Philippine History Module 4 Quiz

Module 4: Social, Political, Economic and Cultural Issues in Philippine History

• The module is about social, political, economic, and cultural issues in Philippine history
• Learning objectives include: analyzing social, political, economic, and cultural issues in the Philippines using the lens of history
• Recognizing that today's problems are consequences of past decisions and events
• Understanding enduring issues in Philippine society throughout history
• Proposing recommendations or solutions to present-day problems based on historical understanding and future anticipation

Evolution of the Philippine Constitution

• A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or precedents that govern a state or other organization
• The current Philippine Constitution has been in effect since 1987
• There have been three other significant constitutions that have governed the Philippines
  • 1935 Commonwealth Constitution
  • 1973 Constitution
  • 1986 Freedom Constitution

Constitution of Biak-na-Bato (1897)

• This was a provisional constitution of the Philippine Republic during the Philippine Revolution
• It was promulgated on November 1, 1897
• It was derived from the Cuban Constitution
• It was written by Isabelo Artacho and Félix Ferrer, initially in Spanish, then later translated into Tagalog
• It was never fully implemented due to the Pact of Biak-na-Bato truce between the Spanish and Philippine Revolutionary Army

Organs of the Government under the 1897 Constitution

• Supreme Council, headed by the president, encompassing four departments (interior, foreign affairs, treasury, war)
• Consejo Supremo de Gracia Y Justicia (Supreme Council of Grace and Justice), with authority to make decisions based on judicial sentences.
• Asamblea de Representantes (Assembly of Representatives), which met post-revolution to establish a new constitution and elect new government representatives.

1899: Malolos Constitution

• Issued after the truce, Filipino revolutionary leaders exiled themselves to Hong Kong
• The United States later transported Aguinaldo back to the Philippines
• The Philippines declared independence on June 12, 1898 and formed the First Philippine Republic
• The Malolos Congress elected a commission to draft the constitution on September 17, 1898.
• Wealthy and educated men composed the commission.
• The document, written in Spanish, was composed of 39 articles divided into 14 titles.
• The constitution included eight articles of transitory provisions and a final article.
• The 1899 constitution was influenced by the Spanish Constitution of 1812, along with charters from Belgium, Mexico, Brazil, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, and the French Constitution of 1793.
• It was not fully implemented owing to the Spanish-American War.

1935: Commonwealth Constitution

• The Philippines came under US authority after the Treaty of Paris
• A Military Government preceded a civil government in 1901
• The Philippine Organic Act of 1902 established a legislative body
  • The Philippine Assembly as the lower house.
  • The Philippine Commission as the upper house
• The Jones Law of 1916, created a Senate
• The act gave Filipinos representation in the US House of Representatives.
• The Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act of 1932 promised independence but was rejected
• The Tydings-McDuffie Act (1934) created a constitutional convention
• This convention crafted the 1935 Constitution
• The constitution created the Commonwealth of the Philippines to prepare for independence
• It featured a national assembly with a president and vice president, who served six years without re-election.
• Amended in 1940 to include a Senate and a House of Representatives, an independent electoral commission, and limited the term of office of the president and vice president to four years.

1973: Constitutional Authoritarianism

• Ferdinand Marcos elected President in 1965
• Philippine Congress called for a constitutional convention in 1967 to change the 1935 Constitution
• Marcos won re-election in 1969
• Elections of constitutional delegates in November 1970
• The Convention began June 1, 1971, with President-elect Carlos P. Garcia at the helm
• After Garcia's death, Diosdado Macapagal took over
• Marcos declared Martial law before the convention concluded its work
• The constitution approved in November 1972
• The president manipulated the constitution to hold onto power as long as he could
• President Marcos issued a Presidential Decree setting the date for a plebiscite to approve the new constitution, but this was later postponed

1987: Constitution After Martial Law

• President Corazon Aquino's government had three options. The 1935 Constitution, retaining the 1973 Constitution, or having reforms.
• Proclaimed a transitional constitution, lasting one year to permit a constitutional commission to draft a permanent constitution.
• The constitutional convention, composed of 48 members from varied backgrounds, created the permanent constitution.
• The new constitution, largely restoring the pre-1972 system, aimed to keep the president in check as a response to the Marcos rule
• The Constitution officially adopted February 2, 1987

Agrarian Reform Efforts Under Marcos

• Marcos declared martial law in 1972
• It enabled him to essentially wipe out the landlord-dominated Congress and expand executive power
• Led a fundamental restructuring of the government
• Presidential Decree No. 27 or the Code of Agrarian Reform of the Philippines
• "Operation Land Transfer" on lands occupied by tenants

Post-1986 Agrarian Reform

• The overthrow of Marcos and the 1987 Constitution led to renewed attention to agrarian reform
• President Corazon Aquino made agrarian reform a centerpiece of her social legislation

Taxation in the Philippines

• Taxation is a reality for all citizens, supporting government functions
• Historical Context of Taxation in Philippines
  • Early Filipinos had taxes and labor obligations
  • Colonial Era Taxation featured burdensome taxation, abuse of power, and corruption of elites

Taxation under the Americans

• The Americans wanted self-sufficient government revenue & budget surplus
• Adopted some Spanish tax schemes (e.g., land tax) with modifications
• New laws like the 1904 Internal Revenue Law created new revenue sources

Taxation in the Philippines post World War II

• Post-war economic hardship led to tax schemes that prioritized revenue generation and government support for development
• Subsequent administrations made various reforms affecting tax structure, rates, and types.

Test your knowledge on the themes and focus areas of Module 4 in Philippine history. This quiz covers cultural issues, socio-political dynamics, and their relevance to contemporary society in the Philippines. Challenge your understanding of the historical context that shapes the Philippines today.