The development of Philippine politics

THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT

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purpose full powers to institute all kinds of proceedings
and prosecute all violators of the laws, whether civilians
or military, at the instance of a party or on their own
motion; to apprehend and decree the arrest of criminals
and other alleged offenders being empowered for this purpose to call upon the assistance of the civil or military
authorities who must assist them promptly when called
upon to do so, under the penalty of being declared liable
for the loss and damage which their refusal or delay wvithout just cause might occasion; to suspend and provisionally
remove offenders from the offices they fill and to appoint
persons to their places either by suffrage or of their own
will on the recommendation of a private individual, provided they consider such recommendation impartial and
proper; and, finally, to examine all books kept in the public
offices of said provinces, afterwards making a report to
this government of their respective commissions..."(1)
In one instance the Secretary of the Interior ordered
the people "by reason of the scarcity of food, to plant
vacant ground with corn, camotes, tuguibi, gabe, peanuts,
mangoes, red pumpkins, and other crops within the period
of twenty days which is allowed to the owners thereof." (2)
It was the purpose of the revolutionary government
to put civil officials in charge of the civil administration
of the provinces, and in some cases as soon as peace was
restored, the provincial military chiefs turned over the civil
affairs to the provincial civil officials; but in the face of
imminent danger the military chief practically assumed
control. Legally, however, the only duty that military
commanders had was to secure help and provisions for the
army which the provincial and town chiefs were in duty
bound to give.
The Establishment of the Revolutionary Government
On June 23, 1898, the dictatorial government was
changed into the Revolutionary Government. The proclamation was signed by Aguinaldo, but it was known that Mabmini had drafted it. The preamble of the decree stated
(1) Taylor, Vol. 3. Exhibit 473, 37 KU.
(2) Taylor, VoL 3. Exhibit 477. 88 KU.