PERIOD National Government
Pre-Spanish Period The political development of the archipelago was
such that there was no national or central
government yet. In other words, there was no datu
strong enough to consolidate considerable power
and to unite the archipelago into one nation.
Local Government Units
The government was called "barangay". There were many independent barangays and datus. But there was no
datu strong enough to unite the archipelago into one nation. Some Barangays, however, united to form a
confederation. It was headed by a ruler called Datu or Raja
Power and Functions of Datu (Sultan, Rajah or Hadji)
Implementing laws
Maintaining peace and order.
Giving protection to his subjects.
He also made the law, with the assistance of group of elders who gave advice.
(a newly enacted law was made known to the public through town crier called umalokohan)
He acted also as a judge during trial.
(it was easy for the datu to run for the barangay since the population was very small.
Council of Elders- made the laws for the barangay
Datu-recommends laws
He is also the judge
Council- reviews and agrees
-Jury
Umalohokan announces to the barangays
Datu (Rajah, Sultan or Hadji)- ruler(monarch) of a barangay (monarchy that time) who got his power through
inheritance, wisdom, wealth, or physical prowess)
it was easy for the datu to run for the barangay since the population was very small.
He was the:
Chief Executive ( Implementing laws)
Law-giver or Legislator (formulated the laws and will of the brgy. and he also made the law, with the assistance
of group of elders who gave advice.)
(a newly enacted law was made known to the public through town crier called umalokohan)
Chief Judge (He acted also as a judge during trial.)
Military head or Supreme commander of the warriors ( Giving protection to his subjects and maintaining peace
and order)
In Western Visayas it was not uncommon for the datu to be the babaylan, as well. (The very influence and
mystical ability of the babaylan, especially if he was a man, made him the most likely candidate for community
leadership.)

Council of Elders- made the laws for the barangay

Council- reviews and agrees (Jury)
Council of Elders (Maginoos)- assisted the Datu; served as the advisers.

Their judicial process was called trial by ordeal, example;

- Holding lighted candles by the suspected offenders. The man whole candle died out first would be declared
as the culprit.
- Another form of this trial was ordering the suspects to plunge into deep river with their lances. The first
come to the surface would be adjudged as the guilty party.

Taxation
Ancient Filipinos started the practice of paying taxes. The purpose of paying taxes was simple, it was for the
protection they received from the datu. The collected tax was called buwis. The chieftains family members were
enjoying exemption from paying taxes. Non-payment of taxes was already punishable during this period.
Alliances
Like community of nations, alliances among barangay were formed. The purpose of forming alliances was for
trade, peace and mutual protection.

An alliances was sealed through blood compact (sanduguan), to ensure conformity, sincerity and commitment of
the chieftains.
 Unitary Government
*Spanish established a centralized colonial government
National Government:
Maintained peace and order
Collected taxes
Built schools and other public works
King of Spain (1565-1821) he indirectly governed the
Philippines through Mexico (ruled the Islands through the
Viceroy Of Mexico, which was then another Spanish
colony) because of the distance of the Philippines from
Spain. King of Spain -> Viceroy of Mexico -> PH
Governor General (GG)- ruled the PH when Mexico
obtained her independence from Spain (1821-1898)
King of Spain -> Governor General -> PH
THE GOVERNOR GENERAL
The Kings representative and the highest-ranking official
in the Philippines
Royal decrees and laws emanating from Spain were
implemented in the Philippines
Had the power to appoint and dismiss public officials,
except those personally chosen by the King
Supervised all government offices and the collection of
taxes
Exercised certain legislative powers
Issued proclamations to facilitate the implementation of
laws
THE GOVERNOR GENERAL
REQUIREMENT:
Must be a PENINSULARES or A SPANIARD BORN IN SPAIN
THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE THE GOVERNOR GENERAL The
Governor General and other government officials had so
much power that it was commonly abused. To investigate
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
There were two types of local government units:
ALCALDIA -> CORRIGIMIENTO; Alcalde -> Corregidor Mayor
Alcalde Mayors- on the provincial level, they headed the pacified provinces (alcaldia).
DUTIES OF THE ALCALDE MAYOR:
They represented the Spanish king and the Governor-General
They managed the day-to-day operations of the provincial government
Implemented laws and supervised the collection of taxes
Corregidores- they headed the unpacified military zones (corregimiento), such as
Mariveles and Mindoro.
Alcaldes and Corregidores- exercised multiple prerogatives as judge, inspector of
encomiendas, chief of police, tribute collector , capitan-general of the province and even
vice-regal patron.
His annual salary ranged from P300- P2000 before 1847 and P 1500-P1600 after it.
But this can be augmented through the special privilege of "Indulto de commercio"
where all people were forced to do business with him and or right to participate in
the GALLEON TRADE . The Alcalde Mayor was usually the Insulares.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
Gobernadorcillo (Little Governor) popularly called Capitan; headed the pueblo or town
QUALIFICATIONS: Any NATIVE or CHINESE MEZTIZO 25 years old Literate in ORAL or
WRITTEN SPANISH Cabeza de Barangay for 4 years Ex: Emilio Aguinaldo
Administrative duties:
Preparation of the tribute list (padron)
Recruitment and distribution of men for draft labor
Communal public work and military conscription (quinto)
Postal clerk and judge in minor civil suits
He intervened in all administrative cases pertaining to his own town: lands, justice,
finance, and the municpal police.
His annual salary was P24 only but he was exempted from taxation
the abuses, there were bodies created:
THE RESIDENCIA
THE VISITA THE ROYAL AUDENCIA
On the National Government, the King of Spain, through
his Council of Indies (Consejo de Indias), governed through
his sole representative in the Philippines: the Governor-
General (Gobernador y Capitan General)
With the seat of power in Intramuros, Manila, the
Governor was given several duties: he headed the Supreme
Court (Royal Audiencia), was commander in chief on the
army and navy, and was the economic planner of the
country
All known executive power of the local government
stemmed from his and as vice-regal patron, he had the
right to supervise mission work and oversee ecclesiastical
appointments.
His yearly salary was P 40, 000.00
For obvious reasons, the Governor-General was usually a
Peninsular (Spaniard born in Spain) to ensure loyalty of the
colony to the crown.
any native or Chinese mestizo (25 years old), literate in oral or written Spanish and
has been a Cabeza de Barangay of 4 years can be a Gobernadorcillo
MAIN DUTIES: Efficient governance and tax collection.
Four lieutenants aided the Governardorcillo: the Teniente Mayor (chief lieutenant),the
Teniente de Policia (police lieutenant),the Teniente de Sementeras (lieutenant of thefields)
Emilio Aguinaldo- was among those prominent Chinese Mestizo and was the
Gobernadorcillo of Cavite El Viejo (now Kawit)
Principalia- the noble class of pre-colonial period; this is where officials of pueblo
were taken.
CABEZA DE BARANGAY OR (Barrio Administrator or Barangay Captain) -Responsible for
the peace and order of the barrio -Recruited men for public works QUALIFICATIONS:
Cabezas should be literate in Spanish Have good moral character and property Cabezas
who served for 25 years were
CITY GOVERNMENT
Larger towns became cities called: AYUNTAMIENTO
It became the center of trade and industry. The ayuntamiento had a city council
called the CABILDOCABILDO is composed of: ALCALDE (MAYOR) > REGIDORES
(COUNCILLORS)> ALGUACIL MAYOR (POLICE CHIEF) > ESCRIBANDO (SECRETARY)
Local Governments during the American RegimeThe Americans contributed very little, if at all, to thedevelopment of local autonomy. In fact,
national-localrelationship reverted to the strong centralism thatcharacterized the Spanish colonial regime. .The Commissions blueprint for town
organization providedfor a President to be elected viva voce by residents of the town with the approval of the Commanding Officer. His
dutyconsisted in the establishment of a police force, collection oftaxes, enforcement of regulations on market and sanitation,establishment of
schools, and the provision for lightingfacilities.

COMMONWEALTH

The Commonwealth had its own constitution, which remained effective until 1973,[40] and was self-governing[11] although foreign policy and
military affairs would be under the responsibility of the United States, and certain legislation required the approval of the American president.[41]

During the 193541 period, the Commonwealth of the Philippines featured a very strong executive, a unicameral National Assembly,[42][43] and a
Supreme Court,[44] all composed entirely of Filipinos, as well as an elected Resident Commissioner to the United States House of Representatives
(as Puerto Rico does today). An American High Commissioner and an American Military Advisor,[28] Douglas MacArthur headed the latter office
from 1937 until the advent of World War II in 1941, holding the military rank of Field Marshal of the Philippines. After 1946, the rank of field marshal
disappeared from the Philippine military.

During 1939 and 1940, after an amendment in the Commonwealth's Constitution, a bicameral Congress,[45] consisting of a Senate,[45] and of a
House of Representatives,[45] was restored, replacing the National Assembly.[45]