C. The Government of the Philippines in Transition
Philippine Executive Commission
A civil government composed of Filipinos with Jorge B. Vargas as chairman organized by the military forces of occupation. It exercised both executive and legislative powers, but the laws enacted were subject 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, but without the independence which it had traditionally enjoyed.
The pre-Spanish government
Every barangay was virtually a state, for it possessed the four basic elements of statehood. Every barangay was ruled by a chief called datu. In form, the barangay was a monarchy with the datu as the monarch. The people of the barangay were divided into four classes, namely: the nobility (maharlika); the freemen (timawa); the serfs (aliping namamahay); and the slaves (aliping sagigilid). They also have written and unwritten laws.
Governments during the Japanese occupation
Japanese Military Administration; Philippine Executive Commission; Japanese-sponsored Republic of the Philippines
Governments during the Revolutionary era
Katipunan Government; Biak-na-Bato Republic; Dictatorial Government; Revolutionary Government; First Philippine Republic
Governments during the American regime
Military Government; Civil Government
Malolos Constitution
On Sept. 15, 1898, a revolutionary Congress of Filipino representatives met in Malolos, Bulacan at the call of the Revolutionary Government. After the promulgation of the so-called Malolos Constitution on Sept. 15, 1898, the Malolos Congress formally ratified on Sept. 29, 1898 the proclamation of Philippine independence made by Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898. This Constitution was the first democratic constitution ever promulgated in the whole of Asia.
Katipunan Government
The central government was vested in a Supreme Council (Kataastaasang Sanggunian). In each province there was a Provincial Council (Sangguniang Balangay) and in each town, a Popular Council (Sangguniang Bayan). The judicial power was exercised by a Judicial Council (Sangguniang Hukuman).
Government during the Spanish period (Spanish colonial government)
The government which Spain established in the Philippines was centralized in structure and national in scope. Cities governed under special charters were also created. The powers of the government were actually exercised by the Governor-General who resided in Manila.
First Philippine Republic
a "free and independent Philippine Republic" (also then called the "Malolos Republic") inaugurated on Jan. 23, 1899 with Aguinaldo as President. It was not recognized by the United States of America nor by the family of nations. It was, nevertheless, an organized government because it actually existed and its authority was accepted by the people. It lasted until March 23, 1901.
Philippine Commission
acted as the upper house of the legislative branch with the Philippine Assembly serving as the lower house from 1907 to 1916
Jones Law of 1916
became the new organic law or basic law for the Philippines. This law vested the legislative power in an all-Filipino lawmaking body composed of the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives. It promised in its preamble to grant the Philippines independence as soon as the Filipinos could establish stable government.
Military Government
began on Aug. 14, 1898, the day after the capture of Manila. The existence of war gave the President of US the power to establish a Military Government in the Philippines, as Commander-in-Chief of all Armed Forces of the US. His authority was delegated to the military governor who exercised as long as the war lasted, all powers of government - executive, legislative, and judicial.
Fifth and Present Republic
came into being upon the ratification of the 1987 Constitution on Feb. 2, 1987
De jure
constituted or founded in accordance with the existing constitution of the state (according to law)
2 Resident Commissioners
elected by the Philippine Legislature to represent the Philippines in the United States. They had seats in the US House of Representatives, receiving the same emoluments and other privileges as the American members of that body, but without the right to vote.
Dictatorial Government
established by Aguinaldo on May 23, 1898. Its most important achievements were the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898 and the reorganization of local governments.
Biak-na-Bato Republic
established by Gen. Aguinaldo in Biak-na-Bato (now San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan) on Nov. 1, 1897. It declared that the aim of the revolutions was the "separation of the Philippines from the Spanish monarchy and their formation into an independent state." It lasted up to Dec. 15, 1897 with the conclusion of the "Pact of Biak-na-Bato."
Japanese Military Administration
established in Manila on Jan. 3, 1942, one day after its occupation. Under a proclamation issued by the Japanese High Command, the sovereignty of the US over the Philippines was declared terminated.
Commonwealth Government of the Philippines
established in pursuant to the Tydings-McDuffie Law. The commonwealth status was a form of government in transition toward independence. It was inaugurated on Nov. 15, 1935 with Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña as President and Vice President respectively.
First Republic
established on Jan. 23, 1899 under the Malolos Constitution
Third Republic
established on July 4, 1946 under the 1935 Constitution
Revolutionary Government
established on June 29, 1898 by Aguinaldo with himself as President and a Congress whose function was advisory and ministerial. Its aims were "to 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."
Second Republic
established on Oct. 14, 1943 under the Japanese-sponsored Constitution
Civil Government
inaugurated in Manila on July 4, 1901, headed by a Civil Governor whose position was created on Oct. 29, 1901. The Civil Governor (the title was later changed to Governor-General on Feb. 6, 1905) also exercised legislative powers. He remained as President of the Philippine Commission, the sole lawmaking body of the government from 1901 to 1907.
Fourth Republic
inaugurated on June 30, 1981 under the 1973 Constitution, which as amended in a plebiscite on April 7, 1981, installed a modified parliamentary system of government
Japanese-sponsored Republic of the Philippines
inaugurated on Oct. 14, 1943 with Jose P. Laurel as President and with the same character as the PEC. The ultimate source of its authority was the Japanese military authority and government. On Aug. 17, 1945, Pres. Laurel proclaimed the dissolution of the Republic.
Provisional Government of 1986
not a purely revolutionary one, but a hybrid constitutional revolutionary government, i.e., a revolutionary government governing under a provisional or interim constitution the people could invoke to protect their rights and to promote their welfare, to exist for a limited period until the ratification and effectivity of a permanent constitution
De facto
not so constituted or founded on an existing constitution (or law), but has the general support of the people and effective control of the territory over which it exercises its powers. A de facto government acquires a de jure status when it gains wide acceptance from the people and recognition from the community of nations.
Commonwealth Government of the Philippines
republican in form under the presidential type. The legislative power was first vested in a unicameral National Assembly and later in a bicameral Congress composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The judicial power was vested in the Supreme Court and inferior (i.e. lower) courts provided by law.
Philippine Bill of 1902
the basic law for the Philippine government from 1902 to 1916. It provided for the creation of the Philippine Assembly to be composed of Filipinos elected by the people.
Provisional Government of 1986
took "power in the name and by the will of the Filipino people" on the basis of the clear sovereign will of the people expressed in the election of Feb. 7, 1986; revolutionary, de jure/de facto, constitutional and transitory, democratic, and derived its powers from the people to whom alone it is accountable
Commonwealth Government of the Philippines
very autonomous. The Filipinos had almost complete control over the domestic affairs, the US retaining control only over matters involving foreign affairs.