#TodayinHistory in 1898, the Revolutionary Congress convened for the 1st time in #Malolos #Bulacan #PH, w/ Filipino-elected reps from #PH provinces liberated from Spain. Their initial task was to ratify the Proclamation of Independence. They drafted a Constitution. (THREAD)
On 23 June 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree (conceptualized & drafted by Apolinario Mabini) transforming the dictatorial gov into a revolutionary gov (congreso revolucionario), and laying the ground work for a unicameral Congress.
Representation, w/c the Spanish colonial gov denied Filipinos, was vital. Elections were held & on 1 August 1898, elected mayors of liberated towns ratified the Proclamation of Independence of 12 June 1898. At the time, the capital of the revolutionary gov was #Bacoor #Cavite.
Despite Filipinos successfully laying siege on #Intramuros, the Americans, who projected themselves as allies, denied Filipino forces entry. The Americans & Spaniards staged a mock battle but secret negotiations were done behind Filipino forces' back.
Upon the raising of the U.S. flag in Intramuros, which would have been a fitting capital, the #PH Revolutionary Gov, moved the capital from Bacoor to Malolos, away from the bay (safe from bombardment from warships), and distant from U.S. & Spanish forces.
W/ a Protocol of Peace signed bet. the U.S. & Spain, & a possibility that #PH would be denied access to negotiations, preparations for a Congress was begun to bolster its campaign for the recognition of #PH independence in the international community.
The Revolutionary Congress convened w/ 190 representatives (some were provisionally appointed until such time that their provinces were liberated) representing 70 provinces in #PH including Palau (but excluding other Spanish territories in the Pacific).
Congress ratified the Proclamation of Independence on 29 Sept. As sessions went on, it veered towards a drafting of a constitution. Mabini opposed this since #PH was still at war & it needed flexibility to protect its existence. He insisted that the assembly was only consultative
Nevertheless, a Constitution was still drafted. Three drafts were considered—one by Mabini, one by Pedro Paterno, & one by Felipe Calderon. Calderon's draft was chosen. It's key features:
(1) Supreme authority of the Legislature
(2) Separation of church & state
(3) Bill of Rights
Despite Mabini's last min request for amendments w/c were all denied, the Constitution was ratified on 20 Jan 1899, & promulgated w/ the inauguration of the 1st #PH Republic on 23 Jan. It had attributes of a state: a constitutional gov, people's support, territory, & sovereignty.
Photos:
- Inside the Barasoain Church when inaugural session of the Malolos Congress was held, 15 Sept 1898, from John Tewell
- 10 congress delegates & Aguinaldo (seated at center) inside the Barasoain Church, 8 Dec 1929, from @USNatArchives
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