The development of Philippine politics

BEGINNING OF THE FILIPINO LIBERAL MOVEMENT 29

Torre. His rule in the Philippines marked a new era. He
disapproved everything that savored of royalty and pomp,
and dismissed the governor's body-guard composed of halberdiers. He walked about the streets of the capital in
plain civilian clothes with a straw hat. He inaugurated an
era of equality between Spaniards and Filipinos, and announced that attraction and assimilation would be the guiding principles of his administration. He pardoned many
criminals who had become outlaws because of government
persecution.
The Leaders of the &ew Liberal Movement
At this time the leaders of the native liberal movement
were Jose Maria Burgos, a priest, Dr. Joaquin Pardo de
Tavera, a wealthy lawyer, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista,
Martin de Alpa, Mauricio de Leon and Gervasio Sanchez.
Evidently these leaders had a little more organization than
the previous ones. (1) They belonged to the intellectual and
wealthy class. But they were not working for independence; they were simply striving for equality of rights with
the Spaniards. They were also working so that the Filipinos could occupy positions in the Army and Navy. Naturally, they were also in favor of secularization, for one of
the foremost leaders of the movement was the recognized
leader of the seculars. They knew that they must have a
voice in Madrid if they wanted their proposed reforms accepted by the Madrid Government. A fortnightly called
"El Eco Filipino" was therefore established in Spain. It
was edited by Mr. Llorena,, a Spaniard who was indentified
with the Filipino liberal movement, with the cooperation
of Manuel Regidor y Jurado.
On July 12, 1869, a liberal parade was held in Manila
in which prominent officials and citizens of the liberal government took part. On another occasion, on September 21,
1869, in order to celebrate the revolution of 1868, another
parade headed by Father Burgos, Pardo de Tavera, and
Maximo Paterno, was held. Most of them waived flags
and lanterns at Malacafiang Palace. Mrs. Sanchez, a pro(1) Felipe Buencano in his unpublished memoirs calls this group the first
liberal party In the Philippines.