Click on the image above to see the first page of the Declaration of

Independence handwritten by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, proclaimed in

Kawit, Cavite, on 12 June 1898, and reproduced in The Laws of the First
Philippine Republic: 1898-1899, compiled and edited by Sulpicio Guevara
(Manila: National Historical Commission, 1972). See pp. 185-202 to see the
entire document; signatures begin on p. 196.

Below are (1) a translation made by Sulpicio Guevara (pp. 203-206), and (2)
a translation from John Taylor's Philippine Insurgent Records, reprinted in The
Development of Philippine Politics by Maximo Kalaw (Ph.D. dissertation,
University of Michigan, ), pp. 413-417.

Translation from John

Translation by Sulpicio Guevara Taylor's Philippine Insurgent
Records
In the town of Cavite-Viejo, Province
of Cavite, this 12th day of June In the town of Cavite Viejo, in this
1898: BEFORE ME, Ambrosio province of Cavite, on the twelfth day of
Rianzares Bautista, War Counsellor June eighteen hundred and ninety-
and Special Delegate designated to eight, before me, Don Ambrosio
proclaim and solemnize this Rianzares Bautista, Auditor of War and
Declaration of Independence by the Special Commissioner appointed to
Dictatorial Government of the proclaim and solemnize this act by the
Philippines, pursuant to, and by Dictatorial Government of these
virtue of, a Decree issued by the Philippine Islands, for the purposes and
Egregious Dictator Don Emilio by virtue of the circular addressed by
Aguinaldo y Famy, the Eminent Dictator of the same Don
Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy,

the undersigned being assembled,

The undersigned assemblage of
among whom figure commanders of his
military chiefs and others of the
army and the representatives of others
army who could not attend, as well
who have not been able to attend and
as the representatives of the various
notable residents of various towns of the
towns,
same,

Taking into account the fact that the taking into consideration, that their
people of this country are already inhabitants being already weary of
tired of bearing the ominous yoke of bearing the ominous yoke of Spanish
Spanish domination, domination,
 on account of the arbitrary arrests and
Because of arbitrary arrests and harsh treatment practised by the Civil
abuses of the Civil Guards who Guard to the extent of causing death
cause deaths in connivance with and with the connivance and even with the
even under the express orders of express orders of their commanders,
their superior officers who at times who sometimes went to the extreme of
would order the shooting of those ordering the shooting of prisoners under
placed under arrest under the the pretext that they were attempting to
pretext that they attempted to escape, in violation of the provisions of
escape in violation of known Rules the Regulations of their Corps, which
and Regulations, which abuses were abuses were unpunished and on account
left unpunished, and because of of the unjust deportations, especially
unjust deportations of illustrious those decreed by General Blanco, of
Filipinos, especially those decreed eminent personages and of high social
by General Blanco at the instigation position, at the instigation of the
of the Archbishop and the friars Archbishop and friars interested in
interested in keeping them in keeping them out of the way for their
ignorance for egoistic and selfish own selfish and avaricious purpose,
ends, which deportations were deportations which are quickly brought
carried out through processes more about by a method of procedure more
execrable than those of the execrable than that of the Inquisition
Inquisition which every civilized and which every civilized nation rejects
nation repudiates as a trial without on account of a decision being rendered
hearing, without a hearing of the persons
accused,

Had resolved to start a revolution in the people determined to start an

August 1896 in order to regain the insurrectionary movement in August,
independence and sovereignty of eighteen hundred and ninety-six, for the
which the people had been deprived purpose of recovering the independence
by Spain through Governor Miguel and sovereignty of which Spain deprived
Lopez de Legazpi who, continuing them through the Adelantado Miguel
the course followed by his Lopez de Legaspi, who continuing the
predecessor Ferdinand Magellan course followed by his predecessor
who landed on the shores of Cebu Hernando de Magallanes, who arrived
and occupied said Island by means upon the shores of Cebu, and occupied
of a Pact of Friendship with Chief that Island by virtue of the treaty of
Tupas, although he was killed in friendship which he celebrated with its
battle that took place in said shores King Tupas, although he was killed in the
to which battle he was provoked by battle which took place on said shores,
Chief Kalipulako of Mactan who to which he was provoked by King
suspected his evil designs, landed Kalipulako de Maktan, who was
on the Island of Bohol by entering suspicious of his bad intentions; he
also into a Blood Compact with its landed on the Island of Bohol, entering
Chief Sikatuna, with the purpose of also into the celebrated blood compact
later taking by force the Island of of friendship with its King Sikatuna, for
Cebu, and because his successor the purpose, after taking Cebu by force
Tupas did not allow him to occupy it, of arms, because the successor of Tupas
he went to Manila, the capital, did not permit him to occupy it, of
winning likewise the friendship of its coming to Manila, the capital, as he did,
Chiefs Soliman and Lakandula, later likewise winning the friendship of its
taking possession of the city and the Kings Soliman and Lakandula and
whole Archipelago in the name of afterwards taking possession of it and
Spain by virtue of an order of King thus of the entire Archipelago for Spain,
Philip II, and with these historical by virtue of an order of King Philip II;
precedents and because in that in view of these historical data,
international law the prescription because in international law the
established by law to legalize the prescription established by laws
vicious acquisition of private legalizing even the fraudulent
property is not recognized, the acquisition of the property of individuals
legitimacy of such revolution can not is not recognized, there can be no doubt
be put in doubt which was calmed as to the legality of such a movement as
but not completely stifled by the the one that was quieted but not entirely
pacification proposed by Don Pedro quenched by the pacification proposed
A. Paterno with Don Emilio by Pedro A. Paterno with Don Emilio
Aguinaldo as President of the Aguinaldo as President of the Republican
Republic established in Biak-na-Bato government established in Biac-na-
and accepted by Governor-General bato, and accepted by the Governor-
Don Fernando Primo de Rivera General, Don Fernando Primo de Rivera,
under terms, both written and oral, under conditions which were
among them being a general established, some in writing and others
amnesty for all deported and verbally, among them a general
convicted persons; that by reason of amnesty for all deported and sentenced;
the non-fulfillment of some of the that by reason of nonfulfillment of some
terms, after the destruction of the of these conditions after the destruction
Spanish Squadron by the North of the Spanish squadron by the North
American Navy, and bombardment American one and the bombardment of
of the plaza of Cavite, Don Emilio Cavite, Don Emilio Aguinaldo returned to
Aguinaldo returned in order to start a new revolution, and hardly had
initiate a new revolution and no he given the word to commence, on the
sooner had he given the order to rise thirty-first of last month, when several
on the 31st of last month when towns anticipated the movement, and
several towns anticipating the on the twenty-eighth between Imus and
revolution, rose in revolt on the Cavite Viejo here was engaged and
28th, such that a Spanish contingent captured force of one hundred and
of 178 men, between Imus and seventy-eight, commanded by a major
Cavite-Viejo, under the command of of marine infantry. This movement
a major of the Marine Infantry spread like an electric spark through the
capitulated, the revolutionary other towns not only of this province,
movement spreading like wild fire to but also in Bataan, Pampanga,
other towns of Cavite and the other Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna and Morong,
provinces of Bataan, Pampanga, some of them with seaports. So
Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, and complete is the triumph of our arms,
Morong, some of them with seaports truly marvelous and unparalleled in the
and such was the success of the history of Colonial revolutions, that in
victory of our arms, truly marvelous the first province mentioned there
and without equal in the history of remain to be surrendered only the
colonial revolutions that in the first detachments at Naic and Indang; in the
mentioned province only the second there are none at all, in the third,
Detachments in Naic and Indang resistance by the Spanish forces is
remained to surrender; in the localized in the town of San Fernando,
second, all Detachments had been where the greater part are concentrated
wiped out; in the third, the the remainder being in Macabebe,
resistance of the Spanish forces was Sesmoan and Guagua; in the fourth only
localized in the town of San in the city of Lipa; in the fifth, in the
Fernando where the greater part of capital and Calumpit; and in the
them are concentrated, the remaining two, only in their respective
remainder in Macabebe, Sexmoan, capitals. The city of Manila will soon be
and Guagua; in the fourth, in the completely besieged by our forces, and
town of Lipa; in the fifth, in the also the posts in the province of Nueva
capital and in Calumpit; and in the Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Union,
last two remaining provinces, only in Zambales and several others in the
their respective capitals, and the Visayan islands, where insurrection has
city of Manila will soon be besieged broken out in several of their towns,
by our forces as well as the having started in some almost at the
provinces of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, moment of completing that pacification,
Pangasinan, La Union, Zambales, and in others even before that,
and some others in the Visayas wherefore the independence of our
where the revolution at the time of territory and the recovery of our
the pacification and others even sovereignty are assured.
before, so that the independence of
our country and the revindication of
our sovereignty is assured.

And having as witness to the

rectitude of our intentions the And summoning as a witness of the
Supreme Judge of the Universe, and rectitude of our intentions, the Supreme
under the protection of the Powerful Judge of the Universe, and under the
and Humanitarian Nation, the protection of the Mighty and Humane
United States of America, we do North American Nation, we proclaim and
hereby proclaim and declare solemnly declare, in the name and by
solemnly in the name and by the authority of the inhabitants of all
authority of the people of these these Philippine Islands,
Philippine Islands,

That they are and have the right to

that they are and have the right to be
be free and independent; that they
free and independent; that they are
have ceased to have any allegiance
released from all obedience to the crown
to the Crown of Spain; that all
of Spain; that every political tie between
political ties between them are and
the two is and must be completely
should be completely severed and
severed and annulled; and that, like all
annulled; and that, like other free
free and independent states, they have
and independent States, they enjoy
complete authority to make war,
the full power to make War and
conclude peace, establish treaties of
Peace, conclude commercial
commerce, enter into alliances, regulate
treaties, enter into alliances,
commerce, and execute all other acts
regulate commerce, and do all other
and things that Independent States
acts and things which an
have the right to do.
Independent State has a right to do,

And imbued with firm confidence in Reposing firm confidence in the

Divine Providence, we hereby protection of Divine Providence, we
mutually bind ourselves to support mutually pledge for the support of this
this Declaration with our lives, our declaration, our lives, our fortunes, and
fortunes, and with our most sacred our most sacred possession, which is our
possession, our Honor. honor.

We recognize, approve, and ratify, We acknowledge, approve and confirm

with all the orders emanating from together with the orders that have been
the same, the Dictatorship issued therefrom, the Dictatorship
established by Don Emilio Aguinaldo established by Don Emilio Aguinaldo,
whom we revere as the Supreme whom we honor as the Supreme Chief of
Head of this Nation, which today this Nation, which this day commences
begins to have a life of its own, in to have a life of its own, in the belief that
the conviction that he has been the he is the instrument selected by God, in
instrument chosen by God, inspite of spite of his humble origin, to effect the
his humble origin, to effectuate the redemption of this unfortunate people,
redemption of this unfortunate as foretold by Doctor Jose Rizal in the
country as foretold by Dr. Don Jose magnificent verses which he composed
Rizal in his magnificent verses which when he was preparing to be shot,
he composed in his prison cell prior liberating them from the yoke of
to his execution, liberating it from Spanish domination
the Yoke of Spanish domination,

And in punishment for the impunity in punishment of the impunity with

with which the Government which their Government allowed the
sanctioned the commission of commission of abuses by its
abuses by its officials, and for the subordinates; and for the unjust
unjust execution of Rizal and others executions of said Rizal and others who
who were sacrificed in order to were sacrificed to please the greedy
please the insatiable friars in their body of friars in their insatiable desire to
hydropical thirst for vengeance seek revenge upon and exterminate all
against and extermination of all those who are opposed to their
those who oppose their Macchiavellian purposes, which
Machiavellian ends, trampling upon tramples upon the penal code prescribed
the Penal Code of these Islands, and for these islands; and for the sake of
of those suspected persons arrested those persons who, though merely
by the Chiefs of Detachments at the suspected, were convicted by the
instigation of the friars, without any Commanders of detachments at the
form nor semblance of trial and instigation of the friars without form or
without any spiritual aid of our semblance of a trial and without the
sacred Religion; and likewise, and spiritual consolation afforded by our
for the same ends, eminent Filipino sacred religion; and likewise for the
priests, Doctor Don Jose Burgos, hanging for the same motives of the
Don Mariano Gomez, and Don eminent native Filipino priests Doctor
Jacinto Zamora were hanged whose Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto
innocent blood was shed due to the Zamora, whose innocent blood was shed
intrigues of these so-called Religious through the intrigues of those socalled
corporations which made the religious orders which pretended that a
authorities to believe that the military insurrection had broken out on
military uprising at the fort of San the night of January 21st, 1872, in the
Felipe in Cavite on the night of Fort of San Felipe in the town of Cavite,
January 21, 1872 was instigated by accusing said martyrs of starting it, so
those Filipino martyrs, thereby as to prevent the execution of the
impeding the execution of the decree-sentence issued by the Council
decree-sentence issued by the of State in the appeal in administrative
Council of State in the appeal in the litigation (contencioso administrativo)
administrative case interposed by interposed by the Secular Clergy against
the secular clergy against the Royal the Royal Orders where in it was
Orders that directed that the directed that the parishes under them in
parishes under them within the the jurisdiction of this Archbishopic
jurisdiction of this Bishopric be should be turned over to the Recoletos
turned over to the Recollects in in exchange for those controlled by the
exchange for those controlled by Recoletos in Mindanao, which were to be
them in Mindanao which were to be transferred to the Jesuits. These were
transferred to the Jesuits, thus revoked completely, and the return of
revoking them completely and those parishes was ordered. The papers
ordering the return of those were filed in the Colonial Department, to
parishes, all of which proceedings which they were sent some time during
are on file with the Ministry of the last months of the preceding year,
Foreign Affairs to which they are for the preparation of the respective
sent last month of last year for the Royal Provision. That was what caused
issuance of the proper Royal Degree the tree of Liberty to bud in this land of
which, in turn, caused the growth of ours, the iniquitous measures employed
the tree of liberty in this our dear to suppress it only causing it to grow
land that grew more and more more and more, until, the last drop
through the iniquitous measures of having been drained from the cup of our
oppression, until the last drop from afflictions, the former insurrection broke
our chalice of suffering having been out at Caloocan, extended to Santa
drained, the first spark of revolution Mesa, and continued its course to the
broke out in Caloocan, spread out to adjoining places in this province, where
Santamesa and continued its course the unequalled heroism of its inhabitants
to the adjoining regions of the met with failure in the battles with
province where the unequalled General Blanco, and continued the
heroism of its inhabitants fought a struggle against the great hosts of
onesided battle against superior General Polavieja for the period of three
forces of General Blanco and months, without any of the war material
General Polavieja for a period of that we now possess, but commencing
three months, without proper arms with arms peculiar to the country, such
nor ammunitions, except bolos, as the bolo, sharpened bamboo, and
pointed bamboos, and arrows. arrow.

Moreover, we confer upon our Moreover we confer upon our renowned

famous Dictator Don Emilio Dictator, Don Emilio Aguinaldo, all the
Aguinaldo all the powers necessary powers necessary for the due
to enable him to discharge the administration of his Government,
duties of Government, including the including the prerogatives of pardon and
prerogatives of granting pardon and amnesty.
amnesty,

And, lastly, it was resolved

And finally, it was unanimously resolved
unanimously that this Nation,
that this Nation, independent from this
already free and independent as of
day, must use the same flag used
this day, must use the same flag
heretofore, whose design and colors and
which up to now is being used,
described in the accompanying drawing,
whose design and colors are found
with design representing in natural
described in the attached drawing,
colors the three arms referred to. The
the white triangle signifying the
white triangle represents the distinctive
distinctive emblem of the famous
emblem of the famous Katipunan
Society of the "Katipunan" which by
Society, which by means of its compact
means of its blood compact inspired
of blood urged on the masses of the
the masses to rise in revolution; the
people to insurrection; the three stars
three stars, signifying the three
represent the three principal Islands of
principal Islands of this Archipelago-
this Archipelago, Luzon, Mindanao and
Luzon, Mindanao, and Panay where
Panay, in which this insurrectionary
this revolutionary movement
movement broke out; the sun
started; the sun representing the
represents the gigantic strides that have
gigantic steps made by the sons of
been made by the sons of this land on
the country along the path of
the road of progress and civilization, its
Progress and Civilization; the eight
eight rays symbolizing the eight
rays, signifying the eight provinces-
provinces of Manila, Cavite, Bulacan,
Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga,
Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna
Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, and
and Batangas, which were declared in a
Batangas - which declared
state of war almost as soon as the first
themselves in a state of war as soon
insurrectionary movement was initiated;
as the first revolt was initiated; and
and the colors blue, red and white,
the colors of Blue, Red, and White,
commemorate those of the flag of the
commemorating the flag of the
United States of North America, in
United States of North America, as a
manifestation of our profound gratitude
manifestation of our profound
towards that Great Nation for the
gratitude towards this Great Nation
disinterested protection she is extending
for its disinterested protection which
to us and will continue to extend to us.
it lent us and continues lending us.
And holding up this flag of ours, I
And grasping that flag, I displayed it to
present it to the gentlemen here
the assemblage,
assembled

Don Segundo Arellano, Don Tiburcio Segundo Arellano, D. Tiburcio del

del Rosario, Sergio Matias, Don Rosario, D. Sergio Matias, D. Agapito
Agapito Zialcita, Don Flaviano Zialcita, D. Flaviano Alonzo, D. Mariano
Alonzo, Don Mariano Legazpi, Don Legaspi, D. Jose Auriano Santiago y
Jose Turiano Santiago y Acosta, Don Acosta, D. Aurelio Tolentino, D. Felix
Aurelio Tolentino, Don Felix Ferrer, Ferrer, D. Felipe Buencamino, D.
Don Felipe Buencamino, Don Fernando Canon Faustino, Jr., D.
Fernando Canon Faustino, (Hijo), Anastacio Pinzon, D. Timoteo Bernabe,
Don Anastacio Pinzun, Don Timoteo D. Flaviano Rodriguez, D. Gavino
Bernabe, Don Flaviano Rodriguez, Masancay, D. Narciso Nayuga, D.
Don Gavino (?) Masancay, Don Gregorio Villa, D. Luis Perez de Tagle, D.
Narciso Mayuga, Don Gregorio Villa, Canuto Celestino, D. Marcos Lacson, D.
Don Luis Perez Tagle, Don Canuto Martin de los Reyes, D. Ciriaco Bausa, D.
Celestino, Don Marcos Jocson, Don Manuel Santos, D. Mariano Toribio, D.
Martin de los Reyes, Don Ciriaco Gabriel Reyes, D. Hugo Sim, D. Emiliano
Bausa, Don Manuel Santcs, Don Sim, D. Fausto Tirona, D. Rosendo
Mariano Toribio, Don Gabriel Reyes, Simon, D. Leon Tanjanque, D. Gregorio
Don Hugo Lim, Don Emiliano Lim, Bonifacio, D. Manuel Salfranca, D.
Don Fausto Tinorio (?), Don Simon Villareal, D. Calisto Lara, D.
Rosendo Simon, Don Leon Buenaventura Toribia, D. Zacarias
Tanjanque (?), Don Gregorio Fajardo, D. Florencio Manalo, D. Roman
Bonifacio, Don Manuel Salafranca, Gana, D. Marcelino Gomez, D. Valentin
Don Simon Villareal, Don Calixto Polintan, D. Felix Polintan, D. Evaristo
Lara, Don Buenaventura Toribio, Dimalanta, D. Gregorio Alvares, D.
Don Zacarias Fajardo, Don Florencio Sabas de Guzman, D. Estevan
Manalo, Don Roman Gana, Don Francisco, D. Guido Yap-Finchay, D.
Marcelino Gomez, Don Valentin Mariano Rianzares Bautista, D.
Polintan, Don Felix Polintan, Don Francisco Arambula, D. Antonio
Evaristo Dimalanta, Don Gregorio Gonzales, D. Juan Arevalo, D. Roman
Alvarez, Don Sabas de Guzman, Don Delfino, D. Honorio Tionges, D.
Esteban Francisco, Don Guido Francisco del Rosario, D. Epifanio Saguil,
Yaptinchay, Don Mariano Rianzares Don Ladislao Afable Jose, D. Sixto
Bautista, Don Francisco Arambulo, Roldan, D. Luis de Lara, D. Marcelo
Don Antonio Gonzalez, Don Juan Basa, D. Jose Medina, D. Epifanio Cuisia,
Arevalo, Don Ramon Delfino, Don D. Pastor Lopez de Leon, D. Mariano de
Honorio Tiongco, Don Francisco del los Santos, D. Santiago Garcia, D.
Rosario, Don Epifanio Saguil, Don Claudio Tria Tirona, D. Andres Tria
Ladislao Afable Jose, Don Sixto Tirona, D. Carlos Tria Tirona, D.
Roldan, Don Luis de Lara, Don Estanislao Tria Tirona, D. Daniel Tria
Marcelo Basa, Don Jose Medina, Don Tirona, D. Sulpicio P. Antonio, D.
Epifanio Cirisia (?), Don Pastor Epitacio Asuncion, D. Catalino Ramon,
Lopez de Leon, Don Mariano de los D. Juan Bordadom, D. Jose del Rosario,
Santos, Don Santiago Garcia, Don D. Proceso Pulido, D. Jose Maria del
Claudio Tria Tirona, Don Estanislao Rosario, D. Ramon Magcauan, D.
Tria Tirona, Don Daniel Tria Tirona, Antonio Calingo, D. Mendiola, D.
Don Andres Tria Tirona, Don Carlos Estanislao Calingo, D. Numeriano
Tria Tirona, Don Sulpicio P. Antony, Castillo, D. Federico Tomacruz, D.
Don Epitacio Asuncion, Don Catalino Teodoro Pateo, D. Ladislao Diwa, and
Ramon, Don Juan Bordador, Don also the only foreigner, the North
Jose del Rosario, Don Proceso American subject, Mr. L. M. Johnson,
Pulido, Don Jose Maria del Rosario, Colonel of Artillery, who was present at
Don Ramon Magcamco (?), Don the ceremony, to which act I certify.
Antonio Calingo, Don Pedro (Signed) AMBROSIO RIANZARES. (Also
Mendiola, Don Estanislao Galinco, signed by) Mariano Trias, Artemio
Don Numeriano Castillo, Don Ricarte y Vibora, Salvador Estrella,
Federico Tomacruz, Don Teodoro Baldomero Aguinaldo, Mariano Noriel,
Yatco, Don Ladislao Diwa (?), Pantaleon Garcia Estanislao Viniegra,
Esteban San Juan, Felipe Topacio,
Rufino Nata, the Captain of Artillery:
Francisco Constante, Juan Cailles,
Daniel Tirona, Hugo C. Area.

and all swore solemnly to recognize Who solemnly swear to recognize and
it and defend it to the last drop of defend it unto the last drop of their
our blood. blood.

In witness thereof, I certify that this In witness whereof, I commit the

Act of Declaration of Independence proceedings to writing in this act, which
was signed by me and by all those is signed with me by all those concurring
here assembled including the only in this act, as well as by the only
stranger who attended those foreigner, a North American subject, Mr.
proceedings, a citizen of the U.S.A., L. M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery, who
Mr. L. M. Johnson, a Coronel of attended the meeting, to all of which I
Artillery. certify.

Source: http://filipinolibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/07/philippine-declaration-of-
independence_05.html?m=1
Declaration of PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE Translation by Sulpicio Guevara

In the town of Cavite-Viejo, Province of Cavite, this 12th day of June 1898:

BEFORE ME, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, War Counsellor and Special Delegate designated to
proclaim and solemnize this Declaration of Independence by the Dictatorial Government of the
Philippines, pursuant to, and by virtue of, a Decree issued by the Engregious Dictator Don Emilio
Aguinaldo y Famy,
The undersigned assemblage of military chiefs and others of the army who could not attend, as
well as the representatives of the various towns,
Taking into account the fact that the people of this country are already tired of bearing the
ominous joke of Spanish domination,
Because of arbitrary arrests and abuses of the Civil Guards who cause deaths in connivance with
and even under the express orders of their superior officers who at times would order the
shooting of those placed under arrest under the pretext that they attempted to escape in
violation of known Rules and Regulations, which abuses were left unpunished, and because of
unjust deportations of illustrious Filipinos, especially those decreed by General Blanco at the
instigation of the Archbishop and friars interested in keeping them in ignorance for egoistic and
selfish ends, which deportations were carried out through processes more execrable than those
of the Inquisition which every civilized nation repudiates as a trial without hearing.
Had resolved to start a revolution in August 1896 in order to regain the independence and
sovereignty of which the people had been deprived by Spain through Governor Miguel Lopez de
Legazpi who, continuing the course followed by his predecessor Ferdinand Magellan who landed
on the shores of Cebu and occupied said Island by means of a Pact of Friendship with Chief Tupas,
although he was killed in the battle that took place in said shores to which battle he was provoked
by Chief Kalipulako ** of Mactan who suspected his evil designs, landed on the Island of Bohol
by entering also into a Blood Compact with its Chief Sikatuna, with the purpose of later taking by
force the Island of Cebu, and because his successor Tupas did not allow him to occupy it, he went
to Manila, the capital, winning likewise the friendship of its Chiefs Soliman and Lakandula, later
taking possession of the city and the whole Archipelago in the name of Spain by virtue of an order
of King Philip II, and with these historical precedents and because in international law the
prescription established by law to legalize the vicious acquisition of private property is not
recognized, the legitimacy of such revolution can not be put in doubt which was calmed but not
complete stifled by the pacification proposed by Don Pedro A. Paterno with Don Emilio Aguinaldo
as President of the Republic established in Biak-na-Bato and accepted by Governor-General Don
Fernando Primo De Rivera under terms, both written and oral, among them being a general
amnesty for all deported and convicted persons; that by reason of the non-fulfillment of some of
the terms, after the destruction of the plaza of Cavite, Don Emilio Aguinaldo returned in order to
initiate a new revolution and no sooner had he given the order to rise on the 31st of last month
when several towns anticipating the revolution, rose in revolt on the 28th , such that a Spanish
contingent of 178 men, between Imus Cavite-Viejo, under the command of major of the Marine
Infantry capitulated , the revolutionary movement spreading like wild fire to other towns of
Cavite and the other provinces of Bataan, Pampanga, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, and Morong,
some of them with seaports and such was the success of the victory of our arms, truly marvelous
and without equal in the history of colonial revolutions that in the first mentioned province only
the Detachments in Naic and Indang remained to surrender; in the second all Detachments had
been wiped out; in the third the resistance of the Spanish forces was localized in the town of San
Fernando where the greater part of them are concentrated, the remainder in Macabebe,
Sexmoan, and Guagua; in the fourth, in the town of Lipa; in the fifth, in the capital and in
Calumpit; and in last two remaining provinces, only in there respective capitals, and the city of
Manila will soon be besieged by our forces as well as the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac,
Pangasinan, La Union, Zambales, and some others in the Visayas where the revolution at the time
of the pacification and others even before, so that the independence of our country and the
revindication of our sovereignty is assured.
And having as witness to the rectitude of our intentions the Supreme Judge of the Universe, and
under the protection of our Powerful and Humanitarian Nation, The United States of America,
we do hereby proclaim and declare solemnly in the name by authority of the people of these
Philippine Islands,
That they are and have the right to be free and independent; that they have ceased to have
allegiance to the Crown of Spain; that all political ties between them are should be completely
severed and annulled; and that, like other free and independent States, they enjoy the full power
to make War and Peace, conclude commercial treaties, enter into alliances, regulate commerce,
and do all other acts and things which and Independent State Has right to do,
And imbued with firm confidence in Divine Providence, we hereby mutually bind ourselves to
support this Declaration with our lives, our fortunes, and with our sacred possession, our Honor.
We recognize, approve, and ratify, with all the orders emanating from the same, the Dictatorship
established by Don Emilio Aguinaldo whom we reverse as the Supreme Head of this Nation, which
today begins to have a life of its own, in the conviction that he has been the instrument chosen
by God, inspite of his humble origin, to effectuate the redemption of this unfortunate country as
foretold by Dr. Don Jose Rizal in his magnificent verses which he composed in his prison cell prior
to his execution, liberating it from the Yoke of Spanish domination,
And in punishment for the impunity with which the Government sanctioned the commission of
abuses by its officials, and for the unjust execution of Rizal and others who were sacrified in order
to please the insatiable friars in their hydropical thirst for vengeance against and extermination
of all those who oppose their Machiavellian ends, trampling upon the Penal Code of these Islands,
and of those suspected persons arrested by the Chiefs of Detachments at the instigation of the
friars, without any form nor semblance of trial and without any spiritual aid of our sacred
Religion; and likewise, and for the same ends, eminent Filipino priest, Doctor Don Jose Burgos,
Don Mariano Gomez, and Don Jacinto Zamora were hanged whose innocent blood was shed due
to the intrigues of these so-called Religious corporations which made the authorities to believe
that the military uprising at the fort of San Felipe in Cavite on the night of January 21, 1872 was
instigated by those Filipino martyrs, thereby impeding the execution of the decree- sentence
issued by the Council of State in the appeal in the administrative case interposed by the secular
clergy against the Royal Orders that directed that the parishes under them within the jurisdiction
of this Bishopric be turned over to the Recollects in exchange for those controlled by them in
Mindanao which were to be transferred to the Jesuits, thus revoking them completely and
ordering the return of those parishes, all of which proceedings are on file with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs to which they are sent last month of the year of the issuance of the proper Royal
Degree which, in turn, caused the grow of the tree of the liberty in our dear land that grow more
and more through the iniquitous measures of oppressions, until the last drop of our chalice of
suffering having been drained, the first spark of revolution broke out in Caloocan, spread out to
Santa Mesa and continued its course to the adjoining regions of the province were the
unequalled heroism of its inhabitants fought a one sided battle against superior forces of General
Blanco and General Polavieja for a period of 3 months, without proper arms nor ammunitions,
except bolos, pointed bamboos, and arrows.
Moreover, we confer upon our famous Dictator Don Emilio Aguinaldo all the powers necessary
to enable him to discharge the duties of Government, including the prerogatives of granting
pardon and amnesty,
And lastly, it was results unanimously that this Nation, already free and independent as of this
day, must used the same flag which up to now is being used, whose designed and colored are
found described in the attached drawing, the white triangle signifying the distinctive emblem of
the famous Society of the "Katipunan" which by means of its blood compact inspired the masses
to rise in revolution; the tree stars, signifying the three principal Islands of these Archipelago -
Luzon, Mindanao, and Panay where the revolutionary movement started; the sun representing
the gigantic step made by the son of the country along the path of Progress and Civilization; the
eight rays, signifying the eight provinces - Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija,
Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas - which declares themselves in a state of war as soon as the first
revolt was initiated; and the colors of Blue, Red, and White, commemorating the flag of the
United States of America, as a manifestation of our profound gratitude towards this Great Nation
for its disinterested protection which it lent us and continues lending us.
And holding up this flag of ours, I present it to the gentlemen here assembled:

Don Segundo Arellano

Don Tiburcio del Rosario

Sergio Matias

Don Agapito Zialcita

Don Flaviano Alonzo

Don Mariano Legazpi

Don Jose Turiano Santiago y Acosta

Don Aurelio Tolentino

Don Felix Ferrer

Don Felipe Buencamino

Don Fernando Canon Faustino

Don Anastacio Pinzun

Don Timoteo Bernabe

Don Flaviano Rodriguez

Don Gavino (?) Masancay

Don Narciso Mayuga

Don Gregorio Villa

Don Luis Perez Tagle

Don Canuto Celestino

Don Marcos Jocson

Don Martin de los Reyes

Don Ciriaco Bausa

Don Manuel Santos

Don Mariano Toribio

Don Gabriel de los Reyes

Don Hugo Lim

Don Emiliano Lim

Don Faustino Tinorio(?)

Don Rosendo Simon

Don Leon Tanjanque(?)

Don Gregorio Bonifacio

Don Manuel Salafranca

Don Simon Villareal

Don Calixto Lara

Don Buenaventura Toribio

Don Gabriel Reyes

Don Hugo Lim

Don Emiliano Lim

Don Fausto Tinorio(?)

Don Rosendo Simon

Don Leon Tanjanque(?)

Don Gregorio Bonifacio

Don Manuel Salafranca

Don Simon Villareal

Don Calixto Lara

Don Buenaventura Toribio

Don Zacarias Fajardo

Don Florencio Manalo

Don Ramon Gana

Don Marcelino Gomez

Don Valentin Politan

Don Felix Politan

Don Evaristo Dimalanta

Don Gregorio Alvarez

Don Sabas de Guzman

Don Esteban Francisco

Don Guido Yaptinchay

Don Mariano Rianzares Bautista

Don Francisco Arambulo

Don Antonio Gonzales

Don Juan Antonio Gonzales

Don Juan Arevalo

Don Ramon Delfino

Don Honorio Tiongco

Don Francisco del Rosario

Don Epifanio Saguil

Don Ladislao Afable Jose

Don Sixto Roldan

Don Luis de Lara

Don Marcelo Basa

Don Jose Medina

Don Efipanio Crisia(?)

Don Pastor Lopez de Leon

Don Mariano de los Santos

Don Santiago Garcia

Don Andres Tria Tirona

Don Estanislao Tria Tirona

Don Daniel Tria Tirona

Don Andres Tria Tirona

Don Carlos Tria Tirona

Don Sulpicio P. Antony

Don Epitacio Asuncion

Don Catalino Ramon

Don Juan Bordador

Don Jose del Rosario

Don Proceso Pulido

Don Jose Maria del Rosario

Don Ramon Magcamco(?)

Don Antonio Calingo

Don Pedro Mendiola

Don Estanislao Galinco

Don Numeriano Castillo

Don Federico Tomacruz

Don Teodoro Yatco

Don Ladislao Diwa(?).

Who solemnly swear to recognize and defend it unto the last drop of their blood.
In witness thereof, I certify that this Act of Declaration of Independence was signed by me and
by all those here assembled including the only stranger who attended those proceedings, a
citizen of the U.S.A., Mr. L.M. Johnson, a Colonel of Artillery.
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
War Counsellor and Special Delegate-Designate

Declaration of Independence
With a government in operation, Aguinaldo thought that it was necessary to declare the
independence of the Philippines. He believed that such a move would inspire the people to fight
more eagerly against the Spaniards and at the same time, lead the foreign countries to recognize
the independence of the country. Mabini, who had by now been made Aguinaldo's unofficial
adviser, objected. He based his objection on the fact that it was more important to reorganize
the government in such a manner as to convince the foreign powers of the competence and
stability of the new government than to proclaim Philippine independence at such an early
period. Aguinaldo, however, stood his ground and won.
***
On June 12, between four and five in the afternoon, Aguinaldo, in the presence of a huge crowd,
proclaimed the independence of the Philippines at Cavite el Viejo (Kawit). For the first time, the
Philippine National Flag, made in Hongkong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo, assisted by Lorenza
Agoncillo and Delfina Herboza, was officially hoisted and the Philippine National March played in
public. The Act of the Declaration of Independence was prepared by Ambrosio Rianzares
Bautista, who also read it. A passage in the Declaration reminds one of another passage in the
American Declaration of Independence. The Philippine Declaration was signed by ninety-eight
persons, among them an American army officer who witnessed the proclamation. The
proclamation of Philippine independence was, however, promulgated on August 1 when many
towns has already been organized under the riles laid down by the Dictatorial Government.

History of the Filipino People. Teodoro A. AgoncilloProclamation of Philippine Independence

The most significant achievement of Aguinaldo's Dictatorial Government was the proclamation
of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898. The day was declared a national
holiday. Thousands of people from the provinces gathered in Kawit to witness the historic event.
The ceremony was solemnly held at the balcony of General Emilio Aguinaldo's residence. The
military and civil officials of the government were in attendance.
A dramatic feature of the ceremony was the formal unfurling of the Filipino flag amidst the
cheers of the people. At the same time, the Philippine National Anthem was played by the band.
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista solemnly read the "Act of the Declaration of Independence" which
he himself wrote. The declaration was signed by 98 persons. One of the signers was an American,
L.M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery.
The Philippines: A Unique Nation. Dr. Sonia M. Zaide

Protectorate Proclaimed
Aguinaldo continued his moves for consolidation. The next step was the proclamation of
Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898. Appropriate celebrations marked the event in Kawit
at which the Philippine flag was officially raised and the Philippine National Anthem first publicly
played. The declaration was prepared by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista who patterned it after the
American Declaration of Independence. Aguinaldo invited Dewey to the festivities, but the latter
declined the invitation and did not even report the event to Washington. The declaration was
signed by ninety-eight persons, including an American office, L.M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery.