LESSON OBJECTIVES
The learners are expected to:
Describe what happened and how the Malolos Congress was created
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Give the importance of the Malolos Congress and the declaration of Philippine Independence
DISCUSSION
The Government of Aguinaldo
Due to the turn of events, Emilio Aguinaldo, upon the advice of Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, formed a dictatorial government with the belief that this was the most appropriate thing to do.
As a dictator, he declared Philippine independence on June 12, 1898. For the first time, the Philippine flag was raised at the balcony of Aguinaldo’s house in Kawit, Cavite while playing the Marcha Nacional Filipina/Himno Nacional Filipino, which was composed by Julian Felipe. The flag was sewn by Marcela Agoncillo, Delfina Herboza de Natividad, and Lorenza Agoncillo in Hong Kong. After a year, Jose Palma wrote the poem Filipinas, which became the lyrics of Julian Felipe’s composition.
Proclamation of Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898
The dictatorial government did not last long because it was replaced by a revolutionary government, which was approved in the Malolos Republic.
Why do you think Aguinaldo established the dictatorial government?
The Malolos Congress
In a meeting held in Barasaoin Church on September 15, 1898, Aguinaldo changed the dictatorial government into a revolutionary government as advised by Apolinario Mabini. This was called the Malolos Congress.
The following were the elected officials of the Congress:
President: Pedro Paterno
Vice President: Benito Legarda
Secretaries: Gregorio Araneta and Pablo Ocampo
Malolos Congress ratified the declaration of independence in Kawit, Cavite and planned to draft a Constitution.
However, Apolinario Mabini disagreed with this plan. According to him, it was just a meeting of advisers and not really a congress. He further believed that the Philippines was not yet ready because of the issues in peace and order at that time.
In the end, the drafting of the Constitution pushed through because majority of those who were present approved it. Felipe Calderon, Apolinario Mabini, and Pedro Paterno authored the bill in Congress. It was further agreed upon that they would adopt the separation of the Church and State. Finally, the Constitution was approved and ratified by the Malolos Congress on November 26, 1898.
Apolinario Mabini Teodoro Plata Felipe Calderon
There were some provisions in the Constitution that Mabini disapproved, so it needed to be changed before it was signed on January 21, 1898. The Malolos Constitution was considered the first constitution crafted by Filipinos during the brief period of independence.
It was in the Malolos Constitution that the first Philippine Republic was established. The government was divided into three branches, namely the executive, legislative, and judicial. Emilio Aguinaldo was proclaimed as president and served in the executive branch. There were also cabinet secretaries who worked with the President. Apolinario Mabini was appointed Prime Minister and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
CROSS CURRICULAR
Values - Appreciation of how our heroes before fought for our freedom
REAL LIFE APPLICATION
EVALUATION
A. Answer the following questions.
1. What significant role did the Malolos Constitution play in the Filipinos’ struggle for independence?
2. Had the assembly of the Malolos Congress adhere to the opinion of Apolinario Mabini (that the Philippines was not ready) do you think the declaration of independence would have taken a much longer time? What do you think would be its impact if that would be the case?
3. Was the declaration of a dictatorial government by Emilio Aguinaldo justified? Explain your answer.
B.
Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast the government of the First Philippine Republic and the present Republic.