ABOUT THE AUTHOR

(Although the actual author of the proclamation was Ambrosio Rianzares

LESSON 6 Bautista, the initiator of Philippine independence that led to the making of the
proclamation was Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.)
THE ACT OF OF PROCLAMATION INDEPENDENCE OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE Emilio Aguinaldo was born on March 22, 1869 in Kawit, Cavite (Cavite el
Viejo), the second to the youngest of eight children of Carlos Aguinaldo and Trinidad
(ACTA DE LA PROCLAMACIÓN DE LA INDEPENDENCIA DEL PUEBLO Famy. The Aguinaldos were a wealthy and influential family with Carlos being
FILIPINO) gobernadorcillo for several terms. Following his father's death in 1883, Emilio assisted
his mother in the family business and worked to help earn the family income.
Aguinaldo followed in his father's footsteps and was chosen capitan
HISTORICAL CONTEXT municipal of Kawit in 1894. Months later, he joined the Katipunan choosing the
The first phase of the Philippine Revolution ended in a stalemate between the name Magdalo, a name that was also given to another branch of the Katipunan (the
Spaniards and the Filipino rebels. In December 1897, a truce was declared between the other was the Magdiwang) which he set up in his province. When the revolution began
two forces with the Filipino leaders, led by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, agreeing to be exiled to in 1896, the Katipunan in Cavite succeeded in driving away the Spaniards from the
Hong Kong while the Spaniards paid an indemnity for the damages caused as a result of province. But territorial and logistical problems between the two groups soon forced
the conflict. The truce, however, lasted for only a few months before it collapsed. The Aguinaldo to ask for help from Supremo Andres Bonifacio in settling the conflict.
renewed conflict would have been disastrous for the Filipinos if not for the deteriorating Bonifacio's intervention, however, only worsened the situation and the only solution
diplomatic relations between Spain and the United States over the another revolution in Cuba. the two factions saw was to create a revolutionary government.
This eventually led to the Spanish-American War in 1898 and the arrival of a new colonizer Elections for a pamahalaang panghihimagsik were held in Barrio Tejeros,
to the Philippines - the Americans. San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias) on March 22, 1897. Aguinaldo was
Even before the Battle of Manila in 1898, Aguinaldo had already been
elected President with Mariano Trias (Vice-President), Artemio Ricarte (Captain-
meeting with the Americans in Singapore. He talked with consul E. Spencer Pratt
General), Emiliano Riego de Dios (Director of War), and Andres Bonifacio (Director
regarding US-Filipino collaboration against the Spaniards before he went back to Hong Kong
to meet up with Commodore George Dewey, commander of the Asiatic Fleet. of the Interior). But the elections were disrupted following a protest over Bonifacio's
Unfortunately, Dewey had already left for the Philippines to attack the Spanish fleet educational qualification for such a position. Bonifacio angrily declared the result of the
following America's declaration of war against Spain in April. Aguinaldo remained in Hong elections null and void and walked out. The Magdalos, however, considered the
Kong and met with the American consul general Rounseville Wildman. He paid Wildman a election binding and the new government was founded. When Bonifacio tried to put
total of P117,000 to purchase rifles and ammunition. A first shipment worth P50,000 was up his own government with an armed group, he was arrested and tried for sedition.
made but the other half was never delivered. Wildman never returned the money given to Found guilty, the Supremo and his brother Procopio were executed on May 10,
him. 1897.
On May 19, 1898, Aguinaldo finally returned to the Philippines on board the The internal dissent caused by Bonifacio's death weakened the
U.S. cruiser McCulloch. Aguinaldo conferred with Dewey on Philippine conditions and was Katipunan further. The Spanish troops regained Cavite and Aguinaldo
supplied with arms captured from the Spaniards. From his headquarters in Cavite, Aguinaldo was forced to retreat to the mountains of Biak-na- Bato. But the
announced the resumption of the revolution against the Spaniards, thus beginning the Spaniards soon realized that going after the rebels in their mountain hideout
second phase of the revolution. The Filipinos immediately flocked to the province to join was futile. A stalemate ensued, broken only by a truce proposal to which the
the army. By the end of May, Aguinaldo was in command of an army of 12,000 troops. rebels agreed. In exchange for an indemnity, amnesty, and colonial
On May 28, the Filipino forces won their first victory in Alapan, Imus. The newly-made reform, Aguinaldo and his officers went into exile in Hong Kong in
Filipino flag was hoisted in Alapan then later unfurled at the Teatro Caviteño in Cavite December 1897.
Nuevo (now Cavite City) in front of the Filipinos and captured Spanish soldiers. A group of
American officers and soldiers also witnessed the ceremony.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Earlier, On May 24, Aguinaldo announced the creation of the
dictatorial government. The formation of this type of rule was a necessity when
the growing nation needed astrong leader. He emphasized that the dictatorship
was only temporary as it would be a prelude to the establishment of a republican ABOUT THE AUTHOR
form of government.
The Spanish-American War in 1898 eventually changed Philippine history.
After the Americans won the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898, Aguinaldo returned to the
Philippines with their help and announced the resumption of the revolution against
Spain. After winning several victories against the Spaniards, he declared Philippine
independence on June 12, 1898.
But the Filipinos soon realized that the Americans were to become their new
On June 12, 1898, Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence from colonizers. After the Spanish defeat in 1898, the United States began to send fresh
Spanish rule at a ceremony in his house in Kawit, Cavite. Ambrosio Rianzares troops to the Philippines. In 1899, Aguinaldo convened a Congress in Malolos,
Bautista read the declaration that was later signed by 177 persons, including an Bulacan in which the delegates wrote a Constitution and established the Philippine
American military officer. The Philippine National Anthem, then known as "Marcha Republic with Aguinaldo as President in January 1899.
Nacional Filipina," composed by Julian Felipe, was played by the Banda de San Three weeks later, the continuing friction with the Americans erupted into a
Francisco de Malabon and the Philippine flag was again unfurled. conflict in February 1899. The Philippine American War eventually ended in 1901
with the capture of Aguinaldo. Soon after, he pledged allegiance to the United States Island of Cebu, and because his successor Tupas did not allow him to occupy it, he went to
and returned to private life on his family farm. He briefly hugged the limelight when he Manila, the capital, winning likewise the friendship of its Chiefs Soliman and Lakandula,
ran for the presidency of the Philippine Commonwealth but lost to Manuel L. later taking possession of the city and the whole Archipelago in the name of Spain by virtue
Quezon. of an order of King Philip II, and with these historical precedents and because in
Aguinaldo was charged with collaboration by the Americans for helping international law the prescription established by law to legalize the vicious acquisition of
the Japanese during World War II but was later freed in a general amnesty. As a prisate property is not recognized, the legitimacy of such revolution cannot be put in doubt
private citizen, he devoted his time to the cause of veteran revolucionarios until his which was calmed but not completely stifled by the pacification proposed by Don Pedro A.
Paterno with Don Emilio Aguinaldo as President of the Republic established in Biak-na-
death at the age of 94 on February 6, 1964.
Bato and accepted by Governor-General Don Fernando Primo de Rivera under terms,
both written and oral, among them being a general amnesty for all deported and convicted
ABOUT THE TEXT persons. That by reason of the non-fulfillment of some of the terms, after the destruction of
On June 10, 1896, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo issued a one sentence decree the Spanish Squadron by the North American Navy, and bombardment of the plaza of
appointing his Auditor General of War, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, as a special Cavite, Don Emilio Aguinaldo returned in order to initiate a new revolution and no sooner
had be given the order to rise on the 31st of last month when several towns anticipating the
commissioner to write the Act of the Declaration of the Independence. The result was a revolution, rose in revolt on the 28th,
sixteen-page document that contained the aspirations of freedom from Spanish rule, the Such that a Spanish contingent of 178 men, between Imus and Cavite
sacrifices made, and the revolution that resulted from it. It was the text of this declaration Viejo, under the command of a major of the Marine Infantry capitulated, the
that was read in Kawit in the afternoon of the celebration of the declaration of revolutionary movement spreading like wildfire to other towns of Cavite and the
other provinces of Bataan, Pampanga, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, and
independence. Copies of the document were made and distributed. However, there was a
Morong, some of them with seaports and such was the success of the victory of
problem in determining how many witnesses really signed the declaration. The copies our arms, truly marvelous and without equal in the history of colonial revolutions
classified under Philippine Revolutionary Papers (PRP) in the National Library had that in the first mentioned province only the Detachments in Naic and Indang
varying numbers. Later research by historian-writer Jim Richardson placed the total remained to surrender
number of signees at 177.

THE ACT OF PROCLAMATION OF THE ACT OF PROCLAMATION OF

INDEPENDENCE OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE INDEPENDENCE OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

In the town of Cavite-Viejo, Province of Cavite, this 12th in the second, all Detachments had been wiped out; in the third, the resistance
day of June 1898: Before me, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, War Counselor of the Spanish forces was localized in the town of San Fernando where the greater part of
them are concentrated, the remainder in Macabebe, Sexmoan, and Guagua; in the fourth,
and Special Delegate designated to proclaim and solemnize this Declaration
in the town of Lipa; in the fifth, in the capital and in Calumpit, and in the last two
of Independence by the Dictatorial Government of the Philippines, pursuant
remaining provinces, only in their respective capitals, and the city of Manila will soon be
to, and by virtue of, a Decree issued by the Egregious Dictator Don Emilio besieged by our forces as well as the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La
Aguinaldo y Fanty, Union, Zambales, and some others in the Visayas where the revolution at the time of the
pacification and others even before, so that the independence of our country and the
revindication of our sovereignty is assured.
And having as witness to the rectitude of our intentions the Supreme Judge of
the Universe, and under the protection of the Powerful and Humanitarian Nation, the
THE ACT OF PROCLAMATION OF United State we do hereby proclaim and declare solemnly of America, we do and by
INDEPENDENCE OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE authority of the people of these Philippine Islands. That they are and have the right all the
free and independent that they have ceased to have any allegiance to the Crown of Spain;
The undersigned assemblage of military chiefs and others of the army who
that all political ties between them are and should be completely severed and annulled,
could not attend, as well as the representatives of the various towns, Taking into account
and that, like other free and independent State, they enjoy the the full power to make War
the fact that the people of this country are already tired of hearing the ominous yoke of
and Peace, conclude commercial treaties, enter into alliances, regulate commerce, and do
Spanish domination, Because of arbitrary arrests and abuses of the Civil Guards who
all other acts and things which an Independent State has a right to do, And imbued with
came deaths in connivance with and even under the express officers who at times the
firm confidence in Divine Providence, we hereby mutually bind ourselves to support this
shouting of those placed under arrest under the pretext the they attempted to escape in
Declaration with our lives, our fortunes, and with our most sacred possession, our Honor.
violation of known Rules and Regulations, which abuses were left unpunished, and because
We recognize, approve, and ratify, with all the orders emanating from the
eunjust deportations of illustrious Filipinos, especially those decreed by General Blanco at
same, the Dictatorship established by Don Emilio Aguinaldo whom we revere as the
the instigation of the Archbishop and the friars interested in keeping them in ignorance for
Supreme Head of this Nation, which today begins to have a life of its own, in the
egoistic and selfish ends, which deportations were carried out through processes more
conviction that he has been the instrument chosen by God, in spite of his humble origin,
execrable than those of the Inquisition which every civilized nation repudiates as a trial
to effectuate the redemption of this unfortunate country as foretold by Dr. Don José Rizal
without hearing,
in his magnificent verses which he composed in his prison cell prior to his execution,
Had resolved to start a revolution in August 1894 in order to regam the
liberating it from the Yoke of Spanish domination,
independence and sovereignty of which the people had been deprived by Spain through
And in punishment for the impunity with which the Government sanctioned
Governor Miguel López de Legazpi who, continuing the course followed by his
the commission of abuses by its officials, and for the unjust execution of Rizal and others
predecessor Ferdinand Magellan who landed on the shores of Cebu and occupied said
who were sacrificed in order to please the insatiable friars in their hydropical thirst for
Island by means of a Pact of Friendship with Chief Tupas, although he was killed in battle
vengeance against and extermination of all those who oppose their Machiavellian ends,
that took place in said shores to which battle he was provoked by Chief Kalipulako of
trampling upon the Penal Code of these Islands, and of those suspected persons arrested
Mactan who suspected his evil designs, landed on the Island of Bohol by entering also into
by the Chiefs of Detachments at the instigation of the friars, without any form nor
a Blood Compact with its Chief Sikatuna, with the purpose of later taking by force the
semblance of trial and without the spiritual aid of our sacred Religion, and likewise, and
for the same ends,
eminent Filipino priests, Doctor Don Jose Burgos, Don Mariano
Gomez, and Don Jacinto Zamora were banged whose innocent blood was shed
due to the intrigues of these so called Religious corporations which made the
authorities to believe that the military uprising at the fort of San Felipe in
Cavite on the night of January 21, 1872 was instigated by those Filipino
martyrs, thereby impeding the execution of the decree-sentence issued by the
Council of State in the appeal in the administrative case

interposed by the secular clergy against the Royal Orders that directed that
the parishes under them within the jurisdiction of this Bishopric be turned over to the
Recollects in exchange for those controlled by them in Mindanao which were to be
transferred to the Jesuits, thus revoking them completely and ordering the return of
those parishes, all of which proceedings are on file with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to which they are sent last month of last year for the issuance of the proper
Royal Decree which, in turn, caused the growth of the tree of liberty in this our dear
land that grew more and more through the iniquitous measures of oppression, until
the last drop from our chalice of suffering having been drained, the first spark of
revolution broke out in Caloocan, spread out to Santa Mesa and continued its course
to the adjoining regions of the province where the unequalled heroism of its
inhabitants fought a one- sided battle against superior forces of General Blanco and
General Polavieja for a period of three months, without proper arms nor
ammunitions, except bolos, pointed bamboos, and arrows. Moreover, we confer upon
our famous Dictator Don Emilio Aguinaldo all the powers necessary to enable him to
discharge the duties of Government, including the prerogatives of granting pardon
and amnesty,
And, lastly, it was resolved unanimously that this Nation, already free and
independent as of this day, must use the same flag which up to now is being used,
whose design and colors are found described in the attached drawing, the white
triangle signifying the distinctive emblem of the famous Society of the Katipunan
which by means of its blood compact inspired the masses to rise in revolution; the
three stars signifying the three principal Islands of this Archipelago Luzon, Mindanao,
and Panay where this revolutionary movement started; the sun representing the
gigantic steps made by the sons of the country along the path of Progress and
Civilization; the eight rays signifying the eight provinces Manila, Cavite, Bulacan,
Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas wich declared themselves in a
state of war as soon as the first revolt was initiated; and the colors of Blue, Red, and
White, commemorating the flag of the United States of North America, as a
manifestation of our profound gratitude towards this Great Nation for its disinterested
protection which it lent us and continues lending us. And holding up this flag of ours, I
present it to the gentlemen bere assembled: (The text is followed by the Signatures of the
Witnesses)

RELEVANCE
Nothing is more relevant to Philippine history than the declaration of
independence from colonial rule. The Declaration is, of course, that sole
document that proves the value Filipinos place on their freedom. At present,
our independence has been questioned especially in relation to our dealings
with the United States (which colonized us for almost half a century and later
united our independence in 1946). However, it must be understood that the
independence we attained in 1898 was freedom that was fought for with the
lives of Filipinos. The goal objective of this independence, however, is
something this might have failed to achieve and protect properly. It is in this
content that the Acts must be studied again.