Gobernadorcillo

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The Gobernadorcillo [span. Ɡoβernaðorˈθiʎo ] was a municipal judge or governor in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period.

Within the city, he combined the responsibility for management and administration of the public budget and the judiciary. The "Gobernadorcillo" was the leader of a town or a village. In a coastal city he had the function of a port captain . His appointment was made through an exclusive nomination by Spanish law. His term of office was two years. The position of "gobernadorcillo" was honorary, but on the other hand it was absolutely necessary in order to receive the exemptions provided for by Philippine law. At the end of the two-year term of office, the "Gobernadorcillo" rose to the rank of Principalía , the ruling urban upper class. With his function as mayor, justice of the peace and port captain combined in one person, he was directly subordinate to the provincial governor.

In 1893, the Maurage Law was passed, a law that created a new basis for local government. One of the goals of the law was to reorganize the administration of the localities in order to be able to administer them more autonomously and more effectively. In 1895 the name of the village leader was changed from gobernadorcillo to capitan municipal . On 1. January 1895 was Emilio Aguinaldo became the chairman of Cavite El Viejo and was thus the first to the title of capitan municipal allowed to wear.

Elective modalities

The "Gobernadorcillos" were elected by members of the Principalía , namely twelve Cabeza de Barangay (district leaders). The electoral members had to name three candidates who formed an electoral list ( terna ). The candidates had to be able to speak and write in the Castilian language. If after the election it was found that a candidate did not have the required qualifications, the election was null and void. The same requirements were sent to the judicial officer asked the community.

The election was made by secret ballot. It was monitored by a notary and was chaired by the provincial chief. If he wished, the priest of the city could be present and explain what political opinion was appropriate. The sealed envelopes containing the election results from provinces near Manila were sent to senior government offices in the capital. Taking into account the report of the electoral chairman , the governor general appointed the "Gobernadorcillo" from the electoral list ( terna ). In more distant regions it was the provincial chief who named the candidate with the highest number of votes "Gobernadorcillo".

Duties

The "Gobernadorcillo" and the Rechtspfleger received the greatest possible attention from the officials of the Spanish Crown. The provincial chiefs were obliged to pay them the honors due to their office. They were entitled to a seat in the provincial chiefs' house and in all other seats. You didn't have to stop. The parish priests were forbidden to treat them with contempt.

The "Gobernadorcillos" exercised command over the cities. In port cities, they were also port captains. Her office corresponded to that of an alkali and friends judge on the Spanish peninsula. They are both judges and notaries with precisely defined rights. They also have the right and power to appoint assistants, lieutenants and alguaciles in proportion to the number of residents.

Responsibilities

  • He is particularly obliged to support the parish priests in everything that serves the practice of religion and the observance of church laws.
  • He oversees the collection of royal taxes.
  • He is allowed to issue edicts necessary for the exercise of local government authority.
  • He builds public infrastructures within his city and has other public works carried out.
  • He may levy the taxes that were agreed upon in the context of his appointment.
  • He conducts hearings and litigation in civil disputes up to a value of two tael gold or 40 pesos.
  • He acts in criminal cases to secure the first evidence and to hand it over to the provincial chiefs.

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Cf. Gobernadorcillo in Encyclopedia Universal Ilustrada Europeo-Américana , Madrid: Espasa-Calpe, SA, 1991, Vol.XLVII, p. 410.
  2. ^ Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson, The Philippine Islands (1493-1898) , Cleveland: The AH Clark Company, 1903, Vol. XVII, pp. 327-328.
  3. ↑ Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson, The Philippine Islands (1493-1898) , Cleveland: The AH Clark Company, 1903, Vol. XVII, pp. 327-328, 331.
  4. ↑ Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson, The Philippine Islands (1493-1898) , Cleveland: The AH Clark Company, 1903, Vol. XXVII, pp. 296-297.
  5. ^ A b Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson, The Philippine Islands (1493-1898) , Cleveland: The AH Clark Company, 1903, Vol. XVII, p. 329.
  6. ↑ Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson, The Philippine Islands (1493-1898) , Cleveland: The AH Clark Company, 1903, Vol. XVII, pp. 329, pp. 324-325, 329-330.