Language Assertion.
Basic Assertion
Emphatic Assertion

Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the culture and values of the Filipinos are still intact. Pre-colonial Philippines has their own form of government and social structure. Every local community is composed of small kingdom or tribe headed by a chieftain called the ‘rajah’ or ‘datu’. Social structure also exists and is composed of three classes namely – the ‘maharlika’ or freeman, ‘timawar the middle class and the ‘alipin’ or the slaves. Judicial, legislative and executive systems, also known as the branches of the government, are also present during precolonialism.The ‘datu’ formulates the law, ‘village elders’ help the datu in deciding and promulgating laws and the ‘umalohokan’ or town crier is the one who disseminates new law or ordinances. Philippines is also known as sea travellers with the use of their ‘balangay’ or Butuan boat. They also had smooth foreign relation because of the trading of minerals and goods. Literacy rate is also high because of the existence of the ‘baybayin’ or the ancient writing method. All of these advances were abolished as the Spaniards fully colonized the country.