First Philippine Republic

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Emilio Aguinaldo,first and only president of the First Philippine Republic

The First Philippine Republic (Filipino: Unang Republika ng Pilipinas), popularly called the Malolos Republic, is the republic formed by the Revolutionary Government, led by Gen. (later president) Emilio Aguinaldo. It lasted from 1899 to 1901, when Aguinaldo surrendered and later pleged allegiance to the United States of America. It was the first republic in Asia that was founded by Asians. Its capital was the city of Malolos in Bulacan.

History

The republic was formed after the events of the Philippine Declaration of Independence. It adopted the Constitución Política de la República Filipina, drawn up by the congress in the Barasoain Church in Malolos in 1899 and was approved by Aguinaldo and ten delegates to the Assembly of Representatives on January 21, 1899 (more details here). The Philippine Constitutional Convention elected Aguinaldo president on January 1, 1899, leading to his inauguration on January 23 of the same year.

A session of the Malolos Congress on the Barasoain Church. This is the only photograph of such event that is in existence.

Philippine-American War

Tensions remained during the Philippine-American War. Aguinaldo and his men fled to Northern Luzon, trying to resist the Americans. On April 1, 1901, Aguinaldo announced allegiance to the United States, formally ending the First Republic and recognizing the sovereignty of the United States over the Philippines.

Government Leaders

Executive

• Emilio Aguinaldo - President of the First Philippine Republic
• Apolinario Mabini - first Prime Minister
• Pedro Paterno - second Prime Minister

Cabinet of the First Philippine Republic

On January 2, 1899, Aguinaldo formed his cabinet as follows:

• Apolinario Mabini - Foreign Affairs
• Gen. Mariano Trias - Finance and war
• Teodoro Sandico - Interior
• Baldomero Aguinaldo - War
• Gracio Gonzaga - Welfare
• Leon Ma. Guerrero - Agriculture, Industry and Commerce (formerly part of Welfare)
• Hugo Ilagan - Finance
• Felipe Buencamino - Foreign Affairs
• Severino de las Alas - Interior
• Aguedo Velarde - Public Instruction (formerly part of Welfare)
• Maximo Paterno - Public Works and Communications (formerly part of Welfare)

Quotes

Great is this day, glorious this date, and forever memorable this moment in which our beloved people are raised to the apotheosis of Independence.

- Emilio Aguinaldo's declaration during the inaguration of the Philippine Republic, January 23, 1899

References

• [The Malolos Republic]
• [The First Philippine Republic at Malolos]

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