GEd 103: Life and Works of Rizal

Spain in the
19 Century
th

ALEJANDRO
ALMONEDA
ARGUELLES
Political System
OVERVIEW

- The political conditions and the system in the

Philippines under the 19th century, had suffered
from feudalistic and master slave relationship by
the Spaniards.
GOVERNOR-GENERAL

• Headed the central administration in Manila. Being the chief executive

of the colonial government, he was the ex-officio president of the Royal
Audiencia, thus enjoying judicial powers.

The judicial system during the time of Rizal was costly, partial, and slow.
Poor Filipinos had no access to the courts because they could not afford
the heavy litigation expenses. Rizal’s family also became a victim of
injustices in the Philippines. His mother was unjustly arrested and jailed
without due process. The GOMBURZA priests were executed thus,
becoming noble victims of the Spaniards’ injustices.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

1. Alcalde Mayor or Provincial Governor

• Governed the provinces (alcadias), who exercised executive and
judicial functions.

2. Gobernadorcillo or Town Mayors

• Governed the towns (pueblos), his position was honorary, no salary
was given to him, but he was entitled to two pesos a month.

3. Cabeza de barangay
• Maintenance of peace and order in the barrio.
SOURSES OF WEAKNESSES AND ABUSES
IN ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM

Government officials
The principal officials
Alcalde mayor
Gobernadorcillo
No Equality Before the Law

● Spaniards arrogantly regarded the brown skinned Filipinos

as inferior beings.
● 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.
THE TRIBUTE/TRIBUTO

● The collection of the tributo began during

the time of Legazpi, and was imposed
throughout the archipelago until 1884.
● Levied on all Filipinos 19-60 years old.
● Exemption of the incumbent
gobernadorcillos and cabezas and their
families, the soldiers who had rendered
distinguished service, the other native
chieftains, and the government employees,
choir members, sacristanes, and church
porters.
● Could be cash or any kind.
The Encomienda
● The encomienda system
divided the Philippines into
territories headed by the
Encomendero.

● An Ecomienda (from Spanish

encomendar, “to entrust’’)
consisted of a grant by the
crown to a conquistador, a
soldier, an official, or others
on a specified number of
“Indios” living in a particular
area.
● The receiver of the grant, the
encomendero, could exact
tribute from the Indios in gold,
in kind, or in labour and was
required to protect them and
instruct them in the Christian
Faith.
● The Encomienda did not
include a grant of land, but in
practice the encomenderos
gained control of lands
inhabited by Indios and failed
to fulfill their obligations to the
indigenous population.
The Polo
THE POLO

● A forced labor for 40 days of men ranging from16 to

60 years of age who were obligated to give personal
services to the government.
● One could be exempted from polo by paying the
falla.
● In 1884, labor was reduced to 15 days.
King Ferdinand VII
KING FERDINAND VII

● A King of Spain during the early 19th century.

● He was known to his supporter as el Deseado (the desired)
and to his detractors as el Rey Felon (the Felon king)
● Between 1808 and 1813, during the Napoleon wars, Ferdinand
was imprisoned in France by Napoleon.
● He issued a decree mandating the establishments of a public
bank in the Philippines.
The Democratic Rule of Governor Dela Torre
● Carlos Maria de la Torre y
Navacerrada served as the Spanish
Governor-General of the Philippines
from June 23, 1869 to April 4, 1871.
He was considered the most
beloved among the Spanish
Governor-Generals to serve in the
Philippines.
● He abolished flogging, relaxed
media censorship, began limited
secularization of education and in
churches throughout the country.
● He implemented liberal and
democratic principles.
Bourbon Reforms
● It have been termed "a revolution in
government" for their sweeping
changes in the structure of
administration.
● The military reforms were but one
aspect of a larger reform agenda
known as the Bourbon Reforms.
● The reforms caused many religious
tensions as well as social tensions.
● The Bourbon reforms succeeded in
raising revenue and increasing
silver production in Spanish
America.
Spanish Cortes 1812 Promulgating the Cadiz Const.
● The Constitution was ratified on 19 March 1812 by the Cortes of Cádiz,
the first Spanish legislature that included delegates from the entire
nation, including Spanish America and the Philippines.
● It has been granted great historical importance because it is the first
Spanish Constitution. It remained officially in force for two years when it
was repealed on May 4, 1814, although as late as 1820, allegiance to
the 1812 Spanish Constitution was still being demanded.
● The Cadiz Constitution, which was formally implemented in Manila
soon after, established the principles of universal male suffrage,
national sovereignty, constitutional monarchy, and freedom of the
press, and advocated land reform and free enterprises.