[6] Foundations of Spanish Rule

• Reasons for Spanish Colonization:

  • King Charles sent an expedition to the Moluccas primarily for commercial purposes
  • Spices were highly profitable due to their high prices
  • The Magellan expedition was sent to the Orient in search of the Spice Islands
  • Spanish claim to the Philippines was based on the discovery made under Spain's auspices and actual possession
  • The Philippines, as a crown colony, was administered by the Council of Indies
  • Spanish officials in the Philippines were appointed by the King of Spain and issued Royal orders and decrees for proper administration
• • In 1863, the Philippines was placed under the Ministry of the Colonies and aided by the Council of the Philippines
• • Governor-General had the right of cumplase to suspend Royal decrees if not beneficial
• Central Government:

  • Modeled after the government in Mexico and South America
  • Governor-General headed the central government and had vast executive, legislative, and judicial powers
  • Governor-General issued superior decrees with the force of law
  • Orders from the King were Royal decrees
  • Governor-General was also the presiding officer of the Audiencia, exercising judicial powers
  • Governor-General was the vice-royal patron, appointing minor officials and parish priests
  • Governor-General was the commander-in-chief of the armed forces
• The Audiencia:

  • Established in 1584 to provide justice in civil and criminal cases
  • Governor-General Santiago de Vera was its first president
  • Highest court in the colony
  • Exercised political and administrative powers in the absence of the governor-general
  • Abolished in 1590 but reestablished in 1598
• Local Government:

  • Below the central government was the provincial government
  • Peaceful provinces had civil provincial governors, while others were ruled by military officers
  • Provincial governor was called alcalde mayor, appointed by the governor-general
  • Alcalde mayor could collect tributes to increase income
  • Right to engage in trade (indulto de comercio) was abused and abolished in 1844
  • Alcalde mayor also acted as the judge of the province
  • Municipal government headed by gobernadorcillo or capitan municipal
• • Capitan was elected by prominent individuals and approved by the Spanish friar-curate
  • Each barrio was headed by a cabeza, part of the principalia
• Encomienda System:

  • Introduced to reward Spaniards who helped in the conquest
  • Encomendero had the right to collect taxes from the assigned area
  • Encomienda was a public office, not a piece of land
  • Size of encomienda based on the number of people and land value
  • Limited to 300 people and P2,000 value
  • Encomendero taught Christian doctrine and protected the natives
  • Three kinds of encomienda: Royal, Ecclesiastical, Private
  • Private encomienda abolished by the King in the late 17th century
• Forced Labor:

  • Laws of the Indies aimed to prevent exploitation of natives
  • Forced labor (polo y servicio) used in construction and industries
  • Conditions set for forced labor to protect laborers
  • Filipinos not paid, overworked, separated from families
  • Falla fee required for exemption from forced labor
• Tributes and Taxes:

  • Tribute paid by Filipinos to finance administration and construction
  • Tribute introduced in 1570, increased in 1589
  • People aged 16 to 60 required to pay tribute
  • Other taxes included Diezmos prediales, Donativo de Zamboanga, Vinta
  • Tribute abolished in 1884 and replaced by cedula personal
• Galleon Trade:

  • Lucrative trade between Manila and other Asian countries
  • Products shipped to Mexico by Spanish traders for high prices
  • Government monopoly, only privileged persons allowed to engage
  • Prosperity of Spaniards in Manila depended on the success of the trade
  • Declined in the 19th century due to commercial liberty in Europe
• Subsidy from Mexico:

  • Mexican government sent an annual subsidy (situado) to the Philippines
  • Subsidy aimed to prevent bankruptcy of the colonial government
  • Subsidy used for salaries of Spanish officials, employees, and priests
  • Subsidy stopped in 1821 when Mexico gained independence