Lesson 4

• Ideology


  More or less a coherent set of ideas that provides a basis for organized political action
• Intentions of ideology


  • Preserve existing system of power relationship
  • Modify existing system of power relationship
  • Overthrow existing system of power relationship
• Examples of ideologies


  • Liberalism
  • Conservatism
  • Socialism (common ownership, not capitalist and market based)
  • Communism (classless, stateless society)
  • Fascism
  • Anarchism
  • Feminism
  • Environmentalism
  • Religious fundamentalism
• Generalizations about all ideologies

  • Offer an account of existing order, "world view" (description)
  • Provide a model of a desired future, vision of "good society" (prescription)
  • Outline how political change CAN and SHOULD BE brought about (action/plan)
• Ideological foundations of Philippine government and politics (legacy)

  • Pre-Spanish/Pre-Colonial: indigenous, pre-nationhood, localized (barangay)
  • Spanish Colonization: centralized, nationhood, Christianization/spread of Catholicism, mercantilism (religion)
  • Philippine Revolution of 1896: independence, democracy, liberalism from France (nationhood)
  • American Era: democratic tutelage, government in the hands of governed through education, economic dependence on elite Filipinos (education)
  • Japanese Occupation: Asia for Asians (Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere), Oriental race, you cannot be white
  • Showcase of Democracy in Asia (Third Republic, 1946-1972) – democracy US style, economic dependence
  • Martial Law Period: constitutional authoritarianism (Asian Democracy now)
  • Post-Martial Law Period: refer back to "showcase" era; same problem, same situation
• Constitution


  Supreme law, basic law, fundamental law
• Types of constitution


  • Written – single document
  • Unwritten – some parts unwritten; separate references (customs, traditions, usages, parliamentary acts, judicial decisions)
• Constitution


  • Sets out the formal structure of the state
  • Specifies the powers and institutions of government
  • Lists the rights of citizens (Bill of Rights/BOR)
  • Bill of Rights creates limits on and duties for the government
• Typical structure of a constitution

  • Preamble – declaration of principle, seek popular support
  • Organizational section – sets out powers of various government institutions
  • Bill of Rights – covers individual and even group rights, legal redress, sets limits on government
  • Procedures for amendment – define rule for changing constitution
• Types of constitutional changes

  • Amendment – some parts, alteration/insertion, changes on parts
  • Revision – major changes, rewriting of whole
• Urban and rural area dichotomy in terms of development
• Philippine constitutions


  • Malolos Constitution
  • 1935 Constitution
  • 1943 Constitution
  • 1973 Constitution
  • 1986 Constitution (Freedom Constitution)
  • 1987 Constitution
• Malolos Constitution


  • Assembly – more powerful than the 2 other branches of government
  • Parliamentary/unicameral, represent whole nation not electors only
  • President – 4 years as term of office voted by majority of assembly/cabinet
  • Supreme Court and other courts – chosen by National Assembly with concurrence of the President
• 1935 Constitution


  • Copy cat/pale imitation of US Presidential System
  • Republican State

  Executive (President) – 1 term of 6 years, amended in 1940: 2 terms of 4 years each term or 8 years max for VP who assumed as President

  Legislative (Congress) – unicameral with Speaker, amended in 1940: bicameral with Speaker and Senate President

  Judiciary (Supreme Court and lower courts)

  Martial Law Provision – Para 2, Section 10, Article VII: in cases of invasion, insurrection, rebellion and imminent danger thereof; no time frame
• 1943 Constitution


  • Unicameral with President elected by National Assembly (which in turn also elect Speaker)
• 1973 Constitution


  • Drafted by the 1971 Constitutional Convention, finished by President Marcos

  Payola for Parliamentary Form of Government

  Parliamentary, Presidential, Parliamentary

  Citizens Assembly in ratifying (1973), Supreme Court said it was improper but no legal or judicial obstacle in adopting

  President as symbolic head

  Parliament – unicameral with Prime Minister (PM) Head of Government

  Amended to suit President Marcos: 1976 – Amendment 6: lawmaking powers, 1981 – PM separate from President; modified parliamentary with President as Head of State and still the ultimate head of the country, 1984 – reinstalling the position of Vice President
• 1986 Constitution (Freedom Constitution)


  • Revolutionary Government of Pres. Cory which abolished the Batasang Pambansa and Office of Prime Minister
• 1987 Constitution


  • Similar to 1935 Constitution

  Executive, Legislative, Judiciary

  President – 1 term, 6 years

  Presidential Form of Gov't, Bicameral (won by 1 vote), Multi-Party System

  Issue on ratification: Yes or No with Critical Yes and Principled No; Yes/No to legitimizing Cory as President; National Patrimony