Principals

...the native ruling class in the Philippines under Spanish rule. When the Spanish government was governing the Philippines, they collectively called the native officials who worked in the administration of the town (pueblo) and village (barrio) levels "principarias" or "principales," and granted them privileges such as exemption from tribute (tax), forced labor, and military service. Specifically, current town and village mayors, former town mayors, those who had served as village mayors for more than 10 years, elementary school teachers, deputy town mayors, field inspectors, livestock inspectors, and security inspectors were legally included in this category.

*Some of the terminology explanations that mention "principales" are listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…スペイン統治下のフィリピンにおける原住民支配階層。スペイン政庁はフィリピン統治にあたって，町(プエブロ)および村(バリオ)レベルの統治行政に従事する原住民役職者を，一括してプリンシパリーアまたはプリンシパーレスprincipalesと呼び，これにトリブート(貢税)や強制労働，兵役などを免除する特権を与えた。具体的には現職の町長および村長，元町長，10年以上継続して村長を務めた経験者，小学校教師，町の助役，田畑監視官，家畜監視官，警備監視官などが法制上これに属した。…

※「principales」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報