This document provides an overview of Spanish colonial policies and events in the 19th century and their effects in the Philippines. It discusses political instability in Spain which led to frequent changes in colonial administrators in the Philippines, negatively impacting policy formulation. It also describes corruption among governor generals and the negative effects of the Spanish political structure, racial discrimination, denial of human rights, maladministration of justice, and limited Philippine representation in Spanish government. The document analyzes how these colonial policies and events undermined good governance and exploited the Filipino people.

1. History 12
( Rizal’s Life, Works and Writings)
Presented by:
Roy D. Perfuma
Department of Social Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Central Mindanao University

2. REVALIDA
Test 1. Identification. Write the word or phrases for the following items:
1. This major upheaval resulted in the complete independence of the Americans from
England.
2. It ended absolutism and feudal privileges in France after King Louis XVI and his wife
Marie Antoinette were overthrown.
3. They believed a country should be free from domination by another and the people
should enjoy liberty, equality and opportunity.
4. They supported the “good old days” when monarchs and kings ruled over their subjects.
5. They advocated that the government should own and manage the means of production
for the benefit of many and not just for the few.
6. A German Political thinker who advocated abolition of private land ownership,
nationalization or centralization of the means of production, confiscation of property.
7. It is defined as the activity of a nation in extending its control and authority beyond its
territorial boundaries through acquisition of a new territory.
8. This major development in the 19th century marked the shift from manual labor to
machine works, and from domestic system to the factory system.

3. Revalida
9. It is a feeling of oneness by a group of people who believe that they possess common
traditions, culture, goals or ideas.
10 .It denotes the idea “ Government of the People, by the People and for the people”.
Test II. Matching Type. Match the items in column A that describe the items in column B.
A B
11.Liberty, Equality and Fraternity A. Know Thyself
12. Rerum Novarum B. Laissez Faire
13. Communism C. battlecry of French Revolution
14. Te Nosce Ipsum D. Conditions of Labor
15. “Hands off” E. violent revolution to improve the
conditions of
the working class.

4. Revalida
Test II. Essay
1. Explain the effects(positive and negative) of
the Industrial Revolution in the socio-
economic aspects during the 19th
Century.(15ts.)
2. Why Rizal considered science as the soul of
the 19th Century?(5 pts.)
3. Discuss the impact of modern means of
transportation and communication in the
development of nationalism as suggested by
Rizal?( 5pts)
4. What were the reasons why Spanish
colonialism in the Philippine lasted for more
than 3 centuries? (10 pts)

5. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
Political instability in Spain: Liberals Vs Conservatives
Inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution and the American
Revolution, there was a constant conflict between the liberals and despotism.
The liberals wanted to limit absolutism for the people to enjoy their
constitutional and human rights. The opposition, the conservatives, wanted the
retention of the monarchy.
Effects in Spain:
 The struggle consumed the strength and wealth of the nation
 There were plots, conspiracies, and revolts
 From 1834 to 1862, Spain adopted 4 Constitutions(1812, 1837, 1845 and
1869), elected 27 parliaments and installed 529 ministers with portfolios.

6. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
1. Effects of Spain’s Political Instability to the Phils.
 Constant changes in the Madrid government were followed by
period rigodon of the colonial officials in the Philippines.
 The common political dictum that “ to the victors belong the spoils of
office led to the frequent changes of governor generals.
 From 1853 to 1898, there were 41 of them who held office in the
Phils, each serving an average term of 1 year and 3 months..
 The frequent changes prevented the formulation and execution of
sound policies and administration.

7. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
Effects of Spain’s Political Instability to the Phils.
The choice of colonial officials was weak ; Under the policy of giving political rewards,
there was a continuous sending of political undesirables –ignorant barbers and
lackeys were appointed as provincial governors and rough sailors assigned as district
judges and garrison commanders
 Appointment of colonial officials was not through merits but based on monetary
considerations;
 After spending so much time and money to obtain appointment, many officials
exploited their office to recover their expenses and enrich themselves.
 Such practice of appointment it created mal-administration, graft and corruption
and bribery among them and the welfare of the Filipinos was a second priority.
 The distance of the colony from Spain and the overlapping pf powers among the
colonial officials contributed to the perpetuation of anomalies in government service.
 The insecurity of tenure of office of the colonial administrators also made them
unscrupulous and corrupt.

8. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
2. Corrupt Governor Generals in the Phils
Rafael de Izquierdo(1871-1873)- a boastful and ruthless official who ignited the anger of
the Filipinos by executing the 3 priests, Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora
Feb 13, 1872
Fernando Primo de Rivera- a two term governor general from (1880-1883) and (1897-
1898). He enriched himself by accepting bribes from gambling casinos which allowed to
operate
Valeriano Weyler(1888-1891)-known as “Butcher of Cuba”; he arrived as a poor man and
returned to Spain a millionaire. He received bribes and gift of diamonds for his wife from
wealthy Chinese who evaded the anti-Chinese laws. It was during his tenure when he
ordered the persecution of Rizal’s family and the tenants of the Dominican estates in
Calamba.
Camilo de Polavieja(1896-1897)- an able and ruthless governor who ordered the
execution of Rizal.

9. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
Political Structure in the Philippines during Spanish Colonial Period
Governor General
Alcalde Mayores
(Provinces)
Alcaldes en Ordinario
(Cabildo/ Ayuntamiento)
Corregidores
(Corregimientos)
Lieutenant
Governor

10. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
Political Structure in the Philippines during Spanish Colonial Period
Alcalde Mayor ( Provincial Governor)
Gobernadorcillo (Town Mayor of Pueblos)
Cabeza de Barangay

11. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
Check and balance of Power of Spanish Colonial Official in the Philippines.
Governor General
Royal Audiencia
Residencia
Visitador General
Lieutenant General

12. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
Political Structure in the Philippines during Spanish Colonial Period
The Philippines was a crown colony under Spanish domination.
From 1565 to 1821, the Philippines was a dependency of Mexico, and the Viceroy, in name
of the King, administered the country under the Consejo de Indias( Council of the Indies)
Ministerio de Ultramar- took over the administration of the Philippines directly from Madrid
after Mexico gained its independence in 1821.
Recopilacion de Leyes de Indias( Compilation of Laws on the Royal Lands in the Indies)-
issued in 1680 to rules its extensive possessions.
Governor General- the highest governing body in the colony he was the chief executive
appointed by the King. He was also the commander-in-chief of the military forces of the
colony, Minister of Finance, Agriculture etc.
- He was also the vice royal patron that granted him the power to recommend parish
priests and the authority to intervene in controversies between the religious authorities.
He could reject or suspend the implementation of any royal decree from Spain with his
cumplase power, if in his opinion, the conditions in the colony did not justify its
implementation.

13. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
Political Structures during the Spanish Colonial Period
Alcade Mayores or Provincial Governor- Spanish civil official who led the provinces where
peace had been restored. It became a model of graft, corruption and inefficiency brought
about by those inexperienced individuals or with no background at all to execute their varied
responsibilities.
Corregidores(Politico-Military Governors)- they took charge of the territories where peace
had not been completely restored unpacified areas known as corregimientos.
Gobernadorcillos- equivalent to mayors who administered towns or pueblos. The local
position was at first occupied by pre-colonial chieftains and their descendants and later
elected by an electoral board composed of outgoing gobernadorcillo and 12 members of the
principalia( social and political aristocracy)
Principalia- referred to prominent landowners and propertied citizens who could read write
and speak Spanish.
Cabeza de Barangay- an appointive position who administer the villages or barangays/ barrio,
the smallest unit of the government. He maybe a Filipino or Chinese mestizo, whose main
responsibility was to maintain peace and order and collect tributes and taxes in his barrio.

14. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
Audencia Real (Royal Audencia)- established in 1583 to act as the Supreme Court of the
colony; also served as advisory body to the governor and audited expenditures of the
government.
Residencia - a judicial institution headed by the incoming Governor General to conduct trial
of an outgoing governor general and other Spanish official for the purpose of punishing
those guilty of corruption.
Visitador General – investigator sent by the king or an official dispatch by the Council of
Indies to check the behaviour of the high officials of Spain.
The counterbalance efforts of the officials proved ineffectual in reprimanding corrupt
administrators, because it was quite easy for them to bride the official conducting the
investigation.

15. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
Sources of Abuses in the Colonial Administration
The most corrupt branch of government was the provincial government, where the Alcalde
Mayor was the administrator, judge, military commander rolled in one.
1. Indulto Para Comerciar/Indulto de Comercio - a privilege given to the Alcalde Mayores to
monopolize domestic trade, control prices and business practices.
They brought goods from the natives at a cheap rate and sold these goods back to the
natives in times of scarcity but in a higher price.
 Due to floods of complaints by more responsible officials in Spain, a decree was issued in
1844 which abolished the said privilege and fixed the salary of the Alcalde Mayor at 1,500,
provided only lawyers or persons with 2 years of legal experience were qualified for the said
position. In 1866, the judicial and executive duties of the civil officials were permanently
separated.
2. Tribute / Taxes – another privilege enjoyed by the Alcalde Mayors where a certain
percentage was collected from the total amount of taxes imposed on the provinces. They
often exacted more tributes than required by law and pocketed the excess collections.

16. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
Sources of Abuses in the Colonial Administration
 One tribute is equivalent to 8 reales or one peso and may be paid in money or in kind like rice,
honey, corn, etc.
 In 1851, it was increased to 12 reales or 1 ½ tribute. eventually it was replaced by cedula tax,
which served as personal identity paper which described and contained the information of the
bearing including his name
 exempted from paying the tribute include the governadorcillos, cabezas and their families,
government employees, soldiers with distinguished service, native chieftains, choir members ,
sacristans, porters of the church.
3. Bandala System - it was instituted by Governor General Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera during the
first half of the 17th century.
 this refers to assignment of annual quotas to each province for the compulsory sale of product to
the government.
 Due to lack of funds, the government issued promissory note in exchange for the goods. Non-
payment on the part of the government meant confiscation of products.

17. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
3. The Union of Church and State
With the spread of Christianity as one of the most important of Spain’s motive, the friars were used by the
government as instrument of colonial control.
The Archbishop of Manila shared the extensive powers of the civil authorities, including the Governor General.
Under him were the bishops in charge of the dioceses, and below the bishops were the priests who took care of
the parishes.
The term of office of the Church officials was not limitless. They became more powerful during the 19th Century
political instability in Spain, as the political control in the colony yielded in their hands.
Political authority was usually placed in the hands of a parish priest, making him both a religious and state
representative of the town.
Frailocracia – “ government of friars”.
As a result, the conflict between church and state resulted from the intrigues and jealousies between the friars
and civil officials. Even the tenure of higher officials at times depended on the will of the friars.
The religious corporations acquired vast tracks of hacienda and enriched their coffers at the expense of the
people’s ignorance. The religious orders became the rightful owners of land after securing royal titles for the
properties, thus causing agrarian unrest as the Filipino tenants viewed the friars as usurpers of their ancestral
lands.

18. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
Social Structure during Spanish colonial period
Spanish Officials,
Peninsulares
Friars
Insulares, Creoles, Mestizos,
favoured Natives
Indios

19. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
4. Racial Discrimination among the Indios
While Christianity was propagated in the Phils under the egalitarian concept of
brotherhood of all men under God the Father, the Spanish authorities and
friars did not follow its own teachings.
Newly converted natives were not treated as brother Christians, but inferior
human beings on the account of their brown skin and flat noses, thus
undeserving of the rights and privileges enjoyed by the white Spaniards.
The term “Indio” referring to the brown Filipinos means uneducated,
uncivilized or savage”.
Racial discrimination was prevalent in the government offices, in the courts
of justice, in the armed forces, in the social circles, even in the education
institutions and ecclesiastical hierarchy.

20. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
5. Denial of Human Rights to the Filipinos
During the 19th century, the Spaniards struggled to secure respect and recognition of human
rights.
However the Filipinos could not understand why the Spaniards who fought for the sacred
rights of men would deny them of the same right.
Sinibaldo de Mas, a Spanish economist and diplomat to the Phils, sympathized with the
Filipinos and said;
“ Why do we fall into an anomaly , such as combining our claim for liberty for ourselves, and
our wish to impose our laws on remote peoples? Why do we deny to others the benefits which
we desire for our fatherlands?
Rizal also voiced the respect and recognition of human rights as essential in promoting
harmony among peoples;
“ …Liberty, rights, and love distinct races around the same standard, one aspiration, one
destiny’.

21. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
6. Maladministration of Justice
“ Justice delayed, justice denied “.
The courts of justice were notoriously corrupt; the Spanish judges,
fiscals(prosecuting attorneys) and court officials were inept and oftentimes ignorant
of the law.
Justice was slow, costly and partial; Wealth, social prestige and color of the skin
were preponderant factors in winning the case in court.
Rizal himself and his family were among the victims of the Spanish injustices:
 imprisonment of Dona Teodora in 1871 and in 1891
 Rizal ‘s deportation to Dapitan in 1872 without a fair trial
 banishment of Paciano and his brother in laws in the different parts of the
country without due process of law.

22. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
7. Philippine Representation in the Spanish Cortes
Spain’s motive in Granting Philippine Representation:
 During the Spanish War of Independence(1808-1814) against the invading French forces, the King
saw the need to rally the colonies to be loyal to Spain, hence a central revolutionary body was
created.
 On January 22, 1809, it issued a decree granting all Spanish colonies a direct representation in
the Spanish Cortes.
The Philippines was then represented 3 times, from 1810-1813, 1820-1823, and 1834-1837.
Ventura de los Reyes was the first Filipino representative, and one of the signatories of the 1812
Spanish Constitution.
With the creation of a new constitution in 1837 and the establishment of a parliamentary form of
government in Spain, the right to representation was conveniently removed as there was no need for
colonial support at that time.
Philippine representation, no matter how brief and irrespective of its nature was a remarkable
moment for the Filipinos struggle for the recognition and respect of human rights. For years, its
restoration continued to be one of the major demands of the reformists, including by Rizal, MH Del
Pilar and Lopez-Jaena.

23. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
8. The Opening of the Philippines to World Trade in 1834
The expansion of Philippine trade and the opening of the ports of Iloilo, Cebu, Sual in Pangasinan, and
Zamboanga outside Manila stimulated foreign demands for Philippine products and encouraged
agricultural production in the Philippines.
Effects:
 Traditional Philippine exports increased with the rapid development and production of cash crops
such as sugar from Iloilo and Negros, tobacco from Ilocos, Abaca from Bicol, indigo and rice from Panay
Island /Central Luzon, and coffee from Batangas.
 The Rise of the Middle Class.
The main beneficiaries of the emerging cash crop, free trade and commercialization of Philippine
agriculture and economic expansion were the Spanish and Chinese mestizos who became capitalists and
middlemen.
With enhanced wealth, it facilitated greater educational advantages among their children and with
contact with foreign newcomers and new ideas, the new breeds of illustrados started to question the
abuses of the governor and demanded social reforms.

24. Unit ii. POLICIES AND EVENTS IN 19TH Century Spain: Its Effects in the Philippines
9. The Iiberal administration of Gov Gen Carlos Ma de la Torre of 1869.
In 1869, the Spanish liberals had taken over the government and sent Carlos Ma. De la
Torre as the new governor general to the Phils.
This benevolent governor was able to show his liberal disposition in running the
affairs of the colonial government by introducing series of reforms, such as revocation
of press censorship and the abolition of flogging as a form of punishment. He even lived
simply within his means and broke the tradition by openly mingling with the indios,
mestizos and Spaniards and treating them equally.
His administration as a result gave the Filipinos a taste of liberal regime and thus
inspired the Filipino middle class to continue their campaign their reforms under the
Spanish colonial rule.

25. Simple Recall
Define/Say something about the following terms:
1. Peninsulares
2. Insulares
3. Governor General
4. Indulto de Comercio
5. Alcalde Mayor
6. Residencia
7. Visitador-General
8. Corregidores
9. Gobernadorcillo
10.Bandala System