BFP Entrance Exam General Information — Philippine History & Political ScienceFlash Cards

What were the four social classes in pre-Spanish barangays?

1. Maharlika (nobility) - the ruling class with special privileges 2. Timawa (freemen) - free citizens who could own property 3. Aliping namamahay (serfs) - bound to serve but could own property 4. Aliping saguiguilid (slaves) - owned by their masters with no property rights

Who was the first Spanish Governor-General and who was the last?

First: Miguel Lopez de Legaspi (1565) - established Spanish colonial rule and founded the first Spanish settlements Last: Gen. Diego de los Rios (1898) - oversaw the end of Spanish rule during the Spanish-American War

Explain the difference between the Dictatorial Government and Revolutionary Government established by Aguinaldo.

Dictatorial Government (May 24, 1898): Established after Spanish-American War outbreak, focused on immediate independence declaration on June 12, 1898 Revolutionary Government (June 23, 1898): Replaced dictatorial government, aimed to struggle for independence recognition by all nations and prepare for republic establishment

What are the four essential elements of a state?

1. People - inhabitants of the state 2. Territory - fixed portion of earth's surface occupied by the people 3. Government - agency through which state's will is formulated and realized 4. Sovereignty - supreme power to enforce will within jurisdiction and freedom from foreign control

Describe the three types of American government in the Philippines.

1. Military Government (1898-1901): Led by military governors during wartime with complete executive, legislative, judicial powers 2. Civil Government (1901-1935): Headed by Civil Governor/Governor-General with Philippine Commission as legislature 3. Commonwealth Government (1935-1946): Transition period under Tydings-McDuffie Law preparing for independence

What was the Katipunan and who founded it?

The Katipunan was a secret society founded by Andres Bonifacio that initiated the Philippine revolution against Spain on August 26, 1896. It had a hierarchical structure with the Supreme Council (Kataastaasang Sanggunian) as central government, provincial councils, and popular councils at town level.

Compare De Jure and De Facto governments.

De Jure Government: Has general support of people, founded on existing constitution and laws of the state - legally recognized De Facto Government: Not founded on existing constitution and laws but exercises actual control - may lack legal basis but has effective power

What were the two known written laws in pre-Spanish Philippines?

1. Maragtas Code - written by Datu Sumakwel in AD 1250 in Panay 2. Kalantiaw Code - written by Datu Kalantiaw in AD 1433 in Panay Both were legal codes that governed their respective territories alongside unwritten laws embedded in Filipino culture.

Explain the difference between Parliamentary and Presidential systems.

Parliamentary System: Legislature can terminate executive's tenure; cabinet is immediately responsible to legislature and politically responsible to electorate Presidential System: Executive is independent of legislature in tenure, policies, and acts; president is directly elected by people

What was the EDSA People Power Revolution and when did it occur?

The EDSA People Power Revolution (February 22-25, 1986) was a peaceful uprising that led to the downfall of Ferdinand Marcos' 20-year presidency. It resulted from widespread protests against electoral fraud in the snap election, leading to Corazon Aquino's assumption of the presidency.

What are constituent functions of government? Give examples.

Constituent functions are compulsory functions that constitute the bond of society: - Keeping order and protecting persons/property - Fixing legal relations (marriage, parent-child) - Regulating property rights and transmission - Determining contractual rights - Defining and punishing crimes - Administering justice - Determining political duties and privileges - Foreign relations and national defense

Who was the first President of the First Philippine Republic?

General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first President of the First Philippine Republic, established under the Malolos Constitution. He was inaugurated on January 23, 1899, though the republic was not recognized by other nations and lasted until March 23, 1901.

Distinguish between a State and a Nation.

State: Political concept - community with territory, government, sovereignty, and people; always free from foreign control Nation: Ethnic concept - group bound by common culture believing they are one and distinct; may or may not be independent; one state can have multiple nations or one nation can span multiple states

What was the Japanese-sponsored government during WWII?

Japanese Military Administration (January 3, 1942) was first established, followed by the Philippine Executive Commission led by Jorge B. Vargas. On October 14, 1943, the Japanese-sponsored Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated with Jose P. Laurel as President. It was dissolved on August 17, 1945.

What are the three theories about the origin of states?

1. Divine Right Theory - state is of Divine creation, ruler ordained by God 2. Force/Necessity Theory - states evolved through force by warriors imposing on the weak 3. Paternalistic Theory - states originated from family enlargement under paternal authority 4. Social Contract Theory (Rousseau) - states formed by voluntary compact for common good

What was the Biak-na-Bato Republic?

Established by Gen. Aguinaldo on November 1, 1897, in Biak-na-Bato (now San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan). It had a constitution effective for two years but lasted only until December 15, 1897, when the Pact of Biak-na-Bato was signed, temporarily ending hostilities with Spain.

Compare Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy.

Direct/Pure Democracy: Will of the state formulated directly through people in mass meetings or assemblies - citizens participate directly in decision-making Indirect/Representative/Republican Democracy: Will of state formulated through select representatives chosen by people - citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf

What was Proclamation No. 1081?

Issued by Ferdinand Marcos, this proclamation placed the entire Philippines under Martial Law before the 1973 Constitution was completed. It abolished Congress, led to imprisonment of opposition leaders, and gave Marcos executive, legislative, and judicial powers, allowing him to rule through Presidential Decrees.

What are ministrant functions of government? Give examples.

Ministrant functions are optional functions undertaken to advance general societal interests: - Public works and infrastructure - Public education systems - Public charity and welfare - Health and safety regulations - Trade and commerce regulations These functions enhance quality of life but are not essential for state survival.

Who was the first Civil Governor of the Philippines under American rule?

William Howard Taft served as the first Civil Governor (1901-1903) when the military government ended on July 4, 1901. He also served as President of the Philippine Commission, the sole law-making body from 1901-1916, and later became US President.

What was the significance of the 1987 Constitution?

Ratified on February 2, 1987, during Corazon Aquino's presidency, it restored democratic government and institutions after the Marcos dictatorship. It was drafted by a 50-member Constitutional Commission and established the framework for the current Philippine government, emphasizing human rights and democratic principles.

Distinguish between Unitary and Federal government systems.

Unitary Government: Control of national and local affairs exercised by the central/national government - power is centralized Federal Government: Power divided between two agencies - one for national affairs, one for local affairs - each supreme within its own jurisdiction, allowing shared governance

What was the role of the datu in pre-Spanish barangays?

The datu was the supreme leader of the barangay, serving as: - Chief Executive (head of government) - Law-giver (creator of rules) - Chief Judge (judicial authority) - Military head (defense leader) Assisted by the Council of Elders (Maginoos), the government was monarchical in nature with the datu as monarch.

What was the Treaty of Paris and its significance to the Philippines?

The Treaty of Paris (1898) ended the Spanish-American War and ceded the Philippines from Spain to the United States. This marked the end of almost four centuries of Spanish colonial rule (1565-1898) and the beginning of American colonial period, fundamentally changing Philippine political structure.

What is Political Science and why is it considered a science?

Political Science is the systematic study of the state and government. It is considered a science because it: - Provides basic knowledge and understanding of state principles - Uses scientific methodologies and strategies - Studies governmental operations systematically - Analyzes relations between people and the state using empirical methods