J. H.

CERILLES STATE COLLEGE

Handurawan: Readings in Philippine History

Jackie P. Judilla
Coleen Jean B. Templa
Nimshe M. Pastrano
Jennie C. Jumamoy
Naomi M. Baluran
Jovey P. Medina
Janniece L. Magsayo
Yuri Matildo
Randy B. Rebuyon

1
 PREFACE

Philippine History in the past was taught in light of various events

with the use of historians’ interpretation of History and not so with the use
of first- hand sources. The new curriculum of Commission of Higher
Education (CHED) in Philippine History provides multiple perspectives
through the lens of primary sources. Students are given the chances to
analyze and validate the reliability and veracity of the sources through
content analysis and contextualizing the text. This way, students will
develop their analytical and communication skills along with
understanding and appreciating our own heritage.

Meanwhile, CHED Memorandum Order No. 1 and 2 Series of 2019

mandates the integration of Peace Education and Filipino- Muslims and
Indigenous People’s Studies into the higher education curricula. This will
contribute to attaining peace in the country that will lead to sustainable
development and address issues confronting our country’s IPs and Moro
communities.
This module is divided into five (5) units.

Unit 1 Introduction to History: Definition, Issues, Sources, and

Methodologies It is a general assessment of History as a science and a
historical narrative. This unit attempts to explain the sense and importance
of history to students on the basis of primary sources, and the viewpoint
across the board.

Unit 2 Social, Political, Economic and Cultural Issues in the Philippines is

centered on the attempt to understand concerns using lens of history. This
unit discusses the mandatory topics.
Unit 3 Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources talks
about the methods of analysis in History using primary sources from across
the periods of Philippine History.
Unit 4 Issues and Controversies in Philippine History is an attempt to
anatomize the issues in Philippine History and how can it these concerns
be analyzed using the lens of History.
Unit 5 Evaluation and Promotion of Local and Oral history is an attempt to
guide the students in the historical research methods they will have to
undergo in the process of completing the course

2
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This work became possible through the efforts of the Office of Vice
President of Academic Affairs and the members of the Readings in
Philippine History group across the JHCSC system for the cooperation and
support.
Coleen Jean B. Templa
Nimshe M. Pastrano
Jennie C. Jumamoy
Naomi M. Baluran
Jovey P. Medina
Janniece L. Magsayo
Yuri Matildo
Randy B. Rebuyon

3
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1
Unit
Introduction to History: Definition, Sources and
Methodologies

Lesson 1: Meaning and Relevance of History

Lesson 2: Historical Sources

Unit

2
Social, Political, Economic and Cultural Issues in Philippine
History

Lesson 1: Evolution of Philippine Constitution

Lesson 2: Policies on Agrarian Reforms
Lesson 3: Evolution of Philippine Taxation
Lesson 4: Peace Studies
Lesson 5: Lumads and Moros in MINSUPALA

Unit

3
Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary
Sources

Lesson 1: Summary of Antonio Pigafetta’s First Voyage around

the World
Lesson 2: Juan de Plasencia’s Customs of the Tagalogs
Lesson 3: KKK and the “Kartilya ng Katipunan”
Lesson 4: Proclamation of Independence and its Analysis
Lesson 5: Alfred McCoy’s Philippine Cartoons: Political
Caricature of the American Era
Lesson 6: Artistic Works of Filipino Painters Juan Luna and
Fernando Amorsolo

4
Unit

4
Issues and Controversies in Philippine History

Lesson 1: Where did the First Catholic Mass in the Philippines

Take Place?
Lesson 2: Cavite Mutiny and the GOMBURZA
Lesson 3: Where did the Cry of Rebellion Happen?

Unit

5
Evaluation and Promotion of Local and Oral History

Lesson 1: Doing Historical Research Online in the Times of Pandemic

Lesson 2: Doing Historical Research in Libraries and Archives
Lesson 3: Local and Oral History

References
Appendix
About the Author/s

5
 UNIT

2
Social, Political, Economic and Cultural Issues in Philippine History

Lesson 1 Evolution of the Philippine Constitution

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. Explain the importance of constitution in a nation
2. Trace the development of the Philippine constitution throughout the country’s
history
3. Discuss the significant features and provisions incorporated in the six Philippine
Constitutions

PRE TEST
Directions: Every person is entitled with the basic human rights. Enumerate your rights
as a Filipino citizen and as a student.

______

______ ______

HUMAN
RIGHTS
______ ______

______6
Learning Content

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a constitution as "a body of fundamental

principles or established precedents according to which a state or organization is
governed". The Collins dictionary says a constitution consists of "the fundamental
principles on which a state is governed, especially when considered as embodying the
rights of subjects". A constitution sets out how all the elements of government are
organized and how power is carved up among different political units. It contains rules
about what power is wielded, who wields it and over whom it is wielded in the governing
of a country (Retrieved from https://www.concourt.org.za/index.php/constitution/what-is-a-
constitution)

The purposes of a constitution are as follows:

1. It prescribes the kind of government that will exist in the state.
2. It creates the different departments and specifies their respective
functions and duties.
3. It is the source of the sovereign powers of a government by establishing
the fixed, first or basic principles.
4. It promotes public welfare. The constitution establishes the rights of the
people which the government is obligated to protect (Torres, 2018).

The constitution is crafted by a constitutional convention which is a body

assembled for the express purpose of framing or writing a constitution, revising an
existing one, or proposing amendments to it. After writing the constitution, the draft
constitution or its amendments/ revisions are submitted to a plebiscite for ratification in
which people will decide whether it is acceptable to become law of the land. The results
are then considered and followed by the government. This is different from a
referendum in which a law passed by a legislative body is brought before the people to
be voted upon. The results, however, may or may not be considered by the state.

7
 History of the Philippine Constitutions
A. BIAK-NA-BATO CONSTITUTION (1897)
Primary Source:
Preamble of the Emilio Aguinaldo established his headquarters in Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan
Biak-na- Bato province. The news immediately spread throughout the country, and the
Constitution revolutionaries were once more in high spirits. General Llanera, who was in
Nueva Ecija, declared his support for Aguinaldo. In July 1897, Aguinaldo
The
established the Biak-na-Bato Republic and issued a proclamation stating the
separation of the
following demands:
Philippines from the
Spanish monarchy
1. Expulsion of the friars and the return of the friar lands to the
and their formation
Filipinos
into an
2. Representation of the Philippines in the Spanish Cortes
independent state
with its own 3. Freedom of the press and of religion
government called 4. Abolition of the government’s power to banish Filipinos
the Philippine 5. Equality for all before the law.
Republic has been
the end sought by The constitution was promulgated by the Philippine Revolutionary
the Revolution in its Government and became the provisionary constitution of the government
existing war, begun during the revolution against Spain.
on the 24th of
August, 1896; and, A charter based on the Cuban Constitution was also drafted by Felix
therefore, in its Ferrer and Isabelo Artacho. It was signed on November 1, 1897. The Biak-na-
name and by the Bato Constitution provided for the establishment of a Supreme council that
power delegated would serve as the highest governing body of the Republic. It also outlined
by the Filipino certain basic human rights, such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press,
people, and the right to education. Emilio Aguinaldo and Mariano Trias were elected
interpreting Supreme Council president and vice president, respectively. (Retrieved from
faithfully their http://www.philippine-history.org/biak-na-bato.htm?level=1/?lang=en_gb)
desires and
ambitions, we, the In spite of being a copied constitution, the Biak-na-Bato Constitution
representatives of had its own unique features.
the Revolution, in a 1. Its preamble reiterated the objective of the revolution which was
meeting at Biak-na- the “the separation of the Philippines from the Spanish monarchy and
Bato, Noovember their formation into an independent state with its own government”.
1, 1897, 2. The government that was formed was a Supreme Council
unanimously composed of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary of the Interior, a
adopted the Secretary of the Foreign Relations, a Secretary of War, and a Secretary of
following articles for Treasury. This council had sweeping powers of government which
the constitution of included the power to issue orders and other laws for the security of the
the State. State, to impose and collect taxes, to raise an army, to ratify treaties, and
to convene an Assembly of Representatives.
3. Official language was Tagalog.
4. The judiciary power was vested in another Supreme Council of
Justice.
5. Articles XXII to XXV were essentially the Bill of Rights accorded to every
Filipino.

8
 This constitution was to last only for two years during which, it was
superseded by laws and decrees made by Aguinaldo.

B. THE MALOLOS REPUBLIC CONSTITUTION (1899)

In 1898 after the defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War, the

Filipinos began their task of creating the independent nation. On June 12,
1898, Philippine Independence was declared and Aguinaldo ordered the
Primary Source: convening of a Congress in Malolos, Bulacan. Elections were held for the
Preamble of the delegates in the provinces that were already free from Spanish forces. The
Political Malolos Congress had its inaugural session at Barasoain Church in Malolos on
Constitution of September 15, 1898.
1899 The Congress was conceived by Apolinario Mabini as the presidential
adviser. But another group led by Pedro Paterno decided to create a
We, the constitution to form a government that would recognize foreign powers.
Representatives
of the Filipino In October 25, 1899, the discussions for the constitution began after the
People, lawfully submission of a draft by Felipe Calderon. Calderon drew inspiration from
convened, in constitutions of Mexico, Belgium, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil and France.
order to establish One of the heated topics of the discussion of this constitution was the issue
justice, provide of the union of church and state where Catholicism would be made the state
for common religion. It was voted twice by the body and was disapproved thus having the
defense, separation of church and state. The constitution was approved by the
promote the Malolos Congress on November 29, 1899 and was forwarded to President
general welfare Aguinaldo for approval. Malolos Constitution was the first republican
and insure the constitution in Asia.
benefits of
liberty, imploring Features of the Malolos Constitution:
the aid of the
Sovereign 1. It was based on democratic traditions in which the government formed was
Legislator of the “popular, representative and responsible” with three distinct branches- the
Universe for the executive, the legislative, and the judicial.
attainment of 2. It called for a presidential form of government with the president elected for
these ends, have a term of 4 years by a majority of the Assembly convened as a constituent
voted, decreed, assembly.
and sanctioned 3. It recognized the freedom of religion and the separation of church and state.
the following 4. It emphasized and safeguarded the basic civil rights of not only the Filipinos,
political but foreigners, through a Bill of Rights (Articles XIX to XXIII).
constitution.

B. C. THE 1935 CONSTITUTION

Right after the signing of the Treaty of Paris in Washington D.C in 1898
that ceded the Philippines to the US paying the amount of $20, 000, 000 to Spain
in the process, and the eruption of Filipino-American War in 1899, our country
was placed under a military government until 1901 with the passing of the

9
 Spooner Amendment, putting an end to the military rule in the Philippines and
replacing it with a civil government with William H. Taft as the first civil governor.
The ratification of the Philippine Bill of 1902, which called for the creation
of a lower legislative branch composed of elected Filipino legislators, and the
Jones Law in August 1916 gave the Filipinos the opportunity to govern
themselves better. The First Philippine Assembly, which convened on October
16, 1907, was composed of educated Filipinos from illustrious clans such as
Primary Source:
Sergio Osmeña and Manuel L. Quezon, who revived the issue of immediate
Preamble of the independence for the Filipinos and this was expressed by sending political
1935 missions to the US Congress.
Commonwealth
Constitution Controversy divided the Philippine legislature with the debate on the
acceptance or rejection of the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Bill brought home by
The Filipino
Osmeña-Roxas mission from the US Congress in 1931, which provided for a 10-
people, year transition period before the granting of Philippine independence. The
imploring the aid passage of the independence bill resulted in the splitting of the Democrata Party
of Divine and Nacionalista Party into two factions; the Pros and Antis. Majority in the
Providence, in legislature led by Quezon and Recto rejected the said bill, thereby composing the
order to Antis, while the Pros became the Minority under Osmena, Roxas and others.
establish a
government On October 17, 1933, Quezon and others triumphed in this battle as the
that shall Philippine legislature rejected the bill. Quezon eventually brought in from the
embody their United States the Tydings-McDuffie Act (Public Law 73-127) authored by Sen.
ideals, conserve Millard Tydings and Rep. John McDuffie, a slightly amended version of the Hare-
Hawes-Cutting bill signed by President Franklin Roosevelt on March 24, 1934. The
and develop
bill set July 4 after the tenth year of the commonwealth as date of Philippine
the patrimony of
independence. This was accepted by the Philippine Legislature on May 1, 1934.
the nation,
promote the The organization of constitutional Convention that would draw up the
general welfare, fundamental law of the land based on the American model was one of the salient
and secure to provisions of the Tydings-McDuffie Act. Delegates to the convention were
themselves and subsequently elected in 1934. In the first meeting held on July 30 at the session
their posterity of the House of Representatives, Claro M. Recto was unanimously elected as its
the blessings of President.
independence
under a regime Salient features of the 1935 Constitution include the following:
of justice, liberty, 1. Bicameral legislature composed of a senate and House of
Representatives
and
2. The President is to be elected to a four-year term together with
democracy, do
the Vice-President without re-election
ordain and 3. Rights of suffrage by male citizens of the Philippines who are
promulgate this twenty-one years of age or over and are able to read and write
constitution. 4. Extension of the right of suffrage to women within two years after
the adoption of the constitution.

The draft of the constitution was approved by the convention on

February 8, 1935 and ratified by Pres. Roosevelt in Washington D.C on March 25,
1935. Elections were held in September 1935, Manuel L. Quezon was elected as
the president of the Commonwealth. The 1935 Constitution provided the legal
10
 basis of the Commonwealth Government which was considered a transition
government before the granting of the Philippine independence with American-
inspired constitution; the Philippine government would eventually pattern its
government system after American government. It has been said that the 1935
Constitution was the best-written Philippine charter ever (Retrieved from
https://nhcp.gov.ph/the-constitution-of-the-philippine-commonwealth/).

Primary Source:
Preamble of the D. THE 1943 CONSTITUTION
1943
Constitution The Commonwealth government was interrupted by the Second World
The Filipino War and the Japanese occupation in the Philippines. President Manuel Quezon,
people, president of the Philippine Commonwealth government was exiled in the United
imploring the States. As part of the policy of attraction of the Japanese in their Greater East
aid of Divine Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere program, they offered to the grant the Philippines its
Providence and independence (Torres, 2018).
desiring to lead Kapisanan ng Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas or KALIBAPI, a Filipino
a free national political party that served as the political party during the Japanese occupation
existence, do convened and elected a Philippine Commission for te Philippine Independece
hereby (PCPI) to write a new constitution. On September 4, 1943 in a public ceremony
proclaim their the new constitution was signed and was ratified by the KALIBAPI. On October
independence, 14, 1943, the Second Philippine Republic was inaugurated with Jose P. Laurel as
and in order to President.
establish a Salient features of the 1943 Constitution are the following:
government 1. Condensed version of the 1935 Constitution
that shall 2. Consist of a preamble and 12 articles
promote the 3. Transitory in nature and effective only during the duration of the war
general welfare, 4. Created a republic with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial
conserve and 5. Bill of Rights enumerated the citizen’s duties and obligations rather than
develop the their constitutional rights
patrimony of 6. Tagalog was declared as the national language.
the Nation, and
contribute to E. THE 1973 CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITARIANISM
the creation of
a world order The Constitution of 1935 returned to force after the liberation of the Philippines
based on in 1945. The Constitution remained unaltered until 1947 when, by Commonwealth Act
peace, liberty, No. 733, the Philippine Congress called for its amendment. On 11 March 1947, the Parity
and moral Amendment granted citizens of the United States equal rights with citizens of the
justice, do Philippines to establish natural resources in the country and operate public utilities. The
ordain this Constitution, thereafter, remained the same until the declaration of martial law on
Constitution. September 23, 1972 (Retrieved from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/constitution-day/)

A constitutional convention was already in the process of deliberating on

amending or revising the Constitution of 1935, when President Marcos proclaimed
martial law. They completed their report and on 1st December 1972 they delivered it to
President Marcos. In early January 1973 President Marcos sent it for ratification.
Foresaw that a direct constitutional ratification was expected to fail, Marcos
issued Presidential Decree No. 86, s. 1972, establishing assemblies of people to ratify the
11
 newly adopted constitution by means of a Viva Voce vote instead of a secret ballot.
Marcos declared on 17 January 1973 that it had been ratified in full force and effect.
While the Constitution of 1973 had thus been "ratified," opposition to it persisted. In his
dissenting opinion on the case of Javellana v. Executive Secretary, Chief Justice Roberto
V. Concepcion revealed the fraud that occurred during the adoption of the 1973
Constitution by the Citizen's Assembly on January 10-15, 1973. The final ruling in this
issue, however, was that ratification of the Constitution of 1973 was legal and in effect.

F. THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

Primary Source: As 1986 saw the return of democracy, President Corazon C. Aquino issued
Preamble of the Proclamation No. 3, repealing those clauses of the 1973 Constitution and
1973 promulgating a transitory constitution in its place. By virtue of Sec. 1, Article 5 of
Constitution the Constitution on Independence, on 23 April 1986, President Cory Aquino
We, the issued Proclamation No. 9 creating a Constitutional Commission (ConCom) tasked
sovereign with drafting a new Constitution no later than 2 September 1986. In line with
Filipino people, this issue, on May 26, 1986, President Cory Aquino named the 50 members of
imploring the COnCom representing the diverse sectors of society from politics to the arts and
aid of Divine religion.
Providence, in
order to On June 2, 1986, the ConCom headed by former Justice Cecilia Muñoz
establish a Palma, commenced its sessions at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. The
Government ConCom completed their task on October 12, 1986, and presented the draft
that shall constitution to President Cory Aquino on October 15. A plebiscite for its
embody our ratification was held on February 2, 1987. 17, 059, 495 voted to ratify the
ideals, promote constitution while 5, 058, 714 voted against it.
the general
welfare, On February 11, 1987, the new constitution was proclaimed ratified and
conserve and in effect. On that same day, President Cory Aquino, government officials, and the
develop the military pledged allegiance to the New Constitution.
patrimony of our
Nation, and The 1987 Constitution consists of 18 articles with a preamble. Among its
secure to significant provisions are the following:
ourselves and 1. A presidential system of government restores the bicameral Congress of
our posterity the the Philippines, composed of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
blessings of 2. A modified Bill of Rights (Article III) details the rights of every Filipino
democracy citizen. Much emphasis was placed on the writing of this provision after
under a regime the violations committed during the Marcos dictatorship. In addition, the
of justice, constitution includes the abolition of death penalty, except when
peace, liberty, Congress provides otherwise with regard to “heinous crimes”.
and equality, do 3. The creation of a Commission on Human Rights which, under Section 18,
ordain and Article XIII, is tasked to investigate all forms of human rights violations
promulgate this involving civil and political rights. It provides appropriate legal measures
Constitution. for the protection of human rights of all persons within the Philippines,
and several other powers in relation to the protection of human rights.
4. The recognition of an Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and the
Cordilleras.

12
 5. Limited political autonomy for local government units like the provinces,
cities, municipalities and barangays and instructing the Congress to
establish a Local Government Code.

The complete provisions are as follows:

Primary Source: Preamble

Preamble of the
1987 ARTICLE I National Territory
Constitution
ARTICLE II Declaration of Principles and State Policies
We, the
sovereign Filipino ARTICLE III Bill of Rights
people,
imploring the aid ARTICLE IV Citizenship
of Almighty
God, in order to ARTICLE V Suffrage
build a just and
humane society, ARTICLE VI Legislative Department
and establish a
Government ARTICLE VII Executive Department
that shall
embody our ARTICLE VIII Judicial Department
ideals and
aspirations, ARTICLE IX Constitutional Commissions
promote the
common good, ARTICLE X Local Government
conserve and
develop our ARTICLE XI Accountability of Public Officers
patrimony, and
secure to ARTICLE XII National Economy and Patrimony
ourselves and
our posterity, the ARTICLE XIII Social Justice and Human Rights
blessings of
independence ARTICLE XIV Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports
and democracy
under the rule of ARTICLE XV The Family
law and a
regime of truth, ARTICLE XVI General Provisions
justice, freedom,
love, equality, ARTICLE XVII Amendments or Revisions
and peace, do
ordain and
ARTICLE XVIII Transitory Provisions
promulgate this
Constitution.

Link Link: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-

constitution/#article-i

13
 The Philippine government is administered by a presidential system of
government with a bicameral legislature and an independent judiciary. It has three
branches of the government:

1. The Executive headed by the President

2. The Legislative composed of the Senate headed by the Senate President
and the House of Representatives headed by the Speaker of the House
3. The Judiciary composed of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief
Justice, and the lower courts.

The House of the Representatives of composed of the Congressmen/ women

(officially called representatives) elected to a three-year term and can be re-elected, but
cannot serve more than three consecutive terms.

The Senate is composed of 24 senators who are elected and serve for six-year
terms with half of the senators elected every three years.

The Supreme Court is the Philippines’ highest judicial court. The court consists of
14 associate justices and a chief justice.

Learning Activities
Activity 1 Opinion Corner
Directions: After the Marcos dictatorship, the framers of the 1987 Constitution put in
place certain provisions to prevent repeating the tyranny and horrors
experienced during the martial law era from 1972 to 1983. On May 2017,
President Duterte declared Martial law in Mindanao.

Read official reports from the government and documents on the issue and write a short
essay answering the following:

1. What martial law safeguards were provided in the 1987 Constitution?

2. Do you think the basis of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao sufficient?
Support / explain your answer.
Activity 2 Philippine Constitutions through the years
Directions: Complete the table below to compare and contrast the 6 constitution framed
in the country. Use separate sheet if necessary.

Constitutions Form of Ratifying/ Length of Distinctive Features

Government Promulgating Effectivity
Body

Biak-na-Bato
Constitution (1897)

Malolos
Constitution (1899)

1935
Commonwealth
Constitution

1943 Constitution

1973 Constitution

1987 Constitution