LUKBAN
influence on the socially lower segments of the population living in the coastal towns . He had organized the revolutionary governments following Aguinaldo ’ s instructions , but most of these were holdovers from the previous colonial regime .
“ Most of the wealthy and middle class here sacrifice their patriotism in favor of their personal interests and wish to eat when the table is already set , that is to say , they expect us to restore them , but they always offer their lives and lands in word but not by acts …” Lukban wrote in exasperation . Evidently he found them difficult to convince to support the revolutionary cause . But to a large extent , he depended on them to provide support to the revolution . 8
A year earlier , Lukban had tried to win over the local clergy to Aglipayanism , an effort which only isolated him from the priests . After that he would blame the bishop of Cebu since the Samar then reported to the diocese of Cebu , and Luis Flores , the Cebu governor newly appointed by the Americans . Flores used to be a leader of the 1898 revolution against Spain in the island but capitulated to the Americans when the insurrection against the Americans began . Lukban did not hesitate when he lambasted the middleclass here .
“ Those clerks , lawyers , writers and pettifoggers during Spanish domination who appear to be under the orders and thumb of that traitor , Luis Flores , the so-called president of Cebu , who turned over the city to the enemy without firing a shot … this gentleman was solicitor of the Audiencia in the island of Cebu . The tendency of all these men is to sow discord and friction between families ; and to this is due the division of parties ; all of them under the name or pretest of country , wish to feather their own nests ,” he wrote . 9
One of Lukban ’ s vocal opponents from the Samar clergy was Fr . Wenceslao Singzon , a native of Calbiga and a younger relative Fr . Pablo Singzon , vicar general of the Cebu Archdiocese under Bishop Alcocer and later appointed the Bishop of Calbayog . The younger Singzon , then a 35-year-old priest of Laoang , issued on June 26 , 1901 an open letter to Lukban , telling him to submit himself to American rule since the archipelago , under the Treaty of Paris , was already a property of the United States . The letter , addressed to the leaders of Laoang , Palapag , Catubig and Pambuan , blamed Lukban for the sufferings the revolution was causing the people of Samar because of his refusal to give up .
“ Who is to blame for the ruin here among us ? On whom rests the responsibility and the blame before God and man ? Those wiseacres
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