Gobernadorcillo

The Gobernadorcillo (Philippine Spanish: [ɡoβernaðorˈsiʎo]) was a municipal judge or governor in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined charges or responsibilities of leadership, economic, and judicial administration. The gobernadorcillo was the leader of a town or pueblo (people or population). In a coastal town, the gobernadorcillo functioned as a port captain. His appointment was through an exclusive nomination provided by the Spanish law. His term of office lasted for two years. The position of a gobernadorcillo was honorary and mandatory in order to afford him those valid exemptions signified in the Philippine law. At the end of his biennial term he would enter and form part of the principalía, and was entitled to enjoy the honors and preeminence inherent to this state. This "mayor", who was at the same time Justice of the Peace and port captain, was directly responsible to the governor of the province in the exercise of his office.

In 1893, the Maura law was passed with the aim of making the municipal governments in the Philippine Islands more effective and autonomous. One of the changes that this law brought about was the reorganization of certain structures of town governments, among which was the designation of town head's title, that is, Gobernadorcillo, also as Capitan Municipal, effective 1895.

The gobernadocillo was elected from among the ranks of the principalía by twelve senior Cabezas de Barangay. He was the primus inter pares of the cabezas of a Confederation of Barangays that made up a municipality. The electors had to choose three candidates who were to compose a list, called "terna". It was a requirement that the respective place of each nominee in the terna be indicated. It is to be noted that the candidates must be able to speak, read, and write the Castilian language. If anyone was elected who did not possess these qualifications, the election would be considered null and void. The same requirements were demanded in the election of officers of justice in the municipalities.

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