Act

Act of
of Declaration
Declaration
of
of the
the Philippine
Philippine
Independence
Independence
BSN 1A - Group 3
 Outline of the Presentation
Background of the author

Historical background of the document

Analysis of the historical information

Factors that influenced the author in writing the

document

Relevance and contribution in the Philippine History

Author's main argument

Overall observation
Background of the author
 Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
(Authored the Act of Declaration of the
Philippine Independence)
On December 7, 1830, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, also known as
“Don Bosyong”, was born in Biñan, Laguna.

A distant relative of the Rizal family, Bautista often gave advice to

José Rizal, a Filipino nationalist, while studying in Manila.

He obtained his Bachelor of Law degree at the University of Santo

Tomas in 1865 at the age of 35 years old and has joined various
patriotic organizations.

Article writer for the nationalistic newspaper of the revolution, La

Independencia.

Member of La Liga Filipina, Cuerpo de Compromisarios, and La

Propaganda.
 Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
(Authored the Act of Declaration of the
Philippine Independence)

First adviser of Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898.

Waved the Philippine Flag during the proclamation of the Philippine

Independence.

Elected president of the Revolutionary Congress in Tarlac on July 14,

1899.

Appointed judge of the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan.

Bautista, who also served as solicitor general of the revolutionary

government, died on December 4, 1903 at the age of 72 due to a
fatal fall from a horse-drawn vehicle.
Sulpicio Guevara
(Translated the Act of Declaration of the Philippine Independence)

Professor at the Division of Research and Law Reform at the University of the
Philippines Law Center.

Holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Law degree and a Masters in law.

An author and editor of 56 works found in 114 publications on history, treaties,

statues, and codes, and various types of law such as Philippine politics.

His well-known works include “The Laws of the First Philippine Republic (the
laws of Malolos)” and “Gobierno Revolucionario”.
 Sulpicio Guevara

His book “The Laws of the First Philippine

Republic (the laws of Malolos)”, marked the
golden age of Philippine Legal history as
through the forming of this wonderful nation in
its independence, it created multiple laws and
decrees–guidelines that would build a strong
nation.
Historical background of the
document
 Background of the Document:
The Philippine Declaration of Independence was written by
Ambrosio R. Bautista, “War Counselor and Special Delegate-
Designate” of the revolutionary Philippine government.

On June 12, 1898, Bautista read it during the declaration of

Philippine Independence.

The first Philippine flag was unfurled and the Marcha Filipina
Magdalo was played by the San Francisco de Malabon Marching
Band during the occasion, which took place between four and
five in the afternoon at Aguinaldo's family house in Kawit,
Cavite.

This later evolved into Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine National

Anthem.
 Background of the Document:
The declaration of independence from Spain is made in this
document.

Starting with Ferdinand Magellan's arrival in 1531, it enumerates

the wrongdoings committed by the Spanish colonial government.

Unfortunately, neither the United States nor Spain recognized the

Declaration since Spain had lost the Philippines to the United
States through the Treaty of Paris.

On July 4, 1946, the Philippines won independence after serving

as a colony of both Japan and the United States.
Analysis of the Historical
Information
Treatment of Spaniards to Filipinos

Intentions of the Filipinos

A kind of government was established by Emilio Aguinaldo

Philippine flag
“People of this country are already tired of
bearing the ominous joke of Spanish
domination”
Issues of the Philippines:

Arbitrary arrests and abuses of the civil guards.

Cause deaths under the express orders of their

superior officers.

Order shooting to those people placed under arrest in

a case that they attempted to escape in violation of
known Rules and Regulations.
Issues of the Philippines:

Unjust deportations of illustrious Filipinos.

Ordered by General Blanco from the suggestions of

the archbishop and friars for their own interest, ego,
and selfish ends.

Deportations were carried out through processes

more awful than those of the inquisition which every
civilized nation repudiates as a trial without hearing.
Issues of the Philippines:
Occupation of the city and the whole archipelago in the
name of Spain.

Spain had deprived independence and sovereignty through

Governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi

Ferdinand Magellan continued his course landed on the

shores of Cebu and occupied the island by means of a pact
of friendship with Chief Tupas.

Winning the friendship of Chiefs Soliman and Lakandula

with an intention to take the city and the whole
Archipelago in the name of Spain by virtue of an order of
King Philip II.
Issues of the Philippines:
Unjust execution of Dr. Jose Rizal

The execution was done to please the greedy body of

friars in their insatiable desire to seek revenge upon
and exterminate all those who are opposed to their
Machiavellian purposes

Abuses from the friars

Friars were making use of the church in order to

cement their political dominance in the Philippines
 Issues of the Philippines:
Cavity Mutiny

Execution of GOMBURZA

Doctor Don Jose Burgos Don Mariano Gomez Don Jacinto Zamora
Biak na Bato:
In international law the prescription established
by law to legalize the vicious acquisition of
private property is not recognized

The legitimacy of the revolution cannot be put in

doubt which was proposed by Pedro A. Paterno
with Emilio Aguinaldo as President of the
Republic established in Biak-na-Bato and
accepted by Governor-General Don Fernando
Primo De Rivera.
Revolution:
Emilio Aguinaldo initiates a new revolution.

Emilio Aguinaldo rose in revolt on the 28th.

The revolutionary movement spread to other

towns of Cavite and the provinces of Bataan,
Pampanga, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, and
Morong.

The independence of the country and the

revindication of our sovereignty is assured.
Intentions of the Filipinos:
Right to be free and independent

Ceased all allegiance to the Crown of Spain

All political ties between Spain should be completely severed and

annulled

Enjoy the full power to make war and peace

Conclude commercial treaties

Enter into Alliances

Regulate commerce

Do all other acts and things that an independent state has the
right to do
Form of government of Aguinaldo:
Emilio Aguinaldo established a Dictatorship
government.

“In the town of Cavite-Viejo, Province of Cavite, this 12th

day of June 1898:

BEFORE ME, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, War Counsellor

and Special Delegate designated to proclaim and
solemnize this Declaration of Independence by the
Dictatorial Government of the Philippines, pursuant to,
and by virtue of, a Decree issued by the Engregious
Dictator Don Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy.”
Form of government of Aguinaldo:

“We recognize, approve, and ratify, with all the orders

emanating from the same, the Dictatorship established by
Don Emilio Aguinaldo whom we reverse as the Supreme
Head of this Nation, which today begins to have a life of
its own, in the conviction that he has been the instrument
chosen by God in spite of his humble origin, to effectuate
the redemption of this unfortunate country…”
 Definition of the Philippine Flag:
White triangle signifies the distinctive emblem of the famous society of the
Katipunan.

3 Starts signify the three principal islands of this archipelago: Luzon, Mindanao,
and Panay.

The sun represents the gigantic step made by the son of the country along the path
of Progress and Civilization

The 8 rays signify the 8 provinces: Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva
Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas

Blue, Red, and White colors commemorate the flag of the United States of America.
98 people who solemnly swore:
Don Segundo Arellano
Don Tiburcio del Rosario
Sergio Matias
Don Agapito Zialcita
Don Flaviano Alonzo
Don Mariano Legazpi
Don Jose Turiano Santiago y Acosta
Don Aurelio Tolentino
Don Felix Ferrer
Don Felipe Buencamino
Don Fernando Canon Faustino
Don Anastacio Pinzun
Don Timoteo Bernabe
Don Flaviano Rodriguez
Don Gavino Masancay
98 people who solemnly swore:
Don Narciso Mayuga
Don Gregorio Villa
Don Luis Perez Tagle
Don Canuto Celestino
Don Marcos Jocson
Don Martin de los Reyes
Don Ciriaco Bausa
Don Manuel Santos
Don Mariano Toribio
Don Gabriel de los Reyes
Don Hugo Lim
Don Emiliano Lim
Don Faustino Tinorio
Don Rosendo Simon
Don Leon Tanjanque
98 people who solemnly swore:
Don Gregorio Bonifacio
Don Manuel Salafranca
Don Simon Villareal
Don Calixto Lara
Don Buenaventura Toribio
Don Gabriel Reyes
Don Hugo Lim
Don Emiliano Lim
Don Fausto Tinorio
Don Rosendo Simon
Don Leon Tanjanque
Don Gregorio Bonifacio
Don Manuel Salafranca
Don Simon Villareal
Don Calixto Lara
98 people who solemnly swore:
Don Buenaventura Toribio
Don Zacarias Fajardo
Don Florencio Manalo
Don Ramon Gana
Don Marcelino Gomez
Don Valentin Politan
Don Felix Politan
Don Evaristo Dimalanta
Don Gregorio Alvarez
Don Sabas de Guzman
Don Esteban Francisco
Don Guido Yaptinchay
Don Mariano Rianzares Bautista
Don Francisco Arambulo
Don Antonio Gonzales
98 people who solemnly swore:
Don Juan Antonio Gonzales
Don Juan Arevalo
Don Ramon Delfino
Don Honorio Tiongco
Don Francisco del Rosario
Don Epifanio Saguil
Don Ladislao Afable Jose
Don Sixto Roldan
Don Luis de Lara
Don Marcelo Basa
Don Jose Medina
Don Efipanio Crisia
Don Pastor Lopez de Leon
Don Mariano de los Santos
Don Santiago Garcia
98 people who solemnly swore:
Don Andres Tria Tirona
Don Estanislao Tria Tirona
Don Daniel Tria Tirona
Don Andres Tria Tirona
Don Carlos Tria Tirona
Don Sulpicio P. Antony
Don Epitacio Asuncion
Don Catalino Ramon
Don Juan Bordador
Don Jose del Rosario
Don Proceso Pulido
Don Jose Maria del Rosario
Don Ramon Magcamco
Don Antonio Calingo
Don Pedro Mendiola
98 people who solemnly swore:
Don Estanislao Galinco
Don Numeriano Castillo
Don Federico Tomacruz
Don Teodoro Yatco
Don Ladislao Diwa
Factors Influenced the Author
in Writing the Document
 Target Audience:
Filipinos

It was written while the conflict between

Filipino and Spanish troops continued to prevail.

Aguinaldo thought that it was necessary to

declare the independence of the Philippines
because he believed that such a move would
inspire the people to fight more eagerly against
the Spaniards.

Foreigners

Lead the foreign countries to recognize the

independence of the country.
 American Declaration of
Independence:
The pronouncement and founding
document that officially records the
proclamation that the United States is an
independent country from Great Britain

adopted by the Second Continental

Congress meeting at Pennsylvania State
House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on
July 4, 1776.
 The American vs The
Philippine Declaration of
Independence:
Similarities
History about experiences under colonialism

Details on their respective acts of

revolutions

Goal of independence and liberty

Differences

Emphasis or reverence of the leader

 Political Biases Leading
to Selectiveness of
Information:
Aguinaldo’s Recognition

“Instrument chosen by God” to redeem

and liberate Philippines from Spain

The revolutionary acts mentioned were

the ones with Aguinaldo as the initiator.
 Political Biases Leading
to Selectiveness of
Information:

No mention of Andres Bonifacio

The Katipunan was only recognized once,

as being one of the flag’s symbols, even
though the Katipunan was the pioneer of
the revolutionary movement.
Political Biases Leading
to Selectiveness of
Information:

There was no mention of Bonifacio nor the

other co-founders of the KKK, despite their
contributions on the foundation of the
revolution.

This implies the enmity between the two

major Katipunan factions: Magdalo and
Magdiwang.
 Political Biases Leading
to Selectiveness of
Information:
No mention of the Agrarian Cause

The Philippine revolution was agrarian in

nature. There was shortage of land.
Land and agrarian reforms was difficult
in a situation where ownership of lands is
concentrated in relatively few hands,
which had a lot of influence on politics of
the land. These refer mostly to the
Spanish friars who kept grabbing our
lands.
Aguinaldo’s Allegiance
to the United States:

April 1898, the Spanish-American War

broke out over Spain’s brutal suppression
of a rebellion in Cuba.

The first in a series of decisive U.S.

victories occurred on May 1, 1898, when
the U.S. Asiatic Squadron under
Commodore George Dewey annihilated the
Spanish Pacific fleet at the Battle of
Manila Bay in the Philippines.
Aguinaldo’s Allegiance
to the United States:

From his exile, Aguinaldo made

arrangements with U.S. authorities to
return to the Philippines and assist the
United States in the war against Spain.

He landed on May 19, rallied his

revolutionaries, and began liberating
towns south of Manila.
Aguinaldo’s Allegiance
to the United States:

U.S.A was given credit for the

achievement of freedom: “Under
protection of our Powerful and
Humanitarian Nation”

The colors of the flag: red, blue and white,

commemorate U.S.A.
Relevance and Contribution
in the Philippine History
 It served as an eye-opener to the Filipinos’ spirit and courage to
fight for the country’s freedom.

Bautista’s work served as a foundation for its pursuance even

though the Philippines did not immediately achieve independence.

The Philippines achieved independence from the hands of

colonizers for hundreds of years and established a state of
government wherein many people in today’s time enjoy.

It reveals the real meaning of the Philippine flag’s colors and

symbols.

It signifies the heroic acts of the Filipino people who fought for the
country to claim Filipino’s inalienable freedom.

It inspires Filipinos to greater dedication for the welfare of the

Philippines and their freedom.
It describes the cruelty, abuses, and injustices made by the
Spaniards to the Filipinos, thus revealing the reason behind the
Philippine Revolution against Spain.

It disclosed the kind of government Aguinaldo established after

they proclaimed the Independence in the hands of the Spaniards.

It influenced us to become patriotic.

It was to provoke the people to fight more against the Spaniards,

and that the other foreign country would recognize the
proclamation.

It gave Filipinos the opportunity to govern themselves to run their

affairs without intervention of any foreign power.
Author’s Main Argument
Colonization of
Spaniards:

The main argument reveals how the

Spaniards pursued the Philippine
islands, claiming that their mission
was to "discover the islands of the
west," but in reality their mission was
to conquer the Philippines for Spain,
putting the nation under the Spanish
rule.
Abusive treatment of
Spaniards to Filipinos:

The author's main argument revolves

on the painful experiences of Filipinos
during the Spanish colonization.

Their rights and desires were almost

completely ignored.

Such laws as did exist for their

protection were not enforced.
 Abusive treatment of
Spaniards to Filipinos:
Labor
During the Spanish colonization, some
Filipinos were forced to work for the
government and subjected to extreme
punishment and death if they resisted.
This colonial policy, called polo y
servicios, was implemented in the
Philippines for more than 250 years.

ex. : Polo y Servicio, Galleon Trade,

and the Encomienda System
 Abusive treatment of
Spaniards to Filipinos:
Taxation

Filipinos are subjected to tax collector

abuses, including the collection of high
taxes.

The Spaniards have this system known as

the tribute and the bandalâ.

It is a system implemented by Spanish

authorities in the Philippines that forces
native Filipino farmers to sell their goods
to the government.
 Abusive treatment of
Spaniards to Filipinos:
Sexual Abuse

Many Filipino women were sexually abused

by a lot of Spaniards way back then.

Education
Filipinos were denied access to public
education.

The Spaniards limited the education degree

as well as its teachings in order to prevent
Filipinos from revolting or opposing them
through education.
 War for Independence:

The author’s main argument reveals that

the cruelty, abuses, and injustices
committed by the Spaniards against the
Filipinos sparked a revolution.

The Filipinos were united by a common

hatred of the Spanish conqueror and
began to fight against the Spaniards'
colonization.
Future of New
Republic:

The main argument proved that Filipino

nationalists in the Philippines revolted
against Spanish rule.

The Philippine revolt of 1896, led to an

anticipated war with Spain and an
unexpected war with the United States.
 Future of New
Republic:

This document is intended to serve as a

wake-up call to the Filipino spirit to fight
for the freedom of the country.

Since many Filipinos began to join the

revolution, they believed that the
proclamation of the country's
independence would inspire and provoke
the people to fight even harder against the
Spaniards and other foreign countries who
wished to take control of our country.
The real meaning of the
Philippine flag:

The Three Stars

The Sun

The Eight Rays

The colors of Blue, Red, and White

Overall Observation
and Insights
 Overall Observation
The declaration of the country’s independence is believed to
inspire and provoke the Filipinos to fight more in the revolution
against the Spaniards. It describes how Magellan pursued the
island and was taken over by the rest of Spain who used their
authority to abuse the Filipinos. It states that all men have an
equal right to live, to be free and be independent. It also shows
the designs of the flag and what they truly symbolized.
 Unclear Details on the
Event of the Declaration
Although the date and location was given,
there are still a lot missing in the whole
picture.

The exact time of when the declaration

began and ended.
The sequence of events from reading
aloud the proclamation, playing of the
national anthem and waving of the flag.
Reactions of the people present.
No one was recording the minutes.
 Dictatorial Government
of the Philippines:

During the time when there was a

decline of Spanish control over the
island, there was an immediate need
to draft a Philippine Constitution.

Mariano Ponce drafted the

constitution for a federal type of
government.
 Dictatorial Government
of the Philippines:
Ambrosio Bautista advised Aguinaldo to
reject it, “and instead establish a
Dictatorial Government because the chaotic
conditions of the time demanded a strong
one-man government”

On May 24, 1898, Aguinaldo proclaimed the

establishment of a dictatorial government.

The first dictator of the Philippines is not

Ferdinand Marcos, rather it is Emilio
Aguinaldo.
 History is Written by
the Victors:
The document made it seem like it was Aguinaldo
who led the revolution and brought freedom to
the people, but this is wrong in two ways.

It was not only Aguinaldo, but a collective group

effort of the Filipino people, who fought for the
country. Even then, it was Andres Bonifacio who
founded the KKK, so he should have been given
credit as well.

There is no true freedom gained for the Filipinos

and this was only proclaimed as a means of
motivating the troops who are still fighting the
Spaniards.
 Hypocrisy of Aguinaldo
and His Government:
“Punishment for the impunity with which the
Government sanctioned the commission of
abuses by its officials.”

Aguinaldo had allowed impunity among his

men, specifically for the execution of Andres
Bonifacion and his brother, Procopio, as well as
the raping of Bonifacio’s wife, Gregoria de
Jesus. The culprits of the latter crime should
have been punished, but this case was never
even investigated.

Aguinaldo was no better than the enemies he

was trying to uprise.
 Misconceptions with The
Flag and Its Symbols:
3 Stars
represent Luzon, Panay and Mindanao, and
not Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

At that time, the island of Panay was treated

as the Visayan center of the revolutionary
movement.

Considering that it was first Cebu who did not

allow Governor Legazpi to occupy its island,
it is imprecise to not include them in the
flag’s symbols, as well as the rest of Visayas
in general.
 Misconceptions with The
Flag and Its Symbols:
Colors of the Flag
Popular notion:
White - purity and innocence
Red - hardiness and valor
Blue - vigilance, perseverance, and justice

Historical Truth:
The colors red, white and blue commemorates
the flag of the USA.
This expresses the Philippines’s gratitude to
the USA for their protection and help.
This means that Aguinaldo and his
government did not yet realize what the USA’s
real intentions were.
 Are we truly free?

The Spaniards actually sold us to America

in the treaty of paris for 20 million
dollars.

We were free from the Spaniards but we

were not free from the Americans.

We did not truly get the independence

that this document implied.

Full independence was only granted to the

Philippines by the United States on July 4,
1946.
 REFERENCES
https://blog.hawaii.edu/aplpj/files/2011/11/APLPJ_10.1_bautista.pdf
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/holy-trinity-college-of-
general-santos-city/philippine-history/ambrosio-rianzares-bautista-
the-unsung-author/8685157
https://asiasociety.org/philippines/todays-state-philippine-
independence
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration/what-does-it-say
 End.
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