Checks and Succession to the Governor-General
Loading ...The extensive powers of the governor-general were check by the following bodies;
1. the Royal Audiencia, the Philippine Supreme Court
2. the Residencia, a special court conducted by the incoming governor-general to investigate the conduct of his predecessor;
3. the archbishop and civil officials who denounced to the King whatever abuses the governor-general might have committed
4. the visitador, an investigator who was occasionally designated by the Spanish King to investigate colonial affairs
The Residencia was the body that conducted public investigation and trial of outgoing colonial officials in order to see whether they had committed abuses in performing their duties. The procedure was for the incoming governor-general to conduct the investigation and trial of his own predecessor or any other official of the government in the previous administration. The findings of this body were sent to Spain for evaluation and final decision.
While the Residencia was organized for a good purpose, it was often used by the incoming governor-general to harass his predecessor who was denounced to him by the latter’s enemies eager to win the favor of the new chief executive of the colony.
The visita, on the other hand, was a secret investigation of an official’s acts as a public servant. Its main goal was to make governments officials do their job honestly and efficiently.
Succession to the office of the governor-general was regulated by law, which often changed. Early in the Spanish regime, whenever a high position became vacant because of the death or incapacity of the incumbent, the Royal Audiencia took over the civil and political powers of the governments, while the senior justice (order or “listener”) exercised military powers. Seven times in Philippine history, the Royal Audiencia asssumed the office of the governor-general.
This procedure changed after 1719. the archbishop (or bishop) took the place of the governor-general in the latter’s absence or death. Two archbishops and two bishops acted as governor-generals;
1. Archbishop Francisco de la Cuesta in 1719-1721
2. Bishop Juan de Arrechedera in 1745-1750
3. Bishop Miguel Lino de Espeleta in 1759-1761
4. Archbishop Manuel Antonio Rojo in 1761-1762
After the British occupation of Manila in 1762-1764, another change was made in the succession to power. In 1765 the office of lieutenant-governor was created so that in case of vacancy in the position, the lieutenant-governor could take charge of the office.
Later the office of the lieutenant-governor was abolished and the succession passed on to the army general next in command (general segundo cabo). In the absence of this general, the admiral of the navy would act as governor-general. Admiral Jose Malcampo (1874-1877) and Admiral Federico Lobaton (1878-1888) were lucky to become governor-generals of the Philippines.
Image Credit: PhilippineAmericanWar.webs.com
