PROCLAMATION OF THE

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
AMBROSIO RIANZARES BAUSTISTA
INTRODUCTION

The Philippines declared independence from Spain on

June 12, 1898.The "Proclamation of the Philippine
Independence" is a key document in Philippine history. It
provides insights into the reasons for the revolution, the
aspirations of the revolutionaries, and the early days of
the new republic. The Philippine Revolution was a long
and bloody struggle against Spanish colonial rule. The
"Proclamation of the Philippine Independence" marked a
turning point in this struggle and declared the birth of a
new nation.
• It is a short, specific 2000-word document .
• It summarized the reason behind the revolution against
Spain.
• It also summarized the subsequent war for
independence, as well as the future of the new republic
under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo.
• Many towns had already been established under
Dictatorial Government rules before the time of
proclamation.
• The Proclamation commenced with a characterization of
the condition of the Philippines during Spanish colonial
period.
• It specifically mentioned abuses and inequalities existing
in the colony.
• It cites Civil Guard abuses, unlawful prisoner shootings,
inadequate legal protection, and the church's greed as the
main factors propelling the revolution against Spain.
• Following this, a brief historical overview is provided, tracing
significant events from Magellan's arrival to the Philippine
Revolution.
• The proclamation emphasizes significant episodes, such as the
fall of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato and the Cavite Mutiny, which
shaped the path to Philippine independence.
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista y Altamira also known as Don
Bosyong.
He was born in Biñan, Laguna in December 7, 1830 and died in
December 4 1903. He earned a law degree from the University of
Santo Tomas in 1865. He was a Filipino lawyer and author of the
Declaration of Philippine Independence. He practiced law in
Manila to provide free legal aid to the poor. Bautista played a
significant role in Philippine history, actively seeking funds for
reform campaigns and joining various revolutionary groups.
Arrested in 1896 during suspicions of involvement in the
revolution, he defended himself and was later released. In 1898,
he became the first adviser to President Aguinaldo, crafting the
Declaration of Philippine Independence.
The declaration came after conflict with America and Spain, and it
symbolized the Philippines' aspiration for independence. Aguinaldo
believed it would encourage people to fight the Spaniards and earn
respect from foreign countries, but his unofficial adviser, Mabini,
initially disagreed, arguing that the focus should be on reorganizing
the government for international recognition. Despite concerns,
Aguinaldo released the declaration on June 12 in Cavite el Viejo
(Kawit), emphasizing inspiration and worldwide acknowledgment.
The occasion included Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo's first raising of the
Philippine National Flag made in Hong Kong together with Lorenza
Agoncillo and Delfina Herboza, as well as Ambrosio Rianzares
Bautista's reading of the declaration. The Philippine National March
was played, and the document was signed by 98 people, with an
American army commander serving as a witness. The proclamation,
delivered between four and five o'clock in the afternoon,
represented the Philippines' right to independence and the end of
political relations with Spain. It was proclaimed on June 12, but the
official declaration of Philippine independence occurred on August
1.Many towns had already been established under Dictatorial
Government rules before the time of proclamation. The United
States of America and Spain, however, never recognized this
declaration. Spain later sold the Philippines to United States in the
1898 Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American war.
Another detail before the proclamation that is worth looking is the 10 year transitional
period from 1935-1945 preparation of the Philippines from the United States.Filipinos were
governed by commonwealth of the Philippines and thePhilippines Island both under
Americans.JANUARY 2, 1942Commonwealth Era was interrupted when Japanese occupied
the PhilippOCTOBER 20, 1944Headed by Gen. Douglas McArthur with allied forces, they
landed on the island ofLeyte to liberate the Philippines from the JapaneseSEPTEMBER 2,
1945Japan formally surrendered.JULY 4,1946Commonwealth era ended when the United
States granted independence.
JULY 4,1946 it is commonwealth era when the United States granted
independence to the Philippine via Treaty of Manila, following World
War II. Philippines officially became a state where it had people,
territory, government and sovereignty. The country celebrated its
freedom day from United States.1962President Diosdado P.
Macapagal decided to move the date of celebration to June 12,.He
stated that: "It was correct to recognize June 12 as the country's
true independence day because it was the birth of the Filipino
Nation.1964President Diosdado Macapagal signed into the law
Republic Act No. 4166.Section 1: The twelfth day of June is hereby
proclaimed as the Philippines are enjoined to observe such day with
rites befitting Independence Day.
The Act of Declaration
The Declaration of Philippine and marks an important
independence, issued on June 12, 1898 in the province of
Cavite, is historically turning point in the history of the
Philippines. This yearly celebration commemorates the
culmination of a 333-year struggle against Spanish colonial
rule. demonstrates the country's desire to break free from
foreign domination and marks the end of a long period of
Spanish dominance
Philippine Flag Symbol
White Triangle - distinctive emblem of the famous Katipunan society.

Three Stars - Luzon, Vizayas and Mindanao

Sun - represents road to progress and civilization

8 rays of the sun – represent Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija,
Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas.

Blue, Red, and White - commemorate the color of US flag.

ANALYSIS OF PROCLAMATION
PHILIPPINES INDEPENDENCE
Guiding Questions:
a. What are the main points of the of the document?
b. According to the document, what are the reasons behind
the revolution against Spain? Are there reasons mentioned in
our discussions which are not included in the document?
с. What does the document say about Rizal's execution and
the Cavity Mutiny?
d. What does the content of the document says about the
government under Aguinaldo?
e. What historical truths did you discover about the
Philippine flag which does not match with what you have
learn in your elementary/high school days?
What is the content of the document?
Overall, the document brief historical overview of the
Spanish occupation, since Magellan's arrival in Visayas until
the Philippine revolution. It also summarize the reasons
behind the revolution against Spain, the war for the
independence and the future of the new republic under
Emilio Aguinaldo.
What are the reasons behind the
revolution?

• Abuses and inequalities in the colony

• Abuse by the Civil Guards and the unlawful shooting of
prisioners.
• Unequal protection of the law between the Filipino people
and the eminent personages
• Unjust deportation and rendering of other decision without
proper hearing
What does the document say about Rizal's execution
and the Cavity Mutiny?
• Call it unjust.
• Done to please the greedy body of friars in their insatiable
desire to seek revenge upon those who opposed them.
• The execution of the three martyr priest is unfair. Their
innocent blood was shed through the intrigues of those so-
called religious orders.
What does the content of the document
says about the government under
Aguinaldo?

The proclamation of independence invokes that the

established republic would be led under the
dictatorship of Emilio Aguinaldo.
REFERENCES
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Fernando, C. (2021). Independence Day Philippines: Everything You Must

Know.Retrieved from https://www.zenrooms.com/blog/post/independence-day-
philippines/?%20FBCLID=IWAROTCUJ438TIKDYXCU5SAYFREZLOQLGP6
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π.α. (2021). July 4, 1946: The Philippines Gained independence from the United States.
Retrieved from https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/July-4-1946-
philippines-independencePhilippine History. Retrieved from HTTPS://WWW.PHILIPPINE-
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SECONDARY SourcesReadings Philippine History by John Lee P. Candelaria Veronica C.

Alphore. Pp. 24-30