Principalía
The ''principalía'' or noble class was the ruling and usually educated upper class in the '' pueblos'' of Spanish Philippines, comprising the ''gobernadorcillo'' (later called the c''apitán municipal'' and had functions similar to a town mayor), ''tenientes de justicia'' (lieutenants of justice), and the '' cabezas de barangay'' (heads of the barangays) who governed the districts. Also included in this class were former ''gobernadorcillos'' or municipal captains, and municipal lieutenants in good standing during their term of office. The distinction or status of being part of the ''principalía'' was originally a hereditary right. However, a royal decree dated December 20, 1863 (signed in the name of Queen Isabella II by the Minister of the Colonies, José de la Concha), made possible the creation of new ''principales'' under certain defined criteria, among which was proficiency in the Castilian language. Later, wider conditions that defined the ''principalía'' were stipulat ...
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