IVATAN:

MAMPUS- There were four classes of people in the prehistoric Batanes society: the Mampus, the Mapalons the
Cailianes, and the Slaves. The
Mampus (also Mangpus) and the Mapalons (also Mapolons) were the Principales who were the leaders and the most
prominent people, forming
the elite class of society.
Each cluster of houses or town was ruled by the Mampus/Mangpus who held supreme, absolute and independent
power. His domain
was divided into barangays (idi in Batan and Sabtang and hili in Itbayat), a group of people whose head was a
Mapalon/ Mapolon. Under the
mapolones were subjects called cailianes.
There were no slaves by birth. One became a slave if he could not pay a debt or if caught stealing. If he belonged to
a higher class, he
became one of the cailianes. This brought about a change of status.
Before contact with westerners, the natives lived in hilltop fortresses called idjangs, around or on which they built
compact settlements
The
Mangpus
was the supreme ruler followed by the
Mapolon
and hissubordinates.

Mapolon
was only accountable to Mangpus (Ibid).The following list enumerated the traditional rights of
Mangpus
:(1) collect revenues from the entire barangay;(2) administer justice;(3) defend and help his people;(4) take up arms
and defend even just one of his people;(5) avenge any crime committed against his people;(6) spend for feasts to
which his people were invited and on which occasions hispeople brought him gifts.(Hornedo 2000:15 taming the
wind) Cesar Hidalgo, in his book entitled
The Making of Ivatans: The Cultural History of Batanes (1996)
asserted that the head of the tribe performed various roles such as thefollowing: (1) Chief or Warrior of the Territory;
(2) Chief Executive; (3) Chief Justice; (4)Commander-in-Chief; (5) Legislator; and (6) Humanitarian (Hidalgo 1996)
BICOL- Datu
The head was called datu and was the chief executive, legislator, judge and military commander. He made laws,
enforce them and judged all class and trials brought by the villagers. However, he had a council of elders who
assisted him in his administration. A person could become a datu by inheritance, wealth and bravery.
The written laws were promulgated by the datu and council of elders. A town crier called umalohokan announces the
laws to the people. The contents of ancient laws involved family relations, property rights, domestic affairs,
inheritance, marriage conflicts, murder and business problems. Punishment for serious crimes was death, slavery or
heavy fines. Minor crimes were punished through exposure to ants, long hours of swimming, whipping or fines.
ILONGOT : Benganganat & Macotay
An alipian, a community of several families, is headed by a beganganat who is
assisted by a macotay. Ilongot leadership is based on ability and age, and at the highest
level remains absolute and valid until death. When the chief dies, he is replaced by his
assistant; a new assistant is selected. The ceremonial powers of the local shaman, the

nigudu, can sometimes extend to sociopolitical matters. The elders settle conflicts
between beganganat and nigudu should they arise. Ilongot common law prohibits
murder, adultery, deceit, theft, work on each fifth day, wives disobedience of their
husbands, and nonpayment of debts. Crimes are usually punished by fines and
beatings. The families of offenders are partly accountable for the offenses; thus they
are involved in the settlement of both civil and criminal cases.

The Ilongots band themselves into groups of about eleven (11) or more houses .Each group is called Alipian and is
headed by a chief called beganganet who is assisted by a macotay. They are chosen for their leadership ability
and age. The chief rules for life upon his death, his assistant takes his place. A new assistant is then chosen.
Bugkalot community is headed by Bengangat as their leader/elder and how they are organized as Tribal council with
their leader as chieftain.