LESSON 6

Politics in the Pre- Spanish to

Spanish Period
“Leadership is not about titles, positions or

flowcharts. It is about one life influencing

another.”

- John C. Maxwell

REPORTER: HARVEY MONTESER

 There are two misconceptions about Philippine politics
that must be corrected. First, that there was no politics in
the Philippines prior to colonization period. By definition
of politics, whenever a group is formed and leaders are
chosen, there is already a play of power even without the
group being aware of such concept. Additionally, there are
accounts or records that prove the existence of politics in
the Philippines prior to colonization period.

The second misconception is that every issue or

problem we have in politics and governance was caused by
colonization. This is not true since a lot of political issues
and concerns we have this day can be traced back even
before colonization.

REPORTER: HARVEY MONTESER

 The first type is the classless societies, or
communities that are so small that they do not
have the need to elect a leader. The need for a
leader only comes with the facilitation of hunting,
but after every expedition, the appointed leader
loses his power. The second type is the warrior
societies who have a defined warrior class who are
also appointed leaders for legislation , inter-
ethnic relations, and judicial matters. These
communities are relatively larger than the first
and have more or less hostile relations with other
groups, thus the need for the warrior class.

REPORTER: IVAN REYTERAN

 The third type is the pretty plutocracies where there is a clear
division of economic class. In most instances, the ruler of
such communities comes from the privileged class, though
being a ruler also means having proven oneself to be of
service the community. The last type would be the principalities
where there is a clear class of leaders through the datus or
sultans. Most often, these communities follow the political
organization that was brought by Islam and is the strongest
and most organized political entity in Philippine pre- colonial
history (Scott 1979).

From Scott’s research, we are able to see the pre-

colonial politics was molded by community needs and the
external influences of the Muslim and the Indian traders and
settlers in the country.

REPORTER: MARIA ELAIZA COMENDADOR

 During the pre- colonial period, the areas and the groups in the
Philippines that the Spaniards were able to occupy and influence have
experienced a radical change in politics and governance. Indigenous
political systems in hispanized areas were removed and replaced by the
colonial form of government for easier management. Hispanized areas
in the Philippines became tied to the government in Spain with the
king as head, followed by the viceroy in Latin America (Gripaldo et al.
2005).

Communities were arranged according to the reduccion policy that

centralized settlements around colonial institutions, such as the church
and municipal halls. The governor general became the head of the
colony, followed by the alcaldes and corregimientos, gobernadorcillos,
and cabeza de barangays (Gripaldo et al. 2005).

REPORTER: SANCIA SAI OSUNA