Bustamante adopted very stringent measures to counteract excessive claims to immunity by Archbishop of Manila Francisco de la Cuesta.

José Torralba, the late acting-governor, was released from confinement by the governor, and reinstated by him as judge in the Supreme Court, although he was under an accusation of embezzlement to the extent of ₱700,000.

With sword and shield in hand, Torralba expelled the Archbishop's messenger by force, then as judge in the Supreme Court, hastened to avenge himself by issuing warrants against his enemies.

The violation was due to the governor's orders to recover the government inventories and official records held by a notary public who was then taking refuge in the Cathedral.

Upon consultation with the Archbishop, Dominican canon law experts from the Real Universidad de Santo Tomás declared that "under no circumstances or conditions could civil authorities exercise jurisdiction within sacred places, even under the orders of the governor and of the audiencia.