Maura Law facts for kids
The Maura Law refers to two important rules or "decrees" named after Antonio Maura. He was a Spanish politician who served as the Minister of Colonies for Spain. These laws were created to help manage things in the Philippines, which was a Spanish colony at the time.
The First Maura Law: Local Government
The first Maura Law was a royal decree issued on May 19, 1893. This law was very important because it set up the basic rules for how local governments would work in towns and cities across the Philippines. It officially started in 1895.
This law created different levels of local administration. It established tribunales (which were like local courts), municipales (referring to town councils), and juntas provinciales (provincial boards). These ideas for local government were so good that even after Spanish rule ended, the American and Filipino governments used and improved upon them.
The Second Maura Law: Land Ownership
The second Maura Law, also known as the Maura Act, was a royal decree from February 13, 1894. This law was about land ownership. It was based on an idea from the 1820s by Manuel Bernaldez, a Spanish official. He wanted to make sure land ownership was clear to avoid arguments and lawsuits.
The Maura Act aimed to help people prove they owned their land. It said that the government wanted to "insure to the natives... the necessary land for cultivation." This meant helping local people get official papers for their farms and lands, following their old traditions.
However, the law also set strict rules. It said that any land titles issued after April 17, 1895, would not be valid. People who claimed land had only one year to get their ownership documents in order. There were no extensions allowed. If land was not documented by the deadline, it would go back to the state. This part of the law caused some challenges for people who couldn't get their papers ready in time.
See also
In Spanish: Ley Maura para niños
- 1895 Philippine municipal elections
