Proem

Bohol was declared a separate province from Cebu on March 3, 1854. It was created as a Politico-Military province. The governor must be a military officer with at least the rank of Captain. The first Politico-Military Governor of Bohol was Captain Guillermo Kirkpatrick of the corps of engineers.

The other type of province was the Alcaldia Province. Only the King of Spain can create an Alcaldia type of a province. The requirement for its governor is to have a legal training or in other words, a lawyer. The province of Cebu was an Alcadia province and its provincial governor was called Alcalde Mayor.

Archival Records

Most of the historical records we read about Bohol are religious in nature. When I was researching in the National Archives, I found out that there are nineteen bundles labeled as Varias Papeles: Provincia de Bohol (Various papers: Province of Bohol). It contains data regarding the day to day occurrences in the province of Bohol.

Due to the huge number of pages, I was able to purchase only the machine copy of bundles B-111 and B-112 at the cost of P8,600.

For the information of our provincial officials, the present administration of the Province of Cebu has sent researchers to the National Archives to obtain copies of documents relating to Cebu.

My Experience

When I was reading the Varias Papeles de Bohol I noticed young men also researching at the National Archives. Suddenly one of them said "Amba" (note: Bisayan for 'Sir').

Only my students in Sugboanon Bisaya call me "Amba." I found out that he was one of my students in Cebu in Sugboanon Bisaya. He told me that they were doing what I was doing for Bohol regarding making histories of every town. They were sent by Governor Gwyn Garcia and financed by the Cebu Provincial Government. There lies the difference.

I, who is their model, is doing it at my own expense, while they have the full support of the money and resources of the Province of Cebu.

Will the province of Bohol do the same? I doubt it. I have submitted already the results of my histories for every town in Bohol to the Provincial Board way back in year 2002 and until now nothing has happened to it. The Cebuanos, upon learning about what I have done, immediately marshaled all their resources to do a catch up to what I have done.

Back To Bohol

Governor Guillermo Kirkpatrick arrived in Bohol on 17 June 1854. He immediately went into action. He constructed roads and bridges. He mapped the whole island of Bohol. He organized the coastal defenses of Bohol against the attack of pirates and conducted many other activities including the house numbering of the houses in Tagbilaran.

Suddenly on 13 January 1857, a man by the name of Don Bernardo Salvador arrived in Bohol. He was a lawyer and armed with an appointment direct from Queen Idabela II of Spain. He was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Bohol.

As Lt. Governor, his function was to be Asesor Nato or Ex-Oficio Adviser. The problem was, the Governor could not refuse or put aside the advice of the Lt. Governor. In other words, the Lt. Governor was more powerful than the Governor.

Governor Kirkpatrick complained to higher authorities. He got a reply that the high officials could not do anything against the appointment of the Queen. As a consequence, Governor Kirkpatrick resigned his post.

The next governor, Captain Juan Navarro, also experienced the same problem. To deal with the situation, the province of Bohol was reverted in control to the province of Cebu.

Next Issue: Situation in Bohol without a resident governor.