Political

 

The Philippines didn't start to have leaders or anything related to politics during the Spanish Era. Way before 1521 when Magellan came to Cebu, the natives of the Philippines already have people they look up to and consider as leaders. However these leaders aren't the same as what we have now where one leader controls the country. During the pre-colonial period, leaders or known to the natives as Datus only have power in their own barangays. In every barangay, their is a different datu because there is no sense of unity yet within the natives. Though this is the case, there are still similar laws with different barangays because of the similarity in their culture and environment. As Morga said, “Their laws throughout the Islands were along similar lines following the tradition and customs of their ancients in accordance with the unwritten statutes.”

Now the common way to be a Datu is to be the bravest and fiercest warrior during wars however there can also be a succession in position within the family just like in the account of Morga saying, “these principalias or high social stations, were inherited by succesion from father to sons and heirs…” Aside from these two, barangays also look at people as their leaders if they are an elder in their barangay. They believe that experience can be a great way of learning to lead a barangay that’s why they also respect them. Overall, no matter what way the leader of the barangay was chosen they all have one goal and that is to bring safety to their own barangay so that their people would feel secured and calm.