PRE-SPANISH GOVERNMENT

Long before the arrival of the Spaniards, ancient Filipinos were living in scattered barangays and ruled
by different chieftains. Although, they were living separately. They were similar in many ways, their
religion, mode of dressing, houses, system of government and marriage.

History of Philippines (before 1521) In Philippine history, the year 1521 marks the arrival of the first
colonial power, and the beginning of what is called SPANISH PERIOD. This period is thus described as the
pre-colonial era or the pre-Spanish era.

Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the Philippines was composed of settlements or villages, each called
barangay, named after a Malayan word meaning boat

Every barangay was virtually a state, for it possessed the four basic elements of statehood. At times,
however, some barangay joined together as confederations mainly for the purpose of mutual
protection against common enemies.

DATU

Each barangay was ruled by a chief called Datu in some places, and rajah, sultan or hadji in others. He
was its chief executive, law giver, chief judge, and military head. In the performance of his duties,
however he was assisted usually by a council of elders (maginoos) which served as his advertisers. In
form, the barangay was monarchy with the wealth, or physical prowess.

SOCIAL CLASSES IN THE BARANGAY

The people of the barangay were devided into four classes, namely: the nobility (maharlika), to which
the Datu belonged, the free men (timawa), the serfs (aliping namamahay), and the slaves (aliping
sagigilid).

EARLY LAWS

The early Filipinos had both written and unwritten laws. The written laws were promulgated by the
Datus. The two known written codes in the pre-Spanish era are the Maragtas Code which was said to
have been written about 1250 A.D by Datu Sumakwel of Panay, and the Kalantiaw Code written in 1433
A.D by Datu Kalantiaw, also of Panay.

Comparison with other aancient governments- It can be said that the laws of the barangay were
generally fair. The system of government, although defective was not so bad considering the conditions
in other lands in the age during which it flourished.

ITS GOVERNMENT AND RULER

SPAIN TITLE TO THE PHILIPPINES

It was based on the discovery made by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, consummated by its conquest by
Miguel Lopez de Legaspi 45 years later long possession for almost four centuries, until it was terminated
in 1898, when by the treaty of Paris, the Phillipines was ceded by Spain to the United States.

SPANISH COLONIAL GOVERNMENT

From 1863, the military Ultramar (colonies) exercised general powers of supervision over Phillipine
affairs. Three times during the Spanish period (1810-1813) 1820-1823, and 1836-1837), the Phillipines
was given representation in the Spanish cortes, the legistative body of Spain.

GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILLIPINE UNITARY

The government which Spain established in the Phillipines was centralized in structure and national in
scope. The barangays were consolidated into towns each headed by a GOBERNADORCILLO, popularly
called captain, and the towns into provinces, each headed by governor who represented the
GOVERNOR GENERAL in the province.

THE GOVERNOIR-GENERAL

The power of the government were actually exercised by the GOVERNOR-GENERAL who resided in
Manila. He was GOVERNOR-GENERAL, he had executive, administrative and judicial powers.

As Captain-General, he was Commander-in-Chief of all the armed Forces in the Phillipines. As the vice
royal patron, he exercised certain religious powers. Because of these broad powers, it was been said
that the GOVERNOR-GENERAL enjoyed more powers than the King of Spain himself. This was justified,
however, because of the distance of the Philippines from Spain.
In the administration of the Philippines, the GOVERNOR-GENERAL was assissted by many boards and
officers, particularly the Board of Authorities and the Council of administration.

PHILIPPINES REVOLUTIONARY ERA: GOVERNMENTS AND REPUBLICS OF THAT PERIOD

THE KATIPUNAN GOVERNMENT

The Katipunan was secret society that precipatated our glorious revolution on August 26, 1896. It was
organized by Andres Bonifacio. The central government of Katipunan was vested in a Supreme council
(kataastaasang Sanggunian). In each province there was a provincial council (Sangguniang Balanggay)
and in each town, a popular council (Sanggunian Bayan).

The Judicial Power was exercised by a judicial council (Sangguniang Hukuman). The Katipunan was
replaced by another government whose officials headed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo as President, were
elected in the Tejeros Convention held on March 22, 1897.

THE BIAK NA BATO REPUBLIC

On November 1, 1897, a republic was established by Gen. Aguinaldo in Biak-na-Bato (now San Miguel de
Mayumo, Bulacan). It had a constitution which was to take effect for two years only.

It declaired that the aim of the revolutions was the separation of the Philippines from the Spanish
monarchy and their formation into an independence state, The Biak-na-Bato Republic lasted up to
December 15, 1897, with conclusion of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato.

THE DICTATORIAL GOVERNMENT

Following the outbreak of the Spanish-American war on April 25, 1898, Gen. Aguinaldo in view of the
chaotic conditions in the country, established the DICTATORIAL GOVERNMENT on May 24, 1898.

The most important achievement of the Dictatorial Government were the Proclamation of the Philippine
Independence at Kawit on June 12, 1898 and the reorganization of local governments.

THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT

In the administration of the Philippines, the Governor-General wad assisted by many boards and
officers, particularly the Board of Authorities and the Council of Administration.
On June 23, 1898,. Gen Aguinaldo established the Revolutionary Government replacing the Dictatorial
Government.

The decree-making such change stated that the aims of the new government were struggle for the
independence of the Philippines, until all nations including Spain will expressly recognize it, and to
prepare the country for the establishment of a real republic.