Ideological State Apparatus: Government

The Philippines had their own kind of government long before the Spaniards colonized the archipelago. Decentralization of power that was expressed in the powerful barangays was the central theme of the pre-Spanish governance found in the Philippines. The datu or rajah served as the chief executive and judge. In effect, the executive and judiciary branch were both entrusted to a common individual. Moreover, there were already articles prescribing the proper rules of conduct and laws inside a barangay. Some of them were the Maragtas code and the Kalantiao code. The judiciary process is considered primitive and superstitious in nature. As the Spanish colonizers entered the archipelago, they introduced a new government system which gave highlight to the sword and the cross.

Looking at the hierarchy of power existing during those times, one would observe a somewhat clear structure of power in the Spanish executive government. But like in any contract, one should look closer for the fine print. Though the executive branch of the Spanish government controlled on paper the everyday activities inside the Philippines, it was the frailocracy that really called the shots in governance and matters of the state. There were no clear separation of the Church and State; as a result, the ecclesiastical power emanating from the supposed reverence of the Church officials took over the legitimate executive government. The supremacy of the Church extended, not only on matters pertaining to being the sole arbiter of knowledge, but also on matters concerning the government and the State. The term under-the-saya was supposedly coined to depict the submission of the government’s authority to rule over to the friars and their orders.

Under the Malolos constitution of 1899, a clear separation of Church and state was created. American forces entered the country and introduced their own governmental system after a few years. A century after the inception of the Malolos constitution, the State is still somehow intertwined with the Church though the Church has considerably lost much of its political clout. In the wake of an important legal and economic milestone in the form of the passage of the RH bill, the Church is again flexing its influence over its millions of followers. In this regard, I strongly oppose the Church’s vocal stance against the passing of the RH bill. It is still in my firm belief in the Bible gospel passage of giving to Caesar what is of Caesar’s. The Church officials are not experts of the law. Their speaking against a bill that will supposedly corrupt the Filipino people is entirely uncalled for and inappropriate. Give to Caesar what is of Caesar’s and do not meddle with politics. (01/06/2011)