MARCELO H.

DEL PILAR

ASSIMILATION TOWARDS REFORM

Del Pilar’s Backgroud
Family
Birthday: August 30, 1850 in barrio San Nicolas, Bulacan;
father, Don Julian Hilario (belonged to Principalia), having
been thrice gobernadorcillo of Bulacan and later an
alcadlde mayor of Bulacan; Mother – Blasa Gatmaitan
(belonged to Tagalog nobility)
Education
Learned his first letters from his paternal uncle Alejo;
made to learn the piano, violin and flute; took his Latin
course in the Scholl of Seior Flores in Manila
Enrolled at the famous Collegio de San Jose and earned
his bachelor’s degree; proceeding to Sto. Tomas
university, he graduated with a degree of licentiate in
Jurisprudence in 1880.
Personal Family
Married to Marciana H del Pilar (February 1878 while
still working as a government clerk), his second cousin;
had seven children, five of whom died in infancy; only
Sofia and Anita grew into adulthood and witnessed their
father’s patriotic endeavors.

As a Writer and Organizer

In 1888, he founded Diariong Tagalog on the basis of

shares and with the help of Spanish Deputy Calvo y
Moñoz; he became the head of the political section of
Asociacion Hispano-Filipino; organized another
organization – La Solidaridad on December 31, 1888;
became the editor of the said propaganda on November
15, 1889.
Del Pilar: The Political thinker

Political Framework: Assimilation (he was considered as

assimilationist); Awareness of the political realities that
caused him proposed a conciliatory plan, which he
believed to be beneficial to the Filipinos at the same time
not inimical to the interest of Spain (Assimilation gave way
to separatism)

His work as a publicist led him to engage in disputations

with the friar group; this caused him to formulate
arguments and formed conceptual scheme by which the
Reform Movement can be understood
Understanding del Pilar’s system: two postulates

A consequence of historical fact: all Filipinos were by

the process of colonization, integral members of the
Spanish society

Doctrine of Natural Law, which he held in common

with his fellow reformers

Note: These two postulates were the justification of

the reform demands, which can be integrated in the
demand for assimilation of the Philippine to Spain.
Concept of Human Person

God created human being, and

endowed him/her with reason and
conscience; with the life that
human being possesses, s/he is
conceded full liberty.

God’s plan for his creatures is for them

to perfect their humanity and attain
individual happiness
Obligation of Human person: life’s enrichment and
growth; human’s inherent duty is to defend his/her
life and that of his/her fellow against any danger

Perfection of one’s intelligence: by instruction and

knowledge acquired is to be transmitted to his equals
(unenlightened intelligence is a destructive force);
The virtue most acceptable to God is not religiosity,
but the perfection of human’s intelligence, for it guides
people in their lives.
Perfection of one’s liberty: liberty is no other
than the right of each to follow hi/her own will; a
human who is free has no master but is own
will; liberty is the right of human that enables
him to do good and avoid evil.

Del Pilar admitted that while it is true that by

liberty bad can be done and the good could be
left from being done, the consequences: actions
are deterrents to perfection, and human person
is succumbed to do evil.
 Moral liberty: identifies liberty with the mastery of the
individual desires and appetites.

Political Liberty: human’s liberty gives him/her the full

moral responsibility for his/her acts.

The idea of Justice

First plan of God for his creatures, his admonition was for
all to follow a form of right conduct, which in effect is
meant for the upholding of moral principles, in order for
justice to prevail I the society.
There is injustice: deprivation of their rights and were
prevented from exposing their grievances in a peaceful
manner.

Injustice prevails as a result of dual regime of force and

fraud.

Note:
The concept of liberty and justice associated with acts
of doing good is the basis for his conception of human
perfection, but human reason is insufficient to attain his
end.

There is a need for social and political institutions (for

perfection and protection of human’s liberty and
humanity)
The Individual and society

Individual possesses two sets of rights: a) rights qua

man – as a creature of God; b) rights qua citizen – as a
member of the state

Note: these two sets of rights are mutually implied each

other in most political systems and the latter set of
rights determines the extent of the formers depending
upon the nature of the political entity

The society

In the society, del Pilar envisions for the Filipinos the

removal of certain obstructionist elements that would
result to the fusion of these two sets of rights.
 Theory of assimilation: maintains the system of
relationship between the ruler and the ruled, based
on moral principles (could be formulated and
instituted in Philippine society.

Meaning: the Hispanization of the Philippine

society would grant Filipinos the same rights and
privileges that the Spaniards are enjoying.

On Government

The entity who shall assure to the people the

enjoyment of the rights and also harmonize the
individuals to this enjoyment
Granted rights in return for the obligations of
the individual willingly assumed for the good
of the community.

Spanish colonial government: instrument of

domination which prevents the Filipinos’
enjoyment of their rights; guardianship system
imposed by Spain burdens the Filipinos with
duties, while rulers assumed their rights
Political obligation:

People obey the government (the instrument of

civil society) if it fulfills the purpose for which it
is instituted

The moment the government does not

perform its responsibilities and mission, this
sanctions the people’s disobedience to the
authority of government.
Legitimate government

It should be representative government – one

representing the people or all the classes in
society.

It should not govern for the benefit of a single

class or individual between the people and the
government (it is through the people’s duly elected
representatives in the law-making body)
Sovereignty

through their duly elected representatives,

the people impose their wills in the process
of lawmaking.

Parliamentary or legislative sovereignty:

people are free and influenced by no
other entities.
Misgovernment

A symptomatic of society’s inability to

provide conditions in which government
was to exercise its authority effectively.

Needs for effective governance: on the part of the

people – militant and enlightened public opinion is
needed; on the part of the rulers – competence,
knowledge of the needs of the people,
responsible for the powers given by the people.
Liberal institutions

Organs that distributed authority of government

equitable and organs furnished the government
with information so necessary for ruling.

Securing municipal autonomy, parliamentary

representation and institutions of free speech,
press and assembly.

Decentralization of power through municipal

autonomy – does not diminish central
authority but enhance it by means of local
participation and responsibility
Assimilation and Progress

Progress

The material, intellectual and moral

advancement of people; result of human
effort and work must be out of moral law.

Progress and freedom correlate and are

both inevitable in the life of the people:
a) Filipinos are inevitable bound to attain their
freedom, but with the help of Spain (hope),

b) emancipation from Spain is against the growing

progress of Filipinos, c) only assimilation would
help bring about the progress of the Filipinos (it
would mean the attainment of the means to
secure their political and social development)