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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-26/pedro-sarrio-signature.avif"  alt="Pedro de Sarrio's Signature" loading="lazy"/>
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(Pedro de Sarrio's Signature.  Source: Wikipedia)
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<h2>
Background and First Term
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<p>
Pedro de Sarrio first served as Governor-General from 1776 to 1778, preceding the economically-minded <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/3250/jose-basco-y-vargas-the-visionary-behind-economic-reform-and-batanes-annexation" class="news_link">José Basco y Vargas</a>. His initial tenure occurred during a challenging period marked by frequent <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_people" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Moro</a> raids along the coastal regions. Historical records indicate that <b class="lt-bold">"from 1776 to 1778, during the rule of Governor Pedro Sarrio, the Moros harassed the coast as never before"</b>, presenting significant security challenges for the colonial administration.
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<h2>
The Interim Appointment of 1787
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<p>
Sarrio's second appointment came as an interim measure following the departure of José Basco y Vargas in November 1787. Basco had served as the 53rd Governor-General from July 1778 to November 1787, implementing sweeping economic reforms including the establishment of the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1612/march-10-1785-the-real-compa-a-de-filipinas-was-established" class="news_link">Sociedad Económica de los Amigos del País</a> (Economic Society of Friends of the Country) and the tobacco monopoly. The interim nature of Sarrio's second appointment suggests it was a temporary administrative arrangement while Spanish authorities prepared for the arrival of the next permanent governor-general.
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<h2>
Administrative Context and Challenges
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<p>
During his second interim term, Sarrio faced the complex task of maintaining the colonial administration's continuity while managing the economic policies initiated by his predecessor. The tobacco monopoly, established during Basco's tenure, had created significant tensions, particularly in the Ilocos region where "insurrection in Ilocos because of tobacco" occurred during Sarrio's interim governance. This economic policy forced Filipino farmers to cultivate only tobacco and sell their harvests to the colonial government at fixed prices, generating substantial revenue for Spain but causing widespread resentment among the local population.
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<h2>
The Practice of Interim Appointments
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<p>
Sarrio's dual appointment as interim governor exemplifies the Spanish colonial system's reliance on temporary administrative measures during governmental transitions. When permanent governors died, departed, or were delayed in assuming their posts, the Real Audiencia of Manila or outgoing governors would appoint interim administrators to maintain governmental continuity. These interim appointments were crucial for preserving administrative stability in Spain's most remote Pacific colony.
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<p>
In his capacity as interim governor, Sarrio held the same extensive powers as permanent governors-general, including executive, legislative, judicial, military, and ecclesiastical authority as the sole representative of the Spanish crown in the Philippines. His administration would have been responsible for managing the complex colonial bureaucracy, overseeing military defenses, and implementing royal decrees from Madrid.
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<h2>
Transition to Permanent Governance
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<p>
Sarrio's second interim term lasted from November 22, 1787, until July 1, 1788, when <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1579/july-1-1788-de-marquina-arrived-in-manila-as-governor-general" class="news_link">Félix Berenguer de Marquina</a> arrived in Manila to assume the permanent governorship. Berenguer de Marquina, a Spanish naval officer with extensive experience in mathematics and astronomy, would serve as the 54th Governor-General from 1788 to 1793, implementing significant commercial reforms including making Manila an open port to foreign trade in 1789.
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November 22, 1787: Pedro de Sarrio was re-appointed governor-general ad interim