Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE I PANGASINAN
BASISTA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
A.PEREZ ST., POBLACION, BASISTA, PANGASINAN

BASISTA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

First Semester S.Y. 2021-2022
1st QUARTER

MODULE 1
Philippine Politics and Governance

EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT, RELATIONSHIP AND

IMPORTANCE OF POLITICS, GOVERNANCE
AND GOVERNANCE

Lesson 1 EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT, RELATIONSHIP AND

IMPORTANCE OF POLITICS, GOVERNANCE AND
GOVERNANCE
 WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

“Leadership is not about titles, position, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing
another.”
- John C. Maxwell

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO LEARN?

Objectives:
The students should be able to:
1. Articulate definitions of politics;
2. Differentiate the various views on politics;
3. Explore the connection between the phenomenon (politics) and
the method of inquiry (Political Science);
4. Recognize the value of politics;
5. Differentiate governance from government.

DISCUSSION

THE MEANING OF POLITICS

―Politics is an activity that involves the interaction of people whose

relationship is characterized by conflict and cooperation, and come together to
solve such disagreements through binding solutions.‖ (Heywood, 2013, History of
Politics).

The word politics‘is derived from polis, meaning literally ‗city-state‘. Ancient
Greek society was divided into a collection of independent city-states, each of which
possessed its own system of government. The largest and most influential of these
city-states was Athens, often portrayed as the cradle of democratic government. In
this light, politics can be understood to refer to the affairs of the polis – in effect,
‗what concerns the polis‘. The modern form of this definition is therefore ‗what
concerns the state‘. This view of politics is clearly evident in the everyday use of the
term: people are said to be ‗in politics‘ when they hold public office, or to be
‗entering politics‘ when they seek to do so.
POLITICS IN THE PRE-SPANISH TO SPANISH PERIOD

THE PRE-SPANISH GOVERNMENT

Before the Spaniards came to the Philippines there were settlements

composed of villages called Barangay consisting of more or less 100
families. Each barangay was ruled by a Datu. He is the chief executive,
law-giver, chief judge and military head. He is assisted by the council of
elders called the Maginoos which served as his advisers.

SOCIAL CLASSES IN THE BARANGAY ARE DIVIDED INTO

FOUR:
the 1. nobility or the maharlika;
the 2. freemen or the timawa;
the 3. serfs or the aliping namamahay; and
the 4. slaves or aliping saguiguilid.

THE EARLY LAWS WERE BOTH WRITTEN AND UNWRITTEN.

The written were promulgated by the datus. The two known written
laws are the Maragtas Code written by Datu Sumakwel in 1250 AD and
the Kalantiaw Code written by Datu Kalantiaw in 1433 AD both in
panay. The unwritten laws can be seen in the Filipino culture.

THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT

Spain’s title to the Philippines was based on the discovery of the

Philippines by Ferdinand Magellan in March 15, 1521 and
consummated by the conquest of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi forty-five
years later.
The Philippines was governed by the king of Spain through Mexico from
1565 to 1821. When Mexico gained its independence, the Philippines was
ruled directly by Spain through the council of Indies from 1821 to 1837.

In 1837, legislation for the Philippines was temporarily performed by the

council Of Ministers. From 1863, the Ministry of the Ultramar exercised
general powers of supervision over Philippine affairs.

The Spanish government in the Philippines was centralized in structure

and national in scope. The barangays were consolidated into pueblos
(towns) and headed by a Gobernadorcillo popular called as Capitan and
the towns into provinces headed by a Gobernador who represent the
Governor-general in the province

Cebu was the first city to be established in 1565 in the philippines. The
second was the Manila in 1571.
The first governor-general was Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and last was
Gen. Diego delos Rios.

THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT

During the Spanish period, several forms of de facto government were

established. Among them were:
 The Katipunan- was a secret society that initiated the Philippine
 revolution against Spain in August 24, 1896. The Katipunan was
organized by Andres Bonifacio. The central government of the
Katipunan was vested in the Supreme Council (Kataas-taasang
Sanggunian ).

When Bonifacio died, another government was established by Gen.

Emilio Aguinaldo who acted as the first President of the Philippine
Republic by virtue of the election in the TEJEROS CONVENTION 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. The Republic lasted up to December 15, 1897,
with the signing of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato.

 The Dictatorial Government- following the outbreak of the

Spanish-America War on April 25, 1898, Gen. Aguinaldo
established the dictatorial

Government on May 24, 1898. One of the most important achievements

of the government was the proclamation of Philippine Independence in
Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.

 The Revolutionary Government- on June 23, 1898, Gen. Aguinaldo

established the Revolutionary Government to replace the
dictatorial government. The aim of the new government was to
struggle for the Independence of the Philippines, until all nations
including Spain recognize it and also prepare the country for the
establishment of a republic.

 The First Philippine Republic- on September 15, 1898, a congress

of Filipino representatives met in Malolos, Bulacan and framed the
Malolos Constitution. The constitution established a free and
independent Philippine Republic which was inaugurated on
January 23, 1899 with Gen. Aguinaldo as President. The Republic
was recognized by the family of nations.

THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Three kinds of government:

1. The Military Government- the military government in the Philippines

started on April 14, 1898, after the capture of Manila. The three American
Military Governors were: Gen. Wesley Meritt, Gen. Elwell Otis and the
last was Gen. Arthur McArthur.

2. The Civil Government- the Spooner Amendment ended the military

regime in the Philippines. On July 4, 1901 a civil government was
inaugurated headed by a civil governor. In February 6, 1905, the title was
changed to Governor-General, who exercised legislative powers. the
first civil governor was William Howard Taft (1901-1903). He was
succeeded by Luke F. Wright (1904-1906). The last governor-general was
Frank Murphy (1933-1935) who was also the first high commissioner of
the united states to the Philippines upon the inauguration of the
commonwealth of the Philippines.

3. The Commonwealth Government- the next step in the political history

of the Filipinos was the establishment of the commonwealth government
of the Philippines based on the act of the united State congress on March
24, 1934 known as Tydings-McDuffie law. The new government of the
Philippines was inaugurated on November 15, 1935, following the first
National election under the 1935 constitution held on September 12, 1935
with Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeňa as President and vice
President respectively. The commonwealth government of the
Philippines was Republican and Presidential type.

THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT

The Japanese Military Administration was established in Manila on

January 3, 1942 one after its occupation. The high command immediately
terminated to sovereignty of the United States over the Philippines.

A Civil Government known as the Philippine Executive commission

was established with Jorge B. Vargas as its chairman. The commission
exercise both the executive and legislative powers.

On October 14, 1943, the Japanese sponsored Republic of the Philippines

was inaugurated with Jose P. Laurel as President.

THE THIRD PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC

When the Philippines was finally liberated from the hands of the
Japanese, the third Philippine Republic was inaugurated on July 4, 1946
with Manuel L. Roxas and Elpidio Quirino as vice President. Roxas
died on April 16, 1948, paving the way for the Quirino Presidency
which lasted 1953. Quirino was followed by Ramon Magsaysay, who
was not able to finish his term, when he died in a plane crash on March
17, 1957.

THE MARCOS YEARS

Marcos was re-elected in 1969, due to his outstanding performance as

chief executive. Marcos made serious to amend the 1935 constitution
which was in affect at that time. A constitutional convention was created
which drafted the 1973 constitution. Marcos issued proclamation
No.1081 which placed the entire archipelago under martial law. By
virtue of this declaration the congress was abolished, the opposition
leaders and those who were critical of the Marcos administration were
either imprisoned or they disappeared.

On February 7 1986, Marcos called for a snap Presidential election,

which was marked by rampant cheating presumably on both the
Administration candidates led by Marcos for President and Arthuro
Tolentino for vice President and the opposite candidates led by
Corazon Aquino, (the wife of slain opposition leader Benigno Aquino
Jr.) for President and Salvador Laurel for vice President. This event led
to the so-called EDSA People Power Revolution from February 22-25,
1986 that paved the way for the downfall of the 20 years of Marcos
Presidency.

THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION

Corazon Aquino was inducted as the first Lady President of the

Philippines on February 25, 1986 in club Filipino, San Juan, Metro
Manila. Aquino issued proclamation No.3 on March 25, 1986
promulgating the freedom constitution. Thereafter, on June 2, 1986, she
appointed a constitutional commission composed of 50 members
which drafted the 1987 constitution.

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political science is systematic study of the State and government.

Scope of political science
1. Political Theory- it is in this scope wherein the scientifically
acceptable general principles of the origin, form, behavior, and
purposes of the State are explained.
2. Public Law- this covers the organization of government, the duties
and functions of government officials, the limitations of
government authority, and the obligations of the State to one
another.
3. Public Administration- in this area, attention is focused on the
methods and techniques used in the actual management of State
affairs by the Executive, legislative and the judicial branches of the
government

RELATIONSHIP OF POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH OTHER

DISCIPLINES

1. History- this discipline give us knowledge and information of the

past and present history.
2. Economics- economic conditions affect the State which in turn
modify or even prescribe economic conditions. The political
scientists regularly adopts the economic approach in dealing with
business and financial affairs.
3. Sociology and Anthropology- the political scientists and
sociologists are all concerned with the origins and nature of social
control and governmental authority, with the abiding influences of
race and culture upon society, and with the partners of collective
human behavior.
4. Psychology – the political scientists and psychologists promote
studies of the mental and emotional processes motivating the
political behaviour of individuals and groups.
5. Philosophy – philosophical concepts are the underlying forces in
the framing of constitutions and laws.
6. Statistics – the political analyst must possess a broad scientific
knowledge of current political problems, and must employ
scientific methods in gathering and evaluating data and in drawing
conclusions.
 7. Jurisprudence – this branch of public law is concerned with the
analysis of existing legal systems and with the ethical, historical,
sociological, and psychological bases of law.

What is it

POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Politics - denotes a social activity which underlies the creation of

maintenance and amendment of social norms and rules. It is also the art
and science of the government concerning the realm of public affairs or
the state.
Governance - is the exercise of power/authority by political leader for
the well-being of their country‘s citizens or subject. It also refers to the
manner of steering/governing and or directing and controlling a group
of people or the state.

BASIC CONCEPT OF POLITICS

1. ORDER – is the central to the study of politics because it shows

different components of human society.

STRUCTURES OF ORDER
A. COMMUNITY – is one of social order which refers to the association
of individual who shares a common identity.
B. GOVERNMENT – is the higher level of social order that exist
primarily for the maintenance and perpetuation of the community.
C. STATE – is the largest social order today and in which the term
politics originally derived.

2. POWER – the main source of reign of the Government and the

possession to govern or rule the state.
3. JUSTICE – the process of legalizing and penalizing the abuse of
political power and power to rule. Justice is in effect if the government
gives what people need, protect and respect their rights, and put the
common good over and above the personal interest of the leaders.

TWO APPROACHES to the STUDY of POLITICS

 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY – It is the traditional approach in
which the primary goal is to understand the essence or the truth
about politics.
 POLITICAL SCIENCE – It is the empirical/objective approach in
which it places little emphasis on abstract and normative question
and concentrates on a dispassionate and objective of the realities of
politics.

The importance of studying governance includes the people, most

specially the citizens who will be aware of the need for good governance.
Consequently, such awareness should encourage them to take action. For
the achievement of continued empowerment and sustainable
development, they have to learn how to fight for their rights through
proper awareness on how the Philippine Governance works.

PROCESSES AND ACTORS IN GOVERNANCE

Decision-Making - refers to the process by which a person or group of

persons, guided by socio-political structures, arriving at a decision
involving their individual and communal needs and wants.

Implementation - is the process that logically follows the decision

ACTORS AND STRUCTURES

An actor - is a sector or group or institution that participates in the

process of decision-making and implementation.
A structure - refers to an organization or mechanism that formally or
informally guides the decision-making process and sets into the motion
the different actors and apparatuses in the implementation process.

Informal Actors and Bad Governance – Their influence is felt more

clearly in local governments, such as organized crime syndicates and
powerful families, and in rural and urban areas. Most often than not,
these actors are the cause of corruption, in that legitimate government
objectives are distorted by their illegal and private interests.

INDICATORS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

1. Participation – is the active involvement of all affected and interested

parties in the decision-making process. Participation is one of the
strengths of Philippine governance.

2. Rule of Law – in this indicator, democracy becomes essential. It

demands that the people and the civil society render habitual obedience
to the law

3. Effectiveness and Efficiency – this indicator requires that actors meet

the needs of the society for effective governance. This means that the
valuable resources are utilized, without wasting or underutilizing any of
them. The Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 (ARTA), for instance, was passed to
require the setting up of Citizen‘s Charter for a simplified procedure and
to facilitate governmental transactions.

4. Transparency – this indicator means that people are open to

information regarding decision-making process and the implementation
of the same. In legal terms, it means that information on matters of public
concern are made available to the citizens or those who will be directly
affected

5. Responsiveness - means that institutions and processes serve all

stakeholders in a timely and appropriate manner. It also means that
actors and structures of governance easily give genuine expression to the
will or desire of the people. Some of the important efforts made to attain
responsive governance in the Philippines are decentralization, creation of
citizen‘s charter in all frontline agencies (as required by ARTA), and
gender sensitivity programs.

6. Equity and Inclusiveness - means that all the members of the society,
especially the most vulnerable ones or the grassroots level, must be taken
into consideration in policy-making. Social equity, as an example, refers
to a kind of justice that gives more opportunity to the less fortunate
members of the society.

7. Consensus Oriented - Governance is consensus oriented when

decisions are made after taking into consideration the different
viewpoints of the actors of the society. Among the things done by the
Philippines in promoting a consensus oriented governance are: (1)
creation of a wide-based of representation in the Congress; (2) a two-
tiered legislature or bicameralism which subjects legislation to the
evaluation of national and district legislators; and (3) necessity of public
hearings or consultations of various governmental policies and actions.

8. Accountability - means answerability or responsibility for one‘s

action. It is based on the principle that every person or group is
responsible for their actions most especially when their acts affect public
interest.

What’s More

Activity 1:
Write a short reflection about politics in the Philippines.

Activity 2:
Form a group of 5 and write a short jingle for a traditional politician

Activity 3:
Form a group of 5 and draw an editorial cartoon reflecting their view of
Philippine politics.

Activity 4:
Reasons why students must engage in political studies.

ASSESSMENT
MODIFIED TRUE or FALSE:

______1.Politics is the actual process of how humans interact in groups.

______2.Political Science is the process by which people try to influence their
government.
______3.Political science seeks to study the origin, nature and functions of the State,
Government and its all organs.
______4.Politics is universal and is always the same.
______5. Politics involve issues, problems, and activities taking place in the society.
______6. A nation is political in nature.
______7. A nation is a community of people.
______8. A state is cultural in nature.
______9. A state relates with the concept of government.
______10. A nation is bounded by a common interest.
_____11. EDSA Dos, which led to the ouster of President Joseph Estrada in 2001, is an
example of a political action done by the people.
_____12. As a political being, man is inclined to protect his own self when he interacts
with others.
_____13. Since people have different capabilities, Plato said that they all have the
ability
to lead a country.
_____14. If people raise questions about the actions of their government, they are
playing a role as citizens of the country.
______15. Politics is the use of power in order to defeat opponents.
______16. Political studies are important in order to prepare students to become
productive citizens.
______17. Even when people tend to group together, politics will always be avoided.
______18. Political science involves the analysis of politics and the study of private
corporations and governance.
______19. In the Philippines, political power rests in the hands of the rich businessmen
and their friends.
______20. Political studies enables people to understand how they govern themselves.

Answer Key

Quiz. True or False.

1. True
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. False
 7. True
8. False
9. True
10. True
11. True
12. True
13. True
14. True
15. False
16. True
17. True
18. True
19. True
20. True

References
 Philippine Politics and Governance, with Philippine Constitution
 Defining Politics, p.2, 4