The First Republic of The Philippines
The Philippine Republic (Spanish: República Filipina), now officially
remembered as the First Philippine Republic and also referred to by
historians as the Malolos Republic, was established in Malolos, Bulacan
during the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Empire (1896–1898) the
Spanish–American War between Spain and the United States (1898) through
the promulgation of the Malolos Constitution on January 23, 1899,
succeeding the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines. It was formally
established with Emilio Aguinaldo as president. It was unrecognized outside
of the Philippines but remained active until April 19, 1901. Following the
American victory at the Battle of Manila Bay, Aguinaldo returned to the
Philippines, issued the Philippine Declaration of Independence on June 12,
1898, and proclaimed successive revolutionary Philippine governments on
June 18 and 23 of that year.
National Anthem
Marcha Nacional Filipina
New march was “Marcha Filipina-Magdalo” (Philippine-Magdalo March) and
was later changed to “Marcha Nacional Filipina” (Philippine National March)
upon its adoption as the national anthem of the First Philippine Republic on
June 11, 1898, a day before independence was to be proclaimed.
Government of First Republic of The Philippines
President
• 1899–1901
Emilio Aguinaldo (first)
Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy – March 22, 1869 – February 6, 1964) was a Filipino
revolutionary, statesman, and military leader who is the youngest president
of the Philippines (1899–1901) and became the first president of the
Philippines and of an Asian constitutional republic. He led the Philippine
forces first against Spain in the Philippine Revolution (1896–1898), then in
the Spanish American War (1898), and finally against the United States
during the Philippine–American War (1899–1901). Though he was not
recognized as president outside of the revolutionary Philippines, he is
regarded in the Philippines as having been the country’s first president
during the period of the First Philippine Republic.
• 1901–1902
Miguel Malvar (last; unofficial)
Miguel Malvar y Carpio (September 27, 1865 – October 13, 1911) was a
Filipino general who served during the Philippine Revolution and,
subsequently, during the Philippine–American War. He assumed command of
the Philippine revolutionary forces during the latter, following the capture of
resistance leader Emilio Aguinaldo by the Americans in 1901. According to
some, he could have been listed as one of the presidents of the Philippines.
However, is not recognized as such by the Philippine government.
Prime Minister
• 1899
Apolinario Mabini (first)
Apolinario Mabini y Maranan – July 23, 1864 – May 13, 1903) was a Filipino
revolutionary leader, educator, lawyer, and statesman who served first as a
legal and constitutional adviser to the Revolutionary Government, and then
as the first Prime Minister of the Philippines upon the establishment of the
First Philippine Republic.
• 1899
Pedro Paterno (last)
Paterno was elected a delegate from Ilocos Norte and President of the
Malolos Congress in September 1898. He served as prime minister of the
First Philippine Republic in the middle of 1899, and served as head of the
country’s assembly, and the cabinet. Paterno was captured by the Americans
in April 1900 in Antomoc, Benguet.
History
In 1896, the Philippine Revolution began against Spanish colonial rule. In
1897, Philippine forces led by Aguinaldo signed a ceasefire with the Spanish
authorities and Aguinaldo and other leaders went into exile in Hong Kong. In
April 1898, the Spanish American War broke out. The U.S. Navy’s Asiatic
Squadron, then in Hong Kong, sailed to the Philippines to engage the Spanish
naval forces. On May 1, 1898, the U.S. Navy decisively defeated the Spanish
Naval force and blockaded Manila Bay. The American naval commander,
lacking forces to conduct land operations following his unexpectedly
complete victory, returned Aguinaldo and a number of other revolutionary
exiles to the Philippines from Hong Kong. Aguinaldo arrived in the Philippines
on May 24 and on that date, proclaimed a dictatorial government, rekindling
the Philippine Revolution (formally established by decree on June 18).
On June 12, he issued the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain
at his ancestral home in Cavite. He established a revolutionary government
on June 23, under which the partly elected and partly-appointed Malolos
Congress convened on September 15 to write a constitution. On December
10, 1898, the 1898 Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Spanish American
War and transferring the Philippines from Spain to the United States. The
constitution written by the Malolos Congress was proclaimed on January 22,
1899, creating what is known today as the First Philippine Republic, with
Aguinaldo as its president. The constitution was approved by delegates to
the Malolos Congress on January 20, 1899, and sanctioned by Aguinaldo the
next day. The convention had earlier elected Aguinaldo president on January
1, 1899, leading to his inauguration on January 23. Parts of the constitution
gave Aguinaldo the power to rule by decree. The constitution was titled
“Constitución política” and was written in Spanish.
American Period
1900: January 17, The U.S. government required Filipinos to take an oath of
allegiance, pledging loyalty to the new American administration. Apolinario
Mabini, a prominent Filipino revolutionary leader and advocate for
independence, refused to take this oath, along with other Filipinos who held
similar views. As a result, Mabini and these “undesirable” Filipinos were
deported to Guam, a U.S. territory, in January 1900.
1902: July 1. The Cooper Act was passed by the U.S. Congress. This act
established a bicameral legislature, with the Philippine Commission as the
upper house and the Philippine Assembly as the lower house. This marked
the beginning of limited self-government for the Philippines.
July 4. The civil government under American rule was officially
inaugurated in the Philippines. William Howard Taft, who had previously
served as the head of the Second Philippine Commission, was appointed as
the first Governor-General of the Philippines
1907: March 12. The Nacionalista Party is formed, which advocates
Philippines independence.
July 30. Delegates for the first Philippine Assembly are elected.
October 16. The First Philippine Assembly convenes.
October 3. Francis Burton Harrison becomes Governor General of the
Philippines, and pursues Filipinization of the government
1898: Treaty of Paris Following the Spanish-American War, the Treaty of Paris
was signed on December 10, 1898. It ended Spanish colonial rule in the
Philippines and
Transferred sovereignty over the islands to the United States for $20 million.
This marked the beginning of American imperialism in the Pacific and
sparked debates over the future of the Philippines.
1899-1902: Philippine-American War Soon after the U.S. took control, Filipino
nationalist leader Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence and rejected
American authority. This led to the Philippine-American War (1899-1902), a
brutal conflict
Characterized by guerilla warfare, atrocities, and significant loss of life
estimated at over 200,000 Filipino civilians. The war ended in 1902, with the
defeat of Aguinaldo’s forces, but guerrilla resistance continued for several
years.
1901: Establishment of Civilian Government In 1901, the U.S. formally
established a civilian government in the Philippines under the leadership of
William Howard Taft, who became the first civilian governor-general. This
marked the transition from military to civilian rule. The new government
sought to modernize the country through infrastructure development,
education reforms, and public health programs, while also consolidating
American political and economic control.
Discuss the Social, Political, Cultural, Economic Issues within the Philippines
during American Period
The American period in the Philippines (1898-1946) was a time of significant
social and political transformation. Here are some examples of social issues
that emerged or became more prominent during this time:
1. Education:
• Language: The Americans introduced the English language as
the medium of instruction in schools, which led to a shift away
from Spanish and Tagalog. This had both positive and negative
consequences, as it promoted global integration but also
marginalized local languages and cultures.
• Access: Education was primarily accessible to the elite, with
limited opportunities for the masses. This inequality perpetuated
social hierarchies and limited social mobility.
2. Religion:
• Secularization: The Americans sought to separate the church
from the state, which led to a decline in the influence of the
Catholic Church. This had both positive and negative
consequences, as it promoted religious freedom but also
weakened traditional social structures.
• Protestantism: American missionaries introduced Protestantism
to the Philippines, which led to a religious divide and social
tensions.
3. Gender:
• Women’s Rights: The Americans promoted women’s rights and
education, which led to increased opportunities for women in
society. However, women
Were still subject to traditional gender roles and faced limitations in terms of
political participation.
• Prostitution: The American presence in the Philippines led to an
increase in prostitution, which had negative social and economic
consequences.
4. Labor:
• Exploitation: American corporations exploited Filipino workers,
leading to low wages, poor working conditions, and social unrest.
• Unionization: Filipino workers began to organize unions to fight
for their rights, which led to increased labor activism and social
conflict.
5. Health:
• Diseases: The Americans introduced new diseases to the
Philippines, such as smallpox and measles, which had
devastating consequences for the population.
• Public Health: The Americans established public health programs
to improve sanitation and prevent disease, which had positive
consequences for the population.
Here are some of the key political issues in the Philippines during the
American period:
1. Philippine-American War (1899-1902):
• Independence vs. Colonial Rule: The most significant political
issue was the conflict between the Filipino aspiration for
independence and the American desire for colonial control.
• Brutal Conflict: The war was characterized by intense fighting,
atrocities on both sides, and a significant loss of life.
2. Colonial Governance:
• Limited Self-Governance: The Americans implemented a gradual
process of self-governance, but ultimate authority remained with
the United States. Economic
• Exploitation: American economic interests often took precedence
over Filipino needs, leading to resentment and economic
inequality. Cultural Imposition: The Americans sought to impose
American culture and values, which led to cultural conflict and
resistance.
3. Political Parties and Nationalism:
• Emergence of Nationalist Parties: Filipino nationalists formed
political parties to advocate for independence and self-
determination.
• Factionalism: Internal divisions within the nationalist movement
hindered efforts to unite against American colonial rule.
4. Political Prisoners and Exiles:
• Suppression of Dissent: The American colonial government often
imprisoned or exiled Filipino political leaders who opposed their
policies.
6. Economic Policies:
• Free Trade: The implementation of free trade policies favored
American economic interests and often harmed Filipino
industries.
• Land Ownership: American corporations acquired large tracts of
land, displacing Filipino farmers and exacerbating social and
economic inequality.
Cultural and Economic Issues in the Philippines during the American Period
The American period in Philippine history (1898-1946) brought about
profound changes in both cultural and economic spheres. Following Spain’s
defeat in the Spanish-American War, the United States acquired the
Philippines, initiating a new era of colonization.
Cultural Issues:
Education System: One of the most significant changes was the introduction
of the public school system. The American government established English
as the medium of instruction, replacing Spanish and native languages, which
led to the rapid spread of English literacy. Thousands of American teachers,
known as “Thomasites,” were sent to the Philippines to promote Western
education, leading to significant cultural shifts.
Impact: While the education system improved literacy rates and introduced
modern ideas, it also fostered cultural alienation from indigenous traditions.
Many Filipinos began to view American values, ideas, and customs as
superior, which contributed to the erosion of native culture and language.
Westernization: American influence permeated Filipino culture, leading to
Western norms in fashion, lifestyle, entertainment, and governance. Western
music, cinema, and literature became popular. The American emphasis on
democracy and individual rights also shaped the political and social
consciousness of Filipinos, although full self-governance was not immediately
granted.
Religious Influence: While the Americans maintained religious freedom, there
was a significant shift as Protestant missionaries were allowed into the
predominantly Catholic country. Although Protestantism gained some
followers, Catholicism remained the
Dominant religion. However, this religious diversification created tensions
within certain communities.
Economic Issues:
Land Ownership and Agriculture: During the American period, economic
policies focused heavily on agriculture, but these policies reinforced the
inequality in land ownership. The Philippines remained largely agrarian, and
a vast majority of land
Remained concentrated in the hands of a few elites, leading to widespread
poverty among the rural population. The American colonial government
passed land laws, but these were often more favorable to wealthy
landowners than to small farmers, perpetuating social inequality.
Free Trade Policies: Under the Payne-Aldrich Act of 1909 and the Underwood
Tariff Act of 1913, the United States established free trade with the
Philippines. While these policies opened U.S. markets to Filipino agricultural
products, such as sugar and tobacco, they also turned the Philippines into a
raw material exporter, while American businesses flooded the local market
with manufactured goods. This stunted the growth of local industries and
made the country dependent on the American economy, a legacy that
persisted long after independence.
Infrastructure Development: The Americans invested heavily in infrastructure
development, including the construction of roads, bridges, ports, and
government buildings. These modernized certain aspects of the economy,
facilitated trade, and improved public health systems. However, the benefits
of these developments were
Unevenly distributed, as they were concentrated in urban areas, particularly
in Manila, leaving rural areas underdeveloped.
Labor Issues: Industrialization during this period was limited, but the rise of
labor movements became significant. Labor unions formed to advocate for
better wages and working conditions, often inspired by American labor laws.
However, the colonial
Government generally sided with business owners, which limited the
effectiveness of early labor movements.
