Chapter 2
The Philippine Condition in the 19th century as Rizal’s Context
The 19th century marked as very dynamic and
productive age mainly in continents Europe and Asia.
The essence of the life of Jose P. Rizal is the
evidence by the circumstances that happened during
his generation in the Philippines and throughout the
world. Jose P. Rizal is an existing epitome that sets
forth a human pronouncement that all individuals
without distinction of any kind are born to be free and
equal in the dignity and rights.
During this period, such concept of liberalism,
industrialism, democracy, social realization and
nationalism gained control and sparked radical
changes in science, technology,economics,
socio-cultural and political condition.
Spain and the Philippines in Rizal’s Time
Spanish rule was imposed in the Philippines by conquest.
Miguel lopez de Legaspi established the first settlement in
1565 in cebu. Before the conquest, the Filipinos had their
own government thr barangay, headed by the native
chieftain called “datu” independent of each other and each
had its own laws. The people know how to read and write
and had the beginnings of a native literature and a native
art.
Despite being premitive but it was the process of
normal development. The Spanish conquerors forced
them to adopt foreign ways and Spanish catholicism
that they never undertood. They lost their ancestral
lands to the “conquistadores” by the encomienda
system. Changes in the form of government and
laws took place.
Political condition during the 19th century: Political
System
The King and the other officials issued royal decrees
governing the Philippines through the Ministry of Colonies
based in Madrid. This body helped the spanish monarch
manage the affairs if the colonies and govern the
Philippines through the centralized government in manila
exercising executive, legislative and religious power.
The Governor general appointed by the Spanish
King headed the central administration. He was the
King’s representative in the governmental matters
and was the Vice-Royal Patron over religious matter.
He exercised extensive powers as the head of the
state and the church. He issued executive orders
and proclamation, he was the commander-in-chief of
the military, and he also exercise legislative power
with his “cumplace” by which he could decide which
law or royal decree to umplement or disregard.
He enjoyed judicial power as an ex-officio president
of the Royal Audiencia. His religious duty him
prerogative to nominate priest to ecclesiastical
positions and to control the finances of the mission.
The Governor General was assisted by Lieutenant
General and advisory bodies such as the Board of
Authorities, Councilof Administration and Secretariat
of the central government
Next to the central government was the provincial
government or alcaldias run by civil governors, the
city government called “cabildo or ayuntamiento”
administered by a mayor and a vice mayor who were
both chief executives and chief judicial magistrate. It
should be noted that the above positions are
occupied by the Spaniards.
The local government unit composed of barangays
headed by the “Gobernadorcillo” (later called
captain). This is the highest position in the
givernment to which the native Filipino could be
appointed. He was elected at the beginning of every
year by the “principalia” made up of the incumbent
ex-cabeza de barangay, the smallest unit of
government.
The baranggay or barrio headed by the “cabeza de
barangay” whose main responsibility was to collect
taxes and tributes from the families. For his services
he recieved two percent (2%) of the tax proceeds
and four percent (4%) of the “sanctorum” or the tax
paid to the church each year to cover the costs of
three fiestas namely; All Saints day, Holy Thursday
and Corpus Cristi.
Socio-Cultural condition during the 19th century: The
Social Stratification/ Social Structure
The Spaniard imposed new social stratification which
discriminate the natives in their own land. The
highest class Peninsulares they are the spanish born
in the Philippines, the Insulares they are the spanish
born in the Philippines third class is the creoles, they
are mix blood or the combination of spanish and
filipino.
The different Socio-Economic policies imposed by
Spaniards
Reduccion
The native are forced to live in the place near the center
and they could hear the sound of the bell. This policy was
implemented so that the government and parish priest could
easily monitor them and for the easy conversion to
catholicism
Bandala
The natives are obliged to sell their products to the
Spaniards even in the lowest price and sometimes the
Spaniard will just issue some promisory notes
Forced labor or Polo y Servicios
Polo or forced labor is another spanish had created
discontent among the Indios during the spanish
times.
The world “polo” is actually a corruption of the
Tagalog “pulong” originally meaning “ meeting of
person and things” or “community labor”.
Taxation
The native are paying different types of taxes such as
follows:
1. Cedula - male and female 18 years old and above will
pay 8 reales every year for the cedula.
2. Sanctorum - tax for the church amounting 3 reales.
3. Donativo de Zamboanga - one half real to finance the
war in Mindanao againts the Muslims.
4. Tribute - it may be paid in cash or in kind.
The Tribute (Buwis) or Tributo
As a sign of vassalage to spain, the filipino paid
tribute to the colonial government in the island. In
July 26, 1523, King Charles V decreed the Indians
who had been pacified should contribute a moderate
amount in recognition of their vassalage.
Galleon Trade
The trading system which existed in 1565 until
1815 and trading route from canton in China,
Alcapulco and Manila. This trading policy
changed the system of free trading in the
Philippines where in the other nationalities like
the Chinese are free to exchange their goods
with the filipino who had extra good.