Philippine Politics and Governance PDF

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6...

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion MODULE 4: HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS To start our analysis of Philippine politics, we must delve into the discussion of its development across varying periods of our country’s history. For this module, we will examine the structure and system of Philippine politics from the pre-colonial era, Spanish era, American Era, Japanese era, and modern era. Learning Objectives: A. distinguish Philippine politics from different era; B. analyze the impact of history on politics; C. identify important political structures and institutions that developed overtime; and D. determine the influences of colonizers to Philippine politics. PRECOLONIAL POLITICS Even before the arrival of the Spaniards, the Philippines had already its own type of government in each of the composed settlements or villages called “balangay”, a Malayan word meaning “boat.” Each barangay was headed by a chieftain called Datu. He was the chief executive, law giver, chief judge, and military head. However, he was assisted by a council of elders called the Maginoos. Thus, the form of government before was monarchy because of the wealth and physical prowess of the chieftain. Most of the laws, were unwritten and were passed on to generations by oral tradition. In terms of justice, a trial by ordeal was administered. Furthermore, a system of punishment was also evident during the precolonial times. The barangay administered laws, and cases were settled through mediation and compromise. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION Present also during this period was the system of stratification, which was deemed politically significant. The stratification was based on class. Maharlika refers to the nobles or a class of Maharlika wealthy families. This is the highest-ranking class that enjoys privileges such as commanding respect and obedience. The datu and his family Timawa belongs to this class. Timawa on the other hand refers to freemen. They are ordinary citizens who Alipin Namamahay enjoy personal liberties but are required to abide by the rules of the society and submit to the authority of the datu and elders. The lowest class Aliping Sagigilid belongs to alipin which can be categorized into two classes: aliping namamahay and aliping sagigilid. Aliping namamahay are slaves or serfs who are given some freedom such as establishing his own home and have a family. However, aliping sagigilid are slaves without liberty. They stay by their master’s side even in death. Alipins are usually prisoners of war or people in debt. In order to pay their debt, they allow themselves to become slaves to a master and render their services without any compensation. Page 1 of 12  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion POWERS OF A DATU The chieftain was powerful and exercised the powers of the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary. In was, he was the supreme commander. However, he was aided by a council of elders in his role as a lawmaker. This council gave the chieftain some wise pieces of advice in order to guide him in the administration of justice. Executive - supreme authority; leader of the military; establishes relations with other barangays. Legislative - creates laws with the help of the council of elders. Judiciary - serves as the prime judge during a trial, presides the trial along with the council of elders. PRECOLONIAL LAWS Precolonial laws were customary or orally passed from generation to generation and written. One of the alleged evidences of written laws we had was a disputed document called “Code of Kalantiaw.” It was a legal code by Datu Kalantiaw consisting of rules that give cruel punishes to crimes such as tying a person to a stone and drowning him/her on a river or boiling water for causing fatal harm or killing an elder. The authenticity of this document was questioned by historians and dismissed as a hoax. Precolonials laws were made by the datu, approved by the council of elders, and announced by the “town crier” called umalohokan. DATU COUNCIL OF ELDERS UMALOHOKAN Recommends or Reviews and decides whether Announces the proposes the proposed law will be newly approved law a law approved or not to the barangay CASES AND TRIAL Aside from the datu, the council of elders serve as juries. The winner of the case comes from the party with the greatest number of witnesses and sound arguments. Trial by ordeal is also used to settle a dispute. Some of the ordeal include dipping of one’s hand to a boiling water, holding a lighted candle that must not be extinguished, chewing rice, etc. BARANGAY RELATIONS Each barangay are independent states and usually mind their own affairs. However, relations existed between them. They traded with one another. Sometimes, alliances were concluded between barangay and sealed through a ritual called sanduguan or blood compact. This entailed drawing of blood from the arms of the contracting parties, mixing their respective blood in a cup of win, and drinking the mixture. Having drunk each other’s blood, the contracting parties then became “blood-brothers.” Other details of barangay relations are: The different barangays may form a confederation to defend themselves from their common enemy. When there was a case between barangays, the elders from the neutral barangays preside as the judges or arbiter. Some conflicts were settled through violence in which the victor was deemed to be right. Page 2 of 12  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion POLITICS IN THE SPANISH ERA If the precolonial government was characterized by independent barangays, the Spaniards consolidated power and these independent barangays under a centralized government. It is important to note that there only two branches of the government: the executive and the judicial. There was no legislature or congress because the laws for the Philippines were made by the Spaniards in Spain. GOVERNOR GENERAL The highest-ranking ruler during the Spanish rule was the Governor-general (gobernador- heneral) who served as the representative of the King of Spain in the Philippines. As a ruler, he exercised the executive, administrative, legislative and judicial powers. A. Executive Powers: The governor-general directs government activities in the country. He can also appoint minor officials in the government, including parish priests. He was also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. B. Legislative Powers: To a certain extent, a governor-general can make laws himself. He can issue orders with the force of law, which were called superior decrees. On the other hand, decrees or orders coming from the King of Spain were called Royal decrees or orders. However, the King bestows the right of “cumplase” to the governor-general. This means that the governor- general can suspend the operation of a Royal decree or orders in the Philippines if in his opinion, the said order would not be beneficial to the administration of the country. C. Judicial Powers The governor-general can bring political and administrative cases directly to the Audiencia or the judicial body of the country for justice to be administered on aggrieved people. Page 3 of 12  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion AUDIENCIA The judicial powers of the government were exercised by the Audiencia and the lower courts. It is the highest court insofar as civil and criminal cases were concerned and can be related to our supreme court in the present. In the absence of governor or when he could not perform his duties, the Audiencia exercised political and administrative powers. It is also audited the finances of the government. LOCAL GOVERNMENT Under the central government was the provincial government composed of unpacified/military zones, pacified provinces, and cities. Unpacified/military zones called “corregimiento” are places where armed conflicts and resistance of the Filipinos to Spanish rule persisted. It was ruled by a military governor called “corregidor” who was tasked to lead in suppressing Filipino resistance. Pacified provinces called “alcaldia” were provinces in the Philippines where civil unrest and rebellion of Filipinos were addressed. It was governed by a provincial governor called “alcalde mayor” who was appointed by the governor-general. Under provincial government was the municipal government. The town or municipality called “pueblo” was composed of several barangays called “barrios” and was headed by the “gobernadorcillo” (little governor). Barangay or barrio was governed by the capitan or “cabeza de barangay.” The capitans were usually former maharlika/datu, and they were given economic and political privileges. Lastly, cities called “ayuntamiento” were places transformed into centers of social, commercial, religious, and cultural life. It was composed of two alcaldes (leaders), twelve regidores (councilors), a chief of police, a city secretary, and few other lesser officials. POLICIES Page 4 of 12  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion The Spaniards implemented policies in the country that were ideally made for governance and regulation, without exploiting the Filipinos. However, in practice, these policies were abused by the Spaniards themselves. Hispanization of Names – Governor-general Narciso Claveria authored the Catologo Alfabetico de Apellidos, a document that contained Spanish surnames which were given to hispanize Filipino names in order to make tax collection more efficient. Tributo – The Spaniards collected tribute or taxes in cash or in kind, in full or installment basis, from the Filipinos in order to raise enough money to finance the administration of colony. It was considered as a form recognition of the Filipino’s loyalty to the King of Spain. Encomienda – Refers to the land given by the King of Spain to the conquerors of unpacified lands in the Philippines as a form of favor. These conquerors turn into encomendero who were given the right to collect tributes or taxes from the inhabitants of the encomienda. Polo y servicio – Filipinos were forced to render their services which include working on the construction of churches, roads, bridges, and ships, and planting and harvesting crops. Bandala – Filipinos were also compelled to purchase expensive goods or products from the government. SOCIAL CLASS Aside from the structure of government and policies, social stratification was also changed. The Maharlikhas, who were once on the top of the hierarchy, have to submit to the authority of peninsulares, insulares, and meztizo. The rest of the Filipinos were called as Indio. They belong to the lowest class and were usually given dehumanizing stereotypes. Peninsulares, the highest class refer to the Spaniards who lived in the Philippines but was born in Spain. Insulares also refer to Spaniards but they were born in the Philippines. Mestizo was a class of people who share Spanish and Filipino blood. These classes enjoy more rights and privileges, and command respect from the principalia and indios. Page 5 of 12  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion REVOLTS The unforgiving conditions of the society brought by the changes in the structure of government, political and economic policies, and social stratification, paired with the abusive treatment of and atrocities by the Spaniards, caused Filipinos to resort to armed resistance. At first, Filipinos demanded reforms from the Spanish authority but they were not heard, and abuses still continue. Rebellions surged from the different provinces or towns such as Cagayan, Tondo, Cordilllera, Cavite, Pangasinan, Leyte, Panay, Sultan Kudarat, and other places in Mindanao. The natives of Cordillera and Moros from the South were successful in repelling the Spaniards. However, most of the resistance in the Philippines were neutralized. Here are some of the reasons why these uprisings failed: Spaniards possessed superior weapons and were able to employ native mercenaries. People remained divided and lacked unity. Giving of positions of power and privileges to the datu/chieftains and their families made these maharlikhas collaborate with the Spaniards thus, weakened unity among people. SEEDS OF NATIONALISM While the Spaniards were able to suppress early Filipino uprisings, this did not stop nationalism from brewing on the minds of our forefathers. Here are the events the planted the seeds of national consciousness to the Filipinos: Emergence of Liberal Ideas and Spread of Liberalism – Filipinos were inspired by the liberal ideas from American and French Revolution. These uprisings proved that citizens can overthrow oppressive authorities like kings and colonial masters. Liberal ideas from these revolutions spread worldwide through trade and eventually reached the Philippines. Secularization Controversy – Most positions in churches were taken by the Spanish priest (regular priests). Filipino priests (secular priest) asked for their right to administer parishes and Filipinization of churches, but was refused by the friar-curates. Page 6 of 12  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion Cavity Mutiny and Execution of GomBurZa – At the height of the secularization controversy, a mutiny in Cavite erupted which was caused by the revocation of the privileged shipyard workers to be exempted from forced labor and paying tribute. It was led by a military sergeant named La Madrid. The mutiny was suppressed by the Spaniards and leaders and participants were arrested and shot to death. The Spanish government also ordered the arrest of Filipinos and meztizos who were believed to be behind it. These include the Filipino priests GomBurZa: Fr. Gomez, Fr. Burgos, and Fr. Zamora. No documents had been found to show that they were connected with the mutiny. Nevertheless, they were sentenced to death by garrote. ILUSTRADOS AND PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT The Spaniards in the Philippines founded many colleges and schools for men and women that were initially exclusive for Spaniards and Spanish mestizos but later opened doors for Filipinos. Some examples of these schools were San Juan de Letran and University of Santo Tomas. Owing the opening of schools to Filipinos, the well-to-do Filipino parents were able to send their children to these schools. As a result, a good number of those children became lawyers, physicians, pharmacists, teachers, land surveyors, and merchants. These educated Filipinos called ilustrados later asked for reforms in the Spanish administration of the Philippines. This movement is called “Propaganda Movement” in which ilustrados studies and work hard for the introduction of reforms to the Spaniards. The important Filipino reformists were Graciano Lopez Jaena, Jose Rizal and Marcelo Del Pilar. The reforms introduced include the following: The Philippines would be assimilated as a province of Spain and the Filipinos would become Spanish citizens, who would enjoy all the rights and privileges by all Spanish citizens. The Philippines would be represented in the Spanish lawmaking body called the Cortes in order to have equal status in the eyes of the law. However, this campaign failed despite its benefits. The reasons were as follows: The Spanish officials in the country were too busy with their own problems to listen to the collective voice of the reformists. The reformists do not have enough financial means to make their campaign effective. The reformists themselves are not united. There were some jealousies among them. The friars were very influential in opposing the campaign of the reformists. Page 7 of 12  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion KATIPUNAN The failure of the Propaganda to initiate changes in the society gave birth to a secret association, the Kataas-taasang Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KATIPUNAN) which was organized by Andres Bonifacio. As an organization, the Katipunan adopted its own form of government. It was governed by the Kataastaasang Sanggunian (Supreme Council), which was composed of the president, secretaries, treasurer and fiscal. The Sangguniang Balangay (Provincial Council) and the Sangguniang Bayan (Popular Council) was also organized in each province and town, respectively. A Sangguniang Hukuman (Judicial Council) was also created to adjudicate on cases involving members of the organization. In preparation for the revolution, Bonifacio and other Katipuneros worked hard in propagating the political ideals of the Katipunan in many towns. They gained support from some wealthy Filipinos. However, the revolution broke out prematurely because of the discovery of Katipunan. DISCOVERY OF KATIPUNAN AND CRY OF PUGAD LAWIN Two Katipuneros named Apolonio dela Cruz and Teodoro Patiño had a quarrel. They worked at Diario de Manila where the Katipunan printed daily newspaper. Their fight caused Patiño to reveal the secrets of the Katipunan to her sister and told to Madre Portera about it. Madre Portera advised Patiño to reveal the secrets to Father Mariano Gil. Patiño did what Madre Portera advised him and as a result, Father Gil informed the officers of the Manila Police. To prove this allegiation, they investigated Diario de Manila. Later, they found pieces of evidences pointing to the existence of a secret organization. As such, the police was convinced and they raided many houses in Manila and the suburbs looking for alleged members of the Katipunan. That night, the police arrested many innocent Filipinos. Upon the discovery of Katipunan, Bonifacio gathered the Katipuneros at a sitio called Pugadlawin and asked them if they were ready to fight. Everyone shouted they were prepared to die. They brought out their cedulas, tore them into pieces, and had a battle cry! Page 8 of 12  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion DIVISION AMONG KATIPUNEROS The fighting began. The Katipuneros gallantly fought the might of the Spaniards. However, a handful of fights were defeat due to the division and rivalry of Katipuneros. Katipunen was divided into two factions: Magdalo favoring Aguinaldo as the leader and Magdiwang favoring Bonifacio. Eventually, the Katipunan was replaced by another form of government headed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo who was elected as the President in the election held at Tejeros Convention. On November 1, 1897, Emilio Aguinaldo established the Biak na Bato Republic. It had a constitution which was to take effect for two years only. MALOLOS REPUBLIC (FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC) The First Philippine Republic, also known as the Malolos Republic was formed after the declaration of independence and the collapse of the Spanish rule over the Philippines. Additionally, it was established with the proclamation of the Malolos Constitution. The Republic at Malolos was the first to frame a comprehensive constitution duly approved by partially elected officials. It declared that sovereignty resides exclusively in the people, stated basic civil rights, separated the church and the state and called for the creation of an Assembly of Representatives to act as legislative body. Furthermore, it called for a parliamentary republic as the form of government. The president was elected for a term of four (4) years by a majority of the Assembly. AMERICA ENTERS THE SCENE The relationship between Spain and the United States was becoming sour as the Americans helped some Spanish colonies to fight for their liberation such as Cuba. The tension between the two countries continued. However, an American battleship called USS Maine exploded at Havana Harbor in Cuba. More than two hundred American sailors and officers died. The American people were outraged and blamed the explosion to Spain. Hence, USA declared war on Spain. Later, it helped the Filipinos fight the Spaniards not because it wanted our country to have independence but the fact it was in interested in conquering Philippines. TREATY OF PARIS | FROM SPAIN TO U.S. Fearing that they will lose to the Filipinos with the help of the Americans, Spain entered a treaty with United States. By this treaty, Spain turned over the Philippines to United States for the sum of $20,000,000. The Americans projected to the Filipinos that they came as friends but in reality, they were enemies with an imperialist intent. Some Filipinos were suspicious of the true intent of the Americans and tensions aroused. There were attempts to relax the tension through negotiations between Aguinaldo and the United States. But the Philippine-American War broke out following the incident where an American soldier named Private Willie W. Grayson shot a Filipino soldier. Filipinos answered with a rifle fire. Within an hour, all American units were effectively deployed and mobilized throughout Manila and the suburbs. Page 9 of 12  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion POLITCS IN AMERICAN PERIOD In 1898, after America’s capture of Manila, the United States forces established a military government in the Philippines. The Spooner Amendment eventually ended the military regime. A civilian government replaced the military governor. The Americans established the Insular Government. Hence, there were several acts that were passed that defined the fundamental principles, and established structures, procedures, powers and duties of the Philippine government. PHILIPPINE ORGANIC ACT OF 1902 - Sometimes known as the Philippine Bill of 1902 or the Cooper Act. This was the first organic law enacted by the United States Congress for the Philippine government. It provided for the creation of a Philippine Assembly, and specified that legislative power would be vested in a bicameral legislature composed of the Philippine Commission (upper house) and Philippine Assembly (lower house). PHILIPPINE AUTONOMY ACT OF 1916 - Sometimes known as the Jones Law which modified the structure of the Philippine government by removing the Philippine Commission as the legislative upper house and replacing it with a Senate elected by Filipino voters, creating the Philippines' first fully elected national legislature. HARE-HAWES CUTTING ACT - This act was the precursor of Tydings-McDuffie Act which laid down the promise of independence to the Philippines after 10 years of transition period and other provisions; however, because of infighting within the Philippine Congress, it was not ratified and only became the basis for the creation of the Tydings–McDuffie Act. TYDINGS-MCDUFFIE ACT - It provided for the autonomy and defined mechanisms for the establishment of a formal constitution. COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT The Commonwealth of the Philippines was the administrative body that governed the Philippines and replaced the Insular government. The Commonwealth was established by the TydingsMcDuffie Act and was designed as a transitional administration in preparation for the country’s full achievement of independence. The 1935 Constitution was written, approved and adopted in 1934 by the Commonwealth of the Philippines and later used by the Third Republic. The original 1935 Constitution provided for a unicameral National Assembly, and the President was elected to a six-year term without the possibility re-election. It was amended in 1940 to have a bicameral Congress composed of a Senate and House The Commonwealth Government was inaugurated on November 15, 1935 with Manuel Quezon as President and Sergio Osmeña as Vice President of Representatives, as well the creation of an independent electoral commission and to grant the President a four-year term with a maximum of two consecutive terms in office. Page 10 of 12  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion POLITICS IN JAPANESE PERIOD (SECOND REPUBLIC) A civil government known as the Philippine Executive Commission composed of Filipinos with Jorge B. Vargas as Chairman, was organized by the military forces of occupation. The commission exercised both the executive and legislative powers. However, the laws enacted were subjected to the approval of the Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese forces. The Judiciary continued in the same form as it was under the Commonwealth. On October 14, 1943, the Second Republic of the Philippines also known as the Japanese sponsored Philippine Republic was established. The Philippines was then a puppet state under the Japanese occupation. Furthermore, the ultimate source of its authority was the Japanese military authority and government. In 1943, a new Constitution was drafted by a committee appointed by the Philippine Executive Commission during the puppet society. The 1943 Constitution provided for strong executive powers. The Legislature consisted of a unicameral National Assembly and only those considered to be anti-US could stand for election, although in practice most legislators were appointed rather than elected. POSTWAR PERIOD (THIRD REPUBLIC) The structure of postwar Philippine politics and government was founded on the 1935 Constitution. The said constitution provided for a presidential and unitary system, wherein the president will be directly elected by the people and will serve for four years with a maximum of two terms. There will be a bicameral legislature composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, whose members are also directly elected by the people. An independent judicial body composed of the Supreme Court and lower courts was also created. Philippine politics and government were democratic in a sense that they provided for the separation of powers and a system of checks and balances among the three branches of the government. From 1946-1961, Independence Day was celebrated on July 4. On May 12, 1962 President Diosdado Macapagal issued Proclamation No. 28 s. 1962, which declared June 12 as Independence Day. In 1964, Congress passed Republic Act No. 4166 which formally designated June 12 of every year as the date on which Philippine Independence would be celebrated. July 4 in turn has been observed as Republic Day since then. Page 11 of 12  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Philippine Politics and Governance Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS Grade 12 Module 4 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion MARTIAL LAW (FOURTH REPUBLIC) In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos was elected to the presidency. In 1969, he ran for reelection and succeeded, making him the only president under the 1935 Constitution to be elected for a second term. Under Marcos’ administration, a new constitution was adopted in 1973. The said constitution introduced a parliamentary-style government. Legislative power was vested in a unicameral National Assembly whose members were elected for six-year terms. The President was ideally elected as the symbolic and purely ceremonial head of state chosen from amongst the Members of the National Assembly for a six-year term and could be re-elected to an unlimited number of terms. The Fourth Republic of the Philippines covers the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos and President Corazon Aquino. Under Aquino, the Philippines adopted a new constitution ending the Fourth Republic and ushering in the beginning of the Fifth Republic. Immediately following the 1986 People Power Revolution that ousted Marcos, President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No.3 as a provisional constitution. It adopted certain provisions from the 1973 Constitution while abolishing others. It granted the President broad powers to reorganize the government and remove officials as well as mandating the president to appoint a commission to draft a new and more formal Constitution. This document was known as the “Freedom Constitution” or the 1986 Constitution which is the transitional constitution that lasted a year and came before the permanent constitution. PRESENT REPUBLIC (FIFTH REPUBLIC) The Fifth Republic of the Philippines covers the presidency of Corazon Aquino up to the administration of Rodrigo Duterte. During this period, the Philippines uses the 1987 Constitution. The constitution was ratified by a nationwide plebiscite on February 8, 1987. REFERENCES: Agoncillo, T, & Mangahas, F. (2010). Philippine History: C&E Publishing, Inc. Ramos, Renan E. (2016). Philippine Politics and Governance. Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc. Villanueva, Prince Aian G. (2017). Philippine Politics and Governance. Makati City: DIWA Learning System, Inc. Page 12 of 12