Real Audiencia of Manila facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Real Audiencia of Manila (which means "Royal Court of Manila" in Spanish) was the highest court and a very important government body in the Spanish East Indies. This area included places like modern-day Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Micronesia, and the Philippines. It was like the supreme court for the Captaincy General of the Philippines, which was part of the larger Viceroyalty of New Spain.

The Governor-General of the Philippines was usually the main judge of this court. But sometimes, when the Governor-General was away, other members of the court had to take charge. They would then handle both court cases and temporary government duties.

History of the Royal Court
What the Royal Court Did
See also

History of the Royal Court

When the Real Audiencia of Manila was created, a system for justice was already in place. This system was similar to those in Spain and Latin America. The Royal Audiencia of Manila had similar powers to other royal courts. However, it also faced unique challenges, like threats from Dutch and British ships. The colony also relied a lot on trade with China.

King Felipe II officially created the Royal Audiencia of Manila with a special order on May 5, 1583. It started working in 1584. Before this court, other similar royal courts had been set up in the Viceroyalty of New Spain. These included courts in Santo Domingo (1511), Mexico (1527), Panama (1538), Guatemala (1543), and Guadalajara (1548).

Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas, who was the seventh Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines, was not happy with how the court limited his power. So, in 1590, he closed down the court. He sent all the judges back to Mexico.

But the court was brought back! Governor-General Francisco Tello de Guzmán reopened it in 1596.

What the Royal Court Did

Most of the rules for these royal courts were written down in a book called Recopilación de Leyes de los Reynos de las Indias in 1680. This book explained their powers.

Handling Civil Cases

The Royal Audiencia looked after the properties of people who had passed away. It paid special attention to cases involving land owned by native people. The court made sure that native people were treated fairly. It also checked that they were taught about the Catholic faith.

The court was told to respect the traditions and customs of the local people. Local officials were ordered not to take away the power of native chiefs. Instead, they had to send cases involving chiefs quickly to the Audiencia. The court set aside two days a week just to hear cases where native people were involved. The fiscal, who was like a government lawyer, also had to help poor native people in their lawsuits. He made sure they were not treated badly or cheated.

The court could also investigate government officials if people complained about them. It heard appeals from local governors, mayors, and other officials. It also handled all criminal cases that happened within about 25 kilometers of Manila.

Important civil cases could even be appealed from the Audiencia to the Council of the Indies. This Council was the highest authority for all Spanish lands overseas. It was like the final Supreme Court.

Overseeing Government Officials

The Royal Audiencia had a lot of power over public servants and government officials in the Philippines. It reported to the King about how any government employee was doing their job. The Governor-General himself could not spend extra money from the treasury without the King's permission. The only exceptions were in emergencies like riots or invasions.

Even though the Governor-General could appoint many government officials, the Audiencia checked these appointments very strictly. This often caused disagreements throughout the time of Spanish rule.

The Oidores

The president of the Audiencia could ask the oidores (who were like judges) to check how the government and justice were working in different areas. They had to see how towns were doing and what they needed. They also checked on public buildings.

The oidores also had to check on the native people living on encomiendas (land grants). They made sure these people were taught well and not left in ignorance. They also reported on the land, crops, minerals, and timber. Basically, they checked on anything that affected the general well-being of the area. On these trips, the oidores could take any actions they thought were needed.

Oidores were not allowed to take money from private people or act as their lawyers. They could not own land or cattle that made them money. They were also forbidden from doing business or using the services of native people. Anyone could sue an oidor. The Audiencia could not choose judges by itself. Judges were not allowed to hear cases that involved themselves or their family members. Also, no relative of the President or an oidor could legally be appointed to a government job. If an oidor was accused of a crime, the Governor-General would try the case with the help of other officials.

Handling Military Matters

The Royal Audiencia sometimes took charge of defending the Philippines. For example, in 1607, it helped defend Manila and Cavite against the Dutch. Also, between 1762 and 1764, an oidor named Simón de Anda y Salazar took military control. He organized a defense against the British, who had invaded Manila. The King of Spain later approved his actions.

The Audiencia also took temporary military powers when Governors-General like Pedro Bravo de Acuña, Juan de Silva, Juan Niño de Tabora, Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera (1635-1644), and Diego Fajardo Chacón were away on long military trips outside Manila.

The Juicio de Residencia

One common complaint against the Governor-General and his military officers was that they misused their power. To make sure all military people were responsible for their actions, a juicio de residencia (trial of residence) was held at the end of their time in office. This trial could also happen at any time if needed.

This special trial was led by a judge. It was like a review of the official's entire time in office, an audit of their money, and a formal court case. Its goal was to find out if the official had done their job honestly. If they had, they would get a clear certificate. If they were found guilty of bad behavior, dishonesty, or other crimes, they would be arrested and punished.

Edward Gaylord Bourne, a historian, described this process as very strict. It made sure officials were held fully responsible for everything they did. It also allowed anyone, even the poorest native person, to make an accusation safely. In the Philippines, a Residencia for a governor lasted six months. It was conducted by the next governor, and all accusations were sent to Spain.

One famous Residencia trial was for Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera, who was Governor-General from 1636 to 1644. During his rule, he had upset many church leaders, military officers, and civilians. After he left office, he had a very harsh Juicio de Residencia. He was sentenced to five years in prison at Fort Santiago and had to pay a large fine.

Another Governor-General, Fausto Cruzat y Gongora, was found guilty in 1701 for cheating native workers. The court found that even though a government house was supposed to cost 30,000 pesos, only 6,000 pesos were actually spent. The rest came from the "sweat and blood" of native people. At that time, one peso was equal to a native shipbuilder's yearly salary!

Jose Basco y Vargas also went through a Juicio de Residencia in 1764. He had been an oidor and continued to resist the British when Manila fell during the short British occupation of Manila. He did this even though Archbishop Rojo had ordered him to stop. His actions were not only approved, but he also received high honors and promotions. Later, he became the 44th Governor of the Philippines, from 1778 to 1787.

Dealing with Church Matters

The Royal Audiencia had power over the Church, both in making decisions and in judging cases. The court settled arguments between different church groups. It also handled disputes between the government and the Church, or its representatives. This included cases about land titles, abuses against native people by church members, and cases involving the Jus patronatus (the right of the King to appoint church officials). However, the Audiencia was told to do its job without harming the rights of the Church. It also had to help church leaders when they asked for help from the Spanish Crown.

The Audiencia also supervised the assignment of church jobs. It especially helped settle the property and belongings of Bishops and Archbishops who died in the Philippines.

Overseeing Education

The Audiencia of Manila also had power over colleges and universities. Oidores and fiscals (judges and lawyers) were not allowed to become rectors (heads) of these schools. Instead, they had to make sure that the education in universities, colleges, and seminaries met the right standards. They also checked that students truly deserved their degrees.

As early as 1585, the Jesuits (a religious order) asked to open a college in Manila. The Audiencia reported that the Jesuits were doing good work. However, it decided there was no need to pay for such an expensive school. It only gave permission to open the College of San Jose in 1601. This college managed to run without royal money until 1767. In 1648, the Jesuits again asked the Audiencia for the right to give out degrees at the University of Santo Tomas. Again, the court said no. But the Council of the Indies later changed this decision in 1653.

In 1769, after the Jesuits were expelled, the Audiencia tried to manage San Jose for a while. But then, an order was given to close the college. All students were moved to other schools. The Audiencia then reported to the Council of the Indies about the money from Jesuit properties. This money went to the Royal Treasury. The Archbishop of Manila tried to take control of these properties and money, but the Audiencia stopped him. The King supported the Audiencia's actions and told the Archbishop not to try to take these assets.

Local Royal Courts

In 1893, two smaller Royal Audiencias were set up. One was in Cebu and the other in Vigan. These courts were under the main Manila court. They only handled appeals for criminal cases.