Learning Module for College A.Y.

2021-2022 RIZAL’S LIFE AND

WORKS
1 RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS
1st Semester of Academic Year 2021-2022
Module 3-Week 4

CHAPTER 2: THE PHILIPPINE CONDITION IN THE 19TH CENTURY AS RIZAL’S CONTEXT

Learning Objectives:
a. Illustrate the economic, socio-cultural, and political structures during the 19th century
b. Relate the educational system established in the 19th century Philippines with that of the present
c. Differentiate the significance of the educational system established in the 19th century Philippines with that of the
present
d. Analyze the economic, socio-cultural and political structures during the 19th century and its corresponding implications
to the present situation.
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The 19th century marked as very dynamic and productive age mainly in continents Europe and Asia. The essence of the
life of Jose P. Rizal is evidence by the circumstances that happened during his generation in the Philippines and throughout the
world. Jose P. Rizal is an existing epitome that sets forth a human pronouncement that all individuals without distinction of any
kind are born to be free and equal in the dignity and rights. During this period, such concepts of liberalism, industrialism,
democracy, social realization, and nationalism gained control and sparked radical changes in science, technology, economics,
socio-cultural, and political condition.
SPAIN AND THE PHILIPPINES IN RIZAL’S TIME

Spanish rule was imposed in the Philippines by conquest. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established the first Spanish
settlement in 1565 in Cebu. Before the conquest, the Filipinos had their own indigenous culture and their own government, the
barangay, headed by a native chieftain called “datu” independent of each other and each had its own laws. The people knew how
to read and write and had the beginnings of a native literature and a native art. Despite being primitive, but it was in the process
of normal development. The Spanish conquerors forced them to adopt foreign ways and Spanish Catholicism that they never
understood. They lost their ancestral lands to the “conquistadores” by the encomienda system. Changes in the form of
government and laws took place.

The Philippines became a colony of Spain and she belonged to the king of Spain. From the beginning of Spanish rule up
to 1821 the Philippines was administered by the Mexican Viceroy, in the name of the Spanish King. After Mexico gained her
independence from Spain in 1821, the Philippines was directly ruled from Madrid.

POLITICAL CONDITION DURING THE 19TH CENTURY: POLITICAL SYSTEM

The King and other officials issued royal decrees governing the Philippines through the Ministry of Colonies (Ministro
de Ultra Mar) based in Madrid. This body helped the Spanish monarch manage the affairs of the colonies and govern the
Philippines through the centralized government in Manila exercising executive, legislative and religious power.

The Governor General, appointed by the Spanish King headed the central administration. He was the king’s
representative in the government matters and was the Vice-Royal Patron over religious matters.

He exercised extensive powers as the head of the state and the church. He issued executive orders and proclamations, he
was the commander-in-chief of the military, and he also exercised legislative powers with his “cumplase” by which he could
decide which law or royal decree to implement or disregard. He enjoyed judicial powers as an ex-officio president of the Royal
Audencia. His religious duty gave him the prerogative to nominate priests to ecclesiastical positions and to control the finances of
the missions.

The Governor General was assisted by the Lieutenant General (General Segundo Cabo) and advisory bodies such as
the Board of Authorities, Council of Administration and Secretariat of the Central Government.

Next to the Central government was the provincial government or alcaldias run by civil governors, the city
government called “cabildo or ayuntamiento” administered by a mayor and a vice mayor who were both chiefexecutives
and chief judicial magistrate. It should be noted that the abovepositions are occupied by the Spaniards.

The local government unit composed of barangays, headed by the “gobernadorcillo” (later called Capitan). This is
the highest position in the government to which native Filipino could be appointed.Prepared
He was by:elected
VANESAat theD. MANZON
beginning of
every year by the “principalia” made up of the incumbert ex-cabeza de barangay, the smallest unit of government.

The barangay or barrio headed by the “cabeza de barangay” whose main responsibility was to collect taxes and
tributes from the families. For his services, he received two percent (2%) of the tax proceeds, and four percent (4%) of the
“sanctorum” or the tax paid to the Church each year to cover the costs of three fiestas, namely; All Saints Day, Holy
Thursday and Corpus Christi.
 Learning Module for College A.Y. 2021-2022 RIZAL’S LIFE AND
WORKS
To ensure that the revenues collected will be submitted, the cabeza’s properties were deemed mortgaged to the state for
2the entire duration of his term that ran for three years.

The Creation of the Political Institution

The governor general had the salary of 40,000 pesos per annum. The archipelago is divided into different provinces
under the leadership of the Alcalde mayor, his power is the same the Gobernador General, but the jurisdiction is only in the
province and had a salary of 1500 per annum. The provinces are still divided into towns or pueblo under the leadership of the
gobernadorcillo. His power and responsibilities are the same as the Alcalde Mayor however it is limited only in the town and
aside from that he had the power of Indulto de Comercio or the right to engage into trading. The pueblo or town is again divided
into different barangay headed by the Cabeza de Barangay. The cabeza had the responsibility to collect taxes and he is exempted
in Polo Y Sevicios.

The Indios or the natives had no right to occupy the higher position in the government. They are only allowed to run for
gobernadorcillo and Cabeza de Barangay. Suffrage is given to males, 23 years old and above, well educated and had properties
and tax amounting to 500 pesos.

The power and responsibilities of the Governor General in the country is checked by the Residencia or the official who
check the abuse of power of the royal officials who lives in the country and the Visitador or the official who will just visit the
country to check the royal officials.

THE SUPREMACY OF THE FRIARS OVER THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT

The different religious orders had the great contribution in the establishment of Spanish Colonial government in the
country. For this reason, the monastic supremacy or frailocracia exist in the country during the Spanish Colonization. They
could influence the Governor General, in effect became the rulers of municipalities and control the different aspects of the
society like the education, the trading, the haciendas and the economy.
Prepared by: VANESA D. MANZON
The regular priests (Spanish priest) were able to dominate the control in different parishes and had the power to get
the parishes from the secular (Filipino priest). The enemy of the church will be considered as the enemy of the government
and this matter is proven in the case of the Gomburza and Jose P. Rizal.

ABUSES OF THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

 Learning Module for College A.Y. 2021-2022 RIZAL’S LIFE AND
WORKS
The excessive powers and privileges of the governor general made him weak and undisciplined. His prerogatives often
3gave him the opportunity to reward his favorites and relatives and to penalize those who had displeased him. He oftentimes
lacked the moral strength to resist corruption for material advancement. He filled in some positions in the government from the
highest bidder thus many officials exploited their offices to recover their expenses and to enrich themselves.

The provincial government where the alcalde mayor was the administrator, judge, military commander was the most
branch of the government. He controlled the provincial trade. He bought the people’s rice and other products at low prices and
sold them back to the natives at high prices. Moreover, he collected all the products to complete his needed quota even in time of
poor harvest or crops failure, thus leaving the farmers with no seeds for next planting. More taxes were collected than required by
law and pocketed the excess collections.
Reference:
Life and Works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal (Michael C. Pangilinan……. et.al.,)

ACTIVITY 2 (Write your answers in ½ sheet of paper, including your Complete Name, Subject and
Course/Year)

Direction: Answer the following questions. (10 Points)

 What have you learned from today's lesson? Is it important? Why?

Rubrics
POINT
S
Originality (not copy-paste answer) 5
Content and Organization 5

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WORKS
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WORKS
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