Rizal's Trial

Introduction
Jose Rizal was a prominent figure in the Philippine independence movement, but
his works and activities were seen as a threat by the Spanish authorities, leading to
his arrest and trial on charges of sedition, rebellion, and conspiracy. He was found
guilty and executed, becoming a martyr for the movement.
 The Trial
The trial of Rizal was eloquent proof of Spanish injustice and misrule.
More than a farce, it was patently a mistrial. Rizal, a civilian, was tried
by a military court composed of alien military officers. His case was
prejudged; he was considered guilty before the actual trial. The
military court met not to give him justice, but to accuse and condemn
him. It accepted all charges and testimonies against him, and ignored
all arguments and proofs in his favor. Moreover, Rizal was not given
the right ( which any accused is entitles to have in a real court of
justice) to face the witness against him in open court.
 The Trial
The trial began on December 26, 1896 At 8:00 AM, and lasted for five days and
the court-martial of Rizal started in military building called Ciartel de España.
Seated behind a long table on an elevated dais were the seven members of the
military court, dressed in their respective army uniforms, as follows: Lt. Col. Jose
Togores Arjona (president), Capt/ Ricardo Muños Arias, Capt. Manuel Reguera,
Capt. Santiago Izquierdo Osorio, Capt Braulio Rodriguez Nuñez, Capt. Manuel Diaz
Escribano, and Capt. Fermin Perez Rodriguez.

Also Present at the courtroom were Dr. Rizal (the accusesd), Lt. Taviel de
Andrade (his defense counsel), Capt. Rafael Dominguez (Judge Advocate), Lt.
Enrique de Alcocer (Prosecuting Attorney), and the spectors. Among the
spectors were JOsephine Bracken, some newspapermen, and many Spaniards.
 The Trial
During the trial, the prosecution presented several pieces of
evidence against Rizal, including letters he had written to other
Filipino nationalists, as well as testimonies from witnesses who
claimed to have seen him with members of the Katipunan, a
revolutionary organization that sought to overthrow Spanish
colonial rule.
Incidently, Defense Counsel Taviel de Andrade read his eloquent
defense of Rizal but his admonition fell on deaf ears. The spanish
army officers who were trying Rizal were both Vindictive and
Unjust.
 Presiding Judge
Judge Advocate General Nicolas de la Peña was
appointed by the Spanish colonial government to
lead the prosecution against trial of Rizal. He was a
military officer and a lawyer who had served in
various positions in the Spanish colonial
administration in the Philippines. He was known for
his strict adherence to the letter of the law and his
lack of sympathy for Filipino nationalism and
independence.
 Evidenced Presented
The prosecution presented several pieces of
evidence against Rizal during the trial. Among
the evidence were the letters he wrote to
several key figures in the revolutionary
movement, including Andres Bonifacio and
Emilio Jacinto, which the prosecution claimed
were proof of his involvement in the
movement. They also presented a manifesto
allegedly written by Rizal calling for the
Filipinos to rise up against Spanish colonial
rule.
 Rizal 's Supplementary defense
In his supplementary defense, he further proved his innocence by twelve
points:
He could not be guilty of rebellion, for he advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in
Dapitan not to rise in revolution.
He did not Correspond with the radical, revolutionary elements.
The revolutionists used his name without his knowledge. If he were guilty
he could have escaped in Singapore.
If he had a hand in the revolution, he could have escaped in a MOro vinta
and wold not have built a home, a hospital, and bought lands in Dapitan.
If he were the chief of the revolution, why was he now consulted by the
revolutionists?
It was true he wrote the By-laws of the Liga Filipina, but this is oonly a civic
association- not a revolutionary society.
 Rizal 's Supplementary defense
The Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first meeting he was banished
to Dapitan and it died out.
If the Liga was reorganized nine months later, he didn't know about it.
The Liga did not serve the purpose of the revolutionists, otherwise, they
would not have supplanted the Katipunan.
If it were true that there were some bitter comments in Rizal's letters, it was
because they were written in 1890 of houses, warehouses, lands, etc. and
his brother and all brother in law were deported.
His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military commanders
and missionary priests could attest.
It was not true hat the revolution was inspired by his one speech at the
house of Doroteo Ongjunco, as alleged by witness whom he would like to
confront.
 Charges against Rizal
Jose Rizal was charged with
sedition, rebellion, and
conspiracy for his alleged
involvement in the Philippine
Revolution, which sought to
overthrow Spanish colonial rule
in the Philippines.
 Polavieja Signs Rizal's Execution
Despite the lack of concrete evidence
against Rizal, he was found guilty on all
charges and was sentenced to death by
firing squad. On December 28th,
Polavieja approved the decision of the
court-martial and ordered Rizal to be
shot at 7:00 o'clock in the morning of
december 30 at Bagumbayan Field
(Luneta).
 Our
Conclusion
The trial of Jose Rizal serves as a poignant reminder of the
struggles and sacrifices that Philippine heroes endured in the fight
for independence. Through his works and actions, Rizal played a
significant role in shaping the national consciousness of the
Filipino people and inspiring them to fight for their rights and
freedoms. His trial and eventual execution symbolize the Spanish
colonial government's oppressive rule and the lengths they would
go to suppress any form of dissent.
Thank You