Philippines During Rizal's Time

• Which among the social hierarchies does the Family Mercado fall?

  Native Elites
• Spanish colonizers forced Filipinos to accept foreign culture and Catholicism.
• Early Filipinos lost land under Encomienda system.
• The Spanish established social hierarchy through the "Limpieza de sangre" doctrine.
• The lower class faced unjust criticisms and discrimination due to this doctrine.
• What are the social structure/hierarchy in Rizal's time?

  • Peninsulares
  • Insulares
  • Spanish Mestizos
  • Town Ruling Class
  • Native Elites
  • Chinese Mestizos
  • Indios
• Pure-blooded Spaniards born in Spain occupy the highest positions in the government.

  Peninsulares
• Pure-blooded Spaniard born in the Philippines is given lower positions in the administration.

  Insulares
• Born of Spanish and native parentage.

  Spanish Mestizos
• Still regarded as whites by Indios, called Kastila.


  Spanish Mestizos
• Gobernadorcillos, Alcalde, Cabezas de Barangays, native families of means.

  Town Ruling Class
• Elite group called “Principalia” which also includes landowners, rich merchants, successful tenants called “inquilinos”.


  Native Elites
• Indigenous leaders or local leaders with influence, despite lacking the wealth or status of the Principalia.

  Native Elites
• Children of Chinese and Indio parents.

  Chinese Mestizos
• They controlled the local economy and acted as the medium in the sale of public offices.

  Chinese Mestizos
• Landowners, artisans, merchants, masons, retailers, wholesalers.

  Mestizos
• Masses; full-blooded Filipinos.

  Indios
• Landless peasants and poor tenants.

  Indios
• Often called derogatory terms.

  Indios
• The Philippines was governed by the Viceroy of Mexico, another colony of Spain.


  Before 1821
• The Philippines was then administered by the Ministry of Colonies in Madrid, after Mexico gained freedom.

  After 1821
• Appointed by the Spanish King, leads the Philippine’s central government.

  Governor-General
• What are the other roles of the Governor-General in the Central Government?

  • King's Representative
  • Vice-Royal Patron
  • Chief Executive
  • Ex-Officio President of Royal Audiencia
  • Commander in Chief
• Represents the King in governmental matters.

  King's Representative
• • oversees religious affairs
  • nominates religious positions
  • controls mission finances

  Vice-Royal Patron
• Issues orders and proclamations.

  Chief Executive
• "Cumpalse" decides which laws to implement.

  Ex-Officio President of Royal Audiencia
• Leads colonial armed forces.

  Commander in Chief
• Who ruled the provincial government (alcaldia)?

  Alcalde Mayor
• Who ruled the cabildo (city government)?

  2 Alcaldes en Ordinario
• Who ruled the pueblo (town)?

  Gobernadorcillos
• Composed of barangays.

  Local government unit
• The town mayor acts as the chief executive and chief judge of the town.

  Gobernadorcillos
• A position where an Indio can be appointed.

  Gobernadorcillos
• The smallest political unit.

  Barangay/Barrio
• Collects taxes and tributes from constituents.

  Cabeza de Barangay
• Receives 2% of tax collections & 4% sanctorum (tax from church operations)  in return.

  Cabeza de Barangay
• Law requires properties of cabezas to be mortgaged to the state at the beginning of their term to prevent corruption and ensure effective and diligent collection of taxes.
• • corps of native police led by Spanish officers
  • deals with brigands & outlaws
  • most featured instruments of the arrest of filibusteros by 1880

  Guardia Civil
• Highest court of the colony and audits government finances.

  Royal Audiencia