Declaration of Philippine Independence

Philippines was colonized and under the power of the Spaniards for 333 years. Filipino
intellectuals and the middle class began calling for independence. The Katipunan, a secret
revolutionary society was formed in Manila. Membership grew dramatically, and in August
1896 the Spanish uncovered the Katipunan’s plan for rebellion, forcing premature action from
the rebels. Revolts broke out across Luzon and in March 1897, 28 year old Emilio Aguinaldo
became the leader of the rebellion. Aguinaldo negotiated an agreement with the Spanish. In
exchange for financial compensation and a promise of reform in the Philippines, Aguinaldo and
his generals would accept exile in Hong Kong. The rebel leaders departed, and the Philippine
Revolution temporarily was at an end.

On the 15th of December 1897, the Philippine Revolutionary army and the Spanish
government made a truce known as the “Pact of Biak na Bato” The pact of Biak na Bato was a
failed truce between the Revolutionary army and the Spanish government. While in Hong Kong,
the leaders of the revolutionary army alongside with General Emilio Aguinaldo used the money
they received from the Spanish government to buy new weapons while the Spanish
government did not commit in making the necessary forms. Aguinaldo made arrangements
with U.S. authorities to return to the Philippines and assist the United States in the war against
Spain. Aguinaldo announced the creation of dictatorial government on May 21. The formation
of this type of rule was a necessity when growing nation needed a strong leader. He
emphasized that dictatorship was only temporary as it would be prelude to the establishment
of a republican form of government.

Between 4 and 5 in the afternoon of June 12, Aguinaldo, in the presence of a huge
crowd, proclaimed the independence of the Philippines at Cavite el Viejo(Kawit). For the first
time, the Philippine National Flag, made in Hong Kong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo, assisted by
Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herboza, was officially hoisted and the Philippine National March
played in public. The Act of the Declaration of Independence was prepared by Ambrosio
Rianzares Bautista, who also read it. A passage in the Declaration reminds one of another
passage in the American Declaration of Independence. The Philippine Declaration was signed by
ninety-eight persons, among them an American army officer who witnessed the proclamation.
The proclamation of Philippine independence was, however, promulgated on August1 when
many towns has already been organized under the riles laid down by Dictatorial Government.