[It is highly desirable that public officials should undergo
strict residencia, and that regulations be made for these, which
are adapted to the special needs of Filipinas. This is especially
true of the alcaldes-mayor, who, as they have permission to trade,
are more tempted to evade or infringe the laws; and many persons are
appointed to that office who "lack all the qualifications necessary
for obtaining any public office whatever." Unfortunately, since the
royal decree of August 24, 1799, no alcalde has been or can be subject
to residencia, and they consequently enjoy absolute impunity in their
transgressions; for that decree does not allow a sufficient time for
complaints to be made in a country like Filipinas, where intercourse
between the provinces and the capital is so uncertain, interrupted,
and difficult, on account of the vicissitudes of weather and climate,
the lack of roads and postal facilities, and the great distance of
many provinces from Manila. "This impunity has most serious results,
very detrimental to the peace and quiet of the islands; for such has
been the class of persons whom necessity has compelled to appoint
as alcaldes-mayor that not only have they used their authority to
possess themselves of the property of the Indians--seizing the boats of
traders, which injured the natives in their traffic--and defrauded the
Indians with unjust exactions; but they have humiliated the religious,
stolen moneys from the king, outraged young girls, burned houses, and,
in short, have thrown the provinces into a condition of effervescence
and of conspiracy against the government which sent to the natives
such a ruler." Bernaldez urges the government to take such measures
that the residencia of the alcaldes may be made effective and just.]