic Act No. 6657, also known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, provided legal framework for implementing CARP. It consolidated existing legislation and strengthened the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) as the lead agency.

The pre-colonial Philippine society lacked a formal distinction between public and private interests. Influence was based on merit, and the 'barangay' represented a state-government led by a chief datu.

The Constitution of the Malolos Republic, drafted during the First Philippine Republic. It sparked debates on the balance of power and the role of the president in wartime.

America's approach to implementing a representative system in the Philippines, using commissions to modernize the political system with American principles and structures.

The Commonwealth period saw the establishment of a new Constitution, adopted in 1935. It marked a significant step towards independence from the US and laid the foundation for a democratic republic.

The Second Republic, established by the Japanese during WWII, represented a collaboration that aimed to gain independence from the US while maintaining some control. It met with criticism and ultimately failed.

Presidents of the Third Republic faced challenges of economic hardship, corruption, and Cold War tensions. Each president sought to address those issues while navigating US influence.

A provisional constitution put in place by President Corazon Aquino after the People Power Revolution. It empowered the President with broad authority for government reorganization.

The current Philippine Constitution, ratified in 1987, established a democratic and republican state, with a strong emphasis on human rights, social justice, and balanced development.

The primary purpose of taxation is to raise revenue for public needs and enable citizens to live in a civilized society. Taxation can also be used as a tool for economic and social policy.

The inherent power of the government to regulate individual activities for the benefit of public welfare, even in the absence of specific laws.

The government's inherent right to levy taxes, charges, and fees for public purposes within its jurisdiction.

The government's power to take private property for public use upon payment of just compensation. Think of government taking land for roads or parks.

Taxes that are designed to achieve a specific social or economic goal. They may not necessarily increase government revenue.

Taxes whose amount is determined based on the extent to which the privilege is enjoyed or exercised. Think of taxes on cigarettes or gasoline.

Taxes based on the value of the property. Think of property taxes on houses and land.