Reform and Revolution in The Philippines
Reform and Revolution in The Philippines
Reform and Revolution in The Philippines
TOPICS of Filipino Nationalism B. The Reform Movement C. The Katipunan D. The Philippine Revolution E. The Malolos Republic
A. Birth
1996 is a significant year for Filipinos all over the world. It marks the centennial of the Philippine Revolution, which started in 1896 and officially ended in 1902. The amount of literature generated during and after the Revolution, coupled with the continuing fascination on this period by historians and alike which have produced an infinite
number of scholarly works, have validated the widespread perception that this was the most glorious page in the history of the Filipino people. The Philippine Revolution ended more than three centuries of Spanish colonial rule which began when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi founded the settlement of Cebu, the oldest Philippine city, in 1565
The Revolution is also heralded as the first anti-colonial independence movement in Asia. The Filipino proclamation of their independence two years after the outbreak of the Revolution was a momentous event for Filipinos of all persuasion. The Revolution began with the masses through the Katipunan, a secret, revolutionary,
mass-based organization, and was later embraced by the middle class. Indeed, the Revolution was one of the few times where there was a convergence in the nationalist movements of the masses and the elite.
The integration of the Philippines into the Spanish Empire resulted into the implementation of oppressive taxation policies, forced labor, galleon trade, indulto de commercio, and government monopolies. Government control and maintain it restrictions let the people to experience hardships and misery.
Consequently, they started harboring grievances against the colonial government, Thus, they began clamoring for freedom from foreign control.
1574-1843 Discontent with Spanish rule was first expressed in the regional revolts that broke out in the archipelago.
REVOLT
IMMEDIATE CAUSE
Revolt of Lakan Dula and Lavesaries disregard of Sulayman (1574) Legazpis promose that Spain would recognize the patrimonial lands of the kings of Tondo and Maynilad First Pampanga Revolt Dissatisfaction with the (1585) abuses of the encomenderos Tondo Conspiracy (1587- Discovery of the plot 1588) masterminded by Agustine de Legazpi to over throw Spanish Rule
Among the early uprisings staged by the Filipino people as a result of their resistance to Spanishimposed institutions are the following:
IMMEDIATE CAUSE Magalats encouragement of the people of Cagayan to rebel against the Spanish government Execution of oppressive encomenderos and officials Governments enforcement of the order to send people of Palapag, Samar, to work in the shipyards of Cavite.
Restoration of the Philippine representation in the Cortes, the law making body of Spain Filipinization of Philippine parishes Individual liberties for the Filipinos, such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assembly and freedom of petition for action on all complaints
El Felibusterismo (1891) La Solidaridad The official organ/magazine of the Propaganda Movement Graciano Lopez Jaena served as the first editor The first issue was published in Barcelona Spain on February 15, 1889
Aims of La Solidaridad
To work for political and social reforms peacefully To present the sad conditions in the Philippines so that Spain can remedy them To oppose the evil influences of reaction and outmoded beliefs and practices
To advocate liberal ideas and progress To champion the just aspirations of the Filipinos to life, democracy and happiness.
La Liga Filipina
Unus instar Omnium (One like All) Founded by Jose Rizal June 03, 1892 at Ilaya Street in Tondo The constitution was written in Hongkong with the help of Jose Ma.
Some members, led by Apolinario Mabini, tried to revive the league but he failed because many members, including Andres Bonifacio, believed that it was useless to expect reforms from the corrupt Spaniards.
The Katipunan
The Katipunan (meaning "Association") planned and initiated the Philippine Revolution. It was founded in Tondo, Manila, by Andres Bonifacio and a few other fellow urban workers on July 7, 1892. Its full Tagalog name is Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan nang manga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and Most Venerated Association of the Sons and Daughters of the Land).
From its inception, Katipunan was forged by blood, with all its members enacting the traditional blood compact and signing their names with their own blood. The foremost goal of the Katipunan was political, the separation of the Philippines from Spain. Its members also recognized and performed a civic duty which was mutual assistance and the defense of the poor and the oppressed.
The Katipunan was steered by Bonifacio, who became known as the Supremo (Supreme ) of the Katipunan, and he was ably supported by Emilio Jacinto, who emerged as the "Brains of the Katipunan."
Philippine historians regard Bonifacio as the "Great Plebeian" because he came from a poor family in Tondo and worked as a warehouse clerk. Despite his poverty, Bonifacio was able to educate himself by reading the works of Rizal and the French revolutionists. The Katipunan was steered by Bonifacio, who became known as the Supremo (Supreme) of the Katipunan,
and he was ably supported by Emilio Jacinto, who emerged as the "Brains of the Katipunan." Philippine historians regard Bonifacio as the "Great Plebeian" because he came from a poor family in Tondo and worked as a warehouse clerk. Despite his poverty, Bonifacio was able to educate himself by reading the works of Rizal and the French revolutionists.
Because of its brotherhood appeal, Katipunan was swift in recruiting members from the peasants and the working class. Philippine historian Reynaldo Ileto points out that the Katipunan belonged to a long tradition of social movements in Philippine history which fortunately have been disparaged and branded by authorities and the elite as "illicit associations" and its members as bandits.
Like most of these popular movements, the Katipunan was clothed in millenarianism. In their writings, Bonifacio and Jacinto described the pre-Spanish period as an era of kasaganaan (great abundance) and kaginhawaan (prosperity). The demise of this glorious era was a result of the tyranny of Spanish colonial rule. The Katipunan then envisioned the
by kalayaan (independence), a state of being where there would once again be liwanag (knowledge) and kasaganaan (prosperity). Kalayaan would mean a return to the pre-Spanish condition of prosperity, bliss, and contentment. But it entailed cutting ties with the colonial mother, Spain, and the birth of a nurturing real mother, Inang Bayan or Motherland, meaning Philippines.
From the start, the Katipunan drew inspiration from Jose Rizal, whose nationalist writings stirred an oppressed nation into action. His two novels, the Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and the El Filibusterismo (The Subversive), denounced the decadent colonial order presided by the incompetent and abusive colonial officials and the backward and immoral frailocracy.
In the 1880s, Jose Rizal and his fellow ilustrados laun ched the Propaganda Movement in Europe where they vigorously campaigned for the implementation of the much needed reforms in the
Their failure to force Spain to institute reforms convinced the Katipunan that the call must be for revolution and not reform. In 1892, Bonifacio sought the counsel of Rizal on their planned revolution and the latter cautioned them because of its untimeliness and the peoples unpreparedness.
Events forced Bonifacio and the Katipunan to launched the revolution. On August 23, 1896, the Katipunan was discovered by the Spanish authorities, prompting Bonifacio and the Katipuneros to tear their cedula (identification card), which symbolized their colonial oppression, and to declare in Pugad Lawin the beginning of the Philippine Revolution.
The Spanish execution of Rizal on December 30, 1896 further emboldened the religious Filipinos who saw Rizals martyrdom as similar to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, i.e., to redeem his people.
The Spanish-American War brought Spains rule in the Philippines to a close in 1898 but precipitated the PhilippineAmerican War, a bloody war between Filipino revolutionaries and the U.S. Army. Numerous quasi-religious uprisings had punctuated the long era of Spanish sovereignty over the Philippines, but none possessed sufficient coordination to oust the Europeans.
During the 19th century, however, an educated Filipino middle class emerged and with it a desire for Philippine independence. Opposition before 1872 was primarily confined to the Filipino clergy, who resented the Spanish monopoly of power within the Roman Catholic church in the islands. In that year the abortive Cavite Mutiny, a brief uprising against the Spanish, served as an excuse for renewed Spanish
The martyrdom of three Filipino priestsJos Burgos, Mariano Gmez, and Jacinto Zamorafor allegedly conspiring with the rebels at Cavite sparked a wave of anti-Spanish sentiment.
Reform-minded Filipinos took refuge in Europe, where they carried on a literary campaign known as the Propaganda Movement. Dr. Jos Rizal quickly emerged as the leading Propagandist. His novel Noli me tngere (1886; The Social Cancer, 1912) exposed the corruption of Manila Spanish society and stimulated the movement for independence.
By 1892 it became obvious that Spain was unwilling to reform its colonial government. Andres Bonifacio, a selfeducated warehouse clerk, organized a secret revolutionary society, the Katipunan, in Manila. Membership grew to an estimated 100,000 by August 1896, when the Spaniards discovered its existence.
Bonifacio immediately issued a call for armed rebellion. The Spanish then arrested Rizal, who had advocated reform but never condoned the revolution. Rizals public execution, on Dec. 30, 1896, so enraged and united Filipinos as to make permanent retention of power by Spain clearly impossible.
In March 1897 leadership of the revolution passed to a young general, Emilio Aguinaldo, who had Bonifacio shot for alleged sedition. Aguinaldo proved incapable of militarily defeating the Spanish troops, who were augmented by Filipino mercenaries. In the later months of 1897, Aguinaldos revolutionary army was pushed into the mountains southeast of Manila.
On Dec. 15, 1897, the pact of Biak-na-Bato was proclaimed. Though its precise terms have been a matter of impassioned debate ever since, the pact brought a temporary end to the Philippine Revolution. Aguinaldo and other revolutionary leaders accepted exile in Hong Kong and 400,000 pesos, plus Spanish promises of substantial governmental reforms, in return for laying down their arms.
Neither side executed the terms of the pact in good faith. Aguinaldo used the money to purchase arms in Hong Kong, and the Spanish reneged on the promised reforms. After the U.S. Navy commodore George Dewey annihilated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, Aguinaldo immediately returned to the Philippines.
He began the revolution anew, this time against the United States, which had assumed title to the Philippines as a result of the Spanish defeat. Aguinaldo was captured in 1901 and subsequently appealed to Filipinos to cease fighting and accept U.S. sovereignty.
(Filipino political leader) Philippine patriot, founder and leader of the nationalist Katipunan society, who instigated the revolt of August 1896 against the Spanish.
Andres Bonifacio
(Filipino political leader) Filipino theoretician and spokesman of the Philippine Revolution, who wrote the constitution Apolinario Mabini for the short-lived republic of 189899.
Filipino leader who fought first against Spain and later against the United States for the independence of the Philippines.
Different Departments where created for the division of duties of the new government In September, the Congress was convoked at Malolos and a constitution prepared to guide the government in its progress toward republicanism. December 1898- Treaty of Paris, the United States decided to take over the Philippines.
Aguinaldo decided to establish a Filipino government in the wake of his military victories. He had a draft of a plan for the establishment of a revolutionary government, prepared by Mariano Ponce.
Consul Wildman advised Aguinaldo to establish a dictatorial government in which could lead to a republican government similar to that of the United States. Ambrosio Rainzares Bautista Aquinaldos 1st adviser, who also told him to form a dictatorial government.
Treatment of Enemy
May 29, 1898 one of Aguinaldos 1st acts as a dictator, urging the people to stop the disgraceful treatment of Spanish prisoners. Aguinaldo issued another order on June 1, providing that all classes of crimes were to be tried by competent military tribunals.
DECLARATION INDEPENDENCE
OF
June 5, 1898 Aguinaldo issued a decree setting aside June 12 as the day for proclamation of Philippine Independence. Julian Felipe composer from Cavite, who showed the draft of the composition entitled Marcha Filipina Magdalo which was later changed to Marcha Nacional Filipina.
Philippine National Flag made in Hongkong by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Heboza. Act of Declaration of Independence Prepared by Ambrosio Raimzares Bautista, signed by 98 people, however was promulgated on August 1.
Apolinario Mabini
Adviser of Aguinaldo, his two titles were Dark Chamber of the President (for those who envied him) and Brains of the Revolution.
Decree of June 18, 1898 Provided for the reorganization of local government in those provinces already freed from Spanish control. Poblacion Town, electors were elect town chief, headman for each barrio, 3 delegates: for public & internal order, for justice & civil registry and for taxes & property.
Reorganization Government
of
Local
Popular Assembly town chief President, Headman Vice President, Delegate for justice and civil registry Secretary Revolutionary Congress proposes measures concerning the preservation of internal order and external security of these lands.
4. Dept. of Finance, Agriculture and Manufacturing Industry. July 15, 1898 1st Cabinet Appointments *Baldomero Aguinaldo war and public works *Leandro Ibarra Interior *Mariano Trias Finance >Foreign Affairs was first offered to Mariano Ponce but he declined, so it was given to Mabini instead.
Officers:
President
Vice President 1st Secretary Araneta 2nd Secretary
: Pedro A. Paterno
: Benito Legarda : Gregorio
: Pablo Ocampo
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 P20 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
Mabini, on the other hand argued that a delicate task as the framing of the constitution should be done in a peaceful and quiet mood.
Mabini added that Congress was convoked not to frame a constitution, but to advise the President and to give him popular support.
On January 21, 1899, Aguinaldo promulgated what is now known as the Malolos Constitution.
The legislative powers were exercised by the Assembly of Representatives composed of delegates elected according to law. To make the function of Congress constitutions 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 different departments of the government. Administration of justice was vested in the Supreme Court Inferior courts to be established according to law. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was elected by the Assembly with the concurrence of the President and the Cabinet.
End