MONASTIC SUPREMACY IN
THE PHILIPPINES
Marcelo H. Del Pilar's
MARCELO H. DEL PILAR'S (1850-1896)
•Marcelo Hilario del Pilar y Gatmaitán, commonly known as
Marcelo H. del Pilar and also known by his nom de plume
Pláridel, was a Filipino writer, lawyer, journalist, and freemason.
• Marcelo H. Del Pilar was a Philippines revolutionary
propagandist and satirist.
•Marcelo H. del Pilar was born in Kulang, Bulacan on August to
30,1850 to cultured parents. He studied at the Colegio de San
José and later at the University of Santo Tomas, where he
finished his Law course in 1880.
•His most important work was the Soberania Monacal en
Filipinas or the Monastic Supremacy in the Philippines.
•This pamphlet/excerpt denounced the friars for their wrong
teaching which had resulted in a life of poverty and misery of
the Filipinos. To hide his real identity from the Spaniards, he
wrote under the pen name of Plaridel.
• First published in Barcelona Spain in 1889 and reprinted in
Manila in 1898.
MONASTIC SUPREMACY IN THE
PHILIPPINES
The service to God to king. The church's
organization, personnel and role in society
were all defined early in the colonial era.
During the Spanish colonization, the friars
maintained complete control of secondary and
higher instructions. As a result, they were deeply
implicated in the Exploitation/abuse of Filipinos
transpiring to different transformative effects in
the lives of the Filipino people in different
aspects.
I truly believe that the Monastic Supremacy of the
Spanish friars have brought many political,
religious and economic causing the Filipinos to
suffer.
POLITICAL ASPECT
• In political aspect, the friars interfered in the Philippines Government for a long time,it was firmly established. Thus
without any difficulty, they controlled the status quo on the country in defiance of the nation and the institutions. They
frighten the government with the rebelliousness of the country and they frighten the country with the deposition of the
government.
The friars even imposed a system where Filipinos are forced to work in building in churches and their dwelling (called
conventos) as by the military-civil administrator in making highway, bridges,etc. Note that the labor thus owned to the
government was frequently hired out to individuals,and public work in many provinces were neglected, while official
pockets were lined.
• It is also claimed that the friars introduce village life, but the truth is under their guidance, the communities centered
more and more about the churches which were built under their supervision. It is also alleged that the friars assume to
be the supreme representative of authority and belittle the dignityof lay officials; intrigue for the removal of such official,
both small and great, who will not submit to dictation.
Friarchy created many privileges and this is not for the country and its government but for the fr
selfish vision. They are able to control the status quo of the country and the privilege to vote is in
hands of the curate.
POLITICAL ASPECT
• The Filipinos pay direct taxes consisting of the personal cedula, urban tax,
industrial subsidy and additional municipal tax, provincial tax and personal loan.
And they also pay indirect taxes which are market/merchandise, vehicles, horses
stamps and surcharges. slaughter of cattle, river rolls and others.
• Another tax which not included in the Financial Plan of the Philippines is the
religious festival tax.
It is no longer fanaticism that build this opulence but rather the fear of the group which
has been raised to the power in which with just one stroke of pen or low whisper can kill
the happiness of one who do not cooperate in the development of it's scheme of
exploitation.
RELIGIOUS ASPECT
• Despite of the Philippines having a government who are respond for
all the duties serve for the Filipinos, during these time the performance
of their duties only depends on the parish priests.
• To report the conduct of a citizen, the testimony of one hundred members
of the Principalia is not enough. The essential requirements is the curate's
approval. This aspect is highly affected by the Monastic power.
• National Integrity is at stake during that time and the friars are
authoritative. 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 set up took their voices to
speak up. Marcelo H. Del Pilar wrote "Dasalan at Tocsohan", by which it
ridicules Friars. It includes Ang Amain Namim, Ang Aba Ginoong Barya.
ECONOMIC ASPECT
• The government worries about meeting it's peremptory financial needs, but the Monastic
treasuries are overflowing with money so that their only worry is how to send away from the
country their copious savings that foster the banking Interset of foreign trade.
• The government refrain from cheating new sources of revenue in order not to
burden Filipino interests but the friars invent every day new form of devotion, some
very costly and the public pay not because of fanaticism but rather for fear of
displeasing the friars whose power they know has sent many innocent victim to exile.
• The sale of religious objects the rise in price by reason of priestly blessing constitutes a
true and indisputable simony and notwithstanding, one of the principal sources of
income of the monastic order is the trade in religious objects.
THAT'S ALL THANK YOU
