The Government of Early Filipinos
Loading ...The unit of the government in the ancient Philippines was the barangay, so called after the sailboats on which the early Malay immigrants sailed to the Philippines. The barangay was a settlement of 30 to 100 families. Each barangay was independent and was ruled by a chieftain called datu or raja. The datu obtained his position by:
#1. inheritance
#2. his own wisdom
#3. his physical strength
#4. his wealth
He was an absolute ruler. He was the chief executive, the chief legislator, the chief judge, and the commander in chief of the military. He was respected and obeyed by his subjects. In return, he protected them from their enemies, looked after their welfare, and ruled them in accordance with the customs and laws of the society. He was assisted by the elders of the barangay in deciding on important matters such as the promulgation of laws, the investigation of disputes, the declaration of war, and the negotiation of treaties with other barangays. The subjects, on the other hand, served their datu in his wars and helped to construct his house. To him they paid tribute, called buwis, from their harvests.
Peace or war existed among barangays. When not at war, the people were engaged in trade and commerce and other peaceful endeavors. They concluded alliances and friendships by means of the blood compact, called sangduguan or sandugo. This ceremony consisted of drawing blood from the arms of the contracting parties, mixing this in a cup of wine, and drinking the mixture. Having drunk from the same cup, the contracting parties became blood brothers.
Quarrels and wars between barangays were from the following causes:
#1. when a man of one barangay was murdered without obvious cause by a man from another barangay
#2. when a man was kidnapped by a person from another barangay
#3. when a trader from a barangay was maltreated or insulted by a man from another barangay
The government of the ancient filipinos was clear enough that they were led by a leader and that they obediently follow what their leader said. This is also a clear evidence that they recognize the wisdom of one person to rule their community just like what is happening today.
