Philip II of Spain decreed that the nobility in the Philippine islands should retain the honours and privileges they had before their conversion to Christianity and subjugation to Spanish rule.
[6]: 324–326 With the change of government (from monarchy to democracy) when the Americans took over the rule of the Philippines, the post became elective and anyone could become the head of the barangay, which came to be called a "barrio".
The former cabezas de barangay and the rest of the members of the principalía and their descendants lost their traditional privileges and powers,[7]: p. 410 but they remained as very influential elements in the political and economic life of a new democratic society.
Under the democratic rule, the head of the smallest unit of the Filipino society was no longer called cabeza de barangay.
In all else, the governors shall see that the princely ones are benefited justly, and the Indians shall pay them something as recognition, in the form that was in practice at the time of their heathenism, with which this be without prejudice to the taxes that are to be paid to us, nor prejudicial to that which pertains to their entrusters.