DOCUMENTS OF THE 1898 DECLARATION OF

PHILIPPHINE INDEPENDENCE
THE MALOLOS CONSTITUTION AND THE FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC
(PROCLAMATION)
 INTRODUCTION;

• The First Philippine Republic was inaugurated in Malolos, Bulacan

• Emilio Aguinaldo was proclaimed the President of the Philippine Republic in Malolos.
• Aguinaldo established the Dictatorial Government in May 1898 to show the capacity of Filipinos for self-
government
• Diff. departments were created for the division of duties of the new government.
 THE DICTATORIAL GOVERNMENT

• Aguinaldo decided to establish a Filipino government in the wake of his military victories.
• He had a draft of a plan for the establishment of a revolutionary government, prepared by Mariano
Ponce.
• Consul Wildman – advised Aguinaldo to establish a dictatorial government in which could lead to a
republican government similar to that of the united States.
• Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista – Aguinaldo’s 1st adviser, who also told him to form a dictatorial
government.
• May 24 1898 – Aguinaldo issued a decree formally establishing the Dictatorial Government which
nullified the orders issued under the authority of the Biak-na-Bato Republic.
 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

• June 12, 1898 – proclamation of the independence of the Philippines at Cavite el Viejo (Kawit).
• Philippine National Flag – made in HongKong by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina
Herboza.
• June 5, 1898 – Aguinaldo issued a decree setting aside June 12 as the day for proclamation of Philippine
Independence.
• Julian Felipe – composer from Cavite, who showed the draft of Composition entitled Marcha Filipina
Magdalo which was later changed to Marcha Nacional Filipana.
• Act of Declaration of Independence – prepared by Ambrosio Riamzares Bautista, signed by 98 people,
however was promulgated on August 1. Revolutionary Government
• Came after 1 month of Dictatorial Government through decree on June 23, 1898. 4 Departments were
created: 1) Dept. of Foreign Affairs, Navy and Commerce 2) Dept. of War and Public Works 3) Dept. of
Police and Internal Order, Justice, Education and Hygiene, 4) Dept. of Finance, Agriculture and
Manufacturing Industry.
• July 15, 1898 – 1st Cabinet Appointments *Baldomero Aguinaldo – war and public works *Leandro
Ibarra – interior *Mariano Trias – finance
• foreign affairs was first offered to Mariano Ponce but he declined, so it was given to Mabini instead.
• September 28 – 6 departments: Foreign Affairs, War, Interior, Welfare, Justice & Treasury.
 MALOLOS CONSTITUTION

• Mabini envisioned the Congress to be an advisory body of the President.

• Mabini added that Congress was convoked not to frame a constitution, but to advise the President and
to give him popular support
• although his arguments were unassailable he was defeated by majority under the leadership of Paterno.
• Nevertheless, Mabini submitted his Constitutional Plane of the Philippine Republic, but Congress, for
the second time, overruled him.
• A committee to draft the constitution was created, with Felipe G. Calderon as its mort prominent
member.
• That decision became the cornerstone of Philippine democracy and showed not only the nationalism
and democratic orientation of those who voted for the separation of Church and State, but also their
keen sense of history.
• three distinct branches: the executive, the legislative and the judicial.
• specifically provided for safeguards against abuses and individual rights not only of the Filipinos, but
also the aliens.The legislative powers were exercised by the Assembly of Representatives composed of
delegates elected according to law.
• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was elected by the Assembly with the concurrence of the President
and theCabinet.