WEEK 7: 1898 Declaration of Philippine Independence, The Malolos Constitution and First Philippine Republic LEARNING CONTENT PDF

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WEEK 7: 1898 Declaration of Philippine Independence, The Malolos Constitution and First Philippine Republic LEARNING CONTENT INTRODUCTION: In the preceding lessons, we have discussed some primary sources from two different historical periods, the pre-colonial and Spanish colonial periods. For this w...

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WEEK 7: 1898 Declaration of Philippine Independence, The Malolos Constitution and First Philippine Republic LEARNING CONTENT

INTRODUCTION: In the preceding lessons, we have discussed some primary sources from two different historical periods, the pre-colonial and Spanish colonial periods. For this week, we will analyze the historical content and context of primary sources during the post-Spanish period, focusing on the birth of Philippine Independence and the first Philippine Republic. The Spanish regime lasted for about three hundred thirty-three years, that was considered the longest regime in Philippine History. The Filipino revolutionary forces under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine islands from Spanish colonization in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898. Then on January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic was inaugurated after the promulgation of the Malolos Constitution. LESSON PROPER 1.

1898 Declaration of Philippine Independence by: Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista (17 December 1830 – 4 December 1903), also known as Don Bosyong, was a lawyer and author of the Declaration of Philippine Independence document. A distant relative of the Rizal family, Philippine national hero Jose Rizal always sought his advice during his school days in Manila.

Bautista solicited funds to finance the campaign for the reforms in the Philippines. He then became a member of the La Liga Filipino, Cuerpo de Compromisarios, and La Propaganda. In 1896, the Spaniards arrested and imprisoned him at Fort Santiago, as he was suspected for being involved in the Philippine Revolution. He defended himself and was later released from prison. He became the first adviser of President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898, and subsequently wrote the Declaration of Philippine Independence. On 14 July 1899, Bautista was elected vice-president of Tarlac's Revolutionary Congress. He was later appointed judge of the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan.

CONTEXT ANALYSIS The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence was written and was read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista in Spanish and translated by Sulpicio Guevara. It was written to use for the declaration of freedom of the Philippines after the war against America and Spain. The declaration was signed by 98 persons and at the end of it, emphasizing an American present in there with no official role. It is said that there are American army officer who witnessed. The main reason for having the declaration is to symbolize that Philippines has the right to be independent and free from the Spaniards and is no longer tied politically with them. With a government in operation. Aguinaldo thought that it was necessary to declare the independence of the Philippines. He believed that such a more would inspire the people to fight more eagerly against the Spaniards and at the same time, lead the foreign countries to recognize the independence of the country. Mabini, who had by now been made Aguinaldo’s unofficial adviser, objected. He based his objection on the fact that it was more important to reorganize the government in such a manner as to convince the foreign powers of the competence and stability of the new government than to proclaim Philippine independence at such an early period. Aguinaldo, however, stood his ground and won. On June 12, between four and five in the afternoon, 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 Hongkong 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 August 1 when many towns has already been organized under the rules laid down by the Dictatorial Government.

CONTENT ANALYSIS Every year, the country commemorates the anniversary of the Philippine Independence proclaimed on 12 June 1898, in the province of Cavite. Indeed, such event is a significant turning point in the history of the country because it signaled the end of the 333 years of Spanish colonization. There have been numerous studies done on the events leading to the independence of the country but very few students had the chance to read the actual document of the declaration. This is in spite of the historical importance of the document and the details that the document reveals on the rationale and circumstances of that historical day in Cavite. Interestingly, reading the details of the said document in hindsight is telling of the kind of government that was created under Aguinaldo, and the forthcoming hand of the United States of America in the next few years of the newly created republic. The declaration was a short 2,000-word document, which summarized the reason behind the revolution against Spain, the war for independence, and the future of the new republic under Emilio Aguinaldo. The proclamation commenced with a characterization of the conditions in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The document specifically mentioned abuses and inequalities in the colony. The declaration says: "...taking into consideration, that their inhabitants being already weary of bearing the ominous yoke of Spanish domination, on account of the arbitrary arrests and harsh treatment practiced by the Civil Guard to the extent of causing death with the connivance and even with the express orders of their commanders, who sometimes went to the extreme of ordering the shooting of prisoners under the pretext that they were attempting to escape, in violation of the provisions of the

Regulations of their Corps, which abuses were unpunished and on account of the unjust deportations, especially those decreed by General Blanco, of eminent personages and of high social position, at the instigation of the Archbishop and friars interested in keeping them out of the way for their own selfish and avaricious purpose, deportations which are quickly brought about. By a method of procedure more execrable than that of the inquisition and which every civilized nation rejects on account or a decision being rendered without a hearing of the persons accused." The above passage demonstrates the justifications behind the revolution against Spain. Specifically cited are the abuse by the Civil Guards and the unlawful shooting of prisoners whom they alleged as attempting to escape. The passage also condemns the unequal protection of the law between the Filipino people and the "eminent personages." Moreover, the line mentions the avarice and greed of the clergy like the friars and the Archbishop himself. Lastly, the passage also condemns what they saw as the unjust deportation and rendering of other decision without proper hearing, expected of any civilized nation. From here, the proclamation proceeded with a brief historical overview of the Spanish occupation since Magellan's arrival in Visayas until the Philippine Revolution, with specific details about the latter, especially after the Pact of Biak-na-Bato had collapsed. The document narrates the spread of the movement "like an electric spark" through different towns and provinces like Bataan, Pampanga, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, and Morong, and the quick decline of Spanish forces in the same provinces. The revolt also reached Visayas; thus, the independence of the country was ensured. The document also mentions Rizal's execution, calling it unjust. The execution, as written in the document, 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, which tramples upon the penal code prescribed for these islands." The document also narrates the Cavite Mutiny of January 1872 that caused the infamous execution of the martyred native priests Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora, "whose innocent blood was shed through the intrigues of those so-called religious orders" that incited the three secular priests in the said mutiny.

The proclamation of independence also invokes that the established republic would be led under the dictatorship of Emilio Aguinaldo. The first mention was at the very beginning of the proclamation. It stated: "In the town of Cavite Viejo, in this province of Cavite, on the twelfth day of June eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, before me, Don Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Auditor of War and Special Commissioner appointed to proclaim solemnize this act by the Dictatorial Government of these Philippine islands, for the purposes and by virtue of the circular addressed by the Eminent Dictator of the same Don Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy." The same was repeated toward the last part of the proclamation. It states: "We acknowledge, approve and confirm together with the orders that have been issued therefrom. the Dictatorship established by Don Emilio Aguinaldo whom we honor as the Supreme Chief of this Nation, which this day commences to have a life of its own, in the belief' that the is the instrument selected by God in spite of his humble origin, to effect the redemption of this unfortunate people, as foretold by Doctor Jose Rizal in the magnificent verses which he composed when he was preparing to be shot, liberating them from the yoke of Spanish domination in punishment of the impunity with which their Government allowed the commission of abuses by its subordinates." Another detail in the proclamation that is worth looking at is its explanation on the Philippine flag that was first waved on the same day. The document explained: "And finally, it was unanimously resolved that, this Nation, independent from this clay, must use the same flag used heretofore, whose design and colors and described in the accompanying drawing, with design representing in natural colors the three arms referred to. The white triangle represents the distinctive emblem of the famous Katipunan Society, which by means of its compact of blood urged on the masses of the people to insurrection; the three stars represent the three principal Islands of this Archipelago, Luzon, Mindanao and Panay, in which this insurrectionary movement broke out; the sun represents the gigantic strides that have been made by the sons

of this land on the road of progress and civilization, its eight rays symbolizing the eight provinces of Manila. Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna and Batangas, which were declared in a state of war almost as soon as the first insurrectionary movement was initiated; and the colors blue, red and white, commemorate those of the flag of the United States of North America, in manifestation of our profound gratitude towards that Great Nation for the disinterested protection she is extending to us and will continue to extend to us." This often-overlooked detail reveals much about the historically accurate meaning behind the most widely known national symbol in the Philippines. It is not known by many for example, that the white triangle was derived from the symbol of the Katipunan. The red and blue colors of the flag are often associated with courage and peace, respectively. Our basic education omits the fact that those colors were taken from the flag of the United States. While it can always be argued that symbolic meaning can always change and be reinterpreted, the original symbolic meaning of something presents us several historical truths that can explain the subsequent events, which unfolded after the declaration of independence on the 12th day of June 1898.

1.

The Malolos Constitution and the First Philippine Republic by: Felipe G. Calderon ABOUT THE AUTHOR Felipe Gonzales Calderon, known as the 'Father of the Malolos Constitution", was born on April 4, 1868 in Santa Cruz de Malabon now Tanza), Cavite, to a Spanish nobleman, Don Jose Gonzales Calderon, and Doña Manuela Roca who was of Spanish-Filipino blood. Calderon was the author of the Malolos Constitution, which was enacted on January 20, 1899 by the Malolos Congress that established the First

Philippine Republic. The original was written in Spanish, which became the first official language of the Philippines. Notably, Calderon established two law universities -- Liceo de Manila, the first law college in the Philippines, and the Escuela de Derecho (School of Duties). He taught in both institutions. In 1904, he was appointed member of a commission to draft a proposed Penal Code. He also organized the La Proteccion de la Infancia (The Protection of Infants) that established a humanitarian institution to protect and care for disadvantaged children. His Encyclopedia Filipinas was published in 1908. He died on July 6, 1908 at the age of 40.

CONTEXT ANALYSIS After returning to the islands. Aguinaldo wasted little time in setting up an independent government. On June 12, 1898, a declaration of independence modeled on the American one, was proclaimed at his headquarters in Cavite. It was at this time that Apolinario Mabini. a law, and political thinker, came to prominence as Aguinaldo’s principal adviser. Born into a poor indio family but educated at the University of Santo Tomas, he advocated "simultaneous external and internal revolution," a philosophy that unsettled the more conservative landowners and ilustrados who initially supported Aguinaldo. For Mabini, true independence for the Philippines would mean not simply liberation from Spain (or from any other colonial power) but also educating the people for self government and abandoning, the paternalistic, colonial mentality that the Spanish had cultivated over the centuries. Mabini's The True Decalogue, published in July 1898 in the form of ten commandments, used this medium, somewhat paradoxically, to promote critical thinking and a reform of customs and attitudes. His Constitutional Program for the Philippine Republic, published at the same time, elaborated his ideas on political institutions. On September 15,1898, a revolutionary congress was convened at Malolos, a market town located thirty-two kilometer north of Manila, for the purpose of drawing up a constitution for the new republic. A document was approved by the congress on November 2,1898. Modeled on the constitution of France, Belgium, and Latin American countries, it was promulgated at

Malolos on January 21, 1899, and two days later Aguinaldo was inaugurated as president. American observers traveling in Luzon commented that the areas controlled by the republic seemed peaceful and well governed. The Malolos congress had set up schools, a military academy, and the Literary University of the Philippines. Government finances were organized, and new currency was issued. The army and navy were established on a regular basis. having regional commands. The accomplishments of the Filipino government, however, counted for little in the eyes of the great powers as the transfer of the islands from Spanish to United States rule was arranged in the closing months of 1898. The Treaty of Paris aroused anger among Filipinos. Reacting to the US$20 million sum paid to Spain, La Independencia (Independence), a newspaper published in Manila by a revolutionary. General Antonio Luna, stated that "people are not to be bought and sold like horses and houses. Upon the announcement of the treaty, the radicals, Mabini and Luna, prepared for war, and provisional articles were added to the constitution giving President Aguinaldo dictatorial powers in times of emergency. President William McKinley issued a proclamation on December 21, 1898, declaring United States policy to be one of "Benevolent Assimilation" in which "the mild sway of justice and right" would be substituted for "arbitrary rule." When this was published in the islands on January 4, 1899, references to "American sovereignty" having been prudently deleted, Aguinaldo issued his own proclamation that condemned "violent and aggressive seizure" by the United States and threatened war.

CONTENT ANALYSIS Excerpts from the Malolos Constitution Article 3. Sovereignty resides exclusively in the people. Article 5. The State recognizes the freedom and equality of all religions, as well as the separation of Church and State. Article 19. No Filipino in the full enjoyment of his civil and political rights shall be hindered in the free exercise of the same.

Article 20.1. Neither shall any Filipino be deprived of: The right of expressing freely his ideas and opinions either by word or by writing, availing himself of the press or any other similar means. Article 20.2. Neither shall any Filipino be deprived of: The right of joining any association for all the objects of human life which may not be contrary to public morals. Article 23. Any Filipino can find and maintain establishments of instruction or of education, in accordance with the regulations that may be established. Popular education shall be obligatory and gratuitous in the schools of the nation. Table of Titles 1.

The Republic

2.

The Government

3.

Religion

4.

The Filipinos and Their National and Individual Rights

5.

The Legislative Power

6.

The Permanent Commission

7.

The Executive Power

8.

The President of the Republic

9.

The Secretaries of Government

10.

The Judicial Power

11.

Provincial and Popular Assemblies

12.

Administration of the State

13.

Amendment of the Constitution

14.

Constitutional Observance, Oath and Language

The Malolos constitution is the first important Filipino document ever produced by the people's representatives. It is anchored in democratic traditions that ultimately had their roots in American soil. It created a Filipino state whose government was "popular, representative and responsible" with three distinct branches -- the executive, the legislative and the judicial. The constitution specifically provided for safeguards against abuses, and enumerated the national and individual rights not only of the Filipinos and of the aliens. The legislative powers were exercised by the Assembly of Representatives composed of delegates elected according to law. To make the function of Congress continuous, the document provided for a Permanent Commission which would sit as a law-making body when Congress was not in session. The assembly elected the President of the Republic. The Cabinet, composed of the Secretaries of the different Departments of the government, was responsible not to the President, but to the Assembly. The administration of justice was vested in the Supreme Court and in inferior courts to be established according to law. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was to be elected by the Assembly with the concurrence of the President and the Cabinet.

The constitution as a whole is a monument to the capacity of the Filipinos to chart their own course along democratic lines. In a period of storm and stress, it symbolized the ideals of a people who had emerged from the Dark Ages into the Light of Reason. THE MALOLOS REPUBLIC Owing to the objections of Mabini to some provisions in the Constitution, Aguinaldo did not immediately promulgate it. The leaders of Congress compromised by inserting some amendments. After promulgating the Malolos Constitution, the Filipino leaders proceeded to inaugurate the first Filipino Republic on January 23, 1899.

Political Caricatures of the American Era LEARNING CONTENT

INTRODUCTION In the second part our lesson,...