Feudalism in the Philippines

[neoraising]

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FEUDALISM
(“LORD-AND-VASSAL”/”MASTER-AND-SLAVE” social setup)

An established phenomenon in history,…

Feudalism is a social and economic arrangement that envisages a “lord and vassal” (or “master and slave”) kind of relationship between persons in a community. It is basically founded or based upon an agricultural economy where the control of the land is in the hands of a small aristocratic group, and where the organization of society and of government is fundamentally local. In such a situation, the man of small power has no other recourse but to become dependent of someone strong enough to aid him. The small man obligates himself to render service to the great man in return for protection, and he surrenders the ownership of his land and becomes a tenant upon the condition of paying a rent in services or goods. The relation thus formed has two sides: it is at once a personal relation and a property relation. The property and power of the great man are thus augmented, while the small man has behind him a powerful patron whose interest as well as duty is to protect him.

This system of vested interest must be conceived to run through the community from top to bottom, and to touch all the principal functions of government. The personal side of the relationship, with its stress upon the loyalty and reverence which a vassal invariably owes to his superior, has elements not unlike those of political subordination, first of the local lord to king or the head of the central government, and then of men in the lower ranks to their immediate overlords.

The relation of lord-and-vassal/master-and-slave (different from that of sovereign-and-subject in modern political relationship) tends to obscure the distinction between private rights and public duties. Though a feudal holding is typically land, it is not necessarily so. Any object of value might be so held: -the right to operate a business (e.g. a mill, factory, etc.), -to collect a toll/tax/levy, or –to hold an office of government. The whole system of public administration tends to follow the prevailing form of land tenure, and public office tends to become, like land, a heritable interest (something that is inherited by family members, circle of friends, or any designated successor of choice). In this way, office becomes vested in perpetuity in a man and his heirs.

Feudalism [as commented & criticized by the German philosopher Friedrich Hegel in his essay on the Constitution of Germany] is typically a system in which public functions are treated as private sinecures to be bought or sold as if it were private property. In it, political power has remained the private perquisite of an aristocratic oligarchy which has no national function, and therefore, does not serve the national interest. Where political power has remained the private perquisite of an aristocratic oligarchy which had no national function, that phenomenon is not only a manifestation of feudalism, but also a remnant of feudalism.

(We must take note that in Europe, where feudalism originated, the French Revolution merely swept away the debris of feudalism which had been outdated but not actually destroyed. It was only with the political convulsions brought about by the two world wars [World War I & World War II] along with the modern concepts of nationalism, democracy and human rights, that feudalism was finally erased as a norm of social life in that part of the world.)

It’s unfortunate to note that in this country, feudalism which was brought and implanted in our people by our European colonizers is very much alive even today. It has been rooted in our social behavior and practices, and has undermined every democratic institution that is sought to be established in Philippine society. It is the real cause of futility of all our efforts to develop and grow as a society and a nation.

IT SHALL BE THE TASK AND BOUNDEN DUTY OF OUR SUCCEEDING POLITICAL LEADERS AFTER THIS ELECTION, TO ELIMINATE FEUDALISM – THE SINGULAR AND GREATEST STUMBLING BLOCK TO OUR DEVELOPMENT AS A NATION.

[amingb]

Mao ni epekto sa Constitution nga Palpak ... if the Framework of the Constitution clearly states the implementation of Political Dynasty wala na unta Feudalism sa Pinas ... Its been 23 Years since the Freedom Constitution is apporved by the People and until now the Law is still pending in Congress ... do not expect the congressman will implement that law since almost all of them are the Feudal Lord in this country ... God Help The Philippines.

[amingb]

Unfortunately ang author sa Freedom Constitution is being Idolized by the People and his Son is seeking for Presidency ....

We cannot dismantle Political Dynasty that coz the Feudal System in this land unless This Article in the Constitution is ammended

Article 2 - Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Section 26:
The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service,
and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.

My suggestion is the implementation of the law will be directly stated in this Article ... dili na kinahanglan ug law kay kanang mga congressman almost tanan Feudal Lord ... Weak kaau ni nga provision mao gi abusaran ug maau sa mga Politico ...

[raski]

The problem is with the wording of the Constitution, which requires an implementing law. It says "as may be defined by law" which means that "political dynasties" must first be defined and then forbidden by a piece of legislation.

Lo and behold, nobody ever bothered with any implementing legislation, that is because if they did, then they would have to define "political dynasties" and if the definition given is what the terms ordinarily mean, then nearly all incumbent politicians will quickly find themselves out of a job, including the Aquinos, Arroyos, de Venecia and other forms of Trapo.

[amingb]

Sa mga Noynoy supporters hangyoa intown na inyoha presidente puhon ammend nang palpak nga provision sa freedom constitution nga author sa iyahang Mama ....

Supak raba jud si Noynoy usabon ang constitution .... Gusto man kaha mo ug Reform ... now its time for reform not later .... Dismantle the Fuedal System in this Country ....

Ang iyahang Mama maoy nag samot padaghan aning Feudal Lord sa Pinas ... Panahon na e exorcise kanang devil nakasulat sa constitution ...

Freedom Constitution = Sayon ra abusaran ...

[utopia]

Is still feudalism that exists in current state of the country where warlordism is the boiling issue plummeting the nation that eventually lead to the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao.

While the proclamation of martial law is still on hype in Maguindanao, the adversaries of another country’s mantra of feudalism is now being set aside.

But since the onset of martial law has already enveloped the country, it is called for to make keen of the issue while it is fundamentally affecting the nation at large.