SPANISH COLONY AND CROWN COLONY

INTRODUCTION:

The Philippines was not formally organized as a Spanish colony until 1565 when Philip II appointed
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi the first Governor-General. Legazpi selected Manila for the capital of the colony
in 1571 because of its fine natural harbour and the rich lands surrounding the city that could supply it
with produce. The colonization brought great changes in the political, economic and cultural life of the
people.

Changes Brought by Spanish Colonizers

1. The foremost aim of Spanish colonization was to spread Christianity.

2. The second aim of the Spanish colonizers was economic wealth.
3. The third aim of Spanish colonization was political grandeur.

COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION

For over 333 years, the

Philippines was a crown colony of Spain. Until 1821 when the Mexican's revolted and won
independence from Spain, the Philippines was a dependency of Mexico, being administered by the
viceroy in the name of the king. From 1821 to 1898, the country was a distinct government unit under
the direct control of the home government in Madrid. The king issued cedulas for the administration of
the colony and appointed a governor, member of the royal audiencia and other high officials.

ENCOMIENDA

It comes from the Spanish word encomendar which means "to entrust". The earliest political system
used during the conquista period was the encomienda system. Under the encomienda system, the
native inhabitants in a given geographic region were entrusted to an encomendero or trustee as a
reward for his service to the Spanish Crown.

THE SPANIARDS AS COLONIAL MASTERS

Spain reigned over the Philippines for 333 years, from 1565 to 1898. Since Spain was far from the
country, the Spanish king ruled the Islands through the viceroy of Mexico, which was then another
Spanish colony.

KING OF SPAIN  VICEROY OF MEXICO  PHILIPPINES

When Mexico regained its freedom in 1821, the Spanish king ruled the Philippines through a Governor
General, (GG).

KING OF SPAIN  GOVERNOR GENERAL  PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

THE GOVERNOR GENERAL

 King's representative and the highest-ranking official in the Philippines.

 Royal decrees and laws emanating from Spain were implemented in the Philippines
 Had the power to appoint and dismiss public officials, except those personally chosen by the
King
 Supervised all government offices and the collection of taxes
 Exercised certain legislative powers
 Issued proclamations to facilitate the implementation of laws
 Requirement: Must be a PENINSULARES or a Spaniard born in Spain
 Miguel López de Legazpi (April 27, 1565- August 20, 1572)

JUDICIAL BRANCH

The Governor General and other government officials had so much power that it was commonly
abused. To investigate the abuses, there were bodies created:

1. RESIDENCIA

This was a special judicial court that investigates the performance of a Governor General who was about
to be replaced. The Residencia, of which the incoming Governor General was usually a member,
submitted a report of its findings to the King.

2. VISITA

The Council of the Indies in Spain sent a government official called the VISITADOR GENERAL to observe
conditions in the colony. The Visitador General reported his findings directly to the King.

3. ROYAL AUDIENCIA

 Royal Audience was the highest court in land.

 Served as an advisory body to the Governor General Had the power to check and report on his
abuses
 The Audiencia also audited the expenditures of the colonial government
 Sent a yearly report to Spain
 The Archbishop and other government officials could also report the abuses of the colonial

Despite all these checks, however, an abusive governor general often managed to escape stiff fines,
suspension, or dismissal by simply bribing the Visitador and other investigators.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

1. PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

The ALCADIA, led by the Alcalde Mayor governed the provinces that had been fully subjugated
or under spanish control already. SALARY: P300 A MONTH

DUTIES OF THE ALCALDE MAYOR:

 They represent the Spanish king and the Governor-General

 They manage the day-to-day operations of the provincial government
 Implement laws and supervised the collection of taxes

a. PUEBLOS

Each province was divided into several towns or PUEBLOS headed by GOBERNADORDCILLOS
(Little Governor)
 GOBERNADORCILLO

- was a municipal judge or governor in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial
period, who carried out in a town the combined charges or responsibilities of
leadership, economic, and judicial administration. The Gobernadorcillo was the
leader of a town or pueblo (people or population). In a coastal town, the
"Gobernadorcillo" functioned as a Port Captain.

MAIN DUTIES:

 Efficient governance and tax collection.

FOUR LIEUTENANTS AIDS FOR THE GOBERNARDORCILLO:

1. The Teniente Mayor (Chief Lieutenant),

2. The Teniente De Policia (Police Lieutenant),
3. The Teniente De Sementeras (Lieutenant Of The Fields)
4. The Teniente De Ganados (Lieutenant Of The

GOBERNADORDCILLOS They had SMALL SALARIES but were exempted from PAYING
TAXES QUALIFICATIONS: Any NATIVE or CHINESE MEZTIZO 25 years old Literate in ORAL or
WRITTEN SPANISH Cabeza de Barangay for 4 years Ex: Emilio Aguinaldo

b. CABEZA DE BARANGAY

Cabeza de Baranagy or (Barrio Administrator or Barangay Captain) is Responsible for the

peace and order of the barrio. He recruited men for public works.

QUALIFICATIONS:

 Cabezas should be literate in Spanish

 Have good moral character and property
 Cabezas who served for 25 years were exempted from forced labor.

2. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

The Municipal Government or CORREGIMIENTO is headed by Corregidor.

Both the Alcadia and Corregimeniento enjoyed the right to: INDULTO DE COMERCIO or the right to
participate in the GALLEON TRADE.

Each province was divided into several towns or PUEBLOS headed by GOBERNADORDCILLOS (Little
Governor)

3. CITY GOVERNMENT

Larger towns became cities called: AYUNTAMIENTO. It became the center of trade and industry.
The Ayuntamiento had a city council called the CABILDO CABILDO is composed of:

ALCALDE (MAYOR)

REGIDORES (COUNCILLORS)

ALGUACIL MAYOR (POLICE CHIEF)

ESCRIBANDO (SECRETARY)