Motion: Prove that the Philippine Economy stagnated during the Spanish period

ARGUMENT B:
FILIPINO SCHOLARS POINT OF VIEW

Neglect of the Spanish officials

 Spanish authorities did not show any sign of fairness towards the Filipinos especially in
the division of responsibilities in polo y service. Because of this irresponsibility, Filipinos
still work apart from their allotted time for work.

 Filipinos who were working in the Galleon Trade experienced misfortune because of the
heavy loads Spanish authorities were asking of them. As a result, many workers died and
later on separated families because of poverty being experienced.

 The last hated symbol of Spanish tyranny.  It's purpose was to maintain the internal
peace and order in the Philippines.  Guardia Civil later became infamous for their
rampant abuses, such as maltreating innocent people, looting their carabaos, and valuable
belongings, and raping helpless women.

 Under the government of Spaniards, Filipino are required to render service into the State
and the Church. Which just say the Spanish officials in the Philippines ordered the
Filipinos to work in construction of (churches, roads, bridges, ship and in the industries
of hauling and cutting timber.)
 Compania Real de Filipinas or the Royal Company of the Philippine was established in
March 10, 1785 by Charles III a royal decree. It’s purpose was to promote direct trade
between the Philippines and Spain. In addition, it was established to exploit the natural
resources of the islands, with a 25 year charter, under governor-general Basco. Inspite of
incentive, the company fielded in its two-fold aims.

 Most Spanish officials were lazy, incompetent, and inefficient. Instead of developing the
natural resources of the colony, the Spanish officials and minor employees were
interested in enriching themselves in office. There were many loafers among them who
depended on government employment to earn a living. Secondly, there were frequent
quarrels among the Spaniards themselves, especially between the clergy and the
governors-generals, on one hand, and the high-ranking ecclesiastical officials and the
friar-curates, on the other. Due to this, it accounted for the slow development of the
Philippine economy.

 The first task was reduction, or relocation of native inhabitants into settlements. The
earliest political system used during the conquista period was the encomienda system,
which resembled the political system known as Feudalism in Medieval Europe. The
Conquistadores, friars and native nobles were granted estates, in exchange for their
services to the King, and was given the privilege to collect tribute from its inhabitants. In
return, the person granted the encomienda, known as an encomendero, was tasked to
provide military protection to the inhabitants, justice and governance. In times of wawr,
the encomendero was duty bound to provide soldiers for the King, in particular, for the
 defense of the colony from invaders such as the Dutch, British and Chinese. The
encomienda system was abused by encomenderos and by 1700 was largely replaced by
administrative provinces, each headed by an alcalde mayor the provincial governor. The
most prominent feature of Spanish cities was the plaza, a central are for the church, a
market area and other infrastructures were located. Residential areas lay around the plaza.
During the conquista, the first task of colonization was the reduction, or relocation of the
indigenous population into settlements surrounding the plaza.

 The friars controlled the sentiments of the native population and was more powerful that
the governor-general himself. Among the issues that resulted to the Philippine revolution
of 1898 that ended Spanish rule was the abuse of power by the religious orders.

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