The subdivision of the provinces was into _pueblos_ each under its petty governor or _gobernadorcillo._ The _gobernadorcillo_ was an Indian and was elected annually. In Morga's time the right of suffrage seems to have been enjoyed by all married Indians, [69] but in the last century it was restricted to thirteen electors. [70] The _gobernadorcillo_ was commonly called the "captain." Within the _pueblos_ the people formed little groups of from forty to fifty tributes called _barangays_ under the supervision of _cabezas de barangay_. These heads of _barangay_ represent the survival of the earlier clan organization and were held responsible for the tributes of their groups. Originally the office of _cabeza de barangay_ was no doubt hereditary, but it became generally elective. [71] The electors of the _gobernadorcillo_ were made up of those, who were or had been _cabezas de barangay_ and they after three years of service became eligible to the office of petty governor. In the few Spanish towns in the islands the local government was similar to that which prevailed in America, which in turn was derived from Spain. That of Manila may be taken as an example. The corporation, _El Cabildo_ (chapter) consisted of two ordinary _alcaldes_, eight _regidores_, a registrar, and a constable. The _alcaldes_ were justices, and were elected annually from the householders by the corporation. The _regidores_ were aldermen and with the registrar and constable held office permanently as a proprietary right. These permanent positions in the _cabildo_ could be bought and sold or inherited. [72] Turning now to the ecclesiastical administration, we find there the real vital organs of the Philippine governmental system. To the modern eye the islands would have seemed, as they did to the French scientist Le Gentil, priest-ridden. Yet it was only through the Friars that Spain retained her hold at all. [73] A corrupt civil service and a futile and decrepit commercial system were through their efforts rendered relatively harmless, because circumscribed in their effects. The continuous fatherly interest of the clergy more than counterbalanced the burden of the tribute. [74] They supervised the tilling of the soil, as well as the religious life of the people; and it was through them that the works of education and charity were administered. [75]