The trial and martyrdom of rizal

1. The Trial and
Martyrdom of
Rizal

2. The Preliminary Investigation
 Colonel Francisco Olive – Judge Advocate of
the Spanish military tribunal (November 20,
1896)
 Two kinds of evidences :
◦ Documentary
 letters of Antonio Luna, Marcelo del Pilar, and Carlos Oliver
 Poems Kundiman and Hymn to Talisay
 Transcript of speeches of Emilio Jacinto and Jose T.
Santiago
◦ Testimonial
 Oral testaments of Jose Dizon, Deodato Arellano, Pio
Valenzuela, Timoteo Paez, and Pedro Laktaw
 After six days of preliminary investigation,
Colonel Olive transmitted his report of the
case to Governor Ramon Blanco for
appropriate action on November 26, 1896.

3.  Blanco appointed Captain Rafael Dominguez as a
Special Judge Advocate to evaluate the case.
◦ Concluded that a prima facie case exists against Rizal.
◦ Endorsed summary of charges against Rizal to
Nicholas dela Peña, the Judge Advocate General, for
legal opinion and adjudication.
 Peña made the following recommendations to
Gov. Blanco on December 8,1896:
◦ That the accused be kept under the custody of law
◦ That the accused be brought to trial
◦ That an order of attachment be issued against his
property
◦ That the accused be defended in court by an army
officer

4. The Arraignment of Rizal
 On December 8, 1896, Rizal was informed to
choose his counsel by dela Peña
 His arraignment was set on December 11.
 Rizal chose Luis Taviel de Andrade, brother of
Jose Taviel de Andrade.
 During his arraignment, he was accused of the
complex crime of rebellion.
 Dominguez submitted the transcript of the
arraignment to Malacañan Palace on December
13, 1896.
 Archbishop Nozaleda and the Dominicans felt that
Rizal be absolved from the accusations against
him.

5. The Trial of Rizal
 Rizal’s case was turned over to Dominguez and Alcocer
on December 19, 1896 for prosecution.
 The trial commenced on December 26 at the Halls of
Banners of Cuartel de España .
 The trial started with the reading of charges against the
accused by Judge Advocate Dominguez. Alcocer’s
argument rested on Rizal’s admission of the founding of
La Liga.
 Alcocer averred that:
 “In a crime founded on rousing the passions of the
people against governmental powers, the main burden
of guilt is on the man who awakens dormant feelings
and raises false hopes for the future.”
(Guerrero, 1998)
 Taviel de Andrade’s defense was based on the rule of
evidence and the law applying the Penal Code of Spain
in the Phils.

6.  Rizal’s 13 statements:
1. I am not guilty of rebellion as I even advised Dr. Pio
Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise in revolution.
2. The revolutionists used by name without my knowledge. If
I were guilty, I could have escaped from Singapore.
3. If I had a hand in the Katipunan revolution, I could have
escaped Dapitan and should have not built a house there.
4. If I were the chief of the revolution, why did they not
consult me on their plans?
5. I was not the founder of La Solidaridad and the
Association Hispano-Filipino.
6. I had nothing to do with the introduction of masonry in the
Philippines. Serrano had a higher degree than I had. If I
were the head, since when does an officer permit himself
to be promoted to a captain general?
7. The La Liga did not live long. It died a natural death after
my banishment to Dapitan.
8. If the La Liga was re-organized nine months later, I was
totally unaware of it.

7. 9. It was true that I wrote the statutes of the La Liga. The La Liga,
however, is a civic association whose purposes are unity and
development of commerce and industry.
10. While it was true that there were some bitter statements in my
letters, it was because they were written when my family was
being persecuted, being dispossessed of their houses and
lands; and my brother and brother-in-law were rusticated
without due process of law.
11. It was not true that the revolution was inspired in one of my
speeches at the house of Doroteo Ongjungco, as alleged by
the witnesses whom I would like to confront. My friends knew
very well about my vehement opposition to an armed rebellion.
12. Why did the Katipunan send an emissary to me in Dapitan, who
was a total stranger to me? Because those who knew me were
cognizant that I would never sanction any violent movement.
13. My life in Dapitan had been exemplary, as evidenced by my
productive activities for the welfare of the people. Even the
politico-military commanders and missionary priests could
attest to this.

8.  The verdict of the military court was submitted
to Governor Polavieja who refered to the Judge
Advocate General for comments.
◦ He found Rizal guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
◦ Therefore, should be condemned to death by firing
squad at the place and time to be chosen by the
governor-general.
◦ Polavieja approved dela Peña’s recommendations on
December 28, 1896.

9.  Rizal’s trial was a very clear confirmation of
the injustice of the Spanish Regime for the
following reasons:
1. Rizal was a civilian but was tried by a military
tribunal.
2. Rizal was already condemned guilty even before
the trial.
3. All allegations against Rizal were accepted by
the court but not the arguments and evidence in
his favor.
4. Rizal was not allowed to confront witnesses
against him nor his counsel to cross-examine
them.
5. Evidences to convict Rizal did not have any
bearing on his alleged commission of the
complex crime of rebellion.

12. Last Remaining Hours on Earth
 The verdict of death was read on
December 29, 1896 to Rizal
 Rizal’s letter to Blumentritt:
 Doña Teodora was the first to see him
 He gave Trinidad an alcohol burner
wherein his last poem was inside --- “Mi
Ultimo Adios”

13. The Execution of a Hero
 Rizal woke up at 5:30 am to write two letters: one for his
family and one for Paciano.

15. • Began at exactly 6:30
in the morning.
• Behind him were
Lieutenant Taviel de
Andrade (his
defender), Father
March, and Father
Villaclara.
• Before preceding to
the place where he
was supposed to
stand, Dr. Felipe
Castillo (military
physician) checked his
pulse and found it
normal.
• The trumpet signaled
the commencement of
the execution and a
commander shouted
“Fuego” or Fire and
Rizal slowly turned his
back to the firing
• The military band played the Marcha de
Cadiz ( Spain’s national hymn).
• Shouts of Viva España (Long Live Spain)
and Muerte A Los Traidores ( Death to the
Traitors) could be heard all over the place
at exactly 7:03 in the morning.
• It was all over and Rizal has been
executed.