1. Pre-Hispanic Philippines Society is divided to three classes: Datu Maharlika Slaves A person’s status may immediately be changed in this period: A Datu may become a slave and a slave may become a Datu.
2. Datu Maharlika Slaves The leader of the community Soldiers are included in this class of society The lowest class of the society
3. Slavery may be due to the ff: Inherited status Captured by the enemies in war Those who cannot pay their debt Punishment of the crime committed Sold to become slave
4. 2 kinds of slaves in Tagalog Aliping namamahay – those who have their own houses and only works for their master in times of sowing and harvest. Aliping saguiguilid – those who live in their master’s house and does what their master told them to do.
5. Government The Barangay is the basic unit of government . It may compose of about 30-100 families. Every barangay is autonomous, and is ruled by either a Datu, Rajah, King or Lakan.
6. Powers of a Datu: In times of peace: Executive, Legislator and Chief Justice. In war: he is the commander in chief of the armed forces Foreign affairs: the datu enables treatise and truse(sanduguan)
7. How one can be a Datu It may be inherited, either by a man or a woman. (the eldest child) Or may be chosen by the community according to the following characteristics (bravest, wealthiest or the wisest)
8. Laws It may be written or not Unwritten laws are spoken laws that is passed by of course the word of mouth, and may be passed through generations. Written laws are made by the Datu together with the council of the elders as his advisers. Written laws are proclaimed by the umalokohans
9. Family The society encourages the marriage of equal status in the society. But it does not discourage marriages of different class. A Datu may be married to a slave. Divorce is allowed in some parts of the country due to: if the wife is unfaithful, if the man abandons his wife and children, domestic violence, barren or impotence.