Philippine Socio-Political Structure in the 19th Century

• In the 19th century, the Philippines social structure was viewed as feudalistic.
• The Philippines social structure was viewed as feudalistic because of the ongoing conflict between the native Filipinos and the conquistadores.
• The relationship between native Filipinos and the conquistadores was best described as a master-slave relationship, with Spaniards as masters and Filipinos (Indios) as slaves.
• Peninsulares - pure-blooded Spaniards.
• Peninsulares have the highest income because they hold the highest position.
• The Indios, Filipino natives who do manual labor for a living, make up the majority at the bottom.
• Mestizos - hald breed Spaniards.
• Creoles - Philippine born Spaniards.
• The favored natives, half-breed Spaniards, and creoles are in the middle, with second priority.
• The Philippine political structure is governed by the Ministries of the Colonies.
• In political system, it covered the executive, legislative, judicial, and religious branches of government.
• Governor-General - the highest-ranking official in the central government.
• Governor-General - appointed as a representative by the Spanish Monarch and was in charge of state and religious affairs.
• Alcaldes Mayores - the civil governors led the provincial government.
• Alcaldes en Ordinario - included the mayor and vice-mayor. Serves as administrators of the city government.
• Gobernadorcillo - Chief executive and chief judge of the town. Called as Capitan by his constituents.
• Cabeza de Barangay - Managed and maintain the smallest unit, barangay or barrio.
• Guardia Civil and Cuadrelleros - tasked to perform police jobs and maintain peace and order.
• Alferez (Second Lieutenant) - Usually a Spaniard, he led the police force/Guardia civil.
• Friars - held inevitably held a dominant position in the Philippine educational system.
• The friars were in charge of the system.