Carlos Maria de la Torre y Nava Cerrada began his term on June 23, 1869 as the new

Governor-General of Spain of the Philippines.

In September 1868, the people of Spain who were tired of the autocratic rule of queen
Isabella II, rose to revolution and succeeded in establishing a government that guaranteed basic
human freedom. This government under President Serrano sent Don Carlos de la Torre as
Governor and Captain General of the Philippines. His arrival in Manila was welcomed by the
liberal minds of the Spaniards, mestizos and Filipinos, who all greeted him as their liberator from
the alleged oppression of conservative and reactionary elements here.
During his term he posed and acted as a true democrat. Some of the innovations he introduced
surprised the aristocratic and arrogant residents of Spain of the city who thought the Governor
was insane.

Some of the achievements of Governor De la Torre that revealed his democratic inclination
were:

 The abolition of the censorship of the press, 

 The suppression of flogging as the punishment for desertion among native soldiers, and
substituting it for a month of imprisonment, 
  The settlement of agrarian troubles in Cavite and the appointment of Eduardo
Camerino, leader of the aggrieved tenants, as captain of "Guias de la Torre", with the
power to assist the Guardia Civil, 
  His approval of the Morel decrees of November 6, 1870, which would secularize certain
secondary and collegiate institutions of learning in Manila, 
 He did away with the guard of halberdiers that watch his palace

The liberal regime of de la Torre, no doubt, encouraged Filipinos to discuss issues with the
public and ensure further reforms. Accordingly, the intellectuals among them, priests and laity,
formed themselves into a commission of reformers and set as their main goal the Filipinization
of the parishes and the enjoyment of more political rights for their people enshrined in the
Spanish constitution. Even Filipino students of the University of Santo Tomas, inspired by the
liberal spirit of the time, formed themselves into a patriotic society called "Juventud Escolar
Liberal".

The Spanish liberal regime ended in November 1870, when the Spanish Cortes re-
established the Spanish monarchy and elected Prince Amadeo of Savoy as the new King of
Spain. As a result, General Rafael de lzquierdo was sent to replace Governor de Is Torre.

Sitting in office on April 4, 1871, Izquierdo remained silent when he announced that he was
going to rule the Philippines "with a crucifix in one hand, and a sword in the other. Izquierdo
immediately removed the liberal measures. carried out by his predecessor, thereby enforcing
heavier laws.

KRISTINE JOY PANGAHIN BSMT 2-Y2-5

02-11-21