Malolos Congress Ratifies The Declaration of Philippine Independence

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

SEPTEMBER 29, 1898

The “Act of the Declaration of Philippine Independence” was ratified by the Malolos Congress also known as the Assembly of Representatives. 

This was the first official act  of the lawmaking body of the First Republic. The Malolos Congress was a unicameral body composed of representatives, one-third of whom were chosen by the officials of the municipalities under the control of the Revolutionary Government. 

The others were appointed by Emilio Aguinaldo to represent the areas under American control which could not send delegates.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

The Malolos Congress

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

SEPTEMBER 15, 1898

The Malolos Congress convened for the first time at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan. 

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo declared the conclusion of the war of liberation against Spain with cheers of Viva from the crowd. 

The congress elected its officers with Pedro Paterno as the President of the National Assembly of Representatives, the constituent assembly of the First Philippine Republic. 

The Malolos Congress created a committee to draft the the constitution, a move opposed by Apolinario Mabini, who came out with his draft but was rejected in favor of Felipe Calderon’s.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.com

Today in Philippine History: Felipe G. Calderon

APRIL 4, 1868

Felipe Calderon (April 4, 1868 - July 6, 1908), the “Father of the Malolos Constitution” was born in Santa Cruz de Malabon, Cavite. He was a lawyer and politician who supported the cause of the Philippine Revolution. He authored the Malolos Constitution that the Malolos Congress approved on January 21, 1899 which became the basic law of the First Philippine Republic. Calderon founded two law universities, Colegio de Abogados de Manila (School of Lawyers of Manila) and the Escuela de Derecho (School of Duties).