LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

SUMMATIVE 2

The Spanish colonization happened in the Philippines for 333 years, between 1565 to 1898.
It was discovered by a Portuguese explorer sailing for Spain named Ferdinand Magellan in
1621 and Spanish colonialism began with the arrival of Miguel López de Legazpi's expedition
in the year 1565, a Spanish navigator and general who established the first settlement in Cebu.
Since Spain is far away from the Philippines, the king of Spain rules the Philippines through
the viceroy of Mexico which also belonged to the Spanish colony. The distance between the
Philippines and Mexico made it hard to receive the complaints of the people and implement
their policies in a much-regulated manner. Due to this reason, it would be beneficial if the
Viceroyalty was established in the Philippines.

When Mexico gained its independence in 1821, the king ruled the Philippines through a
governor-general as the king's representative, its job is to ensure and facilitate the
implementation of the law issued by the king in the Philippines. The governor-general had the
power to appoint and dismiss public officials, except those personality chosen by the king; he
also supervises all government offices and the collection of taxes. These tasks would be much
efficient, easy, less time consuming if the viceroyalty is within the country because the
governor-general can update the king and deliver information faster in comparison with them
being at a different location far away from the Philippines.

Furthermore, the Spaniards created the provincial and municipal government. The provincial
government managed the day-to-day operations, implemented laws, and supervised the
collection of taxes. Though they were paid a small salary, they enjoyed privileges such as the
indulto de comercio, or the right to participate in the galleon trade. The provinces were divided
into several towns or pueblos headed by Gobernadordcillos, his job was to efficiently fix
concerns about governance and tax collection. The implementation of this governance
construct would have been regulated properly if the Viceroy was in the Philippines because
they would directly see how others are running it.

Though Spain constructed a political structure to centralize all colonial government in the
Philippines, it comprises both national and local government that administered provinces,
cities, towns, and municipalities. This ensures that the peace and order, collection of taxes,
built school and other public works were being maintained. Apart from this, the Council of the
Indies in Spain tend to send a government official called the Visitador General to observe the
condition of a specific colony that they are into. The Visitador will report his findings and
observations directly to the king. Since the Viceroyalty is near to people within the country
they can raise their problem to the Visitador General so that the Visitador can report their
concerns and problems directly to the king.

Finally, since it would be Viceroyalty of the Philippines and not Mexico, the country would be
the center of attraction for the Spaniards; there will be more trades occurring and business
opportunities to be built. Education would prosper for the country as well. This will be beneficial
for both Spaniards and Filipinos in the long run.
With these given points in mind, we can conclude that it would be beneficial if the Viceroyalty
is within the location of the Philippines. It would let the Viceroyalty directly govern the location
and update the King with more information of what is happening in the country. They would
be able to implement the rules properly and would be the center of attraction for foreigners.