THE ACT OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

The Philippine Independence

The proclamation of the independence of

the Philippines from the grasp of the
Spanish colony occurred on June 12, 1898.
It was proclaimed in Cavite and was done
through the announcement in public of the
Act of declaration independence. On that
day Emilio Aguinaldo and his revolutionary
forces was given the sovereignty of the
country.
• The Declaration of Independence by Philippines was
not an easy task for the Filipinos. It was a 3 year
revolution which began in the year 1896. In those times
the Spanish had sealed an agreement with the
supporters of the revolution to send Emilio Aguinaldo to
Hong Kong as an exile. But the Spanish-American war
broke out where the Asiatic Squadron which belonged
to the US NAVY sailed to Manila Bay from Hongkong.
The fleet was led by Commodore George Dewey.
• Eventually, they defeated the Spanish through the help of
the United States. The victory was declared on May 1,
1898 after the Battle of Manila Bay has decided the defeat
of the Spanish colonizers. On the same month Emilio
Aguinaldo returned to Philippines escorted by the U.S.
Navy
• The Proclamation ceremony occurred in the afternoon
and at the familial house of the Aguinaldo family. Their
house was located 30km South from Manila. In the
ceremony the Philippine flag was spread out. The national
flag was originally made from Hong Kong. The unfurling of
the flag was then followed by the Marcha Filipina Magdalo
being performed. It became the national anthem of the
country and is now called Lupang Hinirang. San
Francisco de Malabon was the name of the marching
band which performed the anthem. It was all written by
Julian Felipe
• Meanwhile, it was Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista who
wrote, prepared and read the Act of the Declaration of
Independence. He composed it and read it all in Spanish.
About a hundred people signed the Declaration as
witnesses to the proclamation. One of them was an
American officer who also observed the ceremony. But
later on the declaration was modified. Apolinario Mabini
insisted upon it and was acted upon by the Malolos
congress. They objected for the Philippines to be held
under the influence of the United States in return for
protection.
• Unfortunately the proclamation had to go through rough times. It
was not recognized by the U.S. and Spain. But at the defeat of the
Spanish to the Americans, Philippines was yielded to the US as
part of the 1898 Treaty of Paris. As a retaliation, the treaty was not
recognized by the Philippine Revolutionary Government. This
resulted in what is known as the Philippine-American war. But the
Philippines lost to the U.S. This happened when the U.S. forces
captured Emilio Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo was persuaded then to sign
and agree to hand over the sovereignty of the country. On July 2,
1902 it was telegraphed by Elihu Root, U.S. Secretary of War, that
all provincial governments were successfully established all over
the Philippines.
• He added that the only exception were those places
occupied by the tribes of the Moros. They have been
resisting the U.S. forces for a number of years.
• The National Library of Philippines currently houses the
Declaration. Just like any other document in the said
library, the Declaration requires permission for it to be
seen by viewers. It is a series of declarations of
independence which consists also of the United Statse
Declaration of Independence.