Pres. Aquino declares January 23 as "Araw ng Republikang Filipino, 1899"

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared January 23 of every year as “Araw ng Republikang Filipino, 1899” to commemorate the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. announced on Friday.

Ochoa said Proclamation No. 533, which the President signed on January 9, aims to promote awareness, especially among the youth, on the significance of this chapter in Philippine history that marked the culmination of the Philippine revolution against Spanish rule.

“The Malolos Constitution was promulgated on January 21, 1899 and two days later, on January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic, also known as the Malolos Republic, was inaugurated at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan. This made the Philippines the first independent republic in Asia—a significant milestone we should all take pride in,” Ochoa said.

Malacanang had earlier issued a related issuance, Proclamation No. 523, declaring January 23 this year a special non-working holiday in Bulacan.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines endorsed the issuance of this directive on the request of Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad.

Source: Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)