 The political instability in Spain adversely affected Philippine affairs because it brought about

frequent periodic shifts in colonial policy and a periodic rigodon of colonial officials.
Example: From 1835-1897, the Philippines was ruled by 50 governors general, each serving an
average term of only one year and three months. That 62 years to be exact
 The frequent change of colonial officials hampered the political and economic development of
the Philippines
 Famous Generals in 19th century:
1. General Rafael de Izquierdo (1871-1873) – GOMBURZA “The martyrs of February 17, 1872”
2. Admiral Jose Malcampo (1874-1877) –
3. General Fernando Primo de Rivera (1880-1883) & (1897 – 1898)
4. General Valerian Weyler (1888 – 1891)
5. General Camilo de Polavieja (1896 – 1897) – Rizal’s execution December 30, 1896
 After the loss of Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, and other colonies in Latin America, numerous
jobseekers and penniless Spanish sycophants came to Philippines, where they became judges,
provincial executives, army officers, and empleados (government employees). They are mostly
ignorant and profligate, they conducted themselves with arrogance and superciliousness
because of their alien white skin and tall nose. These Spaniards practices ethnocentrism
(consider themselves higher than Filipinos)

HUMAN RIGHTS DENIED TO FILIPINO

 Since the adoption of the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and other constitutions in succeeding
years, the people of Spain enjoyed freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of
association, and other human rights (except freedom of religion)
 Sinibaldo de Mas, Spanish economist and diplomat in 1843: “Why do we deny to other the
benefits which we desire for our fatherland?”


NO EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW

 To their imperialist way of thinking, brown Filipinos and white Spaniards may be equal before
God, but not before the law and certainly not in practice
 Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt wrote to Dr. Rizal in 1887: “The provision of the Penal Code
that a heavier penalty will be imposed on the Indio or mestizo irritated me exceedingly,
beacause it signifies that every person not born white is in fact a latent criminal. This is a very
great injustice that’s seems enormous and unjust for being embodied in law”
 When the Spanish missionaries introduced Christianity to the Filipinos as early as 16th century,
they taught that all men, irrespective of color and race, are children of God and as such they are
brothers, equal before God. Thus, most Filipinos except those in the hinterlands of Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao became Christians. However, in practice, the Spanish colonial authorities
did not observe the general rule of the brotherhood of all men under the fatherhood of God.
They arrogantly regarded the brown-skinned Filipinos as inferior beings, not their Christian
brothers to be protected but as their majesty’s subjects to be exploited. To the imperialist way
of thinking, brown Filipinos and white Spaniards maybe equal befor e God but certainly not in
 practice. 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.

HUMAN RIGHTS DENIED TO FILIPINO

FIRST SLIDE

“Why do we deny to other the benefits which we desire to our fatherland” – Sinibaldo de Mas, 1843

This statement of Sinibaldo de Mas, Spanish economist and diplomat in 1843, criticizes Spanish
authorities who cherished human rights or constitutional liberties in Spain and denied them to the
Filipinos in Asia.

Spanish Constitution of 1812 provided:

- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of the press
- Freedom of association

Since the adoption of the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and other constitutions in succeeding years, the
people of Spain enjoyed freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association, and other
human rights (except freedom of religion). These freedoms were not experienced by Filipinos during
Spanish colonization.

NO EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW

SECOND SLIDE

Spaniards claim that we are all equal. But the same Spaniards mistreated Filipinos. When the Spanish
missionaries introduced Christianity to the Filipinos as early as 16th century, they taught that all men,
irrespective of color and race, are children of God and as such they are brothers, equal before God.
However, according to their imperialist way of thinking, brown Filipinos and white Spaniards maybe
equal before God but not before the law and certainly not in practice.

THIRD SLIDE

 The Leyes de India (Laws of the Indies) which aim to protect the rights of the natives in Spain’s
overseas colonies was rarely enforced
 Spaniards considered themselves as the highest in the social hierarchy and the Spanish penal
code was stricter with Filipinos, this made their court hearings unfair and it was impossible to
win a case especially if you live under poor conditions. Spaniards—because of their social
standing and skin color—were able to get away with crimes or was given a light penalties while
heavier penalties was imposed to Filipinos