THE RIZAL LAW & THEORY OF NATIONALISM
Republic Act 1425 or Rizal Law mandates all
1. What is RA 1425?
2. Proponents and opponents of the Rizal Bill
3. Relevance of studying Rizal
1. Identify the basic facts about Republic Act 1425.
2. Explain the history of the Rizal Law and its
important provisions; and
3. Determine the value of studying Jose Rizal in the
21st century.
Rizal in the Eyes of the Filipino
• Philippine’s national hero
• A genius with many talents
• A martyr who died in the hands of the
Spaniards while defending the rights of his
countrymen
The Making of a Hero
• Heroism is connected with various concepts.
• For historians, heroes are nationalistic
persons from our past who died while
defending the Philippines sovereignty and
who, at present, serve as role models among
Filipinos.
• For government administrators who are
concerned with economic development,
heroes are synonymous to overseas contract
workers who remit dollars to our country,
thereby adding to our dollar reserves which
are badly needed to keep us competitive in
the global market.
• For environmentalists, heroes are those
who keep the environment clean and green,
making sure that this could still be used and
enjoyed by future generations.
• To the ordinary Filipino, heroes are those
who simply do the right thing without ifs and
buts, those who do good to help others
without asking for anything in return.
REPUBLIC ACT 1425
educational institution in the Philippines to teach the
lifeworks and writings of Jose Rizal.
Its primary aim is to inculcate students and increase
sense of nationalism at a time when the Filipino
identity is threatened by various factors. (If ma-
invade ang pagiging nationalist natin.)
• The mandatory Rizal subject in the
Philippines was the upshot of this bill, which
later became a law in 1956.
Claro M. Recto – the main proponent of the Rizal
Bill
The aftermath of the second world war left the
Philippines struggling during that time. There are
countless problems, challenges, and damages that
brought by the war cold for the recovery on a national
scale.
There are prominent individuals who championed
nationalism and patriotism where at the forefront of
forwarding measures to instill such values in the
Philippine society. So, these people worked hard to
find ways to aid the Filipino youth in the formation of
their national consciousness. That is why some
individuals like Senator Claro M. Recto, he believes
that studying the life and works of Jose Rizal would
be instrumental in teaching the youth to stand up for
their country. Therefore, embodying the values and
ideals of Rizal.
Only three (3) people who opposed the bill in the
Senate. However, it was met with stiff opposition
from the catholic church.
When it was sponsored by Jose P. Laurel who was
the head of the Senate Committee of Education
during that time. He helped Senator Recto to defend
viability and practicality having the bill enacted into
law. He firmly believed that passing the bill into law
will be integral in achieving the noble intent of
bringing to the Filipinos a sense of nationalism. He
believes that it would help Filipinos to understand the
importance of sovereignty.
The churched accused former Senator Recto of
being a communist and anti-Catholic because the
church believes that mandating the students to read
Rizal’s novels, Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, would violate the freedom of
conscience and relations.
Claro M. Recto – he was dubbed as communist and
an anti-Catholic by critics for proposing the Rizal Bill.
Catholic schools threatened to stop operation if the
bill was passed.
In an attempt to block the passing of the bill into law.
The churches urged their supporters to write to their
congressman and senators to show their opposition
to the bill. The church organized symposium and
fora to denounce the approval of the said bill.
However, after challenges, later on, it was passed.
• Recto shows his firm support for the
unexpurgated version, exclaiming: “The
people who would eliminate the books of
Rizal from the schools would blot out from
our minds the memory of the national hero.
This is not a fight against Recto but a fight
against Rizal.” (Ocampo, 2012, p. 23.)
• The bill was eventually passed, and it was
enacted on June 12, 1956.
• The full name of the law is “An Act to
Include in the Curricula of all Public and
Private Schools, Colleges, and
Universities Courses on the Life, Works,
and Writings of Jose Rizal, particularly
his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, Authorizing the Printing
and Distribution Thereof, and for Other
Purposes.”
• The first section of the law concerns
mandating the students to read Rizal’s
novels.
• The last two sections involve making Rizal’s
writings accessible to the general public –
they require the schools to have a sufficient
number of copies in their libraries and
mandate the publication of the works in major
Philippine languages.
Jose P. Laurel – the senator who co-wrote the law.
Rizal Law aims to accomplish the following:
• To rededicate the lives of the youth to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for
which our heroes lived and died.
• To pay tribute to our national hero for
devoting his life and works in shaping the
Filipino character; and
• To gain an inspiring source of patriotism
through the study of Rizal’s life, works,
and writings.
These are the aims to accomplish, the reason why
Rizal law was passed. It’s one way of showing that
we admire Jose Rizal, the way we fought our
sovereignty, the way he chose not to use weapons
just like Andres Bonifacio. To attain independence to
the Filipinos.
In this way, the youth can think of rededicating their
lives to the idols of freedom of nationalism. And to
pay our tribute to our national hero because Jose
Rizal devoted his life, sacrificed his own happiness
just for the sake of the Filipino people. With that way,
Rizal inspired us, and he is a source of patriotism.
Memorandum Order No. 247
After the R.A. 1425 became formally law,
1994 – Former President Fidel V. Ramos, through
M.O. No. 247, directed the Secretary of Education,
Culture and Sports (DECS, now DEPED) and the
Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education to
fully implement the RA 1425.
1995 – CHED Memorandum No. 3 was issued
enforcing strict compliance to Memorandum Order
No, 247.
REPUBLIC ACT 229
“An act prohibiting cockfighting, horse racing, and
jai-alai on the thirtieth day of December of each year
and to create a committee to take charge of the
proper celebration of Rizal Day in every municipality
and chartered city, and for any other purposes.”
IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING RIZAL
1. The subject provides insights into how to deal
with current problems.
Dictum – he, who controls the past, controls the
future. (Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay
hindi makakarating sa paroroonan). Our view of
history forms the manner we perceive the present.
Therefore, it influences the kind of solutions that we
provide for existing problems.
The Rizal course is full of historical information from
which one could base his decisions in life. In various
ways, the subject, for instance, teaches that being
educated is vital ingredient for a person or country to
be free and successful.
2. It helps us understand better ourselves as
Filipinos.
The past helps us understand who we are. Through
pasts that happened to us, it shapes our character.
We comprehensively define ourselves not only in
terms of where we are going, but also where we are
from.
Our heredity, past behaviors, old habit as a nation
are all significant clues and determinants to our
present situations. Interestingly, the life of a very
important national historical figure like Dr. Jose Rizal
contributes much to shedding the life of our
collective experience and identity as Filipino.
The good grasp of the past offered by the subject
would help us in dealing wisely with the present. For
example, if there are problems or challenges that
Rizal faced during his time. We can reflect on that
and try to figure out what are those problems we
think we also have problems today. We can use
process or the way on how Rizal faced those
challenges because it will be easier for us to
surpass.
3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism.
Nationalism – involves the desire to attain freedom
and political independence especially by a country
under foreign power.
Patriotism – denotes proud devotion and loyalty to
one’s nation.
The life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal,
especially his novels, essentially, if not perfectly, it
radiates this trait. Being devoted and loyal to one’s
nation.
The subject will help us to understand Philippines
better.
4. It provides various essential life lessons.
We can learn much from what Rizal faced various
challenges in life. As a controversial figure during his
time, he encounters serious dilemmas and
predicaments, but he responded decently and high-
mindedly. He did not care about what other people
says.
Through the crucial decisions in his life, we can
actually sense his priorities and convictions which
manifests how selfless he is. And how great he is.
For example, in his time, there are many resolutions
exemplified the aphorism that in this life, there are
things that are more important than personal feeling
and happiness. Rizal sacrificed his own happiness
for the sake of his countrymen.
5. It helps in developing logical and critical
thinking.
Critical thinking – refers to decerning, evaluative,
and analytical thinking.
Rizal as a philosophy major, he demonstrated his
critical thinking skills. In his argumentative essays,
speech, novels, and written debates. In deciding in
what to believe or do, Rizal proved his being
reasonably reflective thinker. He did not based on
his rational whims and baseless opinions. He
indiscriminately evaluated and criticize even the
doctrines of religion of his time.
This course, therefore, is also a lesson in critical
thinking.
6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and
inspiration to every Filipino.
If there is one, who is looking for someone to imitate
to be their model or inspiration. Rizal is a viable
choice. The hero’s philosophies, his life principles,
his convictions, his thoughts, his ideals and
aspirations, and even his dream is a good influence
to anyone.
Throughout his life, he valued nationalism and
patriotism. His respect for his parents, love for his
siblings, his loyalty to his friends, and maintain the
sense of chivalry. Those are the values that being
highlighted in the life of Dr. Jose Rizal.
As a man of education, he highly regarded a high
academic excellence, logical and critical thinking, his
philosophical and scientific inquiry, linguistic studies,
and cultural research.
As a person, Rizal manifested versatility and
flexibility while sustaining a strong sense of moral
uprightness.

7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining

narratives.
This subject is full of fascinating non-fictional
accounts. For example, when Rizal was involved in
a love triangle with Antonio Luna. He was a model in
some of Juan Luna’s painting. His wife, Josephine
Bracken was remarried to a man from Cebu and had
tutored former President Sergio Osmenia.
Filipina beauty queen Gemma Cruz Araneta is a
descendant of Rizal’s sister, Maria.
 THEORY OF NATIONALISM
1. What is a nation?
2. What is Nationalism?
1. explain the concept of nationalism;
2. Determine how Rizal’s works embody the concept
of nationalism and
3. Assess the different views regarding Rizal and his
works.
NATION AND NATIONALISM
• According to the Oxford Dictionary, a nation
is “a large body of people united by common
descent, history, culture, or language,
inhabiting a particular country or territory.”
Nation is a large group of people who shares
common characteristics such as language,
traditions, and ethnicity. The people who belong to a
same nation share a same culture, history, and
identify themselves distinct from others.
Emergence of nationhood is closely tied with the
concepts of identity and ethnicity through the
process of nation from nation and nation building.
The troops of the people come together as a single
unified nation.
Nation from nation is the process where people
gradually establish a national identity.
Nation building is a process initiated by the state
that defines and reinforces national identity.
Example: Philippines
• According to the Merriam-Webster
Dictionary, nationalism is defined as "loyalty
and devotion to a nation, especially a sense
of national consciousness," and "exalting
one nation above all others and placing
primary emphasis on promotion of its culture
and interests as opposed to those of other
nations or supranational groups."
Loyalty and devotion – Filipinos who are patronizing
our own products is one way of showing our loyalty
and devotion to our nation.
NATIONALISM
• A set of systems – political, social, and
economic – characterized by the promotion
of the interests of one nation anchored on the
aim to achieve and maintain self-governance
or total sovereignty.
It holds that a particular nation should govern itself
and should be free from external inference. A nation
has independence.
• Another facet of nationalism is that it is
oriented towards developing and maintaining
a national identity based on shared
characteristics such as culture, language,
race, and religion.
Nationalism seeks to preserve and shape a nation’s
culture. The concept of nationalism is essentially
modern nowadays. While people have historically
been attached to the families, community, and native
land. The concept of nationalism only gained
recognition in the late 18th century.
The conceptualization of nationalism in a
distinctively modern sense was tied to the political
awakening of the lower classes.
When Rizal witnessed the execution of the
GOMBURZA, he wished that someday, the Filipino
people would be awakened that what is happening
to the country is not what they deserve.
Nationalist movements had invariably populist in
outlook and sought to induct lower classes into
political life.
FIVE BASIC ELEMENTS OF NATIONALISM
1. Culture – refers to customs, traditions, beliefs,
food, and folk songs and dances.
2. History – the study of the past. Philippines is rich
in history because there are several or different
events that happened in the past.
3. Language – Tagalog, Ilokano, Bisaya, Bikolano,
etc.
4. Religion – Catholic, Muslims, Iglesia ni Cristo
5. Territory – refers to the boundary in terms of
aerial, fluvial, and terrestrial.
NATIONALISM CONTINUE...
• Nationalism is best understood by first
looking into the term nation.
• According to BENEDICT ANDERSON, a
prominent historian and political scientist,
who explored the origins of nationalism, he
defined the nations as a fabrication, a bond
between people who did not actually exist
prior to its own recognition.
According to Anderson, nationess is a cultural
artifact that is felt as having existed since time
memorial but is objectively modern as it first
emerged toward the end of 18th century.
• For ANDERSON, the nation “is an imagined
community – and imagined as both
inherently limited and sovereign” (2006).
Anderson just wants to define nation as an imagined
community because even if we have one nationality,
one territory, one language, one culture, one religion
(based on five elements), Filipinos can be seen all
over the world. Even we do not meet each other
because of the imagined community, at the end of
the day, we do have one nation. The bond of
Filipinos will never be separated even they are far
away from each other.
• The Philippine nation is an imagined
community because one who identifies
himself or herself as a Filipino will never meet
all the other Filipinos around the world, yet
he or she is convinced that they exist, and he
or she is related to them.
Anderson presented the Homogenous Empty Time.
He borrowed the ideas from Walter Benjamin which
replace the idea of Simultaneity Along Time.
Simultaneity Among Time – refers to the medieval
conception of time as _ events in the past, present,
and future simultaneously.
Homogenous Empty Time – suggest that a nation
can be imagined as a unit moving through time.
RIZAL’S WORKS AND NATIONALISM
Anderson points out that Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere
conjured an imagined community as if the readers
and the author were familiar to and intimate with
each other, with the characters and readers being
situated in the same context of time and space.
The novel of Dr. Jose Rizal provide the means of
representing the nation as an imagined community
that operated an empty time enabling the reader to
be omniscient to see the society and _ of the key
people in it.
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo emerged as
the founding texts of Philippine nationalism. These
novels exposed the ills of the Spanish colonial
government and the evils prevailing in the Philippine
society by presenting a narrative that contextualizes
the country in terms of politics, economy, and
culture.
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, you can
discover or see the nationalism that the Filipino
people have shown in the novels.
Rizal was able to go against the colonizers and show
how literatures can be used to arouse people to be
catalyst of social change.
In both his novels, he was able to portray the Filipino
in different dimensions from those who have colonial
mentality to those who fought for the country at all
costs. Through his novels, he emphasizes the
values of nationalism and loving one’s country.
National narrative, Rizal presented because the
inspiration for strengthening the anti-colonial
movement.
During the time Rizal was aiming for sovereignty
from the Spaniards, those are the times also that
Filipino people are starting to realize that they should
be awakened – that this is the time they need to fight
for their independence.
 LESSON 3: The Philippines in the 19th Century
Intended Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss Jose Rizal’s life within the context of 19th
century Philippines;
2. Describe what was the political, economic and
social life of the Philippines during the 19th century;
3. Give the importance and relevance of how
nationalism was molded in the heart and mind of our
national hero.
The 19th century is known to be the age of
enlightenment in our Philippine history which can
be described as colorful part of our history. There
were several events that took shape that had impact
in the Philippine soil. These are actually concerned
with the other countries, for example:
The United States, according to the diary of Rizal, it
was too impressive in the sense of their rapid
industrialization that time. Rizal commented that
America would be the next superpower after Spain.
Another example is England, which is one of the
most powerful nations that colonized America.
Italy is known for its magnificent churches and
plazas. One of the tourism spots until now.
Germany was known as Prussia which was led by
the Military General Otto von Bismarck.
France, after the French Revolution of 1789, the
empire continued its tries to power under the
Emperor Napoleon III.
India, at the time, India was governed by the Mogul
Empire where Sepoy soldiers staged in mutiny and
murdered some British commanders of the army.
China, which is known to be one of oldest trading
partner of the Philippines.
Japan, it was in 1853 when (8 years before Dr. Jose
Rizal was born) the American Navy Force headed by
Matthew Perry wanted to establish ports for
American ships.
Singapore, which was known for its ports at the time
when merchants and passenger ships loaded and
unloaded from place to place.
These are the things that transpired in the world
during 19th century.
In the Philippines, as stated in the chapter of the
Rizaliana batch of biographers, the history of the
Philippines during the 19th century was divided into
three constitutions namely:
1. Political Institutions
The Political set-up of the Philippines during those
times was headed by the Governor-General. He was
appointed by the King of Spain for an “indefinite”
period of time as loyalty was one of the major
qualifications of the government officials. It was
during the time of Adelantado Miguel Lopez de
Legazpi, then appointed by King Philip II of Spain
that proportions of Land were awarded. The
governor-general performs dual functions – political
and ecclesiastical.
The Governor-General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
political powers include being the chief executive
head of the colony– managing the internal affairs of
the state as well as the executer of the laws of the
land. He was also the chief of Real Audiencia or the
Spanish Supreme Court in the Philippines where
cases were elevated after the failure of cases in local
courts. He was also the commanding officer of the
armed forces particularly the navy and army. His
ecclesiastical power then was to settle Church
matter because there was Union of Church and
State. In the 19th century Philippines then the office
of the governor-general was the most powerful
position in the land next to the King of Spain and the
Ministry of the Indies.
In order to check the powers of the Gov-Gen. then
there were officials being sent by the Kingthe–
residencia and visitadores. The Residencia are
permanent officials who will scrutinize the
performance of the out-going Gov-Gen. The
incoming Gov.Gen. would be probably coming from
the residencia. Visitadores on the other hand will
check the performance of the Gov-Gen and they
were temporary and different from the residencia.
In the local set-up then, local government was
divided into provinces, cities and barangays. The
provinces were led by the alcalde-mayor who was
the executive of the provinces. Cities were called,
Ayuntamiento that were headed by a petty governor
known as the “governadorcillo.” The little towns
were called pueblos. During the 19th century the
barangays were headed by a chief known as the
cabeza de barangay and they served as tax
collectors of their constituents.
If you will compare the political institutions during the
19th century and the political institution of the present
times, there were differences. For example, the
Governor-General which is known to be the highest
position during that time. In the present times, it is
the president who has the highest position in our
country.
Also, unlike the Governor-General, which was being
appointed by the King of Spain, the president is
elected by the votes of Filipino people.
The Governor-General is the one who executes the
Laws of the Land during that time. Same with the
president, in our present times, he executes the
Laws of the Land. However, when it comes to the
Governor-General’s responsibility or duty, as the
chief of the Real Audencia or the Spanish Supreme
Court in the Philippines. The president in our present
time is not the one who elevated cases after the
failure of cases in the lower courts because we have
our Chief Justice along with Associate Justice.
Below them is the provincial trial court, municipal trial
court, and the likes which is headed also by a judge.
Governor-General is also the commanding officer of
the armed forces and that’s the same when it comes
to the President of the Philippines of the present
times. However, when it comes to ecclesiastical
power, the president has no right when it comes to
the union of the church and state because in our
Philippine Constitution, we have the separation of
the state and the church.
Local government during the 19th century, the
provinces are headed by the alcalde-mayor.
However, in our present times it is being led by the
governor. The cities during that time were headed by
governadorcillo. However, in our present times it is
being led by city mayor or municipal mayor. And
barangay was headed by the cabeza de barangay in
19th century. In present times, it is being led by
barangay chairman, chairwoman, or barangay
captain. And in present time, it is not the barangay
chairman who is known to be the tax collectors of
their constituents. In our present times, we already
have the Bureau of Internal Revenue– as the
agency whose collecting the taxes.
2. Economic Institutions
The encomienda system or the leasehold system
became one of the main economic programs of
Spain in the Philippines. This system, however, was
abused by the Spaniards.
Encomienda System – it is the giving of lands on the
Spanish Conquerors who are loyal to Spanish
monarchs.
The 70-30 percentage crop sharing became the
most abused practice to uneducated farmers
because it was usurious.
Another form of abuse was the monopoly system or
known as bandala system where the Spaniards
monopolized the buying and selling of raw materials
and middlemen sold them at a higher cost.
The Galleon Trade was another economic activity at
that time where “boletas” or tickets were used to
purchase goods from the ships though there were
instances when ships never returned due to
typhoons or man-made accidents at sea.
The Galleon Trade was named after the name of the
ship which is Galleon Ship. That’s the ship that was
being used in the 19th century for the trading of the
products from Manila port going to the Acapulco,
Mexico back to Manila port.
The Economic Institution of the Philippines became
wider and wider, and it boost the economic of the
Philippines at it was in the peak until in present
times.
3. Social Institutions
The social institution which was imposed by Spain
in the Philippines was divided into social strata wit;
It shows the social strata which puts Principalia (the
rich and opulent class). The Peninsulares and
Insulares at the apex of the triangle. The lower
portion of the apex is composed of mixed races,
Spaniards, Chinese, and Austronesian Ancestry–
known as the Taiwanese indigenous people. The
rising middle class or the Illustrados is composed of
the educated class – including Rizal’s family and
other propagandist which are represented in the
figure.
Almost 60% of the population is Indio which belongs
to lower class and uneducated Filipinos. Religious
impositions were very strong that time where
Filipinos are subjects under the Spanish friars.
Marcelo H. del Pilar known to be one of the main
propagandist quine the term Frailocracy which
prevailed in the Philippines.
Frailocracy – form of government in which the friars
are the rulers.
RIZAL AS THE PRODUCT OF HIS TIMES
Rizal as product of his times Rizal was the product
of his times and he was also one of the eyewitnesses
of the execution of the triumvirate priests, Gomez,
Burgos and Zamora who were executed on February
17, 1872, after the Cavite Mutiny on January 20,
1872, which was led by Sergeant La Madrid. Rizal,
being an eyewitness of the execution, reckoned his
historical thoughts in his letters as revealed by his
early biographers. On the other hand, some points
to be considered, to wit;
1. Divine Intervention
Rizal’s vast knowledge and social consciousness
are God’s gifts to him. As a reformer, he was-versed
in letters and language. It is a fact that Jose Rizal
possessed a lot of talents, and he used his literary
and writing ability to fight the Spanish tyranny. He
believed that “the pen is mightier than the sword.”
2. Environmental Awareness
The 19th century was the Age of Enlightenment
and Rizal was the product of that time. His
environment might be one of the very reasons why
he fought the Spanish authorities as he was
surrounded by several names who became his
advisers and mentors. He witnessed the execution
of the triumvirate priests (GomBurZa) at a young
age of 11 which awakened his awareness of the
social injustices of the Spanish authorities. He
believed that “tyranny” has no room in a free
society which he envisioned for the country.
3. Educational Factors
Rizal became a young professional who gained his
expertise in Ateneo (as surveyor), University of
Santo Tomas (as a medical student) and in
Universidad Central de Madrid (continuing his
medical studies). His expertise became in demand
as a barrio doctor serving his less privileged
compatriots. His literary knowledge and
observations in the Philippines and his travels
abroad were his inspirations when he wrote his two
novels- Noli Me Tengere and El Filibusterismo.
4. Family Orientation
The Mercado family along with other “middle class
families” were Rizal’s first teachers. Belonging to the
ilustrado class, Rizal was sent abroad to continue his
medical studies though there were some objections
from his mother. His family was his source of
strength in his flight for social justice from evil society
of that time. Paciano, his brother was his closest
adviser and supporter during his stay in Europe.
Rizal’s family has influenced him a lot in inculcating
and developing nationalism in his consciousness.
THE PHILIPPINES OF RIZAL’S TIME
It was said that during that time of Rizal, the sinister
shadows of Spain decadents darkened Philippine
skies. The Filipino people agonized beneath the
yoke of Spanish misrule, for they were unfortunate
victims of the evils of an unjust, bigoted, and
deteriorating colonial power.
1. Instability of Colonial Administration
The instability of Spanish politics since the turbulent
reign of King Ferdinand VII (1808-1833) marked the
beginning of political chaos in Spain. The Spanish
government underwent frequent changes owing to
bitter struggles between the forces of despotism and
liberalism and the explosions of the Carlist wars.
from 1834 to 1862, Spain had adopted 4
constitutions, elected 28 parliaments, and installed
no less than 524 ministers with portfolios; followed in
subsequent years by party strifes, revolutions, and
other political upheavals.
The political instability in Spain adversely affected
Philippine affairs because it brought about frequent
periodic shifts in colonial policies and a periodic
rigodon of colonial officials.
There are many governor officials during that time
wherein they only served in their position for only
one year, some of them is for only three months.
That’s why it was quote the instability of colonial
administration because there is no progress and
developments with regards to the social status
during that time.
2. Corrupt Colonial Officials
With few exceptions, the colonial officials
(Governors-General, judges, provincial executives,
etc.) were sent by the king of Spain to the
Philippines.
a. General Rafael de Izquierdo (1871-1873)
A boastful and ruthless Governor General, aroused
the anger of the Filipinos by executing the innocent
Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto
Zamora, the “Martyrs of 1872.”
b. Admiral Jose Malcampo (1874-1877)
Izquierdo’s successor. He was a good Moro fighter
but was an inept and weak administrator.
c. General Fernando Primo de Rivera (1880-1883
and 1897-1898)
He was a Governor General for two terms. he
enriched himself by accepting bribes from gambling
casinos in Manila which he scandalously permitted
to operate.
d. General Valeriano Weyler (1888-1891)
A cruel and corrupt Governor General of Hispanic-
German ancestry. He arrived in Manila a poor man
and returned to Spain a millionaire. He received
huge bribes and gifts of diamonds for his wife from
wealthy Chinese who evaded the anti-Chinese law.
the Filipinos scornfully called him “tyrant” because of
his brutal persecution of the Calamba tenants,
particularly the family of Dr. Rizal. The Cubans
contemptuously cursed him as “The Butcher”
because of his ruthless reconcentration policy during
his brief governorship in Cuba in 1896, causing the
death of thousands of Cubans.
e. General Camilo de Polavieja (1896-1897)
An able militarist, but heartless governor general. he
was widely detested by the Filipino people for
executing Dr. Rizal.
3. Philippine Representation in Spanish Cortes
The win the support of her overseas colonies during
the Napoleonic invasion, Spain granted them
representation in the Cortes (Spanish parliament).
Accordingly, the Philippines experience her first
period of representation in the Cortes from 1810 to
1813. history demonstrates that the first Philippine
delegate, Ventura de los Reyes, took active part in
the framing of the Constitution of 1812, Spain's first
democratic constitution, and was one of its 184
signers. this constitution was extended to the
Philippines. another achievement of Delegate de los
Reyes what's the abolition of the galleon trade.
The first period of Philippine representation in the
Spanish Cortes (1810-1813) was thus fruitful with
beneficent results for the welfare of the colony.
Unfortunately, the representation of the overseas
colonies (including the Philippines) in the Spanish
Cortes was abolished in 1837. Since then Philippine
conditions worsened because there was no means
by which the Filipino people could expose the
anomalies perpetrated by the colonial officials. many
Filipino patriots valiantly pleaded for the restoration
of the Philippine representation in the Cortes. One of
them, is the silver-tongued Graciano Lopez Jaena
which is also one of the youthful patriots who
launched the propaganda movement. Together with
Jose Rizal, M.H. del Pilar, and other youthful patriots
launched the propaganda movement, which paved
the way for the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
4. Human Rights Denied to Filipinos
Since the adoption of the Spanish Constitution of
1812 and other constitution in succeeding years, the
people of Spain enjoyed freedom of speech,
freedom of the press, freedom of association, and
other human rights (except from freedom of religion).
The Spaniards ardently guarded these rights so that
no Spanish monarch dare abolish them.
Strangely enough, the Spanish authorities who
cherish these human rights or constitutional liberties
in Spain denied them to the Filipinos in Asia. Such
inconsistency was lamented by Sinibaldo de Mas,
Spanish economist and diplomat, who wrote in 1843:
“Why do we fall into an anomaly, such as combining
our claim for liberty for ourselves, and our wish to
impose our law on remote peoples? Why do we deny
to others the benefit which we desire for our
fatherland?”
5. No Equality Before the Law
Spanish arrogantly regarded the brown-skinned
Filipinos as inferior beings, not their Christian
brothers to be protected but rather as their majesty's
subjects to be exploited. The Filipinos were abused,
brutalized, persecuted, and slandered by their
Spanish masters.
The Spanish Penal Code, which was enforced in the
Philippines, particularly imposed heavier penalties
on native Filipinos or mestizos and lighter penalties
on white-complexioned Spaniards this legal
inequality was natural leaders and dead by the
Filipinos.
6. Maladministration of Justice
The courts of justice in the Philippines during Rizal’s
time where in notoriously corrupt. Verily, they were
courts of “injustice,” as far as the brown Filipinos
were concerned. the Spanish judges, fiscals
(prosecuting attorneys), and other court officials
were inept, venal, and oftentimes ignorant of law.
Justice was costly, partial, and slow. poor Filipinos
had no access to the courts because they could not
afford the heavy expenses of litigation. Wealth,
social prestige, and color of skin where
preponderant factors in winning a case in court.
Irrespective of the weight of evidence, a rich man or
a Spaniard, whose skin was white, easily achieved
victory in any litigation.
To the Filipino masses, a litigation in court was a
calamity. The expenses incurred even in simple
lawsuit often exceeded the value of the property at
issue, so that in many instances the litigants found
themselves impoverished at the end of the long
tussle.
7. Racial Discrimination
Spain introduced Christianity into the Philippines
with its beautiful egalitarian concept of the
brotherhood of all men under God the Father. the
Spanish authorities, civil as well as ecclesiastical,
zealously propagated the Christian faith, but seldom
practiced its sublime tenets.
Racial prejudice was prevalent everywhere - in
government offices, in the courts of justice, in the
armed forces, in the social circles, and even in the
educational institution and in the ecclesiastical
hierarchy. one of the shining stars of the Filipino
clergy, Father Jose Burgoz (1837-1872) bewailed
the Spanish misconception that amounts merit
depended on the pigment of his skin, the height of
his nose, the color of his hair, and the shape of his
skull; end complained of the lack of opportunities for
educated young Filipinos to rise in the service of God
and country.
During the racial discrimination, people who has
brown skin, flat nose are known to be as Indios. The
Spaniard always enjoyed political and social
prestige.
8. Frailocracy
Owing to the Spanish political philosophy of union of
Church and State, there arose a unique form of
government in Hispanic Philippines called
“frailocracy” (frailocracia), so named because it was
“a government by friars.” History discloses that since
the days of the Spanish conquest, the friars
(Augustinians, Dominicans, and Franciscans)
controlled the religious and educational life of the
Philippines.
9. Forced Labor
Known as the polo, it was the compulsory of labor
imposed by the Spanish colonial authorities an adult
Filipino male in the construction of churches,
schools, hospitals; building and repair of roads and
bridges; the building of ships in the shipyards; and
other public works.
Originally, Filipino males from 16 to 60 years old
we're obliged to render forced labor for 40 days a
year. Later, the Royal Decree of July 12, 1883,
implemented by the New Regulations promulgated
by the Council of State of February 3, 1885, increase
the minimum age of the polistas (those who
performed the forced labor) from 16 to 18 and
reduced the days of labor from 40 to 15. the same
royal decree provided that not only native Filipinos,
but also all male Spanish residents from 18 years old
to 60 must render forced labor, but this particular
provision was never implemented in the Philippines
for obvious reasons.
During the time, friars owned the best haciendas.
Those rural folks became tenants only. The friar
ownership of the reproductive lands contributed to
the economic stagnation of the Philippines during
the Spanish period.
11. The Guardia Civil
The last hated symbol of Spanish tyranny was the
Guardia Civil (Constabulary) which was created by
the Royal Decree of February 12, 1852, as amended
by the Royal Decree of March 24, 1888, For the
purpose of maintaining internal peace and what
order in the Philippines. It was patterned after the
famous and well-disciplined Guardia Civil in Spain.
The Guardia Civil in the Philippines had rendered
meritorious services in suppressing the bandits in
the provinces, they later became infamous for the
rampant abuses, such a maltreating innocent
people, looting their carabaos and chickens, and
valuable belongings, and raping helpless women.
Both officers (Spaniards) and men (natives) were ill-
trained and undisciplined, unlike the Guardia Civil in
Spain who were respected and well-liked by the
populace.

10. Haciendas Owned by the Friars

During Rizal’s times, the Spanish friars belonging to
different religious orders we're the richest landlords,
for they owned the best haciendas (agricultural
lands) in the Philippines. The rural folks, who had
been living in these haciendas and cultivating them
generation after generation became tenants.
Naturally, there resented the loss of their lands
which belonged to their ancestors since pre-Spanish
times; legally, however, the friars were recognized
as legal owners of the said lands because they
obtained royal titles of ownership from the Spanish
crown. No wonder, these friar haciendas became
hotbeds of agrarian revolts, as in much as the
Filipino tenants regarded the friar owners as
usurpers of their ancestral lands.