The Philippines Under the Spanish Colonial Rule

The Philippines Under the Spanish Colonial Rule

The Philippines Under the Spanish Colonial RuleIntroductionThe pre-Spanish Filipinos did not have a national government. They are divided into many different kingdoms or barangays . Each kingdom had its own ruler and its own government and set of laws.But all this changed under Spanish rule.Spain set up a colonial government for the entire archipelago .The government was located at the city of Manila, the colonial capital. Spain established a highly centralized government. All the laws, policies, rules and regulations usually originated from Manila.How Spain Governed the PhilippinesThe King of Spain ruled the Philippines.He was aided by the Council of Indies.The council relayed all the kings decrees and instructions to the Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) who, in turn, relayed them to the governor-general in the Philippines.1565-1821 Spain ruled the Philippines through Mexico.Supplies needed for maintaining the Spanish rule in the Philippines had to come from Mexico.From Mexico also came the financial aid or subsidy (real situado)Governor-GeneralHighest colonial official in the PhilippinesAppointed by the kingHe exercised:ExecutiveHis duty was to enforce Spanish laws in the colony.LegislativeHe could issue laws and regulations that had the force of law. Superior decrees- decrees issued by governor-general.JudicialThe governor-general was also the president of Royal Audiencia.Royal Audiencia the Supreme court of the Philippines during the Spanish era.In 1861, the king of Spain issued a decree removing the governor general from the Audiencia.

RequirementMust be a peninsulares or a spaniard born in Spain.Miguel Lopez de Legaspi was the first Governor-General. (1565-1572)Instituted checks to prevent governor general from abusing powers.

ResidenciaRoyal AudienciaVisitaResidenciaInvestigation of the actuations of an out-going governor-general conducted by his successor

VisitaA secret inquiry into the actuations of top colonial officials ordered by the king.The Council of the Indies in Spain sent a government official called Visitador to observe conditions in the colony.

Royal AudienciaThe highest courtChecks the abuses of colonial officials and do justice to the natives.The Audiencia also audited the expenditures of the colonial governmentComposed of:Governor-general3 oidoresFiscal

Provincial Governmentled by the alcalde mayorgoverned the provinces that had been fully subjugatedThe alcalde mayors represented the Spanish king and thegovernor generalin their respective provinces.implemented laws and supervised the collection of taxes.they enjoyed privileges such as the indulto de comercio, or the right to participate in thegalleon trade.Alcaldiaheaded by corregidorUsually an army officergoverned the provinces that were not yet entirely under Spanish control.CorregimientoMunicipal GovernmentLittle governorHeaded the pueblo or municipioThis was the highest government position a Filipino could attain during Spanish regimeGobernadorcillos had small salaries but were exempted from paying taxes.QUALIFICATIONS:Any Native or Chinese Meztizo25 years of ageLiterate in Oral and WrittenCabeza de Baranggay for 4 years

GobernadorcilloBarangays or BarriosExempted from taxationTax and contribution collector for the gobernadorcilloResponsible for the peace and order of the barrioRecruited men for public works

Cabeza de barangayQUALIFICATIONS:Should be literate in Spanish (oral and written)Has a good moral character and a propertyCabezas who served for 25 years were exempted from forced labor.Like the gobernadorcillo, the cabeza served anually, without salary.

City Government (Ayutamiento)Larger towns that became citiesCenter of trade and industryThe Ayuntamiento had a city council called Cabildo, which is composed of:Alcalde (Mayor) Alcalde Regidores (Councilors)Alguacil de Mayor (Chief peace officer)Escribano (Chief clerk)

Economy Under the Spanish Colonial RuleTaxationIncome-generating mechanisms were introduced by the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines

May be paid in cash or kind, partly or wholly1570s tribute was fixed at eight reales (1 real = 12 centavos) or in kind or gold, blankets, cotton, rice, bellsRaised to fifteen (15) reales till the end of the Spanish periodUntil mid-nineteenth century, the Filipinos were required to pay the following taxes10 reales for tribute1 reales for diezmos prediales1 reales for town community chest3 reales for sanctorum tax (for church support)tributean annual enforced sale and requisitioning of goods This regulation resulted abuse to the Filipinos 1884- , the tribute was replaced by the Cedula personalPersonal identity paper equivalent to the present residence taxEveryone over the age of 18 was obliged to pay.

BandalaEncomienda SystemEncomendar, meaning to entrustThe encomienda is a land ownership system with the use of titulo as proof of ownership. These are the lands given by the King of Span to its soldiers who joined the military expeditions.The landlords are called encomendero.collect the taxes or rent from the residents of their land. Keep peace and orderAssists the missionaries in teaching the Christian gospel to the residents within his sphere of influenceEncomenderos were granted the the right of imposing tribute according to the limit set by higher officials.

Encomienda de la real coronaOwned by the kingPrincipal townsPortsRegions that are rich in natural resources

Encomienda de particularesGranted to those who were Kings protegs or men who served with merit during conquest.Kinds of Encomienda

RoyalPrivateHowever, some encomenderos violated regulations by raising he rate of tribute paid in money or in kind by Filipinos.They arbitrarily increased the value and appraisal of products at different periods.They hoarded items and sold them at higher rates laterBecause of these, it was abolished on September 17, 1721.Polo y ServicioForced labor40 days of labor 1884 reduced to 15 daysLaborers ranging from 16-60 years oldFilipino or ChineseEvery man was obligated to give service. However, one could be exempted by paying falla.Palya meaning absence from work

AdvantagesDisadvantagesMany roads and bridges were madeChurches and buildings were constructed

Forced separation from families because some were sent to far places, wars and Spanish expeditionsLack of benefits in exchange of service in poloUpsetting the village economy because labor drafts usually coincided with planting and harvesting seasonsSome Spaniards forced polistas to work in their private businessesGalleon TradeManila Acapulco in MexicoMonopolyPrimary source of income or funds of the governmentAsian countries, China, Japan, India, Siam, Moluccasgalleons cargoesKing Philip IIBoleta (ticket)

MANILAACAPULCO90 DAYSP 250,000120 DAYSP 500,000AdvantagesDisadvantages The income or the fund of the government increasedNew ideas when it comes to tradingReserved gold had been preserved Because the Spanish Government had been busy with the Galleon trade, they were not able to focus on agriculture and other industries that are the primary sources of the countrys wealth.People went to Manila because they thought that they would have bigger income if they participated in the Galleon Trade.Obras piasServed as a commercial bankHermanidad dela MisericordiaApril 1815 King Ferdinand VIIFinally abolished the galleon trade

Tobacco Monopolyexclusive control of tobacco plantation. owned by the Spanish government.To increase the governments income so that they would not dependon Mexico.

Who is Jose Basco y Vargas?The most economically-minded Spanish governor-general

March 1, 1782 Basco established a government monopoly of tobaccoCertain areas which were required to cultivate tobaccoCagayan ValleyNueva EcijaMarinduqueIlocos Provinces

The tobacco monopoly lasted from 1782-1882 AdvantagesDisadvantagesIt gave a large annual revenue to the governmentIt promoted tobacco production making the hilippines the greatest tobacco-growing country in the orient

Officials committed many abuses so that various revolts broke out in the tobacco producing regionsIt encouraged sumggling and briberyRoyal Society of Friends of the Country

It was established by Jose de Basco y Vargas. The society was tasked to explore and exploit the island's natural bounties. It offered local and foreign scholarships and training grants in agriculture and established an academy of design.

It was also credited to the carabao ban of 1782, the formation of the silversmiths and gold beaters guild and the construction of the first papermill in the Philippines in 1825.

It was introduced on 1780, vanished temporarily on 1787-1819, 1820-1822 and 1875-1822 and ceased to exist in the middle of the 1890s.

Royal Company of the Philippines

March 10, 1785, Charles III created the Royal Philippine Company with a 25 year charter.It was established to develop and promote direct trade between the colony and Spain an do develop the colonys natural resources.Under its charter, it was required to set aside 4% in profits for investment in agriculture in the colony.Privileges:Exclusive control of the trade between Philippines and SpainGoods from the Philippines were admitted to Spain tax-freeCompanys ships were allowed to trade directly with Asian countries

Despite these privileges, the Royal Company was a failure.It lost moneyBecause of companys poor managementOfficers were generally incompetentLack of Cooperation from Spanish leaders in ManilaIn 1814, it was finally abolished.