Philippines' Social Conditions During Spanish Colonization (copy)

11 Evil Colonial Powers - A concept popularized by Dr. Jose Rizal (1861-1896), highlighting the oppressive system that subjected Filipinos to injustice and suffering. - The 11 evils of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines:

1. Instability of Colonial Administration

  • Political turmoil in Spain led to frequent changes in leadership and policies in the Philippines, creating administrative chaos.

  • King Ferdinand VIII (1808-1837): Policies oscillated between liberalism and despotism.

  • From 1835 to 1897, 50 governor-generals served in the Philippines.

2. Corrupt Colonial Officials

  • Many Spanish colonial officials were corrupt and prioritized personal enrichment through bribery and other illicit acts.

  • Notable figures:

  • Gen. Rafael de Izquierdo: Incompetent, executed GOMBURZA (February 17, 1872).

  • Admiral Jose Malcampo: Inapt administrator, accepted bribes from gambling casinos.

  • Gen. Primo de Rivera: Cruel, received extensive bribes and persecuted Calamba tenants, especially the Rizal family.

  • Gen. Valeriano Weyler (1888-1891): Cruel and corrupt; took bribes from wealthy Chinese evaders of anti-Chinese laws.

  • Gen. Camilo de Polavieja: Executed Dr. Jose Rizal (December 30, 1896), known for cruelty.

3. No Philippine Representative in the Spanish Court

  • Filipinos lacked a voice in the Spanish parliament, leading to neglect of their needs and concerns.

  • In 1837, representation of the overseas colonies was established, further worsening the Philippines' situation.

4. Human Rights Denied to Filipinos

  • Basic freedoms such as free speech, press, and assembly were denied to Filipinos, which were otherwise cherished by Spanish citizens (except regarding religion).

5. No Equality Before the Law

  • Native Filipinos faced heavier penalties in the Spanish legal system relative to Spaniards.

  • Laws of the Indies: Colonial laws regulating governance and settlement.

  • Spanish Civil Code: Governed private rights and obligations, favoring Spaniards.

6. Maladministration

  • The justice system was slow, partial, and costly, failing to serve native populations adequately.

7. Racial Discrimination

  • Filipinos were systematically discriminated against and regarded as an inferior class by Spanish colonizers.

8. Frailocracy

  • Powerful and corrupt religious friars exerted undue control over various spheres such as religion, education, and politics.

  • Highlighted with the union of church and state.

  • Governor-General friars included:

  • Archbishop Francisco de la Cuesta

  • Archbishop Manuel Rojo del Rio

  • Archbishop Juan de Arechederra

9. Forced Labor

  • Filipinos faced exploitative forced labor obligations under the colonial system.

  • Polo y Servicio: Compulsory labor assigned to Filipinos aged 16 to 60, requiring 40 days of labor a year.

  • Wealthier Filipinos could pay a fee, known as Falla, to evade labor obligations.

10. Friar Land Ownership

  • Spanish friars controlled large agricultural estates called Haciendas, leading to bloody agrarian revolts in 1745-1746.

  • Ecclesiastical Lands: Lands owned by the Church significantly enriched them and contributed to socio-economic disparities.

11. Abusive Guardia Civil

  • Created by royal decree in February 1852, notorious for maltreatment, abuses, robberies, and rapes perpetrated against the populace.

AGRARIAN (LAND) REFORM AND PEASANTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES
Pre-Hispanic Land Ownership

  • Initially, the concept of private property was unknown.

Introduction of Private Ownership

  • The system shifted with the Spanish colonization.

  • Encomienda: Large uncultivated lands given to Spaniards to collect tribute from the natives.

  • The Hacienda System involved land titles granted to loyal soldiers and colonizers, which diminished communal ownership.

Communal Ownership

  • Communal lands held by the barangay (village), with some individual ownership taking root over time.