Reviewer Sa Phil History

Bataan Peninsula State University
LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS 2014
Compilation of Notes in Philippine History
Reviewer in Philippine History

Pre-Colonial Philippines
The First Filipinos
Many historians and scientists believe that the first inhabitants of the Philippine
islands emerged during the Pleistocene period. There are two theories on where the
inhabitants (first Filipinos) came from namely: Beyers Migration Theory and Jocanos
Evolution Theory. Noted social scientist Henry Otley Beyer believes that Filipinos
descended from different groups that came from Southeast Asia in successive waves of
migration. Each group had a distinct culture, with its own customs and traditions. While
Jocano believes that Asians, including Filipinos are the result of a lengthy process of
evolution and migration.
Migration Theory
The first migrants were what Beyer caked the Dawnmen (or cavemen because
they lived in caves.). The Dawnmen resembled Java Man, Peking Man, and other Asian
Home sapiens who existed about 250,000 years ago. They did not have any knowledge of
agriculture, and lived by hunting and fishing. It was precisely in search of food that they
came to the Philippines by way of the land bridges that connected the Philippines and
Indonesia. Owing perhaps to their migratory nature, they eventually left the Philippines
fordestinations unknown.
The second group of migrants was composed of dark-skinned pygmies called Aetas
or Negritoes. About 30,000 years ago, they crossed the land bridged from Malaya,
Borneo, and Australia until they reached Palawan, Mindoro and Mindanao. They were
pygmies who went around practically naked and were good at hunting, fishing and food
gathering. They used spears and small flint stones weapons.
The Aetas were already in the Philippines when the land bridges disappeared due to the
thinning of the ice glaciers and the subsequent increase in seawater level. This natural
events forced them to remain in the country and become its first permanent inhabitants.
Because of the disappearance of the land bridges, the third wave of migrants was
necessarily skilled in seafaring. These were the Indonesians, who came to the islands in
boats. They were more advanced than the Aetas in that: they had tools made out of stone
and steel, which enabled them to build sturdier houses: they engaged in farming and
mining, and used materials made of brass; they wore clothing and other body ornaments.
Last to migrate to the Philippines, according to Beyer, were Malays. They were
believed to have come from Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Malay Peninsula more than
2,000 years ago. Like the Indonesians, they also traveled in boats.
The Malays were brown-skinned and of medium height, with straight black hair and
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flat noses. Their technology was said to be more advanced than that of their predecessors.
They engaged in pottery, weaving, jewelry making and metal smelting, and introduced
the irrigation system in rice planting.
Jocanos Theory
Renowned Filipino anthropologist Felipe Landa Jocano disputes Beyers belief that
Filipinos descended from Negritoes and Malays who migrated to the Philippines
thousands of years ago. According to Jocano, it is difficult to prove that Negritoes were
the first inhabitants of this country. The only thing that can positively concluded from
fossil evidence, he says is that the first men who came to the Philippines also went to
New Guinea, Java, Borneo, and Australia.
In 1962, a skullcap and a portion of a jaw-presumed to be a human origin-were found
in the Tabon Caves of Palawan by archaeologist Robert Fox and Manuel Santiago, who
both worked for the National Museum. Carbon dating placed their age at 21,000 to
22,000 years. This proves, Jocano argues, that man came earlier to the Philippines than to
the Malay Peninsula; therefore, the first inhabitants of our islands could not have come
from the region. The Tabon Man is said to resemble Java Man and Peking Man. He
gathered fruits, leaves and plants for his food. He hunted with weapons made of stone.
Although further research is still being done on his life and culture, evidence shows that
he was already capable of using his brain in order to survive and keep himself safe.
Instead of the Migration Theory, Jocano advances the Evolution Theory, as a better
explanation of how our country was first inhabited by human beings, Jocano believes that
the first people of Southeast Asia were products of a long process of evolution and
migration. His research indicates that they shared more or less the same culture, beliefs,
practices an even similar tools and implements. These people eventually went their
separate ways; some migrated to the Philippines, the others to New Guinea, Java and
Borneo. Proof, Jocano says, can be found in the fossils discovered in different parts of
Southeast Asia, as well as the recorded migrations of other peoples from the Asian
mainland when history began to unfold.
Spanish Expeditions to the Philippines
The Magellan Expedition
Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese in the service of the Spanish crown, was looking
for a westward route to the tothe Spice Islands of Indonesia. On March 16, 1521,
Magellan's expedition landed on Homonhon island in the Philippines. He was the first
European to reach the islands. Rajah Humabon of Cebu was friendly with Magellan and
embraced Christianity, but their enemy, Lapu-Lapu was not. Humabon wanted Magellan
to kill Lapu-Lapu while Magellan wanted to convert Lapu-Lapu into Christianity. On
April 17, 1521, Magellan sailed to Mactan and ensuing battle killed Magellan by the
nativeslead by Lapu-Lapu. Out of the five ships and more than 300 men who left on the
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Magellan expedition in 1519, only one ship (the Victoria) and 18 men returned to Seville,
Spain on September 6, 1522. Nevertheless, the said expedition was considered historic
because it marked the first circumnavigation of the globe and proved that the world was
round.
Juan Sebastian de Elcano, the master of ship "Concepcion" took over the command
of the expedition after the death of Magellan and captained the ship "Victoria" back to
Spain. He and his men earned the distinction of being the first to circumnavigate the
world in one full journey. After Magellan's death in Cebu, it took 16 more months for
Elcano to return to Spain. The Magellan expedition started off through the westward
route and returning to Spain by going east; Magellan and Elcano's entire voyage took
almost three years to complete.
After the Spain had celebrated Elcanos return, King Charles I decided that Spain
should conquer the Philippines. Five subsequent expeditions were then sent to the
Islands. These were led by Garcia Jofre Loaisa (1525), Sebastian Cabot (1526), Alvaro de
Saavedra (1527), Rudy Lopez de Villalobos (1542) and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (1564).
Only the last two actually reached the Philippines; and only Legazpi succeeded in
colonizing the Islands.
The Villalobos Expedition
Ruy Lopez de Villalobos set sail for the Philippines from Navidad, Mexico on
November 1, 1542. He followed the route taken by Magellan and reached Mindanao on
February 2, 1543. He established a colony in Sarangani but could not stay long because
of insufficient food supply. His fleet left the island and landed on Tidore in the Moluccas,
where they were captured by the Portuguese. Villalobos is remembered for naming our
country Islas Filipinas, in honor of King Charles son, Prince Philip, who later became
king of Spain.
The Legazpi Expedition
Since none of the expedition after Magellan from Loaisa to Villalobos had succeeded
in taking over the Philippines, King Charles I stopped sending colonizers to the Islands.
However, when Philip II succeeded his father to the throne in 1556, he instructed Luis de
Velasco, the viceroy of Mexico, to prepare a new expedition to be headed by Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi, who would be accompanied by Andres de Urdaneta, a priest who had
survived the Loaisa mission.
On February 13, 1565, Legaspi's expedition landed in Cebu island. After a short
struggle with the natives, he proceeded to Leyte, then to Camiguin and to Bohol. There
Legaspi made a blood compact with the chieftain, Datu Sikatuna as a sign of friendship.
Legaspi was able to obtain spices and gold in Bohol due to his friendship with Sikatuna.
On April 27, 1565, Legaspi returned to Cebu; destroyed the town of Raja Tupas and
establish a settlement. On orders of the King Philip II, 2,100 men arrived from Mexico.
They built the the port of Fuerza de San Pedro which became the Spanish trading outpost
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and stronghold for the region.

Hearing of the riches of Manila, an expedition of 300 men headed by Martin de Goiti
left Cebu for Manila. They found the islands of Panay and Mindoro. Goiti arrived in
Manila on May 8, 1570. At first they were welcomed by the natives and formed an
alliance with Rajah Suliman, their Muslim king but as the locals sensed the true
objectives of the Spaniards, a battle between the troops of Suliman and the Spaniards
erupted. Because the Spaniards are more heavily armed, the Spaniards were able to
conquer Manila. Soon after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived to join Goiti in Manila.
Legaspi built alliances and made peace with Rajahs Suliman, Lakandula and Matanda. In
1571, Legaspi ordered the construction of the walled city of Intramuros and proclaimed it
as the seat of government of the colony and the capital of the islands. In 1572, Legaspi
died and was buried at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros. In 1574, Manila was
bestowed the title "Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad de Espaa" (Distinguished and ever
loyal city of Spain) by King Philip IIof Spain.
The Spaniards as Colonial Masters
Spain reigned over the Philippines for 333 years, from 1565 to 1898. since Spain was
far from the country, the Spanish king ruled the Islands through the viceroy of Mexico,
which was then another Spanish colony. When Mexico regained its freedom in 1821, the
Spanish king ruled the Philippines through a governor general. A special government
body that oversaw matters, pertaining to the colonies assisted the king in this respect.
This body became known by many names. Council of the Indies (1565-1837), Overseas
Council (1837-1863), and Ministry of the Colonies (18631898). It is implemented the
decrees and legal codes Spain promulgated although many of its provisions could not
apply to condition in the colonies. It also exercised legislative and judicial powers.
The Governor General
As the King's representative and the highest-ranking official in the Philippines, the
governor general saw to it that royal decrees and laws emanating from Spain were
implemented in the Philippines. He had the power to appoint and dismiss public officials,
except those personally chosen by the King. He also supervised all government offices
and the collection of taxes. The governor general exercised certain legislative powers, as
well. He issued proclamations to facilitate the implementation of laws.
The Residencia
This was a special judicial court that investigates the performance of a governor
general who was about to be replaced. The residencia, of which the incoming governor
general was usually a member, submitted a report of its findings to the King.
The Visita
The Council of the Indies in Spain sent a government official called the Vistador
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General to observe conditions in the colony. The Visitador General reported his findings
directly to the King.
The Royal Audiencia
Apart from its judicial functions, the Royal Audiencia served as an advisory body to
the Governor General and had the power to check and a report on his abuses. The
Audiencia also audited the expenditures of the colonial government and sent a yearly
report to Spain. The Archbishop and other government officials could also report the
abuses of the colonial government to be Spanish king. Despite all these checks, however,
an abusive governor general often managed to escape stiff fines, suspension, or dismissal
by simply bribing the Visitador and other investigators.
The Provincial Government
The Spaniards created local government units to facilitate the countrys
administration. There were two types of local government units the alcadia and the
corregimiento. The alcadia, led by the alcalde mayor, governed the provinces that had
been fully subjugated: the corregimiento, headed by corregidor, governed the provinces
that were not yet entirely under Spanish control. The alcalde mayors represented the
Spanish king and the governor general in their respective provinces. They managed the
day-to-day operations of the provincial government, implemented laws and supervised
the collection of taxes. Through they were paid a small salary, they enjoyed privileges
such as the indulto de comercio, or the right to participate in the galleon trade.
The Municipal Government
Each province was divided into several towns or pueblos headed by
Gobernadordcillos, whose main concerns were 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 the
fields) and the Teniente de Ganados (lieutenant of the livestock).
The Encomienda System
Spain owed the colonization of the Philippines to Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, who
valiantly and loyally served the Spanish crown. To hasten the subjugation of the country,
King Philip II instructed Legazpi to divide the Philippines into large territories called
encomiendas, to be left to the management of designated encomenderos. To show his
gratitude to his conquistadors, the King made them the first encomenderos in the colony.
As the Kings representatives in their respective encomiendas, the encomenderos had the
right to collect taxes. However, the encomiendas were not there to own. The
encomenderos were only territorial overseers who had the duty to: 1) protect the people
in the encomienda; (2) maintain peace and order; (3) promote education and health
programs; and (4) help the missionaries propagate Christianity.
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The Galleon Trade

When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, our ancestors were already trading with
China, Japan, Siam, India, Cambodia, Borneo and the Moluccas. The Spanish
government continued trade relations with these countries, and the Manila became the
center of commerce in the East. The Spaniards closed the ports of Manila to all countries
except Mexico. Thus, the ManilaAcapulco Trade, better known as the "Galleon Trade"
was born. The Galleon Trade was a government monopoly. Only two galleons were used:
One sailed from Acapulco to Manila with some 500,000 pesos worth of goods, spending
120 days at sea; the other sailed from Manila toAcapulco with some 250,000 pesos worth
of goods spending 90 days at sea. It also allowed modern, liberal ideas to enter the
country, eventually inspiring the movement for independence from Spain. And because
the Spaniards were so engrossed in making profits from the Galleon Trade, they hardly
had any time to further exploit our natural resources.
Bascos Reforms
Filipino farmers and traders finally had a taste of prosperity when Governor General
Jose Basco y Vargas instituted reforms intended to free the economy from its dependence
on Chinese and Mexican trade. Basco implemented a general economic plan aimed at
making the Philippines self sufficient. He established the Economic Society of Friends
of the Country, which gave incentives to farmers for planting cotton, spices, and
sugarcane; encouraged miners to extract gold, silver, tin, and copper; and rewarded
investors for scientific discoveries they made.
Tobacco Monopoly
The tobacco industry was placed under government control during the administration
of Governor General Basco. In 1781, a tobacco monopoly was implemented in the
Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Isabela, Abra, Nueva Ecija, and
Marinduque. Each of these provinces planted nothing but tobacco and sold their harvest
only to the government at a pre-designated price, leaving little for the farmers. No other
province was allowed to plant tobacco. The government exported the tobacco to other
countries and also part of it to the cigarette factories in Manila.
The Opening of the Suez Canal
The Suez Canal, which connected the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, was
inaugurated in 1869. It was built by a French engineer named Ferdinand de Lesseps. By
passing through the Canal, vessels journeying between Barcelona and Manila no longer
had to pass by the Cape of Good Hope, at the southern tip of Africa. Thus, they were able
to shorten their traveling time from three months to 32 days. Thanks to the Suez Canal,
trading in the Philippines became increasingly profitable. More and more foreign
merchants and businessmen came to the colony, bringing with them a lot of progressive
ideas. The Filipinos not only gained more knowledge and information about the world at
large; they also gained the desire for freedom and improvement in their lives.
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The Secularization Controversy

Two kinds of priests served the Catholic Church in the Philippines. These were the
regulars and the seculars. Regular priests belonged to religious orders. Their main task
was to spread Christianity. Examples were the Franciscans, Recollects,Dominicans, and
Augustinians. Secular priests did not belong to any religious order. They were trained
specifically to run the parishes and were under the supervision of the bishops.
Conflict began when the bishops insisted on visiting the parishes that were being run
by regular priests. It was their duty, they argued, to check on the administration of these
parishes. But the regular priests refused these visits, saying that they were not under the
bishops jurisdiction. They threatened to abandon their parishes if the bishops persisted.
In 1774, Archbishop Basilio Santa Justa decided to uphold the dioceses authority over
the parishes and accepted the resignations of the regular priests. He assigned secular
priests to take their place. Since there were not enough seculars to fill all the vacancies
the Archbishop hastened the ordination of Filipino seculars. A royal decree was also
issued on November 9, 1774, which provided for the secularization of all parishes or the
transfer of parochial administration from the regular friars to the secular priests.
The regulars resented the move because they considered the Filipinos unfit for the
priesthood. Among other reasons they cited the Filipinos brown skin, lack of education,
and inadequate experience. The controversy became more intense when the Jesuits
returned to the Philippines. They had been exiled from the country because of certain
policies of the order that the Spanish authorities did not like. The issue soon took on a
racial slant. The Spaniards were clearly favouring their own regular priest over Filipino
priests. Monsignor Pedro Pelaez, ecclesiastical governor of the Church, sided with the
Filipinos. Unfortunately, he died in an earthquake that destroyed the Manila Cathedral in
1863. After his death, other priests took his place in fighting for the secularization
movement. Among them were Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto
Zamora.
In February 17, 1872, Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jocinto Zamora
(Gomburza), all Filipino priest, was executed by the Spanish colonizers on charges of
subversion. The charges against Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora was their alleged
complicity in the uprising of workers at the Cavite Naval Yard. The death of Gomburza
awakened strong feelings of anger and resentment among the Filipinos. They questioned
Spanish authorities and demanded reforms. The martyrdom of the three priests apparently
helped to inspire the organization of the Propaganda Movement, which aimed to seek
reforms and inform Spain of the abuses of its colonial government.
The illustrados led the Filipinos quest for reforms. Because of their education and
newly acquired wealth, they felt more confident about voicing out popular grievances.
However, since the illustrados themselves were a result of the changes that the Spanish
government had been slowly implementing, the group could not really push very hard for
the reforms it wanted. The illustrados did not succeeded in easing the sufferings of the
Filipinos; but from this group arose another faction called the intelligentsia. The
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intelligentsia also wanted reforms; but they were more systematic and used a peaceful
means called the Propaganda Movement.
Goals of the Propaganda Movement
The Propaganda Movement never asked for Philippine independence because its
members believed that once Spain realized the pitiful state of the country, the Spaniards
would implement the changes the Filipinos were seeking. Members of the Propaganda
Movement were called propagandists or reformists. They worked inside and outside the
Philippines. Their objectives were to seek:
Recognition of the Philippines as a province of Spain
Equal status for both Filipinos and Spaniards
Philippine representation in the Spanish Cortes
Secularization of Philippine parishes.
Recognition of human rights
The Propagandists
The Filipinos in Europe were much more active in seeking reforms than those in
Manila. They could be divided into three groups: The first included Filipinos who had
been exiled to the Marianas Islands in 1872 after being implicated in the Cavite Mutiny.
After two many years in the Marianas, they proceeded to Madrid and Barcelona because
they could no longer return to the Philippines. The second group consisted of illustrados
in the Philippines who had been sent to Europe for their education. The third group was
composed of Filipinos who had fled their country to avoid punishment for a crime, or
simply because they could not stand Spanish atrocities any longer. Still, not all Filipinos
living in Spain were members of the Propaganda Movement. Jose Rizal, Graciano Lopez
Jaena and Marcelo H. del Pilarwere it most prominent members.
Lopez Jaena was a brilliant orator who wrote such pieces as "Fray Botod,"
"Esperanza," and "La Hija del Fraile," which all criticized the abuses of Spanish friars in
the Philippines. Del Pilar was an excellent writer and speaker who put up the newspaper
Diarion Tagalog in 1882. His favorite topic was the friars. Some of his most popular
writings included "Caiingat Cayo", "Dasalan at Tocsohan," and "Ang Sampung Kautusan
ng mga Prayle". "Caingat Cayo" was a pamphlet answering the criticisms received by
Jose Rizals novel Noli Me Tangere. "Dasalan" was parody of the prayer books used by
the Church, while "Ang Sampung Kautusan" was a satirical take on the Ten
Commandments, which highly ridiculed the Spanish friars.
Jose Rizal was recognized as the great novelist of the Propaganda Movement. He
was the first Filipino become famous for his written works. He wrote a poem entitled Sa
Aking mga Kababata when he was only eight years old. His novels, Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, clearly depicted the sufferings of the Filipinos and the rampant
abuses committed by the friars in the colony. Because of his criticisms of the government
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and the friars, Rizal made a lot of enemies. He was executed at Bagumbayan (later
renamed Luneta Park and now called Rizal Park) on December 30, 1896. The writings
produced by the Propaganda Movement inspired Andres Bonifacio and other radicals to
establish the Katipunan and set the Philippine Revolution in place.
La Liga Filipina
In 1892, Jose Rizal (full name: Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonzo) returned to
the Philippines and proposed the establishment of a civic organization called La Liga
Filipina. On July 3, 1892, the following were elected as its officers: Ambrosio Salvador,
president: Agustin dela Rosa, fiscal; Bonifacio Arevalo, treasurer; and Deodato Arellano,
secretary. Rizal functioned as its adviser.
La Liga Filipina aimed to:
Unite the whole country
Protect and assist all members
Fight violence and injustice
Support education
Study and implement reforms
La Liga Filipina had no intention of rising up in arms against the government; but the
Spanish officials still felt threatened. On July 6, 1892 only three days after La Liga
Filipinas establishment, Jose Rizal was secretly arrested. The next day, Governor
General Eulogio Despujol ordered Rizals deportation to Dapitan, a small, secluded town
in Zamboanga.
La Liga Filipina's membership was active in the beginning; but later, they began to
drift apart. The rich members wanted to continuesupporting the Propaganda Movement;
but the others seemed to have lost all hope that reforms could still be granted. Andres
Bonifacio was one of those who believed that the only way to achieve meaningful change
was through a bloody revolution.
La Solidaridad
In order to help achieve its goals, the Propaganda Movement put up its own
newspaper, called La Solidaridad. The Soli, as the reformists fondly called their official
organ, came out once every two weeks. The first issue saw print was published on
November 15, 1895.
The Solidaridads first editor was Graciano Lopez Jaena. Marcelo H. del Pilar took
over in October 1889. Del Pilar managed the Soli until it stopped publication due to lack
of funds.
Why the Propaganda Movement Failed
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The propaganda movement did not succeed in its pursuit of reforms. The colonial
government did not agree to any of its demands.Spain itself was undergoing a lot of
internal problems all that time, which could explain why the mother country failed to
heed the Filipinos petitions. The friars, on the other hand, were at the height of their
power and displayed even more arrogance in flaunting their influence. They had neither
the time nor the desire to listen to the voice of the people.
Many of the reformists showed a deep love for their country, although they still
failed to maintain a united front. Because most of them belonged to the upper middle
class, they had to exercise caution in order to safeguard their wealth and other private
interests. Personal differences and petty quarrels, apart from the lack of funds, were also a
hindrance to the movements success. Lastly, no other strong and charismatic leader
emerged from the group aside from Jose Rizal.
The Katipunan Finally Starts a Revolution
The Katipunan is born. Andres Bonifacio was also a member of La Liga Filipina,
although he soon lost hope in gaining reforms though peaceful means. This feeling was
especially heightened when Jose Rizal was exiled to Dapitan. Bonifacio became
convinced that the only way the Philippinescould gain independence was through a
revolution. Bonifacio then founded the Katastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipuanan ng
mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) on July 7, 1892 in a house on Azcarraga street (now Claro
M. Recto), in Tondo Manila. The Katipunan had colorful beginnings. As a symbol of the
members loyalty, they performed the solemn rite of sanduguan (blood compact), wherein
each one signed his name with his own blood.
The members agreed to recruit more people using the triangle system of
enlistment. Each original member would recruit tow new members who were not related
to each other. Each new member would do the same thing, and so on down the line.
Members were also asked to contribute one Real (about 25 centavos) each month in order
to raise funds for the association. The KKK members agreed on the following objectives:
The political goal was to completely separate the Philippines from Spain
after declaring the countrys independence.
The moral goal was to teach the Filipinos good manners, cleanliness,
hygiene, fine morals, and how to guard themselves against religious
fanaticism..
The civic goal was to encourage Filipinos to help themselves and to defend
the poor oppressed.
The Kataastaasang Sanggunian (supreme council) was the highest governing body
of the Katipunan. It was headed by a supremo, or president. Each province had a
Sangguaniang Bayan (Provincial Council) and each town had a Sangguniang
Balangay (Popular Council).
The Leaders of the Katipunan:
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Deodato Arellano -Supremo

Ladislao Diwa -Fiscal
Teodora Plata -Secretary
Valentine Diaz -treasurer
Andres Bonifacio -controller
Jose Rizal and the Katipunan
Jose Rizal never became involved in the organization and activities of the Katipunan;
but the Katipuneros still looked up to him as a leader. In fact, Rizals name was used as a
password among the societys highest-ranking members, who were called bayani.
Andres Bonifacio had already known Rizal during his La Liga Filipina days,
although Rizal did not know Bonifaciopersonally Nevertheless, Bonifacio so respected
Rizals intelligence and talent that in June 1896, he sent Dr. Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to
seek Rizals advice on the planned revolution.
Rizal told Valenzuela that the timing was not right for a revolution. The people were
not yet ready and they did not have enough weapons. He suggested that the Katipunan
obtain the support of wealthy and influential Filipinos first, in order to gain financial
assistance. He also recommended Antonio Luna as commander of its armed forces, since
Luna had much knowledge and expertise in military tactics.
Valenzuela returned to Manila on June 26 and relayed Rizals advice to Bonifacio,
who admitted that it would indeed be fatal for theFilipinos to fight without enough
weapons. However, there was no stopping the Revolution. Bonifacio ordered his men to
prepare for battle. He directed them to store enough food and other supplies. Battle plans
were made with the help of Emilio Jacinto. It was suggested that the revolutionary
headquarters be located near the seas or mountains to provide for an easy retreat, if
necessary.
The Katipunan is Discovered
Rumors about a secret revolutionary society had long been in circulation, although
no solid evidence could be found to support them. The big break as far as the Spanish
authorities was concerned, came on August 19, 1896 when a KKK member, Teodoro
Patio told his sister Honoria about the existence of the Katipunan. Patio was a worker
in the printing press of Diario de Manila. Honoria was then living with nuns in a
Mandaluyong orphanage. The information upset Honoria so much that she told the
orphanages Mother Superior, Sor Teresa de Jesus, what her brother had revealed. Sor
Teresa suggested they seek the advice of Father Mariano Gil, the parish priest of Tondo.
After hearing Patios revelations, Father Mariano Gil-accompanied by several Guardias
Civiles immediately searched the premises ofDiario de Manila and found evidence of the
Katipunans existence. The governor general was quickly informed. The printing press
was padlocked and hundreds of suspected KKK members were arrested.
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The Cry of Pugadlawin

News about the discovery of the Katipunan spread to Manila and nearby suburbs, and
Andres Bonifacioimmediately called for a general meeting. Various wings of the
Katipunan gathered at the house of Juan Ramos in Pugadlawin on August 23, 1896.
Ramos was the son of Melchora Aquino, also known as Tandang Sora and was later
acknowledged as the Mother of the Katipunan." Bonifacio asked his men whether they
were willing to fight to the bitter end. Everyone shouted their approval, except for
Teodoro Plata, who though that it was too soon for a revolution. Heartened by his mens
response,Bonifacio then asked them to tear their cedulas (residence certificates) to pieces,
as a sign of their defiance and determination to rise against the Spaniards. The men
immediately tore up their cedulas, shouting, Mabuhay ang Pilipinas (long live the
Philippines) -known as the Cry of Pugadlawin.
The Katipunan in Cavite
Cavite soon became the center of the Revolution, and the Katipuneros there divided
themselves into the Magdalo and Magdiwang factions. Baldomero Aguinaldo, brother of
Emilio Aguinaldo, headed the Magdalo group, which was stationed in Kawit. General
Mariano Alvarez led the Magdiwang group, which was stationed in Noveleta. The two
groups fought in separate battles. Emilio Aguinaldo overran Kawit on August 31, 1896,
while Alvarez attacked Noveleta. In Bacoor, Aguinaldo tried to intercept Spanish
reinforcements coming from Manila; but he was repulsed and forced to retreat to nearby
Imus. Here, on the morning of September 5, he defeated the Spanish troops under the
command of General Aguirre. A hundred Spaniards were killed and 60 weapons were
confiscated. Aguinaldo was hailed as a hero. The adoring Caviteos referred to him as
General Miong and no longer Kapitan Miong.General Aguinaldos numerous
victories in the battlefield made him the acknowledged revolutionary leader in Cavite. He
issued a proclamation on October 31, 1896 enjoining the people to take courage and
continuefighting for Philippine independence. Owing to the defeat of the Spaniards in
Cavite, Camilo de Polavieja replaced Ramon Blanco as governor general on December
13, 1896. Polavieja was more successful than his predecessor and slowly regained onethird of the province.
Andres Bonifacio's Execution
While Aguinaldo was recognized as leader by the Magdalo faction, Bonifacio was
recognized as the leader of the Katipunan by the Magdiwang faction. An assembly was
held in Imus, Cavite on December 31, 1897 to settle the leadership issue but was not
successful. Then on March 22, another assembly was held at Tejeros (known as the
Tejeros Convention) to elect officers of the revolutionary government. Aguinaldo won as
president while Bonifacio was relegated as the Director of the Interior. Bonifacio rejected
the elections and declared it void. Bonifacio later formed the Naic Military Agreement,
essentially creating a government contending Aguinaldo's. Soon after, Bonifacio was
captured, stood trial, and was sentenced to death by a War Council of Aguinaldo's
government. Aguinaldo initially commuted the sentence to deportation but later reversed
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the commutation upon pressure from Pio Del Pilar and other officers. On orders from
General Mariano Noriel, Andres Bonifacio was executed at the foothills of Mt. Buntis by
Major Lazaro Makapagal on May 10, 1897.
The Revolution Continues
Bonifacios death did not deter the Filipinos from fighting for their freedom. The
Spanish government, for its part, doubled its efforts in trying to control Cavite, which was
considered the seat of the Revolution. When Governor General Primo de Rivera replaced
Camilo Polavieja on April 27, 1897, he immediately marched to Naic, Cavite to persuade
the Filipinos to surrender. The rebels, however, stood their ground. Emilio Aguinaldo
established his headquarters in Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan province. The news immediately
spread throughout the country, and the revolutionaries were once more in high spirits.
General llanera, who was in Nueva Ecija, declared his support for Aguinaldo. In July
1897, Aguinaldo established the Biak-na-Bato Republic and issued a proclamation stating
the following demands:
Expulsion of the friars and the return of the friar lands to the Filipinos
Representation of the Philippines in the Spanish Cortes
Freedom of the press and of religion
Abolition of the governments power to banish Filipinos
Equality for all before the law.
A charter based on the Cuban Constitution was also drafted by Felix Ferrer and
Isabelo Artacho. It was signed on November 1, 1897. The Biak-na-Bato Constitution
provided for the establishment of a Supreme council that would serve as the highest
governing body of the Republic. It also outlined certain basic human rights, such as
freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the right to education. Emilio Aguinaldo
and Mariano Trias were elected Supreme Council president and vice president,
respectively.
The Pact of Biak-na-Bato
Pedro Paterno, a Spaniard born in the Philippines volunteered to act as negotiator
between Aguinaldo and Gov. Primo de Rivera in order to end the clashes. Paternos effort
paid off when on, December 15, 1897, the Pact he sign the Pact as the representative of
the revolutionaries, and de Rivera as the representative of the Spanish government. The
Leaders are: Emilio Aguinaldo-President, Mariano Trias-Vice President, Antonio
Montenegro-Secretary, Baldomero Aguinaldo-Treasurer, and Emilio Riego de Dios.
On December 23, 1897, Generals Celestino Tejero and Ricardo Monet of the Spanish
army arrived in Biak-na-Bato and became hostages of the rebels. A ceasefire was
declared by both camps and an agreement between Aguinaldo and the Spanish forces was
made -that the Spanish government will grant self-rule to the Philippinesin 3 years if
Aguinaldo went to exile and surrender his arms. In exchange, Aguinaldo will receive
P800,000 (Mexican Pesos) as remuneration to the revolutionaries and an amnesty. After
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receiving a partial payment of P400,000, Aguinaldo left for Hong Kong on December 27,
1897. Some Filipino generals, however, did not believe in the sincerity of the Spaniards.
They refused to surrender their arms. Nevertheless, the Te Deum was still sung on
January 23, 1898.
The Spanish-American War
One year before the historic Cry of Pugad Lawin, a revolution broke out in Cuba
-another Spanish Colony that rose against the rampant abuses of the Spaniards. It became
independent in 1898 after three years of revolt, with the help of United States. The
Americans were supportive of the Cubans for various reasons:
First- the US is a free country and Advocated democracy and freedom.
2nd- the US wants to protect its huge economic interest in Cuba, in the amount
of $50,000,000.
3rd- a lot of stories reached the United States about Spanish maltreatment of
Americans living in Cuba and this greatly angered the US citizens.
Finally, since Cuba was located very near the US it was deemed covered by the
protective mantle of the Monroe Doctrine.
American Colonization of the Philippines
At that time, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt, wanted a war to
erupt between the US and Spain so he could strengthen and expand the US Navy, he
immediately put his plan into place. On February 25, 1896, he ordered Commodore
George Dewey to make Hong Kong the headquarters of the American Asiatic Squadron.
He also directed Dewey to attack Manila Bay and destroy the Spanish fleet, the moment
hostilities between Spain and US break out.
The Spanish-American War
Spain did not relish American intervention in its affairs. However, with the Philippine
and Cuban revolutions going on, it could not afford to add the Americans to its enemy
list, especially since the United States had more advanced technology and weaponry. In
the face of Spains declining power, it tried to repair its rift with the US in order to avoid
a disastrous war. On February 15, 1898, how ever a fateful event accrued in Cuba. The
American warship Maine was blown up in Havana harbor, resulting in the death of its
260 officers and crewmembers. Although it was not proven that the Spaniards had sunk
the Maine, the Americans called for war against Spain. Roosevelt was one of many US
officials who considered the destruction of the Maine as act of treason and supported the
declaration of war.
Spain declared war on the United States on April 23, 1898. The United Sates
declared war against Spain on April 25, 1898. On May 1, 1898, the United States Navy
lead by Commodore George Dewey crushed the Spanish squadron in Manila Bay and the
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Spanish naval base at Sangley Point in Cavite. By June, 1898, the American had control
of portions of the Philippine islands. The Spanish-American War ended with the Treaty of
Paris signed on December 10, 1898. The treaty conferred ownership of the Spanish
colonies of Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines to the United States. In turn, the U.S.
paid Spain US$ 20 million.
George Dewey, then a Commodore United States Navys Asiatic Squadron was
waiting in Hong Kong when He received a cable from the then secretary of Navy,
Theodore Roosevelt, stating that thewar had begun between the US and Spain. Dewey
sailed from Hong Kong on board his flagship Olympia with six other heavily armed
ships. He brought with him a report on the location of the Spanish ships inCorregidor and
Manila at dawn of May 1, 1898. Dewey entered Manila Bay almost undetected. When he
saw the Spanish ships, which were under the command of General Patricio Montoya, he
ordered his men to fire. The battle began at 5:41 in the morning and by 12:30 of the same
day, the Spaniards were raising the white flag in surrender. Although The Spanish ships
outnumbered those of the Americans; the weapons of the Americans were far more
superior to those of the Spaniards. The battle proved to be too costly for the Spaniards,
who lost 167 men and had 214 others wounded. As for the Americans, no ships were
destroyed, and no soldier was killed or injured. The Battle of Manila Bay is considered
one of the easiest encounters ever won in world history.
The Siege of Manila
By June 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo had captured the whole of Luzon and was
ready to storm Manila with the help of Gregorio del Pilar, Artemio Recarte, Antonio
Montenegro, Pantaleon Garcia, and many other able generals. At that time, the term
Manila referred to the walled city of Intramuros. Aguinaldos men surrounded the walls
of Intramuros. Nearby areas like Tondo, Sta. Cruz, San Juan, and Caloocan were likewise
secured. The Spaniards stubbornly hoped for the arrival of reinforcements from the
Spanish mainland, but none ever came. Aguinaldo on the other hand, was firmly
convinced that it just was a matter of days before the Spaniards surrendered. Therefore,
he started planning for the declaration of Philippine independence.
The Philippine Revolutionary Government
Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree on July 18, 1898 asking for the election of
delegates to the revolutionary congress, another decree was promulgated five days later,
which declared that Aguinaldo would appoint representatives of congress because
holding elections is not practical at that time. He appointed 50 delegates in all (but this
number fluctuated from time to time). In accordance with these two decrees, Aguinaldo
assembled the Revolutionary Congress at the Brasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan on
September 15, 1898.
The atmosphere was festive and the Pasig Band played the national anthem. After
Aguinaldo had read his speech congressional elections were held among the delegates
present. The following were among the most important achievements of the Malolos
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Congress:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
In September 29, 1898, ratified the declaration of Philippine independence held

at Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898
Passage of a law that allowed the Philippines to borrow P 20 million from banks
for government expenses
Establishment of the Universidad Literatura de Filipinas and other schools
Drafting of the Philippine Constitution
Declaring war against the United States on June 12, 1899
Malolos Constitution
A committee headed by Felipe Calderon and aided by Cayetano Arellano, the
constitution was drafted, for the first time by representatives of the Filipino people and it
is the first republican constitution in Asia. The constitution was inspired by the
constitutions of Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil, Belgium and France. After some
minor revisions (mainly due to the objectionsof Apolinario Mabini), the final draft of the
constitution was presented to Aguinaldo. This paved the way to launching the first
Philippine Republic. It established a democratic, republication government with three
branches - the Executive, Legislative and the Judicial branches. It called for the
separation of church and state. The executive powers were to be exercise by the president
of the republic with the help of his cabinet. Judicial powers were given to the Supreme
Court and other lower courts to be created by law. The Chief justice of the Supreme Court
was to be elected by the legislature with the concurrence of the President and his Cabinet.
First Philippine Republic
The first Philippine Republic was inaugurated in Malolos, Bulacan on January 21,
1899. After being proclaimed president, Emilio Aguinaldo took his oath of office. The
constitution was read article by article and followed by a military parade. Apolinario
Mabini was elected as a prime minister. The other cabinet secretaries were: Teodoro
Sandico, interior; Baldomero Aguinaldo, war; Gen. Mariano Trias, finance & war;
Apolinario Mabini, foreign affairs; Gracio Gonzaga for welfare, Aguedo Velarde, public
instruction; Maximo Paterno, public works & communication; and Leon Mara Guerrero
for agriculture, trade & commerce.
The Philippine National Anthem
Aguinaldo commissioned Julian Felipe, a composer from Cavite province was asked
to write an an instrumental march for theproclamation of independence ceremony. The
original title was "Marcha Filipina Magdalo". This was later changed to "Marcha
NacionalFilipina". The lyrics was added in August 1899 based on the poem titled
"Filipinas" by Jose Palma. The original lyrics was written in Spanish, then to English
(when the Flag Law was abolished during the American period) then later, was translated
to Tagalog, which underwent another change of title to Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine
National Anthem.
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Filipino-American Hostilities
Emilio Aguinaldo agreed to hold a peace conference between Filipino and American
leaders. The conference lasted from January 9 to 29 in 1899. It ended without
definiteresults, because the Americans were actually just biding time, waiting for more
reinforcements to arrive from the US. Hostilities finally exploded between the Filipinos
and Americans on February 4, 1899 in San Juan. An American soldier named Robert
Grayson, saw 4 armed Filipino men on San Juan Del Mote Bridge and ordered them to
stop, but they ignored him. This prompted Grayson to fire at the men, who immediately
fired back. The following day MacArthur ordered his troops to openly engage the
Filipinos in battle. The Filipino American War was on. From San Juan, American soldiers
marched on to Pasig and nearby areas. In a matter of days, they were able to overrun
Guadalupe, Pateros, Marikina, and Caloocan.
General Antonio Luna and his men showed great heroism when they attacked Manila
on the night of February 24, 1899. They burned the living quarters of the Americans in
Tondo and Binondo, and reached as far as Azarraga Street (now Claro M. Recto Avenue),
where they met by formidable American troops. Luna was forced to retreat to Polo,
Bulacan two days later. When American reinforcements arrived in the Philippines,
General Elwell Otis immediately attacked the northern part of Manila, while General
Henry Lawton went to the south. General Arthur MacArthu, Jr. marched to Malolos,
which was then the capital of the Philippine Republic. Malolos was taken on March 31,
1899. By this time, however, Aguinaldo had already moved his headquarters to San
Fernando, Pampanga. General Fredrick Funston crossed the Pampanga River in April
1899 and entered SanFernando. On May 5, the Americans had gained control of
Pampanga. Fortunately, Aguinaldo was able to flee to San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.
The death of Antonio Luna. A significant event that greatly weakened Aguinaldos
forces was the death ofGeneral Antonio Luna, acknowledged as the best and most
brilliant military strategist of the Philippine Revolution. He was brave, intelligent, and
well educated; but he also had a fiery temper, and was a strict disciplinarian. His harsh
and rough manner earned him a lot of enemies, who latter plotted to kill him. In June
1899 Luna was at his command post in Bayambang, Pangasinan when he received a
telegram allegedly sent by Aguinaldo. The telegram instructed him to proceed to
Aguinaldos headquarters in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. On June 5, Luna arrived at the
headquarters, a convent on the town plaza in Cabanatuan, but was told that Aguinaldo left
for Tarlac. Angry, Luna went out of the convent and was met and killed by Captain Pedro
Janolino with Kawit, Cavite troops. General Luna was buried at the nearby churchyard.
Aguinaldo's role on his death is not clear and his killers were never charged or
investigated.
Aguinaldo Flees
Philippine military strategies began to fail with the death of Antonio Luna. The
generalsstarted to disagree among themselves, and the Filipinos began losing battles. On
November 13, 1899, General Emilio Aguinaldo fled to Calasiao, Pangasinan with his
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wife, son, mother sister, and some Cabinet members. The Americans followed in hot
pursuit; but Aguinaldo still managed to elude them. However, he soon realized that being
constantly on the run put the women in his group at great disadvantage. So, on December
25, 1899, he surrendered them to the American Aguinaldo then continued his march from
Pangasinan to Palanan, Isabela. There he stayed for some time, since the place was
mountainous and difficult to approach. Aguinaldos loyal men guarded all roads leading
to the area.
Aguinaldo is Captured
Gen. Funston plotted the capture of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. On the night of March 6,
1901, He boarded the American warship Vicksburg and docked at Casiguran Bay on
March 14. From Palanan Funston group reached Aguinaldos headquarters in Palanan on
March 23, 1901. The Macabebe Scouts pretended to have been sent by Lacuna, with the
American officials as their prisoners. Thus Aguinaldo have no idea of his impending
capture until Tal Placido of the Macabebe Scouts embraced him. The Americans then
declared the arrest of Aguinaldo and his men in the name of the United States
government. Aguinaldo was brought to Manila and presented to then military GovernorGeneral Arthur MacArthur, Jr. (father of General Douglas MacArthur) at Malacanang
Palace. On April 19, 1901 he finally pledged allegiance to the United States.
The Philippine Revolution Ends
The first to yield to the Americans was by General Simion Ola. He surrendered to
Colonel Harry Bandoltz in Guinobatan Albay on September 25.1903. Other
revolutionaries soon followed.
Military Government
General Wesley Merritt was the highest-ranking American official in the Philippines
after Spaniards surrendered Manila on August 13, 1898. He established a military
government and became the first American Military governor of the Philippines. The
objectives of the Military government are: 1) to establish peace and order to the
Philippines, and 2) to prepare Philippines for civil governance. The government in the
Philippines can be classified into opposition and collaboration. The Americans used
propaganda and other means to win the Filipinos to their side.
The Schurman
The first commission was chaired by Dr. Jacob G. Schurman, president of Cornell
University. Thus it became known as the Schurman Commission. Their group arrived on
the Philippines on February 4, 1899. The commission proposed the following:
1. Establish civil governments in areas were peace and order had been restored
2. Set up a bicameral legislature with members of the lower house to be all elective
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3. Appoint American and Filipino member of the Upper house to head the cabinet
4. Preserve Philippine natural resources
5. Create a civil service system
6. Assign highly qualified Filipinos to important government positions
The Taft Commission
On March 16, 1900, United States President William McKinley appointed the then
JudgeWilliam Howard Taft to head the second Philippine Commission, which would also
be known as the Taft Commission. Taft would become Governor-General of the
Philippinesand later, the president of the U.S. McKinley wanted to hasten the transition of
the Philippine military government into a civil one. The Taft Commissions was given
executive and legislative powers it could use to achieve the Presidents objective. The
Commission arrives in the Philippines on June 3, 1900. It began legislative work on
September 1, the first law it passed set aside P2 million for the construction of treads and
bridges. From September 1900 to August 1902, the Commission was able to enact 440
pieces of legislation for the Philippines. Some of these laws included the Municipal and
Provincial codes, which established municipal and provincial governments all over the
country, and laws organizing the Philippine Constabulary and the countries judicial
system. Aside from enacting laws the commissions also visited various provinces and
help it in the government peace efforts.
The Spooner Amendment
The modification sponsored by Senator John C. Spooner, allowed the US president to
fully administer the Philippines. Thus, the military government of the Philippines was
replaced with a civil one albeit temporary pending the legislation of permanent colonial
government by the United States.
Civil Government under Taft
The Philippine civil government was inaugurated on July 4, 1901, with William
Howard Taft as its first governor, the powers and duties of a governor were passed on to
Taft. The Taft Commission continuing functioning as legislative body. Cayetano Arellano
was the first Filipino to hold a high position of government he was named Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court on May 28, 1899. Gregorio Araneta was appointed as Secretary of
Justice and finance. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, Benito Legarda, and Jose Luzuriaga were
selected as members of the Philippine Commissions.
The Philippine Commonwealth Era
The Commonwealth era is the 10 year transitional period in Philippine history from
1935 to 1945 in preparation for independence fromthe United States as provided for
under the Philippine Independence Act or more popularly known as the TydingsMcDuffie Law. The Commonwealth era was interrupted when the Japanese occupied the
Philippines in January 2, 1942. The Commonwealth government, lead by Manuel L.
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Quezon and Sergio S. Osmea went into exile in the U.S., Quezon died of tuberculosis
while in exile and Osmea took over as president. At the same time, the Japanese
forcesinstalled a puppet government in Manila headed by Jose P. Laurel as president. This
government is known as the Second Philippine Republic. On October 20, 1944, the Allied
forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed on the island of Leyte to liberate the
Philippines from the Japanese. Japan formally surrendered in September 2, 1945.
After liberation, the Commonwealth government was restored. Congress convened in
its firstregular session on July 9, 1945. It was the first time the peoples representatives
have assembled since their election on November 11, 1941. Manuel Roxas was elected
Senate President, andElpidio Quirino was chosen President Pro Tempore. Jose Zulueta
was speaker of the house, while Prospero Sanidad became speaker pro Tempore. The first
law of this congress, enacted as commonwealth act 672, organized the central bank of the
Philippines. The commonwealth deal also tackled the issue of collaboration. In
September 1945 the counter intelligence corps presented the people who were accused of
having collaborated with, or given aid to, the Japanese. Included were prominent
Filipinos who had been active in the puppet government that the Japanese had been
established. A Peoples Court" was created to investigate and decide on the issue.
Amidst this sad state of affairs, the third commonwealth elections were held on April
23, 1946. Sergio Osmea and Manuel Roxas vied for the Presidency. Roxas won thus
becoming the last president of the Philippine Commonwealth. The Commonwealth era
formally ended when the United States granted independence to the Philippines, as
scheduled on July 4, 1946. Important legislations and events during the American period
that made the Philippines a commonwealth of the United States:
The Philippine Bill of 1902 - Cooper Act
United States Congressman Henry Allen Cooper sponsored the Philippine Bill of
1902, also known as the Cooper Act. The bill proposed the creation and administration of
a civil government in the Philippines. President Theodore Roosevelt signed it into law in
July 2, 1902.
Here are some of the more important provisions of the Cooper Act:
Ratification of all changes introduced in the Philippine government by the
president of the U.S., such as the establishment of the Philippine Commission,
the office of the civil governor and the Supreme court
Extension of the American Bill of Rights to the Filipinos except the right of trial
by jury
Creation of bicameral legislative body, with the Philippine Commission as the
upper house and a still-to-be-elected Philippine Assembly as the Lower House
Retention of the executive powers of the civil governor, who was also president
of the Philippine Commission
Designation of the Philippine Commission as the legislating authority for nonChristian tribes
Retention of the Judicial powers of the Supreme court and other lower courts
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Appointment of two Filipino resident commissioners who would represent the

Philippines in the US Congress but would not enjoy voting rights
Conservation of Philippine natural resources
The bill contained 3 provisions that had to be fulfilled first before the Philippine
Assembly could be establishing these were the:
Complete restoration of peace and order in the Philippines
Accomplishment of a Nationwide census
Two years of peace and order after the publication of the census
The Philippine Assembly
The assembly was inaugurated on October 16, 1907 at the Manila Grand Opera
House, with US secretary of WarWilliam Howard Taft as guest of honor. Sergio Osmea
was elected Speaker while Manuel Quezon was elected Majority Floor leader. The
Recognition of the Philippine Assembly paved the way for the establishment of the
bicameral Philippine Legislature. The Assembly functioned as the lower House, while the
Philippine Commission served as the upper house. Benito Legarda and Pablo Ocampo
were the first commissioners. Other Filipinos who occupied this position included
Manuel Quezon, Jaime de Veyra, Teodoro Yangco, Isaro Gabaldon, and Camilo Osias.
The Jones Law
To further train the Filipinos in the art of government, the U.S. Congress enacted the
Jones Law on August 29, 1916. It was the first official document that clearly promised
the Philippine independence, as stated in its preamble, as soon as a stable government
was established. The Jones Law or the Philippine Autonomy act, Replace the Philippine
bill of 1902 as the framework of the Philippine government. It provide for the creation of
the executive powers. The vice governor general, assisted by his Cabinet, would exercise
executive powers. The vice governor would act concurrently as the Secretary of
Education.
Creation of the Council of State
Upon the recommendation of Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmea, Governor
General Francis Burton Harrison issued an executive order on October 16, 1981, creating
the first Council of State in the Philippines. It was the Councils duty to advise the
governor general on matters such as the creation of policies for administering government
offices.
The Council held meetings once a week and whenever the governor general called
for one. It was composed of the governor general, the department secretaries, the speaker
of the Lower House, and the Senate president. During Harrisons term, the executive and
legislative branches of government worked harmoniously with each other.
The Os-Rox Mission
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One delegation, however, that met with partial success was the Os-Rox Mission, so
called because it was headed by Sergio Osmea and Manuel Roxas. The Os-Rox group
went to the United States in 1931 and was able to influence the U.S. Congress to pass a
pro-independence bill by Representative Butter Hare, Senator Henry Hawes, and Senator
Bronso Cutting. The Hare-Hawes-Cutting Law provided for a 10-year transition period
before the United States would recognize Philippine independence. U.S. President
Herbert Hoover did not sign the bill; but both Houses of Congress ratified it. When the
Os-Rox Mission presented the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Law to the Philippine Legislature, it
was rejected by a the American High Commissioner representing the US president in the
country and the Philippine Senate, specifically the provision that gave the U.S. president
the right to maintain land and other properties reserved for military use. Manuel Quezon
was tasked to head another independence mission to the united States.
The Tydings-McDuffie Law
In December 1933, Manuel L. Quezon returned to the Philippines from the United
States with a slightly amended version of the Hare-Hawes-Cutting bill authored by
Senator Milliard Tydings and representative McDuffie. President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt, the new U.S. president, signed it into law on March 24, 1934. The TydingsMcDuffie Act (officially the Philippine Independence Act of the United States Congress;
Public Law 73-127) or more popularly known as the The Tydings-McDuffie Law
provided for the establishment of the Commonwealth government for a period of ten
years preparatory to the granting of Independence
Japanese Occupation of the Philippines
During Word War II
On December 8, 1941, Japan invaded the Philippines. Clark Air Base in Pampanga
was first attacked and also Nichols Field outside Manila was attacked, then on December
22, The Japanese forces landed at the Lingayen Gulf and continued on to Manila. General
Douglas MacArthur declared Manila an open city on the advice of commonwealth
President Manuel L. Quezon to avoid its destruction. Manila was occupied by the
Japanese on January 2, 1942. MacArthur retreated with his troops to Bataan while the
commonwealth government withdrew to Corregidor island before proceeding to the
United States. The joint American and Filipino soldiers in Bataan finally surrendered on
April 9, 1942. MacArthur escaped to Corregidor then proceeded to Australia. The 76,000
captured soldiers were forced to embark on the infamous "Death March" to a prison camp
more than 100 kilometers north. An estimated 10,000 prisoners died due to thirst, hunger
and exhaustion.
The Huks
In the midst of fear and chaos, some farmers of Pampanga banded together and
created local brigades for their protection. Luis Taruc, Juan Feleo, Castro Alejandrino,
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and other leaders of organized farmers held a meeting in February 1942 in Cabiao, Nueva
Ecija. In that meeting, they agreed to fight the Japanese as a unified guerrilla army.
Another meeting was held the following month, where in representatives from Tarlac,
Pampanga and Nueva Ecija threshed out various details regarding their organization,
which they agreed to call "Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon" or HUKBALAHAP.
Taruc was chosen to be the Leader of the group, with Alejandrino as his right hand man.
The members were simply known as Huks!
The Philippine Executive Commission
In accordance the instructions of President Manuel Quezon to Jorge Vargas, the
Filipino officials in Manila were told to enter into agreements and compromises with the
Japanese to mitigate the sufferings of the people under the iron-clad rule of the Japanese.
On January 23, 1942 the Philippine Executive Commission was established, with Vargas
as chairman. the following was appointed as department heads: Benigno Aquino, Sr.,
interior; Antonio de las Alas, finance; Jose P. Laurel, justice; Claro M. Recto, education,
health, and public welfare; and Quintin Paredes, public works and communication; Jose
Yulo was named Chief Justice of the Supreme court.
The following month, an election was held for members of The Preparatory
Commission for Philippine Independence (PCPI). The purpose of PCPI is to draw up a
constitution for a free Philippines. Jose Laurel became its head. Against the will of the
PCPI delegates the new Constitution was finalized on July 10, 1943. Two months later it
was ratified by the KALIBAPI, which was the only political party allowed to exist at that
time. KALIBAPI is the acronym for "Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas".
The new constitution, which noticeably lacked a bill of rights contained 12 articles
lifted from the 1935 constitution that fitted the wishes of the Japanese. It was meant to be
in effect only temporarily, while the Philippines still in chaos. After the war, a
newconstitution would again be drafted for the new Philippine Republic.
The Second Republic
On September 20 1943, the KALIBAPI- under the leadership of its director general,
Benigno Aquino Sr. held a party convention to elect 54 members of the National
Assembly. The Assembly was actually made up of 108 members; but half of this number
was composed of incumbent governors and city mayors. Jose P. Laurel was elected as
president of the second republic (the first republic was Aguinldo'sMalolos Republic) and
both Benigno Aquino Sr. & Ramon Avancena as a vice-presidents. The new republic was
inaugurated on October 14 1943 on the front steps of the legislative building in Manila.
The Philippine flag was hoisted as the national anthem was played. Meanwhile, the
Japanese started using propaganda to gain the trust and confidence of Filipinos who
refused to cooperate with them. They hung giant posters and distribute their materials that
contains such slogans as "the Philippines belong to the Filipinos." they also used
newspapers, movies, and others to publicize the same idea. Promoting Japanese
propaganda was one of the main objectives of the KALIBAPI, but still Japanese failed to
gain the trust of the Filipinos.
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Gen. Douglas MacArthur Returns

From Australia, Allied forces slowly advanced toward the Philippines, bombing
several Japanese strongholds until they regained control of areas previously occupied by
the enemy. The bombings began on September 21 1944, and barely a month later, on
October 20, 1944, the Americans landed triumphantly in Leyte. Once a shore, General
Douglas MacArthur said; "I have Returned."
Sergio Osmea was Part of MacArthurs group. He had taken over Manuel L.
Quezon as president after the latter past way at Saranac Lake, New York on August 1944.
From October 23 to October 26, 1944 the Americans engaged Japanese forces in the
Battle of Leyte Gulf. Consider as the biggest naval battle in World History, this historic
encounter almost destroyed the entire Japanese fleet and rendered in incapable of further
attack. The US victory in the battle of Leyte Gulf is said to have signaled the beginning
of Philippine liberation from the Japanese.
By mid-December, the American soldiers had reached Mindoro. The Japanese,
meanwhile, secured other area where their thought other American units would land.
Nevertheless, US liberation forces successfully docked at Lingayen Gulf on January 9,
1945. The news alarmed the Japanese. Lt. Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, supreme
commander of the Japanese troops in Manila, mobilize his kamikazes (Japanese suicide
pilots); but they failed to stop Americans. The Japanese also deployed MAKAPILI units
to defend Manila but neither succeeds.
On December 8, 1944, President Laurel and his cabinet moved to Baguio upon
orders of Yamashita, who is also known as the tiger of Malaya. The Japanese forces
retreated to Yamashita line a jungle battlefront stretching along the Sierra Madre
Mountains from Antipolo, Rizal to Appari Cagayan.
The Japanese in Manila would not give up easily. In fact, it took 3 weeks of intense
fighting before they finally surrendered on February 23. Gen. MacArthur continued to
liberate other parts of the country. And finally proclaim general freedom from the
Japanese on July 4, 1945.
Philippine Independence from the Americans
Freedom is among the rights that Filipinos did not enjoy during the Spanish rule. It
was a struggle for the Philippine revolutionary leaders to achieve independence from
foreign power. The Filipinos fought countless battles, resulting to bloody revolutions
since the 19th century under the Spanish government. The Filipino forces were persistent
to achieve independence for the country. In 1896, the Philippine Revolution started,
which incriminated Jose Rizal resulting to his execution on allegations of treason and
rouse theKatipunan in Cavite to organize in two groups creating conflict. At the break of
theSpanish-American war, the Filipino leaders saw the war between Spain and America
as an opportunity to free the Philippines from the claws of the Spanish colony; hence,
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supported the United States with military forces including indispensable

intelligence.America summoned Aguinaldo to return to the Philippines from exile and
with confidence towards the pleasant US relations, Aguinaldo anticipated independence
from Spain with the help of America. Returning to the Philippines and leading the
Filipino troops to hold the fort of Luzon with success except for Intramuros, Aguinaldo
declared the Philippine Independence from the Spanish colonial government on June 12,
1898 under the First Philippine Republic. The Philippine National flag was held up, and
swayed proudly before the joyous cries of the Filipinos by 4:20 in the afternoon at
General Aguinaldos balcony of his mansion in Kawit, Cavite. Albeit, the fact that Spain
lost the battle to the Filipino troops, Admiral George Dewey schemed to convince the
Spaniards to surrender to America. It was an act of betrayal by America that no sooner
short-lived the celebration of Philippine independence when America annexed the
Spanish colonies to include the Philippines. The Filipino forces were determined to
continue their efforts against imperialist power leading to a bloody fight against the
American Army in February 1899 when America refused to grant Philippines the longsought Independence.
The Philippine-American War erupted in February 4, 1899 in the struggle of the
Filipinos for freedom conflicting with the interests of America to become a world power
by establishing overseas empire to include the Philippines under the US imperial rule.
The Filipino forces applied conventional, thenguerrilla tactics in fighting against the US
army as they become fully aware, under the leadership ofGeneral Emilio Aguinaldo, of
the strength of the US military heavily equipped with superior firearms.Although,
General Aguinaldo was captured in 1901, the insurgencies, particularly by the Muslim
Moros in the Southern part of the Philippines continued. Nonetheless, America was
preparing Philippines for independence that started with the creation of civil government.
The US President Woodrow Wilson promised Philippine Independence and started to
entrust authority over Filipino leaders with the establishment of the Philippine Senate by
a democratic election. The Philippine Commonwealth, with elected President Manuel L.
Quezon, was instituted in 1935 under theTydings-McDuffie Act that granted Philippines
its self-government, although the legislative power was not absolute, which still required
approval from the US President. At that time, it was a good start towards the eventual
Philippine Independence.
When the events were gearing towards Philippine independence as promised by the
United States of America, theJapanese invasion and occupation bolstered in a surprise.
Bataan was surrendered to the Japanese but President Quezon along with Osmea fled to
America. World War II broke out that created immense damage to Filipinos with roughly
about one million casualties. After the war, Manuel Roxas was elected President in April
1946 for the independent Second Republic of the Philippines. In a formal declaration, the
American flag was lowered in Luneta, Manila and raised the Filipino National flag in tricolor of red, white, and blue looked up by proud Filipinos. Finally, independence was
granted to the Republic of the Philippines dated July 4, 1946. The National anthem of the
Philippines was played next to Americas. It was indeed a moment of liberating glory, for
all Filipinos after pools of blood were shed in many revolutions.
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July 4, however, holds less inspiration for the Filipinos according to the elected President
of the Republic of the Philippines in 1961, Diosdado Macapagal. Macapagal believes that
the June 12, 1896 declaration of the Philippine independence by General Emilio
Aguinaldo brings to memory the heroes of the revolution and therefore, Philippine
independence is best commemorated in honor of the Filipino revolutionary heroes.
Hence, President Macapagal changed the date of celebration of the Philippine
independence from July 4 to June 12, which the Filipinos celebrate each year up to this
time.
The Philippines During Martial Law
Proclamation of Martial Law: On September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand E.
Marcos placed the Philippines under Martial Law. The declaration issued under
Proclamation 1081 suspended the civil rights and imposed military authority in the
country. Marcos defended the declaration stressing the need for extra powers to quell the
rising wave of violence allegedly caused by communists. The emergency rule was also
intended to eradicate the roots of rebellion and promote a rapid trend for national
development. The autocrat assured the country of the legality of Martial Law
emphasizing the need for control over civil disobedience that displays lawlessness.
Marcos explained citing the provisions from the Philippine Constitutionthat Martial Law
is a strategic approach to legally defend the Constitution and protect the welfare of the
Filipino people from the dangerous threats posed by Muslim rebel groups and Christian
vigilantes that places national security at risk during the time. Marcos explained that
martial law was not a military takeover but was then the only option to resolve the
countrys dilemma on rebellion that stages national chaos threatening the peace and order
of the country. The emergency rule, according to Marcoss plan, was to lead the country
into what he calls a New Society.
Marcos used several events to justify martial law. Threat to the countrys security
was intensifying following the re-establishment of the Communist Party of the
Philippines (CPP) in 1968. Supporters of CPPs military arm, the New Peoples Army,
also grew in numbers in Tarlac and other parts of the country. The alleged attempt to the
life of then Minister of Defense Juan Ponce Enrile gave Marcos a window to declare
Martial Law. Marcos announced the emergency rule the day after the shooting incident.
Marcos also declared insurgency in the south caused by the clash between Muslims and
Christians, which Marcos considered as a threat to national security. The Muslims were
defending their ancestral land against the control of Christians who migrated in the area.
The minority group organized the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Malaysia
and pushed for the autonomy of Mindanao from the national government.
The move was initially supported by most Filipinos and was viewed by some critics
as a change that solved the massive corruption in the country. Martial law ceased the
clash between the executive and legislative branches of the government and a
bureaucracy characterized by special interest. Marcos started to implement reforms on
social and political values that hindered effective modernization. To match the
accomplishments of its Asianneighbors, Marcos imposed the need for self-sacrifice for
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the attainment of national welfare. His reforms targeted his rivals within the elite
depriving them of their power and patronage but did not affect their supporters (US
Library of Congress, Martial Law and the Aftermath).
Thirty-thousand opposition figures including Senator Benigno Aquino, journalists,
student and labor activists were detained at military compounds under the Presidents
command (Proclamation 1081 and Martial Law). The army and the Philippine
Constabulary seized weapons and disbanded private armies controlled by prominent
politicians and other influential figures (Proclamation 1081 and Martial Law). Marcos
took control of the legislature and closed the Philippine Congress (Proclamation1081 and
Martial Law). Numerous media outfits were either closed down or operated under tight
control (Proclamation 1081 andMartial Law). Marcos also allegedly funnelled millions of
the countrys money by placing some of his trusted supporters in strategic economic
positions to channel resources to him. Experts call this the crony capitalism.
The deterioration of the political and economic condition in the Philippines triggered
the decline of support on Marcos plans. More and more Filipinos took arms to dislodge
the regime. Urban poor communities in the countrys capital were organized by the
Philippine Ecumenical Council for Community and were soon conducting protest masses
and prayer rallies. These efforts including the exposure of numerous human rights
violations pushed Marcos to hold an election in 1978 and 1981 in an aim to stabilize the
countrys chaotic condition. Marcos, in both events, won the election; however, his
extended term as President of the Republic of the Philippines elicited an extensive
opposition against his regime. Social unrest reached its height after former Senator
Benigno Aquino was murdered. The incident sent thousands of Filipinos to the streets
calling for Marcos removal from post. Turning again to his electoral strategy, Marcos
held a snap election in 1986 but what he hoped will satisfy the masses only increased
their determination to end his rule that seated Corazon Aquino, widow of Benigno
Aquino, asPresident of the Philippines ousting Marcos from Malacaang Palace and
ending the twenty-one years of tyrant rule.
EDSA People Power Revolution
The Philippines was praised worldwide in 1986, when the so-called bloodless
revolution erupted, called EDSA People Powers Revolution. February 25, 1986 marked
a significant national event that has been engraved in the hearts and minds of every
Filipino. This part of Philippine history gives us a strong sense of pride especially that
other nations had attempted to emulate what we have shown the world of the true power
of democracy. The true empowerment of democracy was exhibited in EDSA by its
successful efforts to oust a tyrant by a demonstration without tolerance for violence and
bloodshed. Prayers and rosaries strengthened by faith were the only weapons that the
Filipinos used to recover their freedom from President Ferdinand Marcoss iron hands.
The Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) stretches 54 kilometers, where the peaceful
demonstration was held on that fateful day. It was a day that gathered all Filipinos in
unity with courage and faith to prevail democracy in the country. It was the power of the
people, who assembled in EDSA, that restored the democratic Philippines, ending the
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oppressive Marcos regime. Hence, it came to be known as the EDSA People Powers
Revolution.
The revolution was a result of the long oppressed freedom and the life threatening
abuses executed by the Marcos government to cite several events like human rights
violation since the tyrannical Martial LawProclamation in 1972. In the years that
followed Martial Law started the suppressive and abusive yearsincidents of
assassination were rampant, particularly those who opposed the government, individuals
and companies alike were subdued. The Filipinos reached the height of their patience
when former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Sr. was shot and killed at the airport in
August 21, 1983, upon his return to the Philippines from exile in the United States.
Aquinos death marked the day that Filipinos learned to fight. His grieving wife, Corazon
Cojuangco-Aquino showed the Filipinos and the world the strength and courage to
claimback the democracy that Ferdinand Marcos arrested for his personal caprice.
Considering the depressing economy of the country, Ninoys death further intensified the
containedresentment of the Filipinos. In the efforts to win back his popularity among the
people, Marcos held a snap presidential election in February 7, 1986, where he was
confronted with a strong and potent opposition, Corazon Aquino. It was the most corrupt
and deceitful election held in the Philippine history. There was an evident trace of
electoral fraud as the tally of votes were declared with discrepancy between the official
count by the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) and the count of NAMFREL
(National Movement for Free Elections). Such blatant corruption in that election was the
final straw of tolerance by the Filipinos of the Marcos regime. The demonstration started
to break in the cry for democracy and the demand to oust Marcos from his seat at
Malacaang Palace. The revolt commenced when Marcos' Defense Minister Juan Ponce
Enrile and the Armed Forces Vice-Chief of Staff command of Fidel V. Ramos, both
withdrew their support from the government and called upon the resignation of then
President Marcos. They responsibly barricaded Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo and
had their troops ready to combat against possible armed attack organized by Marcos and
his troops. The Catholic Church represented by ArchbishopJaime Cardinal Sin along with
the priests and nuns called for the support of all Filipinos who believed in democracy.
Radyo Veritas aired the message of Cardinal Sin that summoned thousands of Filipinos to
march the street of EDSA. It was an empowering demonstration that aimed to succeed
peacefully with the intervention of faith. Nuns kneeled in front of tanks with rosaries in
their hands and uttering their prayers.
With the power of prayers, the armed marine troops under the command of Marcos
withdrew from the site. Celebrities expressed their support putting up a presentation to
showcase the injustices and the anomalies carried out by the Marcos administration.
Finally, in the morning of February 25, 1986, Corazon Aquino took the presidential oath
of office, administered by the Supreme Court Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee at
Club Filipino located in San Juan. Aquino was proclaimed as the 11th President of the
Republic of the Philippines. She was the first lady president of the country. People
rejoiced over their victory proving the success of the EDSA Peoples Power Revolution,
the historic peaceful demonstration. Although in 2001, there was an attempt to revive
People Power in the efforts to oust then President Joseph Estrada, it was not as strong as
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the glorifying demonstration in 1986. The bloodless, People Power Revolution in EDSA
renewed the power of the people, strengthened the meaning of democracy and restored
the democratic institutions of government.
Fifth Republic (1986Present Time)
The worlds eye was on the Philippines after it successfully toppled down almost a
decade of dictatorship rule through a peaceful demonstration tagged as the EDSA
Peoples Power Revolution. After the widowed wife of former Senator Benigno "Ninoy"
Aquino, Sr. was elected into office, President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino faced both
economic and political problems of the country. Her rule as president began on February
25, 1986 after taking oath at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila. She was the
11th president of the Philippines and the first woman to become president of the country.
She was tasked to put together a nation devastated by the rule of her predecessor
Ferdinand E. Marcos. It was not an easy task since the countrys economic condition was
in its worse state since 1982. Filipinos living below the poverty line is alarmingly
increasing in number. Aquino also struggled with Marcos supporters in theArmed Forces
of the Philippines who attempted to remove her from power. The group of soldiers, who
called themselves members of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement or RAM,
staged seven coup attempts against the Aquino administration. The attack held in August
28, 1987, which killed at least 53 people and injured more than 200 others, was the most
serious attack the government experienced. These attacks worsened the economic
condition of the Philippines as investors became wary about Aquinos ability to rebuild
the country. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the United
States also forced the government to fulfill its obligations to pay an estimated $27.2
billion worth of debt Aquino inherited from the previous administration. To be eligible for
IMFs rehabilitation programs, Aquino instigated reforms towards a freer economy. These
reforms ended monopolization of the agricultural industry of the country, reduced tariffs
and lifted import controls in the Philippines.
The political condition of the country at that time did not look any better. To resolve
the issue, Aquino commissioned a referendum that would be the framework for the new
government. It tackled various issues from shifting the government from presidential to
parliamentary, to economic reforms involving foreign participations. Due to its
immediate necessity, details of the referendum were left to the legislature to determine.
Released in February 1987, the new charter easily won the approval of the public.
The rule that followed Aquinos presidency established steadier governance of the
Philippines.Fidel V. Ramos took office in 1992 and immediately worked on the countrys
recovery. Ramos initiated the Social Reform Agenda or SRA that was geared towards
alleviating poverty. TheGross National Product reached an average of 5 percent annually,
which translated to a growth in the average family income of the Filipinos. He undertook
the implementation of Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law which improved public
infrastructure and deregulated several industries to help liberalize the economy. The
country also saw improvements in its relations to secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation
Front or MNLF as Ramos achieved a peace agreement with the group. Ramos bagged the
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first UNESCO Peace Award yet given to an Asian for this effort. He also came to be
known as the Centennial President for his successful supervision of the 100th
anniversary of the countrys independence from the Spanish rule celebrated in June 12,
1998.
A film actor, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, succeeded Ramos as president in 1998. He was
the previous mayor in the municipality of San Juan, Metro Manila and vice president of
Ramos, Estrada was placed into office by a wide margin of vote. He gained support in the
election for his promise to begin a pro-poor administration that his predecessors failed to
promote in their respective platforms. This support dwindled down as his administration
was rattled by corruption. Critics accused him of failing to live up to his promises due to
the resurfacing of cronyism in the government. Efforts made by Ramos to resolve
political conflicts in Mindanao were also threatened as Estrada launched an all-out war
against the Islamic group in Mindanao called the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in March
21, 2000. In the same year, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Chavit Singson accused Estrada
of receiving Php 400 million from him as payoff from illegal gambling profits. The
revelation led to Estradas impeachment in November 12, 2000 and his ouster from
presidency in January 20, 2001. Then Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr.
swore-in vice-president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as president the same day.
The Philippine Constitution allows the president to ran for a second term if he/she
was sworn into office by succession and served in less than 4 years, otherwise the
president is limited to one term of office. Arroyo was qualified to ran for another term.
Indeed, she did. In the 2004 Philippine General Election, Arroyo declared her presidential
candidacy and she was seated into office for the second time. Arroyo promoted a
Stronger Republic under her rule, which was geared toward vigorous economic
reforms. However, her administration was bombarded with several controversies and
impeachment attempts in the last five years. Hence, as she announced her disinterest to
extend her term or run for office in the 2010 elections, critics expressed their
apprehensions. Once, Arroyo had broken the peoples trust when she declared that she
was not interested to run in the 2004 elections. Protesters express their disappointment
every so often rallying at the streets calling against the Charter Change (Cha-Cha) and
now the Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), which is currently promoted by the Arroyos
supporters in Congress when the Cha-Cha attempt has become improbable receiving
critical disapproval. The representatives in the lower house ofCongress were said to have
made the move independently to pass the Con-Ass however, many are skeptic of the true
agenda of the Arroyo administration as the 2010 election countdown nears. Supporters of
Arroyo are pushing for a change of government from a Presidential to a Parliamentary
form. This will enable Arroyo run for parliament and become prime minister.
On the May 10, 2010 general elections, Arroyo run and won for congresswoman for
the 2nd district of Pampanga province. Making her the first president to hold a lower
office after occupying the highest office of the land. On her first day as congresswoman,
Arroyo filed a resolution calling for Congress to hold a Constitutional Convention to
amend the constitution. On June 30, 2010, Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, a.k.a
Noynoy Aquino, was proclaimed as president of the republic together with Jejomar
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Cabauatan Binay as vice-president.

The Philippine Presidents
FIRST REPUBLIC
(Revolutionary Government/The Philippines under Spanish rule)
(1899-1901) President: Emilio F. Aguinaldo
(1897?) Vice-President: Mariano C. Trias (elected VP during the Tejeros assembly)
COMMONWEALTH PERIOD (American Period)
(1935-1944) President Manuel L. Quezon (Died in exile in the U.S.)
(1936-1944) Vice-President: Sergio S. Osmea, Sr.
(1944-1946) President: Sergio S. Osmea, Sr. (Assumed the presidency upon the death of
Quezon while thePhilippine Commonwealth government is in exile in the U.S.)
SECOND REPUBLIC (Japanese Occupation)
(1943-1945) President: Jose P. Laurel
(1943-1945) Vice-Presidents: Benigno Aquino, Sr. and Ramon Avancena
THIRD REPUBLIC
(1946-1948) President: Manuel L. Roxas (Died of a heart attack)
(1946-1948) Vice-President: Elpidio R. Quirino
(1948-1953) President: Elpidio R. Quirino (Assumed the remaining term & re-elected)
(1949-1953) Vice-President: Fernando H. Lopez
(1953-1957) President: Ramon F. Magsaysay
(Magsaysay died in an airplane crash on March 16, 1957 on Mt. Manunggal in Cebu)
(1953-1957) Vice-President: Carlos P. Garcia
(1957-1961) President: Carlos P. Garcia (Assumed the remaining term and re-elected)
(1957-1961) Vice-President: Diosdado P. Macapagal
(1961-1965) President: Diosdado P. Macapagal
(1961-1965) Vice-President: Emmanuel N. Pelaez
(1965-1972) President: Ferdinand E. Marcos (the first to win 2 presidential terms)
(1965-1972) Vice-President: Fernando H. Lopez
FOURTH REPUBLIC (Martial Law, "The New Republic" & Parliamentary
Government)
(1972-1986) President: Ferdinand E. Marcos (unseated by the People Power Revolution)
(Marcos died in exile in Hawaii on September 28, 1989 of Lupus complications)
(1981-1986) Prime Minister Cesar E. A. Virata
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(1986) Vice-President: Arturo M. Tolentino (proclaimed but did not serve due to the
revolt)
FIFTH REPUBLIC (Under the new "People Power" Constitution)
(1986-1992) President: Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino
(1986-1992) Vice-President: Salvador H. Laurel
(1992-1998) President Fidel V. Ramos
(1992-1998) Vice-President: Joseph Ejercito Estrada
(1998-2001) President: Joseph Ejercito Estrada (Deposed by "People Power")
(1998-2001) Vice-President: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
(2001-2010) President: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Assumed Estrada's remaining term &
re-elected)
(2001-2004) Vice-President: Teofisto T. Guingona (1st term of Arroyo)
(2004-2010) Vice-President: Manuel "Noli" Leuterio de Castro (2nd term of Arroyo)
(2010-Present) President: Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino III
(2010-Present) Vice-President: Jejomar "Jojo" Cabauatan Binay
Evolution of the Philippine Flag
The first Filipino flag can be traced from the time of the Andres Bonifacio's secret
society named: Kataastaasang Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan
(Highest and Most Honorable Society of the Sons of the Nation) or the Katipunan or
KKK for short. Benita Rodriquez and Bonifacio's wife, Gregoria de Jesus, made the first
Filipino flag.
The first Philippine flags was made of red cloth with white KKK initials sewn in
white. The red color symbolized the blood of the members of the Katipunan in which
inductee to the society signed in their names with their own blood.
The Filipino flag had variations (from 1892 to 1896). Some members arranged the
KKK in a triangle while some generals of the revolution designed their own flags.
Of note is the black banner of General Mariano Llanera in Nueva Ecija with a letter
K and a skull with two cross bones underneath.
Another variation of the Filipino flag was that of General Pio del Pilar. It had an
equilateral triangle with a K at each angle with a rising sun behind a mountain.
In this Philippine flag picture, the Sun with the KKK underneath was also a
derivative of previous Filipino flags.
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In 1896, the Magdalo faction of the Katipunan in Cavite headed by General Emilio
Aguinaldo had a red ensign with a sun and at the center of the sun is the letter K written
in the ancient Filipino alphabet.
Another variation is the Sun of Liberty of the Naic Assembly in 1897 and the flag
used by the Republic of Biak-na Bato.
General Gregorio del Pilar also used another flag during the Battle of Pasong Balite
and at the Battle of Tirad Pass. This Filipino flag is similar to the flag of Cuba, according
to del Pilar.
In 1898 Emilio Aguinaldo while in exile in Hong Kong had a banner sewn with the
triangle of the Masonry with the mythical sun and face with 8 rays representing the 8
provinces that revolted against the Spanish rule (Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija,
Pampanga, Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas) and 3 stars representing the main island
groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
In 1936, Manuel L. Quezon as president of the commonwealth, issued Executive
Order 23 which contained the specifications ofthe national flag. The banner is almost
unchanged with a few exceptions, the most notable is the use of a plain sun without the
face.
Retained were the while triangle, the sun and the stars and the blue and red stripes.
The triangle stood for equality and it's white color stood for purity. The blue stripe stood
for peace and the red for courage.
In times of peace, the blue stripe is flown on top but in times of war, the banner is
inverted with the red strip on the top. The Philippine flag is the only flag to have this
official dual display.
Timeline of Philippine History
1380 - Muslim Arabs arrived at the Sulu Archipelago.
1521 - Ferdinand Magellan "discovers" the islands and names them: Archipelago of
San Lazaro.
1542 - Spanish expedition commandeered by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos claims the
islands for Spain; names them "Philippines" after Prince Philip, later King Philip II of
Spain; the Philippines becomes part of Spanish Empire.
1872 - Gomburza (Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jocinto Zamora) were
executed by the Spaniards.
1892 - Jose Rizal founded the civic organization La Liga Filipina.
1896 - Katipuneros tear their cedulas & shout in contempt of the Spaniards in what is
called the Cry of Pugadlawin.
1897 - General Emilio Aguinaldo establishes the a new republic at Biak-na-Bato in
Bulacan.
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1886 - Jos Rizal publishes anti-Spanish novel, Noli Me Tangere (The Lost Eden); and
seers up independence sentiment.
1896 - Spanish execute Rizal for instigating insurrection; public outrage spawns
rebellion.
1898 - American warship Maine was blown up in Havana harbour, triggers the the
Spanish-American war, the battle of Manila Bay ensues.
1898 - Emilio Aguinaldo assembled the Malolos Congress in Bulacan, then declares
independence in Kawit, Cavite
1899 - Treaty of Paris ends Spanish-American War, cedes Philippines to U.S. after
payment to Spain by U.S. of $ 20 million. Emilio Aguinaldo declares independence then
leads a guerrilla war against U.S.
1901 - U.S. captures Aguinaldo; William Howard Taft arrives as first U.S. governor of
Philippines.
1902 - Insurrection ends; Taft improves economic conditions, settles disputes over
church ownership of land, establishes "Pensionado" program, allowing Filipinos to study
in U.S., which helped modernize and westernize the country.
1916 - U.S. congress passes the Jones Law establishing elected Filipino legislature with
house and senate.
1934 - U.S. congress approves the Tydings-McDuffie Law promising Philippine
independence by 1946; transition to independence begins.
1935 - Filipino people approve constitution creating the Philippine Commonwealth
with Manuel Quezon y Molina as president.
1941 - Japanese invades the Philippines, and defeats Gen. Douglas MacArthur at
Bataan and Corregidor; Quezon establishes government in exile in the U.S.
1944 - Quezon dies in exile; Vice President Sergio Osmea assumes the presidency;
MacArthur returns to the Philippines and lands in Leyte with little resistance.
1945 - Gen. MacArthur liberates Manila and President Osmea establishes
government.
1946 - The U.S. gave the Philippines independence and Manuel Roxas y Acua is
elected as the first president of the new republic.
1965 - Ferdinand E. Marcos is elected by a big majority as president.
1972 - Martial Law was declared by President Marcos.
1981 - Marcos lifts Martial Law.
1983 - Opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino returns from exile and is
assassinated on arrival at Manila International Airport; Aquino's widow Corazon leads the
"People Power" protest movement.
1986 - Marcos was declared winner in a presidential election beating Corazon Aquino
amid charges of fraud; demonstrationserupt; Marcos flees to Hawaii; Aquino is declared
president and forms a new government.
1992 - Endorsed by Aquino, her Secretary of Defense Gen. Fidel Ramos wins
presidential election. U.S. Philippine congressrejects a new treaty with the U.S. and Subic
Bay naval base and Clark Air Field returns to Philippine government, ending American
military presence in the Philippines.
1996 - The government of Ramos agrees to greater autonomy for southern island of
Mindanao. Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) ends the guerrilla war with the
government.
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1997 - Asian financial crisis grips Asia and the Philippines escapes the crisis despite
series of currency devaluations.
1998 - Former movie actor Joseph Estrada is elected president.
2000 - On charges of corruption, the lower house impeach Estrada.
2001 - Estrada was forced to step down due to public outrage over corruption
allegations. Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumes the presidency.
2004 - Presidential election takes place. Arroyo's closest rival (a dear friend of ExPresident Estrada) is film actor Fernando Poe, Jr. Arroyo narrowly defeats Poe, taking
39.5% of the vote to Poe's 36.6%.
2005 - A taped conversation between President Arroyo & an election official surfaced
during the 2004 elections implying she influenced the official election results. Calls for
her resignation and demonstrations followed soon after. In September 2005, Congress
voted down the filing of an impeachment against Arroyo.
2007 - Former President Joseph Estrada is convicted of plunder, the first ever in the
history of the Philippines.
2010 - First automated national elections in the Philippines.
2010 - Benigno "Noynoy" Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III wins the Presidential
elections and sworn in at Manila's Rizal Park on June 30, 2010.
PNoys Cabinet Members
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Florencio Butch Abad
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Albert Romulo
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa
Department of Finance Cesar V. Purisima
Department of Justice (DOJ) Leila L. de Lima
Department of National Defense Voltaire Gasmin
Department of Education (DepEd) Armin A. Luistro
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Cayetano Paderanga Jr.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Proceso V. Alcala
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Ramon Paje
Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) Jose Ping de Jesus
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Rosalindo Baldoz
Department of Health (DOH) Dr. Enrique Ona
Department of Tourism (DOT) Alberto Lim
Department of Local and Interior Government - Mar Roxas
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Gregory Domingo
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Corazon Juliano Soliman
Department of Energy (DOE) Jose Rene Almendras
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Rogelio Singson
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Dr. Mario Montejo
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Virgilio R. De Los Reyes
Commission on Higher Education Patricia Licuanan
Bureau of Internal Revenue Kim Jacinto Henares
Armed Forces of the Philippines Lieutenant General Emmanuel T. Bautista
Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles
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Presidential Management Staff Julia R. Abad

Spokesperson - Edwin Lacierda
Presidential Legal Counsel - Eduardo V. De Mesa
Police Director-General - Allan Purisima
Chief Justice of Supreme Court - Ma. Lourdes Sereno
Solicitor General - Francis Jardeleza
.
17 Regions of the Philippines
(NCR) NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION - Caloocan City, Las Pias City, Makati City,
Malabon City, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Marikina City, Muntinlupa City, Navotas
City, Paraaque City, Pasay City, Pasig City, Pateros City, Quezon City, San Juan City,
Taguig City, Valenzuela City.
(CAR) CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION - Abra, Apayao, Benguet,
Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province
( Region I ) ILOCOS REGION - Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, La Union
( Region II ) CAGAYAN VALLEY - Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya,
Quirino
( Region III ) CENTRAL LUZON - Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga,
Tarlac, Zambales
( Region IV-A ) CALABARZON - Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon
( Region IV-B ) MIMAROPA - Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro,
Romblon, Palawan
( Region V ) BICOL REGION - Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes,
Masbate, Sorsogon
(Region VI ) WESTERN VISAYAS - Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros
Occidental
(Region VII ) CENTRAL VISAYAS - Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor
(Region VIII ) EASTERN VISAYAS - Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar,
Samar, Southern Leyte
( Region IX ) ZAMBOANGA PENINZULA - Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del
Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay
( Region X ) NORTHERN MINDANAO - Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte,
Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental
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( Region XI ) DAVAO REGION - Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del sur
Davao Oriental
( Region XII) SOCCSKSRGEN - Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat
General Santos City
( Region XIII) CARAGA - Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao
del Norte, Surigao del Sur
(ARMM) AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO - Basilan, Lanao del
Sur, Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi
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LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS 2014

Compilation of Notes in Philippine History

Reviewer in Philippine History

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LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS 2014

Compilation of Notes in Philippine History

Bataan Peninsula State University

LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS 2014

Compilation of Notes in Philippine History

Bataan Peninsula State University

LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS 2014

Compilation of Notes in Philippine History

and stronghold for the region.

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Compilation of Notes in Philippine History

Bataan Peninsula State University

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The Galleon Trade

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The Secularization Controversy

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Compilation of Notes in Philippine History

Bataan Peninsula State University

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Compilation of Notes in Philippine History

Bataan Peninsula State University

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Deodato Arellano -Supremo

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The Cry of Pugadlawin

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Compilation of Notes in Philippine History

Bataan Peninsula State University

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Compilation of Notes in Philippine History

Bataan Peninsula State University

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Compilation of Notes in Philippine History

In September 29, 1898, ratified the declaration of Philippine independence held

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Bataan Peninsula State University

LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS 2014

Compilation of Notes in Philippine History

Bataan Peninsula State University

LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS 2014

Compilation of Notes in Philippine History