Colonization During American and Japanese Occupancy

-Key events and figures-

Treaty of Paris - a treaty between Spanish and American governments to transfer authority of
their control over colonized countries; Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Emilio Aguinaldo – One of the rebels who fought against the Spaniards and became the first
President of the Philippines.

William McKinley - The American President who paid the Spanish $20 Million and started the
American colonization in the Philippines.

Battle of Manila Bay - the struggle between American forces against the Spanish, a battle of
control that eventually ended with the Treaty of Paris.

Insurrection - Under the Treaty of Paris, the Philippines was then again subject to colonization
by America, thus the Philippine-American War emerged resulting in the loss of the Philippines.

Aguinaldo's attempt at rebellions and guerilla tactics - Filipino nationalists revolted against the
Americans in 1896 to overthrow their forces but Aguinaldo was captured and General Miguel
Malvar replaced him as the leader.

General Miguel Malvar - replaced Aguinaldo as the rebellion leader which made some Filipinos
view him as the first President of the Philippines as he led the Katipunan during the struggle
against Americans.

The Philippines Act (July 1, 1902)- The Philippines Act, also known as the Spooner
Amendment, was enacted on July 1, 1902, which ended the military rule in the Philippines and
established a civilian government. The Act allowed the establishment of a limited self-governing
body and provided for the appointment of a civilian governor-general and a legislative assembly,
however, the majority of officials were appointed by the U.S. president.

The Philippine Commission was created under the Philippines Act. It served as the legislative
and executive branches of government until a full legislative assembly could be elected. This
Commission was composed mainly of Americans, with a few Filipino members.

Laws and acts passed

Jones law - the Philippine Autonomy Act, an organic Act that acted as the Philippine
constitution and created the first fully elected Philippine legislature. A formal and official
declaration of transition to eventual complete independence of the country to the USA. It
established a bicameral legislature composed of a Senate (upper house) and the Philippine
National Assembly, whereas, the Senate was initially appointed by the U.S. Governor-General,
and the Assembly was elected by the Filipino voters.

Hare-Hawes Cutting Act - This law promised the Philippines independence after a 10-year
transition period but reserved several military and naval bases for the United States, as well as
imposing tariffs and quotas on Philippine exports. President Manuel L. Quezon led a mission to
the U.S. opposing the new law and advocated for the passage of the Tydings-McDuffie Act
which eliminated objectionable provisions of the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act.

Phil. Commission Act no. 82-83 - authorization of municipality and provincial government body
to levy taxes on real property to generate income for local-generated revenues.

Phil. Commission Act no. 183 - an act to incorporate the whole of Manila enacted by The
American President

Phil. Organic Act - established a civilian control and granted two Filipino representatives in the
US congress as commissioners from the Philippine government.

Tydings-Mcduffie Act - it established a 10-year transition period leading to full sovereignty for
the Philippines. During this time, the Philippines became the Commonwealth of the Philippines,
with a semi-autonomous government. It is authored by Senator Millard E. Tydings and
representative John Mcduffie and signed into law by President Roosevelt.

Administrative code of 1917 - strengthen the function of Local governments

Commonwealth Act no. 357 - This act established the rules and regulations governing elections
in local governments during the Commonwealth period. It set the standards for electoral
processes, including voter registration, campaigning, and counting of votes.

- Government structures -

Malolos constitution - This was the first constitution drafted and adopted by Filipinos. It was
created during the Philippine Revolution against American rule and was heavily influenced by
the Spanish Constitution of 1812.

Military government - a temporary form of government established by the United States after
capturing Manila, characterized by military control and administration.

Insular Government - a form of government established by the United States in 1902 to govern
the Philippines as an unincorporated territory.

1935 constitution - It was designed to govern the Philippines during the 10-year transition period
before independence. It was heavily influenced by the American political system, incorporating
elements such as a bicameral legislature, an executive branch headed by a president, and a
judicial branch.
Commonwealth - a transitional period of self-government for the Philippines under U.S.
supervision. It was a 10-year period between 1935 and 1946, which provided the Philippines had
its own government, led by Filipino officials. However, The U.S. government maintained some
oversight and control, particularly in matters of defense and foreign policy.

The Commonwealth

-(1935-1946) Active in the country

-(1942-45) After the Japanese invasion, the Commonwealth government was forced to flee to the
United States. It continued to operate as an exiled government, maintaining legitimacy and
representing the Philippines during the Japanese occupation.

-(1945-46) Re-establishment of the Government in Manila soil after overthrowing the Japanese
invaders

-The Commonwealth served its purpose as a transitional period, allowing the Philippines to
develop its own government and institutions while under U.S. supervision.

The Philippines joined the United Nations, making it one of the original founding members of it

The Treaty of General Relations between the United States and the Philippines was signed on
August 5, 1946. The United States formally recognized the Philippines as an independent nation.
With this, Philippines and America pledged to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial
integrity. It promoted economic cooperation and trade between the two countries and allowed for
continued U.S. military presence in the Philippines through bilateral agreements.

1. Emilio Aguinaldo (January 23, 1899 – March 23, 1901)

Emilio Aguinaldo was the first president of the Philippines First Republic (also known as the
Malolos Republic). He was inaugurated on January 23, 1899, at the Barasoain Church, Malolos,
Bulacan. He led the proclamation of the Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, in his
ancestral home in Kawit, Cavite. He waved the Philippine flag in declaring the independence of
the Philippines in 1898.

2. Manuel L. Quezon (1935-1944)

Manuel L. Quezon was the 2nd president of the Philippines and the first president of the
Philippine Commonwealth established under the USA. He was inaugurated on December 30,
1941, in Corregidor Island. He’s known as the “Father of National Language” (Ama ng Wikang
Pambansa).

- First President elected through a national election

- Manuel L. Quezon created the National Council of Education
- He fought for the passage of the Tydings-McDuffie Act (1934)
- Initiated women’s suffrage in the Philippines during the Commonwealth
- Tagalog as Philippine National Language

4. Sergio Osmeña Sr. (August 1, 1944 – May 28, 1946)

Sergio Osmeña Sr. was the 4th president of the Philippines and the 2nd president of the
Commonwealth. He was inaugurated on August 1, 1944, in Washington DC. He succeeded the
presidency after the death of former president Manuel L. Quezon.

- During his administration, the Philippines joined the International Monetary Fund.
- He joined with U.S. Gen. Douglas McArthur in Leyte on October 20, 1944, to begin the
restoration of Philippine freedom after the Japanese occupation.
- He founded the Nacionalista Party together with former President Manuel L. Quezon
- The Philippine National Bank was rehabilitated, and the country joined the International
Monetary Fund during his presidency.
- The U.S. Congress approved the Bell Trade Act during his presidency.

5. Manuel A. Roxas (May 28, 1946 – April 15, 1948)

Manuel Roxas was the 5th president of the Philippines, the 3rd (and last) president under the
Commonwealth, and the first president of the Third Republic of the Philippines. He was
inaugurated on May 28, 1946, at the National Museum building. He held office for only one
year, 10 months, and 18 days.

- Reconstruction from war damage and life without foreign rule began during his presidency.
- Congress accepted the Philippine Rehabilitation Act and Philippine Trade Act laws under his
term.

6. Elpidio R. Quirino (April 17, 1948 – December 30, 1953)

Elpidio Quirino was the 6th president of the Philippines and the 2nd president of the Third
Republic.
Hukbalahap Guerrilla movement was active during his presidency.

- He created the Social Security Commission

- He created the Integrity Board to monitor graft and corruption

7. Ramon Magsaysay Sr. (December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957)

Ramon Magsaysay was the 7th president of the Philippines and the 3rd president of the Third
Republic.

- During his years as a Secretary of the National Defense, he became a pivotal character in
combatting and defeating the HUKBALAHAP.
- His presidential candidacy was supported by the 3rd Congress as he gained the favor of most
Filipinos by offering lands and tools to whoever sided with the government and continuously
insisted that the army units treat people with respect.
- Chairman of the Committee on Guerrilla Affairs
- His presidency was referred to as the Philippines’ “Golden Years” for its lack of corruption
- He established the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) among
other agrarian reforms
- He made the Philippines a member of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization

8. Carlos P. Garcia (March 18, 1957 – December 30, 1961)

Carlos P. Garcia is the 8th president of the Philippines and fourth president of the Third
Republic. This Bohol native was a lawyer, poet, and professor and served as a guerrilla leader
during the Pacific War. Garcia served as vice president under Ramon Magsaysay and as
secretary of Foreign Affairs for four years. He became president when Magsaysay died in a plane
crash in 1957.

- Carlos P. Garcia was known for promoting “Filipino First Policy,” which favored Filipino
businesses over foreign investors
- He established the Austerity Program focusing on Filipino trade and commerce

9. Diosdado P. Macapagal (December 30, 1961 – December 30, 1965)

Diosdado P. Macapagal was the 9th president of the Philippines. He was a lawyer and economist,
born in Lubao, Pampanga. He was inaugurated on December 30, 1961, at the Quirino
Grandstand.

He was a Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Pampanga's 1st District from
1949 to 1957 and helmed the Constitutional Convention of 1970. He was covertly involved in
the anti-Japanese resistance during the Allied liberation against the Japanese and was an
important figure in the Philippine foreign service before joining politics.

- implemented the Education Act of 1963, which expanded the country's educational system by
increasing public school funds and establishing a nationwide network of colleges and
universities.

- Diosdado Macapagal passed the Agricultural Land Reform Code in 1963, which aimed to
improve the lives of farmers by redistributing agricultural lands to tenant farmers and providing
them with support services.

- Diosdado Macapagal introduced various economic programs, such as the Five-Year

Socioeconomic Program, aimed at promoting industrialization, agricultural development, and
economic stability in the Philippines.

10. Ferdinand E. Marcos (December 30, 1965 – February 25, 1986)

Ferdinand Marcos was the tenth president of the Philippines and the last president of the Third
Republic. He was one of the most controversial leaders of the 20th century. He ruled the
Philippines for 21 years and was removed from office after the People Power Revolution.

ayoko na lagyan to putanginanto

11. Corazon C. Aquino (February 25, 1986 – June 30, 1992)

Corazon Aquino was the first woman president of the Philippines. She became the rallying point
for the democratic movement in Philippines and the most important figure in People’s Power
Revolution, also known as Yellow Revolution

- She signed the Family Code of 1987, a major civil law reform, and 1191 Local Government
Code, which reorganized the structure of the executive branch of government
- Corazon Aquino focused on restoring democracy, promoting human rights, and tackling
corruption in the Philippines. She implemented reforms to strengthen democratic institutions and
improve the economy, laying the foundation for future progress in the country.
- Corazon Aquino was a trailblazer for women's rights in the Philippines. As the first female
president of the country, she inspired women to pursue leadership roles and championed gender
equality initiatives during her presidency.

12. Fidel V. Ramos (June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998)

- FVR was widely credited as the most effective president because he led the Philippines to
economic growth
- He promoted family-planning practices to help solve the country’s growing population
- Ramos reached out for peace talks with the rebels such as the Moro National Liberation Front
and New People’s Army
- His economic reforms led to increased foreign investment and participation in the Philippine
Stock Exchange.

13. Joseph E. Estrada (June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001)

Joseph Estrada is the 13th president of the Philippines. During his years in office, economic
growth was slow, and he faced impeachment proceedings. He became the first president in Asia
to be impeached from an executive role. He was ousted from the presidency in 2001.

- Moro Islamic Liberation Front headquarters and camps were captured during his presidency
- Erap was among the “Magnificent 12” who voted to terminate the agreement that allows for
U.S. control of Clark Airbase and Subic Naval Base
- He was credited with the passage of, among other pieces of legislation, the bills on irrigation
projects and the protection of carabaos

14. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (January 20, 2001 – June 30, 2010)

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is the 14th president of the Philippines, the 2nd female president. Her
presidency was fraught with troubles as she had to fight impeachment charges, quell internal
disturbances and terrorist threats.

- Annual economic growth in the Philippines averaged 4.5% during her administration,
expanding every quarter of her presidency. That is higher than in the administrations of her three
immediate predecessors.
- The peso strengthened by nearly 20% in making it the best-performing currency of the year in
2007.
- Philippine Peso became the best-performing currency of the year in Asia in 2007 during her
term
- eVAT Law was implemented under her term

- She supported bringing back Spanish language in the Philippines during her 9-year presidency

15. Benigno Aquino III (June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2016)

- He created the no “wang-wang” (street siren) policy

- Noynoy initiated shifting to K-12 education in the Philippines
- Peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in October 2012
- Oversaw 7.1% growth of the Philippine economy in 2012

16. Rodrigo Roa Duterte (June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022)

- He initiated decongesting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, the country’s main
gateway
- Signed the Freedom of Information Order
- Duterte launched a 24-hour complaint hotline, 8888
- He signed an order for Smoking Ban in public places
- Boracay Island was rehabilitated during his term
- Launched the Build! Build! Build! Infrastructure Program
- Duterte signed the TRAIN Law and Comprehensive Tax Reform Program

17. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (June 30, 2022 – present)

wag na to tanginanto
The Philippines is noted for being a dynastic democratic country. Powerful clans have long
played a major role in its politics for centuries. Political dynasty is not a new phenomenon in the
Philippines. It originated with Spanish colonization in the sixteenth century and has continued
right up until the present day.

What is POLITICAL DYNASTY?

"Political dynasty" refers to a situation wherein members of the same family are occupying
elected positions either in sequence for the same position or simultaneously across different
positions.

2022 – present: The Marcos family

·In May 2022, Ferdinand 'Bongbong ' Marcos Jr. assumed the presidency of the Philippines,
marking the return of the Marcos family to power. ·The regime of Marcos Sr. was notorious for
its corruption, cronyism, violations of human rights, and media censorship. In 1972, he
proclaimed martial law, suspending constitutional rights and enabling him to maintain a firm grip
on power. Despite the dismal history, Marcos ' supporters assert that it was a period of progress
in the Philippines. Bongbong's campaign capitalized on this sentiment, which helped him win the
presidency and restore the Marcos family ' s political supremacy in the Philippines, extending
beyond their district in Ilocos Norte. Their relatives, the Romualdezes, are primarily engaged in
local politics, particularly in the province of Leyte and Tacloban City - the domain of former
First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos.

2016 – presemt: The Duterte family

The Duterte family is infamous for their controversial leadership style and strong-arm tactics.
Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the family patriarch, served as mayor of Davao City for more than two
decades before becoming president of the Philippines in 2016. The drug war waged by Duterte
during his presidency has been criticised for its brutality and disregard for due process. Still,
Duterte remains a popular figure in the Philippines, with his supporters applauding his radical
approach to government. Members of the Duterte family are also active in politics. Duterte ' s
daughter, Sara Duterte- Carpio, is the current vice president of the Philippines and was
Bongbong Marcos Jr.' s running mate during the 2022 election. Durterte ’ s sons, Sebastian and
Paulo, both secured local positions. Sebastian is the current mayor of Davao City, while his
brother, Paolo is the representative for Davao ' s first congressional district.
2010 – 2016: The Aquino family

Benigno Simeon 'Noynoy ' Aquino III, a former senator and congressman, was the 15th
president of the Philippines. He entered politics thanks to his parents ' legacy. His father,
Benigno Aquino Jr., was a prominent opposition leader during Ferdinand Marcos Sr.' s
dictatorship, and his assassination in 1983 contributed to the People Power Revolution that
brought down the Marcos regime. In 1986, following the demise of Noynoy ' s father, his
mother, Corazon Aquino, became the first female president of the Philippines. Through the 1987
revision of the Philippine Constitution, her presidency was marked by efforts to restore
democracy and advance social justice. Noynoy Aquino III was elected as president in 2010. His
administration pursued an aggressive anti-corruption agenda, and he led the Philippines to a
historic victory in the South China Sea Arbitration against China.

2001 – 2010: The Macapagal-Arroyo family

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) was the second female president of the Philippines, ruling
the country for nine years from 2001 to 2010. She entered politics in the late 1980s and was
elected vice president under former president Joseph Estrada in 1998. When Estrada was
impeached in 2001, GMA succeeded the presidency, and got reelected in 2004. Her interest in
politics was significantly influenced by her father, Diosdado Macapagal, who was also a former
Philippine president. During her tenure, GMA managed to maintain the country ' s GDP growth
through foreign investments. However, her leadership was plagued by controversies, including
accusations of electoral fraud in the 2004 presidential poll, and criticism for human rights
violations, such as extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances, committed by state security
forces. She was also implicated in multiple high-level malversation scandals, including the NBN-
ZTE deal.

1987 Philippine Constitution The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines states in Article II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES Section 26: "The State shall
guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may
be defined by law."

PROPOSED LEGISLATION On January 24, 2011, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago filed
Senate Bill 2649, which prohibits political dynasties from holding or running for elected local
government positions. The bill disqualifies the following candidates from running for local
government positions: relatives of an incumbent elected official running for re-election up to the
second degree of consanguinity, and are planning to run in the same province in the same
election as the elected official relatives of an incumbent elected official that holds a national
position up to the second degree of consanguinity, and are planning to run in the province of
origin of the elected official persons that are not relatives of an elected official that are
candidates to the same position in the same province in the same election but are related to each
other up to the second degree of consanguinity. The bill also prohibits relatives within the
prohibited civil degree of relationship of an incumbent from succeeding to the incumbent' s
position, except for the positions of Punong Barangay and Sangguniang Barangay.

Three bills were filed in the House of Representatives that are similar in content to Senate Bill
2649: House Bill 172 filed on July 1, 2013, by representatives under the Bayan Muna, Gabriela,
ACT, Anakpawis and Kabataan partylists. 1. 2 House Bill 837 filed on July 2, 2013, by
Representative Erlinda Santiago of the 1-SAGIP party list. House Bill 2911 filed on September
18, 2013, by Representative Oscar Rodriguez from the 3rd district of Pampanga. 3. On
December 16, 2013, the House of Representatives Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms
agreed to replace the three House bills into a single bill filed as House Bill 3587. The bill sought
to limit the number of candidates from the same political clan from running for public office in a
given period. In 2018, 13 senators signed a committee report approving consolidated Senate Bill
1765 or the Anti- Political Dynasty Act of 2018, which seeks to ban political dynasties in the
Philippines. The bill defines political dynasty as the " concentration, consolidation, and/or
perpetuation of public office and political powers by persons related to one another within the
second degree of consanguinity or affinity."

S.B. NO. 30 AN ACT PROHIBITING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POLITICAL DYNASTIES

SECTION 4. Applicability, - This Act shall be applicable to the next elections and to all
subsequent elections thereafter. In the case of incumbent elected officials who have political
dynasty relationships with one another in the same city and/or province, they shall be allowed to
run in all subsequent elections until they reach their term limit as provided by law. SECTION 5.
Persons Covered; Prohibited Candidates. - No spouse or person related within the second degree
of consanguinity or affinity, whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half blood, to an
incumbent elective official seeking re-election, shall be allowed to hold or run for any elective
office in the same city and/or province in the same election. SECTION 6. Statement with the
Commission on Elections. - Any person running for any elective public office except that of a
barangay official shall file a sworn statement with the COMELEC that he or she does not have a
political dynasty relationship with any incumbent public official running for an elective public
office in the same city and/or province other than the position earlier mentioned.

SENATE BILL NO. 2730 "No spouse or person related within the fourth degree of
consanguinity or affinity, whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half blood, to an incumbent
elective official seeking re- election, shall be allowed to hold or run for any elective office in the
same city and/or province, or any party list in the same election." "No person who has a political
dynasty relationship to the incumbent shall immediately succeed to the position of the latter, "
The bill requires any person running for any elective public office to file a sworn statement with
the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that he or she does not have a political dynasty
relationship with any incumbent public official running for an elective public office in the same
city and/or province other than the position earlier mentioned. A petition to disqualify a
candidate on grounds of political dynasty may be filed before the Comelec, which will conduct
summary proceedings. The Comelec shall deny due course to any certificate of candidacy filed
in violation of the anti-political dynasty act.

PROS

"Roving Bandits vs. Stationary Bandits " theory, dynastic politicians are more likely to pursue
long-term development-oriented strategies since they expect to hold power and benefit from their
position for longer. Political dynasties have in theory increased women ' s political participation
in politics.

CONS

Limit political competition, exacerbating corruption, poverty, and abuse of power. "Carnegie
effect" money that is inherited from wealthy parents or grandparents hinders a person ' s ability
to work hard. Political dynasties use their political dominance over their respective regions to
enrich themselves, using methods such as graft or outright bribery of legislators.

Effects Of Political Dynasty

POVERTY The 10 poorest provinces in the Philippines are ruled by political dynasties.
According to one study, these provinces " are affected by low levels of human development, bad
governance, violence and poor business climates ". The study used empirical data that correlated
political dynasty presence with socio-economic development. This study stated that "this partial
correlation coefficient finds a positive relationship between poverty rate and the proportion of
political dynasties in each province."