#TodayinHistory in 1898, upon Apolinario Mabini's advice, Emilio Aguinaldo issues a decree, replacing the #PH dictatorial government established 5 days prior, into a Revolutionary Government. The significance of this move on this THREAD. #history #kasaysayan
Context: At 4:20 pm of 12 June 1898, under the instruction of Emilio Aguinaldo, #PH independence from Spain was proclaimed, w/ flag presented & national anthem played. The ceremonies concluded just as Apolinario Mabini, invited by Aguinaldo, arrived. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx1ISz8uT
Appointed as Aguinaldo's adviser, Mabini urged Aguinaldo of the need for representation. Note that the independence proclamation was initiated by revo generals whose position was earned mainly by appointment & not by the elective voice of the people. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx2jhp-Xb
Thru the 18 June 1898 decree Mabini drafted for the 1st time & Aguinaldo signed, Aguinaldo declared a provisional dictatorial government, but commanded that liberated towns, upon restoring order, must hold their own elections of civil officials for proper representation.
On this day in 1898, Aguinaldo's decree (that Mabini also drafted) laid down the foundations of a government bureaucracy, establishing executive departments, a congress, and a revolutionary committee stationed abroad, engaged in diplomacy & defense (land & sea). The aim of gov:
Noticeable was the decree's emphasis: "The title of Dictator shall be changed and shall become President of the Revolutionary Government"; and the expressed purpose: "to fight for the Independence of the Philippines until all free nations, including Spain, recognize her."
The importance of representation in Mabini's mind was very clear, in that he saw that the Aguinaldo government's legitimacy rested on a people that expressly support it, as people are given the power to shape and direct its government towards their collective aspirations.
It would be on 1 August of the same year when, upon the the election of representatives of liberated towns, Mabini urged these representatives to ratify the independence proclamation declared on 12 June.
The ambitious project of building a government, led by Filipinos for Filipinos, would come to fruition on 23 January 1899 when the Malolos Constitution was promulgated. It would be known as the 1st #PH Republic—the 1st constitutional republic in Asia. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx2HX6x2n
Photo credits:
- Aguinaldo portrait, from the Presidential Museum and Library (2010-2016)
- Apolinario Mabini photograph, 1900, from Donovan McCune Collection
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