The development of Philippine politics

THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS

It took place in the common hadl; the governor (or his
deputy) sitting at the table, with the pastor on his right
hand, and the clerk on his left-the latter also acting as
interpreter; while Cabezas de Barangay, the gobernadorcillo, and those who had previously filled the office, took their
places all together on the benches. First of all, six cabezas
and as many gobernadorcillos are chosen by lot as electors;
the actual gobernadorcillo is the thirteenth, and the rest
quit the hall. After the reading of the statutes by the
president, who exhorts the electors to the conscientious performance of their duty, the latter advance singly to the table
and write three names on a piece of paper. Unless a valid
protest be made either by the parish priest or by the electors,
the one who has the most votes is forthwith named gobernadorcillo for the coming year, subject to the approval of the
superior jurisdiction at Manila; which, however, always consents, for the influence of the priests would provide against
a disagreeable election. The election of the other functionaries takes place in the same manner, after the new gobernadorcillo has been first summoned into the hall, in order
that, if he has any important objections to the officers then
about to be elected, he may be able to make them. The
whole affair was conducted very quietly and with dignity. (1)
To be a gobernadorcillo was practically the only
political ambition the Filipinos could aspire to. And it was
not worth working for. It carried no remuneration-with it,
but expenses and trouble. For the corrupt there were
good chances for enrichment; but the honest and industrious preferred to avoid it. Substantial citizens even paid
voters so that they might not be elected; for the gobernadorcillo was, to quote Rizal, "only an unhappy mortal who
commanded not, but obeyed, who ordered not, but was ordered; who drove not, but was driven. Nevertheless, he
had to answer to the alcalde for having commanded,
ordered, and driven, just as if he were the originator of
everything." (2)
Above the gobernadorcillo were the parish priest, the
alferez, or Spanish army officer stationed in the town, and
the alcalde mayor, or provincial governor. But the real
power in local politics was the parish priest. We have just
(1) Jagor. Travels in the Philippines, printed in Craig, The Former Philippines
through Foreign Eyes, Manila. 1916. pp. 222, 223.
(2) Rizal, The Social Cancer, (Trans. by Charles Derbyshire) Manila. 1912, p. 77.