6 AGRARIAN DISPUTES

I. Introduction

Agrarian problems in the Philippines during the late 19th century were apparently known to
the famous Filipino national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Such familiarity and interest on agrarian
matters have clearly reflected in his selected works and writings. These materials can help us
understand how Rizal had formed his views or opinion concerning the matter which he,
undoubtedly, regarded as a complicated socio-economic problem that could result to
economic dislocation, loss of trust to the justice system, revolt and violence.

II. Learning Objectives

 Analyze and discuss Rizal’s Life in the Philippines within the wider content of the
development in the nineteenth century;
 Manifest familiarity on how the Hacienda de Calamba issue serves an exemplary
illustration of agrarian conflicts in the nineteenth century;
 Cite the significant interplay of several factors that contribute to the changing
landscape of Philippine society and economy; and
 Enumerate the litany of abuses of the Friar Landlords against the Filipinos.

III. Lesson Proper

Vocabulary Words

Conquistador – a Spanish conqueror

Caballeria – a small tract of land included in a land grant

Canon – annual rent paid by the inquilino

Cavan – a measure equal to 75 liters

Hacienda – large estates that were used for raising livestock and agricultural production

Inquilino – a tenant who rented land from the friars and subleased the land to sharecroppers

Sharecropper (kasama) – an individual who rented the land from an inquilino and worked the
land.

Brief History of Friars in the Philippines

Lands were granted to Spanish conquistadors who came to the Philippines between the late
16th century and early 17th century. 120 Spaniards were given grants.

Sitio de Ganado mayor – 1742 hectares

Caballerias – 42.5 hectares

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 6 AGRARIAN DISPUTES

Spanish hacienderos failed to develop their lands for three reasons:

- Spanish population in the Philippines was transient.

- The market for livestock products which haciendas offered, remained

- Galleon trade offered bigger economic rewards.

Because the Spanish hacienderos lacked the interest and inclination to develop their lands, the
religious order took over the task.

Land was acquired by the religious orders through various means:

- Lands were donated by Spaniards seeking for spiritual benefit

- Lands were purchased by the religious order.

- Filipino principals also contributed to the formation of the friar estates

There were rumors that these lands were not titled and were acquired through dubious means.
Friar estates constituted approximately 40 percent of the provinces of Bulacan, Tondo (Rizal
today), Cavite and Laguna. Estates served as cattle ranches and produces rice and sugar,
which became the main source of income of friars. Social structures found in the haciendas
were composed of lay brother administrators and tenants.

In mid-eighteenth century, an expanding economy based on exporting crops led to the

The abuses in the Friar Estates was one of the identified causes that instigated the revolt in 1896.

Hacienda de Calamba Conflict

In 1759, a Spanish Layman Don Manuel Jauregui donated lands to the Jesuits on the condition
that he will live in the Jesuit Monastery for the rest of his life. Jesuits only owned the lands for 8
years but were expelled from the Philippines because of the decree of King Charles

Hacienda de Calamba was confiscated by government and put under the management of the
Office of Jesuit Temporalities. In 1803, the property was sold to Don Clemente de Azansa for 44,
507 pesos.

In 1833, the Dominicans purchased the hacienda when Don Clemente died for 52, 000.

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Rizal’s ancestors became one of the principal inquilinos in the hacienda and rented one of the
largest leased lands measuring 380 ha.

In 1883, Paciano Rizal wrote that the friars were collecting rents without issuing the usual receipts
and annual rents keep on increasing despite low sugar prices

Mariano Herboso continued the charges against the friars complaining about the yearly
increase in rentals, faulty irrigation system and failure to issue receipts.

In 1887, the colonial government demanded a report on income and production from the
tenants of the estate. They submitted the report Rizal attached a petition he authored.

As a form of retaliation, the friars began evicting tenants who refused to pay rents in 1891.
Among those who were exiled to remote areas were Rizal’s parents.

The experience affected Rizal deeply and the increasing despair he felt led him into writing El
Filibusterismo.

IV. Learning Activities

Activity No.1:
Supplementary Reading: “Rizal on Agrarian Issues” by Sarreal D. Soquino.
Read the article on this link: http://www.filamer.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Rizal-on-
Agrarian-Issues.pdf

V. Assessment/Reflection

Reflection No. 1:
After reading the article “Rizal on Agrarian Issues” by Sarreal D. Soquino, what were your
thoughts regarding the abuses of the friar landlords against the Filipinos?

VI. Self-Test

1. What were the reasons for the failed development of lands by the Spanish hacienderos?
2. What were the means of land acquisition by the religious orders?
3. How was the Inquilinato system implemented?
4. What transpired during the Hacienda de Calamba conflict?

VII. Post-test

All post-tests shall be given by the instructor.

VIII. Resources

Rhodalyn Wani-Obias, Aaron Abel Mallari, Janet Regindin-Estella. The Life and Works of Rizal: C
& E Publishing, Inc. 2018

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