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.