JAPHET S.

PASADILLA SSP112-READINGS IN PH HISTORY

BSA-1 MRS. CECILIE SHARON T. PORRAS

The Monastic Supremacy of the Spanish friars brought many political, religious
and economic conflicts and unresolved issues during the late 1800’s and violation of
human rights was prevalent in the religious and political aspect. Friarchy is indeed a
powerful tool used by the Spanish friars in manipulating both the government and the
Filipinos during that time period and the important lesson that I have learned from what I
have read in Plaridel’s pamphlet, La Soberania Monacal en Filipinas, is that fear can
foster the capability to control and manipulate people which was very evident during the
era of the Spaniard’s colonization focusing on the influence of the friars in the society. In
the political aspect, fear became one of the major reasons why the government and the
Filipino people were easily manipulated by the friars that time. The Friars instill fear to the
government by telling the government about the rebelliousness of the country. With that
fear, the government fell into the manipulative hands of the friars. The government gave
its full autocratic support to the friars, even going to the extreme if the friars so demand,
while they portray the ruler as a personification of tyranny and despotism. Due to this, the
people and the government became divided or separated. The Friars also used the
concept of fear to create a narrative about the despotism of the government that will
subject the people to be frightened. Friarchy created many privileges and this is not for
the country and its government but for the friar’s selfish visions. They are able to control
the status quo of the country and the privilege to vote is in the hands of the curate. Even
the personal security of the citizens is endangered by monastic power.

The religious aspect is also greatly affected by the monastic power. National
Integrity is at stake during that time and the friars are so influential that time wherein even
municipal officals in the performance of their duties depends on the parish priest. The
approval of the curate is very essential that time because it was also used to the census
of residents in the municipality and officiating some documents. The fear of the people to
question this societal setup took their voices to speak up. Truly, I don’t believe that it is
prudent to leave national integrity in the hands of the friars. That can be also be a great
lesson. Thus, if only the Filipinos and the government weren’t afraid and they tried to
reconcile conflicts, I think the influence of the friars wouldn’t be too strong and powerful.