Spanish Colonial Law: Cedula Requirements

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the main purpose of exhibiting a cedula?

To obtain employment

To verify identity and legitimacy (correct)

To prove citizenship

To pay taxes

On which occasions was a cedula required to be exhibited?

Only for foreigners

For employment and education purposes only

Only for government officials

For various public and private transactions (correct)

What was the consequence of not having a cedula?

A small fine

A warning from the authorities

Severe penalties (correct)

No consequence

What was the role of government officers regarding cedulas?

To examine and verify cedulas Signup and view all the answers

In what context did a cedula serve as a passport?

For travel within the Philippine islands Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the occasions that required exhibiting a cedula?

Upon entering into domestic service Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the rights that required the exhibition of a cedula?

The right to contract Signup and view all the answers

What was the scope of the cedula's application?

For the entire population of the Philippine islands Signup and view all the answers

What was the special feature of the Colonial Government in the Philippines?

Unification of the church and state Signup and view all the answers

Who gave the King of Spain a special power over churches in the colony?

The Pope in Vatican Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Royal decree issued by the King on November 9, 1774?

To secularize all districts of Parishes Signup and view all the answers

Why did the regulars dislike the transfer of authority to the secular priests?

Because they were Filipino and lacked the qualities of priesthood Signup and view all the answers

What was the issue that led to the return of the Order of Jesuits to the Philippines?

Disagreement with the colonial authority's policies Signup and view all the answers

Who sided with the Filipino priests in the dispute over secularization?

Monsignor Pedro Pelez Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of Monsignor Pedro Pelez's death in 1863?

The Filipino priests continued to fight for the secularization movement Signup and view all the answers

Who were the prominent Filipino priests that continued the fight for secularization?

Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Occasions Requiring Cedula Exhibition

Upon taking up a commission or public employment under royal or insular authority
Upon entering provincial or municipal office
When making a public or private contract
When representing a claim, soliciting business, or appearing before petty governors or ministers of justice
When bringing an action before any court or officer
Upon matriculation in an institute of learning
When entering employment in industry, commerce, profession, art, or trade

Financial Transactions and Rights

When paying direct taxes
When presenting a claim, exercising a civil right, acquiring rights, or contracting obligations
When realizing credits, making or withdrawing deposits, collecting on letters of credit, making bills of exchange, depositing in savings banks, or confirming pledges
When bidding at a public auction

Identity and Travel

When establishing identity
When traveling beyond the boundaries of the pueblo of residence

Employment and Associations

When entering domestic service
When becoming a director, administrator, member, voter, shareholder, or employee of any association or industrial undertaking

Cedula Issuance and Enforcement

Cedulas were issued based on a padrón prepared by the cabeza de Barangay
Information was collected on schedules filled out by heads of households, including the name and income of every person over 18 years old
The padrón was made in triplicate: one copy for the cabeza, one for the gobernadorcillo, and one for the treasury department
Officers were authorized to call for and examine cedulas on any occasion, and those without a cedula (indocumentado) faced severe penalties

Colonial Government in the Philippines

The Unification of the church and state was a special feature of the Colonial Government in the Philippines.
The Pope gave the King of Spain a special power over churches in the colony, leading the King to order the colonial government to fund churches, schools, and charities operated by religious orders.
The King also paid the salaries of the Archbishop, Bishops, and Parish Priests stationed in the Philippines.

Secularization of Parishes

On November 9, 1774, the King issued a decree about the secularization of all districts of Parishes, transferring authority from regular parishioners to secular priests.
Regulars opposed the transfer, believing Filipino priests were unfit due to their skin color, lack of education, and experience.

Dispute and Racial Discrimination

The dispute escalated with the return of the Jesuits to the Philippines, leading to racial discrimination against native priests.
Spanish authorities favored regular priests over native priests.

Key Figures and Movement

Monsignor Pedro Pelez, Ecclesiastical governor of the Church, sided with Filipino priests but died in an earthquake in 1863.
Filipino priests, including Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA), continued the fight for the secularization movement.