THE SPANISH COLONIAL SYSTEM

SPAIN WAS THE first European country to rise as a great colonizing power in modern times Leyes de Indias – the first code of colonial laws

AIMS OF SPANISH COLONIZATION 3G’s God- the propagation of Catholic Christianity. Gold- desire for gold or economic wealth. Glory- arouse out of Spain’s ambition to be the greatest empire in the world.

SPAIN RETAINS THE PHILIPPINES DESPITE ECONOMIC LOSS The Philippines was a financial burden to the Spanish treasury. The advisors of King Philip II recommended the abandonment of the Philippines.

King Philip II

Fr. Fernando Moraga – threw himself at the feet of Philip III, imploring him not to abandon the Philippines for the sake of Christianity. “Depart with God, Father Moraga, and be assured that I will not give up what my father had conquered and left me.”

Philip III

The Philippines has crown colony The Philippines was a crown of colony in the sense that she belonged to the Spanish King. After Mexico’s separation from Spain (1821), the Philippines came to be directly ruled from Madrid, and this arrangement lasted until 1898.

The Council of the Indies To help the King rule the colonies. This council was a powerful body, for it handled all matters pertaining to the colonies Spanish empire. Fray Garcia Jofre de Loaisa was the first president of the Council of the Indies.

Queen Isabel II – dismantled the Council of the Indies. Ministry of Colonies (Ministerio de Ultramar) – headed by the Minister of Colonies, assisted by the Council of the Philippines (Consejo de Filipinas).

The Laws of the Indies The numerous Laws governing the colonies of Spain were complied and published into a convenient colonial code entitled Recopilacion de Leyes de Las Indias, popularly known as simple Laws of Indies (Leyes de Indias).

The Governor General The Chief executive of the Philippines during Spanish times. The commander-in-chief of the colonial armed forces. Appointed and removed colonial officials, except those who were appointed by the King. 1861 – he served as president (chief justice) of the Royal Audiencia (Supreme Court). He served as vice-royal patron. He could declare war or peace. He could veto any royal decree or Law from Spain.

Checks to Gubernatorial Powers The Royal Audiencia which was the Supreme Court during the Spanish period. The Archbishop and the clergy who were influential in the King’s court. The complains which subordinate public officials and private citizens sent directly to the King. The Residencia, the trial of an outgoing governor general and other Spanish officials. The Visitador sent to the colony to investigate conditions in the Philippines.

The Royal Audiencia This was the Supreme Court in Spanish times. The first president of Royal Audiencia was Gov. Santiago De Vera. Tried all criminal and civil cases appealed to it by the lower courts. 1719 – Royal Audiencia acted has governor general whenever the governorship was vacant due to the death or incapacity of the incumbent governor general. Also promulgated certain laws for the colony. These laws were called autos acordados (acts agreed upon). Served as auditor general of the colonial government.

The Residencia A peculiar judicial institution introduced by Spain in the Philippines. Governor Guido de Lavezaris was the first Spanish Governor General who was subjected to a Residencia. He was found guilty by his successor, Governor Francisco de Sande. At this Residencia he was found guilty by his successor Governor Ronquillo de Peñalosa.

The Visitador Investigating officer. 1629 – during the administration Gov-General Niño de Tabora, King Philip IV sent a visitador Francisco Rojas. 1738 – the viceroy of Mexico sent a visitador. Jose Ignacio Arzadun.

The Encomienda System Duties of Encomendero : A grant of inhabitants living. Encomendero - (owner of the encomienda) - obliged by the law to promote the welfare of the inhabitants. Duties of Encomendero : To protect the inhabitants from enemies. To assist the missionaries in Christianizing them. To promote the education of the people. Two Kinds of Encomiendas : Royal – exclusively owned by the King. Private – owned by private persons or charitable insitutions. The first Encomiendas in the Philippines were given to the early Spanish colonizers in Cebu on Jan. 01, 1571 by Adelantado Legaspi upon order of King Philip II.

The Tribute Why Filipinos hate tribute? Filipinos must pay tribute as a symbol of vassalage to Spain. The tribute was finally abolished in 1884 and was replaced by the cedula tax. Why Filipinos hate tribute? It reminded them of their bondage to Spain. It spawned Spanish abuses. The tribute was payable in money or in kind. The encomendero cheated the people by using a tampered weight so that the people actually paid more than the true value of the tribute. In 1859, the people of the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley rose in revolt against the tribute.

The Polo y Servicio All male Filipinos from 16-60 years of age were obliged to render forced labor. A person who rendered the force labor was called polista. He could be exempted by paying the falla (the sum of money).

Abolition of Slavery One of the good things which Spain had done for the people. On Oct.17, 1581, Bishop Domingo Salazar in the heads of different religious orders met at the Augustinian convent in Tondo, Manila. Pope Gregory XIV reinforced the King’s decree by promulgating the Papal Bull of April 18, 1591.

Pope Gregory XIV

Provincial Government The provinces were known as alcaldias. It is governed by an alcalde mayor. Corregimientos – unpacified regions. It is under a corregidor (usually an army officer). An alcade mayor of the province exercised both executive and judicial functions. In 1886, the alcalde mayor was made simply a judge and a civil governor.

Municipal Government Pueblos – towns Each pueblo was administered by a Gobernadorcillo (petty governor). He was popularly called capitan and his wife capitana. Teniente mayor (chief lieutenant), juez de sementeras (justice of the fields), juez de ganados (justice of cattle), juez de policia (justice of police), and the directorcillo (municipal secretary).

The Cities Several large towns in the Philippines were organized into cities. The City Government was called ayuntamiento. The City Council known as cabildo was composed at the alcalde (mayor), regidores (councilors), alguacil mayor (chief constable), and the escribano (secretary).

Missionaries and Spanish Colonization They came with the conquistadores. They bravely penetrated the uncharted mountains and unexplored jungles. Father Urdaneta - the first missionaries to reach the Philippines.

Ecclesiastical Organization Parallel to and intimately associated with the civil government. The first Bishop of Manila was Most Rev. Domingo Salazar. In 1595, Pope Clement VIII elevated Manila into an Archbishopric. Rev. Ignacio de Santibañez was named by the Vatican as the first Archbishop of Manila.

Union of Church and State Catholic Christianity – the state religion. In the town the Parish Priest was the real power. He represented the majesty of Spain. He supervised local elections, education, charities, morals, and taxation. In 1762, Bishops and Archbishops acted as governors general in cases of vacancy in the gubernatorial office. Archbishop Francisco de La Cuesta Bishop Juan de Arrechederra Bishop Lino de Espeleta Archbishop Manuel Antonio Rojo