[71] Acuerdo of January 26, 1816, A. I., 106–4–19.
[72] The constitutional reforms of 1812 included the separation of the governorship from the presidency of the audiencia. In 1814 the governor was again made president, and the offices were not entirely separated until 1861. The governor’s intervention in matters of justice was merely nominal, however, after the creation of the office of regent, in 1776.—Cédula of March 11, 1776, A. I., 106–2–12; Royal Instruction to Regents, June 20, 1776, in Rodríguez San Pedro, VII, 22–23; Ordenanzas para el gobierno de la Audiencia de Manila, 9 de Octubre, 1812; A. I., 106–4–19; Acuerdo de 15 de Enero, 1814, ibid.
[73] Montero y Vidal, III, 30.
[74] Ibid., 251.
[75] Recopilación, 2–15–156 to 166.
[76] On the basis of this the governor compiled and sent to Spain a yearly report on the work of the magistrates, prosecutors, and subalterns of the audiencia, setting forth the salaries paid and character of services rendered, making recommendations for promotion or complaints against these officials. Vacancies in the tribunal were reported at the same time and in the same manner.
CHAPTER VI
THE AUDIENCIA AND THE GOVERNOR: GENERAL RELATIONS
The audiencia was brought into closer and more frequent relationship with the governor than with any other authority in the colony. The governor was president of the royal audiencia and hence was nominally its chief magistrate. This brought him into touch with its functions as a court. The governor was chief executive of the colony, and in that capacity was responsible for administrative, financial, and military affairs. It will be noted that the audiencia, in various ways, exercised powers of intervention in all of these matters.