Proem

Republicanism is a representative form of democracy. The qualified voters will elect representatives to govern the state for a specified term.

The Malolos Congress was composed of elected and appointed representatives of the people. Therefore, before the coming of the Americans, the Filipinos were already able to organize a republican form of government. The Filipinos were defeated in war by the Americans and their form of government was abolished.

1907 Philippines Assembly

After a few years from its conquest of the Philippines, the Americans agreed to create a Philippine Assembly. It composed of elected representatives from different places in the Philippines. The Philippine Assembly functioned as the "Lower House" or the present day House of Representatives and the Philippine Commission, composed of the American Governor General and appointed Americans and loyalists was the "Upper House."

On October 16, 1907 the Philippine Assembly was convened in Manila. It elected Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. as the Speaker. He was 28 years old and a lawyer.

Bohol's Representatives

The province of Bohol was divided into three (3) representative districts. The First District was practically the same as today's First District. The Second District was the towns from Tubigon and crossing the interior of Bohol and exited at Loay, Bohol. The Third District was the towns at the northern part of Bohol that is mostly part of today's Second District.

The elected representative for the First District was Candelario Borja. He was a lawyer (graduated 1906) and he was 30 years old.

The elected representative for the Second District was Jose A. Clarin. He was a lawyer (graduated 1904) and he was 28 years old.

The elected representative for the Third District was Eutiquio Boyles. He was a Bachelor of Arts graduate and he was 33 years old.

After 100 Years

The three congressman or representatives of Bohol are all lawyers. Among all the candidates for congressmen, only one (Ex-Gov. Relampagos) is a non-lawyer. However, in the last 100 years there has been elected representatives who were non-lawyers.

The First District had Lauis T. Clarin who was a civil engineer, and Ernesto Herrera, a labor leader. The Second District had Marcelo Ramirez, a physician; Macario Falcon, a physician; Simeon Toribio, a civil engineer; Bartolome Cabangbang, a military man; and Pablo Malasarte, a businessman, etc. The Third District had Esteban Bernido, an electrical engineer.

Before the Second World War, most of the congressmen were in their early thirties in age. After World War II the same personalities hug the political scene until they became old. Thereafter, the politicians in Bohol tended to be older than before.

In the beginning there was no "vote-buying." However, in the 1930s, during the gubernatorial race between Carlos Garcia and Celestino Gallares (Gallares won), quartering or sequestering of electors begun to emerged in Bohol. The concept of the inangayan presently practiced begun to appear in the 1953 election.

Along the years, political party affiliation was very important. Nowadays, after the 1987 Constitution, the strength of the political party has practically disappeared.

During the 1930 election, Carlos Garcia lost to Celestino Gallares due to the issue of morality. Nowadays, this issue is hardly a factor in Bohol.

After the passage of 100 years many changes have occurred in political campaigns and many things have remained the same. The old Spanish concept of the Mayor and Governor as the father of the town or province has stayed. It necessitates political patronage. It is being mixed with the American concept that the politicians are the "servant" of the people. It necessitate that the politician must be helpful.

The view that it is expensive to run for public office is expensive is very old. The only difference is that in the olden days, the issue of corruption is order to regain expenses was very effective. Nowadays, only 2% of the voters consider honesty as an issue.