SPANISH COLONIAL POLICIES

GROUP 1

SAMSON, SEVILLA, SORIA, TUAZON, VALENCIA, VILLARUEL, VIRGINIA, ZAPANTA, ZITA

Spanish Colonial Policies

Colonial Policies

The Spanish colonial policy was virtually designed not only to keep the Philippines under
control but also to exploit her rich natural resources. The onerous system of taxation, the
arbitrary and unjust forced labor, the monopolistic galleon trade and stringent trade and
agricultural policies, consequently brought about a distorted and unbalanced economy.

ON TAXATION

This is the power of the state to impose and collect revenue for public purposes to promote
the welfare of the people of the particular society.

One of the laws promulgated by the Indies promulgated by the Spanish crown was to
require conquered inhabitants to pay tribute in recognition of the Spanish sovereignty. For
so many years, the Filipinos paid tribute amounting to eight reales or one peso. In 1589, it
was increased to ten reales and to twelve in 1851, but finally, abolished in 1884 and was
replaced with a personal cedula tax.

Bandala- natives were coerced to sell their harvest to the government at very low price.

ON FORCED LABOR/POLO Y SERVICIO

Polo- the dehumanizing labor where the Spanish government required all male healthy and
physically able between ages 16-60 to render service for forty days.
Polistas- the natives who rendered forced labor. They were not paid daily wages and food
ration during their working days.
Falla- a fee given to Spaniards to become accepted in the rendering labor force.

THE TOBACCO MONOPOLY OF BASCO

Established by Jose Basco Y Vargas in 1781 the increase in revenues of the government
through the cultivation of tobacco became a profitable venture that led Mexico to be
independent.
The cultivation of tobacco was confined to Nueva Ecija, Cagayan Valley, Marinduque, and
ilocos Provinces.
The tobacco monopoly brought a considerable profit but the situation of the Philippines
didn't change. Instead, I brought so much problem and hardship into the lives of every
Filipino.

The Galleon Trade

(Manila- Acapulco)

Long before the Spaniards came into the Philippines, the Filipinos had been trading with
different countries, by virtue of the doctrine of mercantilism, the Spanish authority closed
trade relations with other countries and allowed only two countries, China and Mexico.
Obras Pias- a Foundation where money from trade was invested and appropriated to be
given to charitable institutions.

On The Encomiendas
Philippines in Spanish colonization is composed of two branches: executive and judicial.
The Philippines doesn't have a legislative branch since laws are coming from Spain, only
then those ordered by the governor general can be laws created in the Philippines.

The president that time was called Governor- General however he is only the representative
of Spain to govern the whole island. He is the highest officer on the island. Has a power to
appoint an officer in the government and a priest in a church except for those who are
personally tapped by the king of Spain.

The provinces at that time were called "encomienda" and governed by the "encomenderos"
Later on called, "Alcalde Mayor". Alcalde Mayor had both judicial and executive power. He
has also the right to collect the taxes from the people of his community. In exchange with it,
he also has a duty to protect his community. Also, alcalde mayor can establish a business
because of its limited salary.

By implication, it was a public office and the person was preferred to as encomiendero, a
holder of encomienda and empowered to collect taxes from the people under his
jurisdiction. In return, under the laws of the Indies, he was obliged to protect and defend the
people under him against aggression and danger and helped to convert the natives to
Catholicism.

In 1866, alcalde mayor's executive power was gone but judicial remains.
The Encomienderos abused their right by way of forcing the natives to pay tribute beyond
what the law prescribed. Although the encomienda was designed to govern the people but
its implementation or action of the appointed officer is misused leading to negative effect on
people, because of it natives went on strike.

The thunderous and public outcry against the behavior of encomenderos led some humane
ecclesiastical officials to inform the king about these unlawful practices. The clergy were
Domingo Salazar, first bishop of Manila and Martin de Rada, superior of the Augustinians in
the Philippines. They condemned these encomenderos and held them responsible for the
various violence and atrocities committed against the natives.

Economic Retrogression

On the economic retrogression of the colony, the Spaniards blamed the indolence, which
was inherent of the Filipino character, their inability for learning, and their perceived
congenital inferiority of the Indios. Nevertheless, this was promptly debunked by Fathers
Pedro Chirino and Antonio De Morga, about the allegation of the Spaniards by attesting to
the marked growth and development of agriculture, trade and industry, skill and ingenuity of
the natives. The economic retrogression was the government's imposition of numerous
taxes and its utter insensitiveness to render service upon which taxes were extracted.

The Abolition of Slavery

This was considered as one of the administrative accomplishments done by Spain for the
people of the colony.
This move was affected by Bishop Domingo Salazar and various heads of religious orders
to ask the King to abolish slavery. The Bishop and other religious orders signed a document
accusing the Spaniards in the Philippines about the maltreatment of the Filipinos as slaves
in the hands of the colonizers which was directly contrary to the law of God and the laws of
the Indies.
King Philip II, after hearing and evaluating the document, issued the Royal Decree of
August 9, 1589, emancipating all slaves in the colony.

On Cultural Development

•Culture embraced language, art and religion.

•Philippine Literature was predominantly religious in tone, character and moral quality.
•The first printing press was introduced by friars in Manila in 1593 and in the same year,
printed the first book in the Philippines, the Doctrina Christiana.
•The early Filipino printers were engravers and at the same time who were trained by
Spanish missionaries. Among them was Tomas Pinpin of Mabatang, Abucay, Bataan, Siete
Infantes and Bernardo Carpio.

On Religion

With the help of the soldiers, the missionaries easily conquered territories of the colony and
converted the natives to Christianity.
The various missionaries who used their religious influence to facilitate the teaching of
Gospel and propagation of Catholic Christian faith were the Augustinians (1565), the
Franciscans (1577), the Jesuits (1581), the Dominicans (1587), and the Recollects (1606).

On Social Results

The Filipino conversion to Christianity inevitably meant the adoption of fiesta as a socio-
religious event celebrating the feast day of the patron saint of the Catholic town as an
occasion of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and other blessings.

On Architecture

The Spaniards introduced western architecture with some modifications to suit the
prevailing conditions. Many Philippine churches show influence of the baroque style, having
massive walls and thick buttress and spiral motifs, ornate sculpture façade and graceful,
curving balustrades.

On Education

Education in the Philippines during the Spanish era was not open to all Filipinos. The
Spanish government had absolutely no intention of training the natives for eventual
independence and self- government. During this period. Some schools were exclusively
established for the education of some Spanish nationals in the archipelago. They were open
only for the people belonging to the upper social and economics class of society.
§ University of Santo Tomas- oldest pontifical university in the Philippines founded by
Dominicans in 1611
§ Colegio De San Juan De Letrán- founded in 1601
* Colegio De Sta. Potenciana- 1589
* Colegio De Sta. Isabel- 1632
* College of La Concordia- 1869
* Assumption Convent- 1892
In 1863, the Spanish government enacted and implemented an educational reform primarily
designed to improve the state of education throughout the archipelago. The decree
provided for the establishment of at least one school for boys and one for girls in every
town. The decree also provided for the establishment of a normal school for male teachers
under the supervision of the Jesuits and created a commission of eight members headed by
the Governor General. Instruction in the primary level for both boys and girls was free and
the teaching of Spanish is Compulsory.
A few years later, the Spaniards developed the fear that the natives will understand the
value of education in relation to truth and fairness and they may turn into a foment rebellion.
This move from the Spanish authority literally negated the philosophy of education.

● SPANISH GOVERNMENT

The Political Structure

Spain established a centralized colonial government in the Philippines that was composed
of a national government and the local governments that administered provinces, cities,
towns and municipalities. With the cooperation of the local governments the national
government maintained peace and order, collected taxes and built schools and other public
works.

The Governor General

As the King's representative and the highest-ranking official in the Philippines, the governor
general saw to it that royal decrees and laws emanating from Spain were implemented in
the Philippines. He had the power to appoint and dismiss public officials, except those
personally chosen by the King. He also supervised all government offices and the collection
of taxes.
The governor general exercised certain legislative powers, as well. He issued proclamations
to facilitate the implementation of laws.

The Residencia
This was a special judicial court that investigates the performance of a governor general
who was about to be replaced. The residencia, of which the incoming governor general was
usually a member, submitted a report of its findings to the King.

The Visita
The Council of the Indies in Spain sent a government official called the Vistador General to
observe conditions in the colony. The Visitador General reported his findings directly to the
King.
The Royal Audiencia
Apart from its judicial functions, the Royal Audiencia served as an advisory body to the
Governor General and had the power to check and a report on his abuses. The Audiencia
also audited the expenditures of the colonial government and sent a yearly report to Spain.
The Archbishop and other government officials could also report the abuses of the colonial
government to be Spanish king. Despite all these checks, however, an abusive governor
general often managed to escape stiff fines, suspension, or dismissal by simply bribing the
Visitador and other investigators.

The Provincial Government

The Spaniards created local government units to facilitate the country’s administration.
There were two types of local government units – the alcadia and the corregimiento. The
alcadia, led by the alcalde mayor, governed the provinces that had been fully subjugated:
the corregimiento, headed by corregidor, governed the provinces that were not yet entirely
under Spanish control. The alcalde mayors represented the Spanish king and the governor
general in their respective provinces. They managed the day-to-day operations of the
provincial government, implemented laws and supervised the collection of taxes. Through
they were paid a small salary, they enjoyed privileges such as the indulto de comercio, or
the right to participate in the galleon trade.

The Municipal Government

Each province was divided into several towns or pueblos headed by Gobernadorcillos,
whose main concerns were efficient governance and tax collection. Four lieutenants aided
the Gobernadorcillo: the Teniente Mayor (chief lieutenant), the Teniente de Policía (police
lieutenant), the Teniente de Sementeras (lieutenant of the fields) and the Teniente de
Ganados (lieutenant of the livestock).

CHRISTIANITY
Christianity is the faith tradition that focuses on the figure of Jesus Christ. It is an
Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It
is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.4 billion followers
representing one-third of the global population.

The Christian history of the Philippines began in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan
landed on the island of Cebu just before Easter.

• April 14, 1521 - From the accounts of Antonio Pigafetta, Magellan’s voyage
Chronicler, Fr. Pedro de Valderama baptized about 800 Cebuanos on the very 1st day.
These include the first local chief he met, Humabon with his wife Humimay, received the
Gospel and became a Christian.
 • Lapu Lapu rejected christianity for he and his people.

• April 26, 1521 The Battle of Mactan - Magellan lost his life in a tragic encounter
with the troops of Rajah Lapulapu of Mactan.

• 1565 The Legaspi Expedition - 44 years after the death of Magellan, Spanish
once again returned to the Philippine islands, this time their expedition was led by a
military captain turned Augustinian monk, Andres de Urdaneta.

• Urdaneta viewed as a “protector of the Indians” for his compassionate treatment

of the Filipino natives.

• Manila, the Spanish colonial capital on the island of Luzon, was declared an
open city, where all Catholic orders could work and serve.

Prominent Figures; Dispersal and Conversion to Christianity

● Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival and his gift “cross”

● Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s arrival
● The friars (The Augustinian's arrival after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi) “to live
in the Gospel in everyday life and spread God’s word to all living
creatures.

Portuguese Missionaries led by the early spaniards explorers:

● March 1521, the first mass held by the Portuguese missionaries signaling
the first “CHRISTIAN” converts of the two Rajah brothers.
● A month prior to the arrival, the first recorded conversion took place on the
Humabon island of April 14,1521
● Within twenty-five years of conversion on cebu, a quarter of a million
Filipinos rapidly converted because of the publish “Doctrina Christiana”
● The succession of dispersing christianity happened during an untreatable
fever of Humabon’s grandson and recovering.
● The Return of the Spaniards with Augustinian Missionaries:
● “Protector of the Indians: Urdaneta the revered
● The first Apostles of the Catholic faith
● Construction of the early churches; slow and steady dispersal of
christianity
● The outcome of the Augustinian dispersal in the present time.
● Influence of the Augustinians spread and wide; Devotees and their
satisfaction.
 SOCIETY
Pagbabago ng Lipunan sa panahon ng Pananakop

Malaki ang naging pagbabago dahil sa pananakop ng mga dayuhan. Ngunit dahil din sa tulong
mga kapwa pilipino na sila ring nagpatupad ng polo y servicio. Ginamit naman ng mga
katutubong pinuno ang kanilang posisyon upang makinabang at mapayaman ang sarili.
Naglagay ito ng malaking agwat sa kanila at sa mga karaniwang tao sa aspetong pampolitika at
pang-ekonomiya.

Nakahandang magsilbi sa pamahalaan ang mga pinunong ito at ang kanilang pamilya. Mula
dito nabuo ang lokal na elite, ang principales.

Katangian ng bawat uri sa Lipunang Kolonyal

Mestizo
-Peninsulares at Insulares.

Ipinanganak sa Espanya ang peninsulares samantalang sa labas ng Espanya ipinanganak ang

mga insulares. Pinakamataas na posisyon sa pamahalaan at simbahan ang maaaring maabot
ng una. habang hanggang alkalde o gobernadorsilyo lamang ang maaaring maabot ng
pangalawa.

Pagbabago ng Lipunan sa panahon ng Pananakop

Malaki ang naging pagbabago dahil sa pananakop ng mga dayuhan. Ngunit dahil din sa tulong
mga kapwa pilipino na sila ring nagpatupad ng polo y servicio. Ginamit naman ng mga
katutubong pinuno ang kanilang posisyon upang makinabang at mapayaman ang sarili.
Naglagay ito ng malaking agwat sa kanila at sa mga karaniwang tao sa aspetong pampolitika at
pang-ekonomiya.

Nakahandang magsilbi sa pamahalaan ang mga pinunong ito at ang kanilang pamilya. Mula
dito nabuo ang lokal na elite, ang principales.

Katangian ng bawat uri sa Lipunang Kolonyal

Mestizo
-Peninsulares at Insulares.

Ipinanganak sa Espanya ang peninsulares samantalang sa labas ng Espanya ipinanganak ang

mga insulares. Pinakamataas na posisyon sa pamahalaan at simbahan ang maaaring maabot
ng una. habang hanggang alkalde o gobernadorsilyo lamang ang maaaring maabot ng
pangalawa.

Image:
https://images.app.goo.gl/3TNwsroy5Kvy3uxe6
Mestiso
-Bunga ng pag-aasawa ng Espanyol-Filipino, Espanyol-Tsino, at Tsino-Filipino, Ginamit nila ang
katungkulan ng kanilang mga magulang sa pamahalaan, kalakalan at sakahan upang makamit
ang edukasyon. Dito nagmula ang mga naging lustrado na nagpasimula sa kilusang reporma.

Principalia
-Nabuo ang uring principalia mula sa hanay ng mga dating pinuno ng mga barangay. Sila ang
naging tau-tauhan ng mga Esapnyol sa mga probinsya. Sila ang mga katutubong panginoong
maylupa at naging mga gobernadorsilyo at kabesa de barangay. Bukod dito sila ay
nakapag-aral, at naging guro pa ang ilan sa kanila.

Katutubong Kristiyano
-Binubuo ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda,mangangahoy, tagalikha ng yaring kamay, at
manggagawa ang uringito. Karaniwa'y maliit ang pinagmamay-ari na lupa o wala pa nga,
atsapat o maaring kulang ang kinikita.

Sangley
-Tinuturing na isa sa pinakamababang sektor ng lipunang kolonyal at nagsilbi bilang mga
manggagawa. Subalit kalaunan sila ay umunlad at nagsamsam din ng ari-arian.

Katutubong di-Kristiyano
-Mayroong mga lipunang katutubo na hindi naimpluwensiyahan ng hispanisasyon, hindi naging
tagasunod ng Ktristiyanismo, hindi nagbayad ng buwis, hindi nag-angkin ng pangalang
Espanyol, at hindi naglingkod bilang polista.
Ang pamumuhay ng mga Pilipino sa panahon ng espanyol.

Pangkabuhayan

1.Monopolyo ng Tabako
Nagtatag: Jose Basco Y Vargas (Nobyembre 1, 1782)
Layunin: Dagdagan ang Kita ng pamahalaan at iwasang umasa sa Mexico
•Pagmumulta sa magsasaka
•Maynila ang naging bagsakan ng Tabako

2. Ang kalakang Galyon

•Pakikipagpalitan ng mga produkto sa ibang lahi maari ring salapi na ginaganap sa barkong
Galyon.
•Mga kasali sa kalakalang Galyon
1. Gobernador-Heneral
2. Mga prayle
3. Miyembro ng Royal Audencia
4. Mga inulila ng mga kastila
5. Mga kaibigan ng opisyal

3. Ang polo
•Sapilitang patratrabaho ng mga lalakihan sa pamahalaan sa loob ng 40 na araw sa isang taon.
•Polista- Ang tawag sa kalahok
4. Ang bandala
•Hindi tuwirang pagbili ng mga produkto sa pansakahan.
• Pagtakda ng Kota na kailangan ipagbili ng pamahalaan.
5. Mga Tributo
•Mamamayan nagbabayad ng buwis
•Isang piso o walang reales sa bawat pamilya at kalahating reales sa walang asawa at nasa
tamang edad.
•1885 pinalitan ng sedula at pinagbabayad ang may edad na 18 na gulang pataas.

Panglipunang kalagayan

Edukasyon:
Pinangunahan ng mga prayle.
Sa pamamagitan ng pagbubukas ng mga simbahan.

Sistema ng edukasyon:

1. Paaralang Primarya
-Nangangasiwa (Kura Paroko)
-Pangunahing pagkatuto
-Wikang kastila ang gamit.

2. Paaralang Sekundarya at Kolehiyo

-Paghahanda sa mga mag-aaral sa mataas na uri ng edukasyon.

-Wikang kastila ang gamit.
-Mga nagsilbi taga pagturo ay ang mga Misyonerong mga pari.

3.Pamantasan
-Para sa mga magtapos sa Kolehiyo.
- Pagpili ng kurso
-Itinatag ng mga prayle kastila.
Paaralang Bayan:
- 1896 binaksan ang paraalan para sa mga babae at lalaki sa bawat munisipyo.
-Sapilitang pagpapasok.
-Sagot ng pamahalaan ang martikula.

Karagdagang kaalamanan: Pagkatatag ng mga normal na paaralan para sa mga babae at lalaki

Kalusugan lagayan:
-Ang ospital na tinayo sa tabi ng simbahan ay may mga pasyente Hindi nakakagawa ang sakit
at ang malayo ay may mga nakakagawa sakit.
Kulturang Pilipino sa Panahon ng Espanyol

Edukasyon
● Pagpapatayo ng mga paaralang pamparokya na pinamahalaan ng mga prayle o kura
paroko kung saan ang pagtuturo ng rehiyon ang sentro ng pag-aaral.
● Pagtatag ng mga paaralang pansekundaryang itinayo ng mga misyonero upang
maihanda ang mga mag-aaral sa pagkuha ng iba't ibang kurso sa kolehiyo.
● Pagpapatayo ng mga paaralang pangkolehiyo sa mga pangunahing lungsod ng bansa.
Itinuturo sa mga kolehiyo ang teolohiya, doktrinang Kristiyano, Wikang Latin at
Espanyol, heograpiya, matematika, etika, pilosopiya, lohika, retorika at panulaan.
● Itinatag ng mga heswita ang:-Colegio de San Ignacio sa Maynila 1589 (Pamantasan ng
 Lungsod ng Manila)

Kasuotan at Pagkain

Kasuotan
Pagsusuot ng sombrero, salawal, pantalon, jacket at sapatos ng mga Pilipinong lalaki.Ang mga
babae naman ay magsuot ng terno, palda, kamisang maluluwang ang manggas, gayundin ang
paggamit ng sapatos, panwelo o alampay at payneta.

Pagkain
Pagluluto at pagkain ng mga putaheng gaya ng menudo, pochero, adobo, estofado, embotido,
asado, relleno, afritada at iba pa.

Arkitektura

Pagbabago ng estilo ng mga gusali at mga tahanan. Gumamit ng mga bato, mga ladrilyo at
matitigas na kahoy tulad ng mulawin at narra. Kapansin-pansin din ang estilong Baroque sa
mga gusali. Ito ay malimit na makikita sa mga lumang simbahan, kumbento at maging sa mga
paaralang tulad ng Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas.

Relihiyon

● Paglaganap ng Kristiyanismo sa buong kapuluan na kinikilalang pinakamataas na

relihiyon sa bansa sa kasalukuyan
● Pagsisimba, pag rosaryo at pagsasagawa ng orasyon Pagdarasal ng "Ama Namin,"
"Aba Ginoong Maria," "Luwalhati sa Ama," at ang "Ang Kredo"
● Pagpapahalaga sa mga sakramento ng pananampalatayang Katoliko tulad ng binyag,
kumpisal, komunyon, kasal at bendisyon sa maysakit at pumanaw
● Pagdiriwang sa kapanganakan at kamatayan ng isang patron sa pamamagitan ng pista
● Pagdiriwang ng Pasko bilang pag-alala sa araw ng kapanganakan ni Hesus
● Paggunita sa Mahal na Araw, pag-alaala sa pagpapasakit at kamatayan ni Hesus
● Pagdarasal para sa kaluluwa ng mga namatay
● Pagdalaw sa libingan kung Araw ng mga Patay
● Pag-awit ng pasyon kung Mahal na Araw
●
Pamahalaan at Pamayanan

● Pagtatag ng pamahalang sentralisado na pinamumunuan ng gobernador-heneral kung

saan ang mga barangay ay pinagsama-sama upang gawing pueblo o bayan at ang
pagsasama-sama naman ng mga bayan upang maging lalawigan.
● Pagtatayo ng plaza o liwasang-bayan sa bawat pueblo. Matatagpuan malapit dito ang
paaralang-bayan, munisipyo, pamilihan, simbahan at kumbento na tirahan ng mga pari
at madre. Ang ganitong ayos ng pamayanan ay tinatawag na plaza complex. Sa paligid
naman ng poblacion ay makikita ang mga bahay ng mayayaman at mga opisyal ng
pamahalaan
● Pangalang Espanyol Paggamit ng mga pangalang Kristiyano tulad ng Juan, Maria,
Carlos at Juana.Paggamit ng mga apelyidong Espanyol tulad ng Garcia, Cruz, Valles,
Santos at iba pa
Reference:

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http://varron.expertscolumn.com/article/philippine-government-during-spanish-colonial-period

(2022, September 17) PHILIPPINES HISTORY Retrieved March 27, 2023

https://www.philippine-history.org/spanish-colonial-masters.htm

(2015, February 6). “Philippine History - Spanish Colonization". World History - Colonization of
the Philippines Retrieved March 27, 2023.
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