1899: Malolos Constitution

1899: Malolos Constitution
The Malolos Congress
Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree on July 18, 1898 asking for the election of delegates to the
revolutionary congress, another decree was promulgated five days later, which declared that Aguinaldo
would appoint representatives of congress because holding elections is not practical at that time.
He appointed 50 delegates in all (but this number fluctuated from time to time). In accordance with these
two decrees, Aguinaldo assembled the Revolutionary Congress at the Brasoain Church in Malolos,
Bulacan on September 15, 1898.

The atmosphere was festive and the Pasig Band played the national anthem. After Aguinaldo had read his
speech congressional elections were held among the delegates present. The following were among the
most important achievements of the Malolos Congress:

1. In September 29, 1898, ratified the declaration of Philippine independence held at Kawit, Cavite on
June 12, 1898
2. Passage of a law that allowed the Philippines to borrow P 20 million from banks for government
expenses
3. Establishment of the Universidad Literatura de Filipinas and other schools
4. Drafting of the Philippine Constitution
5. Declaring war against the United States on June 12, 1899
Malolos Constitution
A committee headed by Felipe Calderon and aided by Cayetano Arellano, the constitution was drafted,

for the first time by representatives of the Filipino people and it is the first republican constitution in Asia.
The constitution was inspired by the constitutions of Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica,
Brazil, Belgium and France. After some minor revisions (mainly due to the objections of Apolinario
Mabini), the final draft of the constitution was presented to Aguinaldo. This paved the way to launching
the first Philippine Republic.
The Malolos constitution is the first important Filipino document ever produced by the people's
representatives. It is anchored in democratic traditions that ultimately had their roots in American
soil. It created a Filipino state whose government was "popular, representative and responsible" with
three distinct branches -- the executive, the legislative and the judicial. The constitution specifically
provided for safeguards against abuses, and enumerated the national and individual rights not only of
the Filipinos and of the aliens.
The legislative powers were exercised by the Assembly of Representatives composed of delegates
elected according to law. To make the function of Congress continuous, the document provided for a
Permanent Commission which would sit as a law-making body when Congress was not in session.
The assembly elected the President of the Republic. The Cabinet, composed of the Secretaries of the
different Departments of the government, was responsible not to the President, but to the Assembly.
The administration of justice was vested in the Supreme Court and in inferior courts to be established
according to law. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was to be elected by the Assembly with the
concurrence of the President and the Cabinet.
The constitution as a whole is a monument to the capacity of the Filipinos to chart their own course
along democratic lines. In a period of storm and stress, it symbolized the ideals of a people who had
emerged from the Dark Ages into the Light of Reason.
Excerpts from the Malolos Constitution
Article 3. Sovereignity resides exclusively in the people.
Article 5. The State recognizes the freedom and equality of all religions, as well as the separation of
Church and State.
Article 19. No Filipino in the full enjoyment of his civil and political rights shall be hindered in the
free exercise of the same.
Article 20.1. Neither shall any Filipino be deprived of: The right of expressing freely his ideas and
opinions either by word or by writing, availing himself of the press or any other similar means.
Article 20.2. Neither shall any Filipino be deprived of: The right of joining any association for all the
objects of human life which may not be contrary to public morals.
Article 23. Any Filipino can found and maintain establishments of instruction or of education, in
accordance with the regulations that may be established. Popular education shall be obligatory and
gratuitous in the schools of the nation.
First Philippine Republic
The first Philippine Republic was inaugurated in Malolos, Bulacan on January 21, 1899. After being
proclaimed president, Emilio Aguinaldo took his oath of office. The constitution was read article by
article and followed by a military parade. Apolinario Mabini was elected as a prime minister. The
other cabinet secretaries were: Teodoro Sandico, interior; Baldomero Aguinaldo, war; Gen. Mariano
Trias, finance & war; Apolinario Mabini, foreign affairs; Gracio Gonzaga for welfare, Aguedo Velarde,
public instruction; Maximo Paterno, public works & communication; and Leon María Guerrero for
agriculture, trade & commerce.
The Philippine National Anthem
Aguinaldo commissioned Julian Felipe, a composer from Cavite province was asked to write an an
instrumental march for the proclamation of independence ceremony. The original title was "Marcha
Filipina Magdalo". This was later changed to "Marcha Nacional Filipina". The lyrics was added in
August 1899 based on the poem titled "Filipinas" by Jose Palma. The original lyrics was written in
Spanish, then to English (when the Flag Law was abolished during the American period) then later, was
translated to Tagalog, which underwent another change of title to “Lupang Hinirang”, the Philippine
National Anthem.
Works Cited
(2006). Retrieved nov. 26, 2019, from Filipino.biz.ph: http://msc.edu.ph/centennial/malolos.html
(2019, jan 12). Retrieved nov 26, 2019, from PHILIPPINE-HISTORY.ORG: https://www.philippine-
history.org/malolos-congress.htm
1899: Malolos
Constitution
Written Report ( Mga babasahin hinngil sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas )
BSBM 1-2
Arañas, Sheela Mae Q.
Artacho, Jane
Cinco, Christian
DeCastro, Geraldine
Portillo, Judyann
Olimpo, Albert Ray

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1899: Malolos Constitution

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1899: Malolos Constitution

The Malolos Congress

A committee headed by Felipe Calderon and aided by Cayetano Arellano, the constitution was drafted,

Excerpts from the Malolos Constitution

Article 3. Sovereignity resides exclusively in the people.

First Philippine Republic

The Philippine National Anthem

Arañas, Sheela Mae Q.

Olimpo, Albert Ray

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