The barangay is the only indigenous local government unit in the

Philippines.

It was headed by a datu who acted as legislator, judge and executioner

with the assistance of the council of elders.

Baranganic communities were class societies, kept in order by a set of

laws promulgated by the datus and elders.

 The Datu acted as a head of government.

Complementing him in community functions were the

babaylan who presided over religious ceremonies and

acted as doctor/astrologer

Panday who is responsible over technology. HE is the on who

make tools for social and economic activities.

 The Datus post was NOT always hereditary. It often passed

on to the best, most courageous, or the brightest male in the

community.

It could be implied that the basis of barangay was the

family, enlarged into the kinship group, the clan.

 Because of the familial orientation of barangays, tribal wars were
common.

Arcellana (1954) states that barangay were states because it has all
the elements.

1. People part of the political body

2. Government aristocrat with monarchial tendencies, or feudal states

3. Sovereignty datus or elders with supreme authority over their

constituents

4. Territory definite, may be expanded by invading other territories

 Village government during pre-Spanish barangays were
communities of 30-100 households.

Spain imposed what eventually becomes a standard system of

towns (pueblos), cities (cabildos),and provinces (provincias).
 Local governments were introduced in the form of royal land
grants (encomiendas) to favor Spaniards (encomenderos)
and collect tributes to maintain peace and order among natives.

Due to official abuse, encomienda was abolished in the 17th

century, and town was headed now with a gobernadorcillo
who exercise judicial and executive powers.
 Cabildos were municipal corporations organized for urbanized

areas.

Each had law-making powers, had two ordinary alcaldes, eight

regidores (eldermen), a registrar, and a constable.

All local officials were Spanish (except Cabeza de Barangay).

Aside from preventing native participation, local governments were

limited to the collection of taxes only.

 In 1886, a royal decree separated executive from legislative functions;

executive function to a civilian governor and legislative functions to

alcalde mayor as provincial judge.

The Maura Law of 1893 created a municipal council for each pueblo

contributing at least 1,000 cedulas (head tax) each year.

It is empowered to determine real property tax rate and impose tolls and

fees on markets and slaughterhouse.

This body was composed of capitan municipal and four tenientes.

 In the provincial government, juntas or boards assisted governor in

supervising towns.

Juntas is composed of governor, fiscal, treasurer, four vicars of the

province, doctor, priest of the capital town, four prominent residents

of the capital town.

 Maura Law also had deficiencies.

It tended to reaffirm the superiority of the National government.

Provincial governments were responsible for municipal councils, not

substantive functions and direct administration of the affairs of the

province.
 It introduced a system of indirect election based on an expanded

municipal electorate.

They choose 3 delegates (police, justice, taxes) and together with

municipal captain and headman of the town center, formed

municipal assembly.
 Control over local government were even more centralized.

The President was authorized by the 1935 Constitution to exercise general

supervision over local governments.

S/he can also create or abolish Local Governments.

 No formal changes except in the Manila Area where pre-existing

local jurisdictions were placed under common district

administration.

Even greater degree of central control was imposed

 The first Local Autonomy Act (1959) was passed to grant greater

fiscal and regulatory powers to municipal and city governments.

A barrio charter was enacted to give greater barrios (barangays)

legal status as quasi-municipal corporations with fiscal and

administrative powers.
 In 1967, a Decentralization Act increased the financial

resources and powers of the local government and

broadened their discretion in making fiscal, personnel and

substantive decisions.
 Passed after the imposition of Martial Law, state that state

shall guarantee and promote the autonomy of local

government units especially the barrios to ensure their fullest

development as self-reliant communities

 1973 Constitution also called for the passage of Local Government

Code which contains the principle of liberal interpretation of local

government powers, regional offices as point of contact between

national and local govt., and a clear grant of authority for provincial

governors to coordinate national agency activities within their

jurisdictions.
 Delays and setbacks were encountered during Martial Law since executive,

legislative and judicial powers were concentrated in the hands of President

Marcos.

National Legislature were abolished, and national and local elections were

suspended.
 After the Martial Law, the Aquino government drafted the Freedom

Constitution.

Aquilino Pimentel terminated the incumbent governors and mayors

services and installed OICs.

OICs did well sometimes, others were bad due to lack of experience.

in politics or government.
 Pimentel started to work on a new Local Government Code on 1987.

The Codes most important features is the Decentralization of five basic

services:

1. health,

2. agriculture,

3. social welfare,

4. public works and,

5. environmental and natural resources.

 Increased people participation in the process of governance and local

development in the forms of:

1. Sectoral representations in local legislative councils

2. Membership of non-governmental organizations representatives

3. Participation in political exercises like plebiscite, referendum and

recall

4. Planning and implementation of development programs.

 Sectoral representations include women, agricultural and

industrial workers, ethnic groups and urban poor.

Elections of local officials are held every 3 years.

Local elections were synchronized with National elections.

References

1. Tapales, Cuaresma & Cabo. Local Government in the

Philippines: A Book of Readings, Volume 1 Local
Government Administration. Center for Local and Regional
Governance, UP. 1998.

2. The 1987 Philippine Constitution

3. Local Government Code of 1991