“Acta de la

Proclamacion de la
Independencia del
Pueblo Filipino”
Presented by:
Jhonroe Tan
Max Martinez
Samantha Nayga
 Table of contents
• Brief Introduction
• About the Author
• Reasons of writing this primary source
• Highlights of its Content
• Main Arguments
• Bias
• Importance in understanding Philippine History
 BRIEF
INTRODUCTION
Act of the
Proclamation of the
Independence of the
Filipino People
(1898) the author's
intention to declare
the sovereignty and
achieving the
Philippines’ freedom
from Spanish colonial
• The Philippine Declaration of
Independence was proclaimed
by Filipino revolutionary forces
general Emilio Aguinaldo on
(12 June 1898) in Cavite el
Viejo (present-day Kawit,
Cavite), Philippines. It
asserted the sovereignty and
independence of the Philippine
Islands from the colonial rule of
Spain.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista

also known as Don Bosyong,

was a Filipino lawyer and author
of the
Declaration of Philippine Indepe
ndence
. A distant relative to the Rizal
family and the Bonifacio family,
Bautista often gave advice to
José Rizal, a Filipino nationalist,
while studying in Manila.
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista

• The author of the document of

“Proclamation”.
• He was born on December 07, 1830
in Biñan, La Laguna and died on
December 4, 1903.
• His parents were Gregorio Enriquez
Bautista and Silvestra Altamira.
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
• He attended preparatory
school in Biñan and studied
law at
University of Santo Tomas,
obtaining a degree in 1865.
• He practiced law in Manila and
offered free legal services to
poor clients.
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
• While practicing law, Bautista, on
his way to Malolos, Bulacan,
was captured by a group of
bandits, who subsequently
learned that he saved many of
their friends as a defender of the
poor in court cases against rich
Filipinos and Spaniards. The
bandits apologized to Bautista
and set him free.
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
• He read the document as a special delegate
during the declaration of Independence on
Sunday, June 12, 1898, in the late afternoon at
Aguinaldo's home in Kawit, Cavite. It was read in
front of a throng that also saw the flag being
unfolded. When playing the current Filipino flag,
also led by Bautista rather than Aguinaldo, a
country's anthem. The revolutionary
government's solicitor general was Bautista. He
was in the until his passing on December 4,
1903, at age 72,from a tragic fall from a carriage
 REASON/S OF
WRITING THIS
PRIMARY SOURCE
Declaration of Independence:

The primary purpose of the Act was to

formally declare the Philippines as an
independent nation, free from over 300 years
of Spanish colonial rule. It asserted the
sovereignty of the Filipino people.
Recognition of National Unity:

The document emphasized the unity of Filipinos

in their struggle for independence. It
highlighted the collective effort of Filipino
revolutionaries who fought for the country’s
freedom.
Legitimization of the Revolution:

It sought to legitimize the ongoing Philippine

Revolution by providing a legal and formal
proclamation of independence, marking the
culmination of months of armed resistance against
Spanish forces.
Symbol of Filipino Nationalism:

The act was a symbol of the Filipino people’s desire

for self-rule and their distinct identity as a nation. It
helped foster a sense of nationalism among Filipinos,
uniting them against a common foreign oppressor.
Assertion of Sovereignty Over Filipino Territory:

The Act represented the Filipino people's assertion of

control over their land and resources, marking the
end of Spanish colonial governance.
Inspiration for Future Struggles:

By proclaiming independence, the Act laid the

foundation for future struggles for complete national
sovereignty, especially in the face of subsequent
foreign interventions (e.g., American colonization).
HIGHLIGHTS OF
ITS CONTENT
“Acta de la
Proclamacion de la
Independencia del
Pueblo Filipino”
On June 12, 1898, the Acta de la Proclamación
de la Independencia del Pueblo Filipino was
signed, marking the formal declaration of the
Philippines' independence from Spanish
colonial rule. This historic document was read
aloud by Emilio Aguinaldo, the leader of the
Philippine Revolution, at his home in Kawit,
Cavite.
 The Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine (or
the Cavite El Viejo Shrine) is a
national shrine located in Kawit,
Cavite in the Philippines, where the
Philippine Declaration of Independenc
e
from Spain was declared on June 12,
1898, or Independence Day. To
commemorate the event, now known
as Araw ng Kalayaan or
Independence Day, a national holiday
, the Philippine flag is raised here by
top government officials on June 12
Cavite El Viejo Shrine each year. The house is now a
museum.
FREED
OM
The Act was a powerful statement of Filipino nationalism,
asserting the country's sovereignty and the right of
Filipinos to govern themselves. It emphasized national
unity and legitimized the ongoing revolutionary struggle.
The proclamation also aimed to send a clear message to
the international community about the Philippines'
newfound independence, though it would take years
before the nation would gain full recognition. This event
became a cornerstone in the fight for Philippine
independence, inspiring future generations in their quest
for freedom.
 MAIN
ARGUMENT
1. Assertion of National Sovereignty:

The declaration firmly stated that the Filipino

people, as a nation, were independent and no
longer under the control of Spanish colonial
rule. The document emphasized that the
Philippines had a distinct identity and
sovereignty separate from Spain.
2. Rejection of Spanish Authority:

It rejected the legitimacy of Spanish rule, which

had governed the Philippines for over 300 years.
The Act declared that the Spanish government
had failed in its duty to respect the rights of the
Filipino people and had exploited the country
for its own benefit.
3. Legitimacy of the Revolution:

The Act highlighted that the ongoing Philippine

Revolution, led by figures like Aguinaldo, was a
legitimate struggle for independence and was
supported by the majority of the Filipino people.
It framed the revolution as a response to the
tyranny of the Spanish colonial government.
4. Call for International Recognition:

The Act expressed a desire for international

recognition of the Philippine Republic and
its sovereignty, signaling the Filipino
people's intention to join the family of
independent nations.
5. The Right to Self-Determination:

It invoked the universal right to self-

determination, stating that the Filipino
people were entitled to choose their own
political and governmental future without
interference from foreign powers.
BIAS
1. Spanish Bias:

From the Spanish colonial perspective, the Act of Proclamation of

Philippine Independence was viewed as a rebellion or uprising.
Spain considered the Filipinos as subjects under their empire, and
the idea of independence was seen as an unlawful act of revolt.
Spanish accounts, particularly from the officials and military, would
portray the event as illegitimate, attempting to suppress the
revolutionaries and maintain their control over the islands. From
this view, the proclamation was a challenge to the order that the
Spanish believed they had established in the Philippines.
2. American Bias:

When the United States took control of the Philippines after the Spanish-
American War, they also viewed the 1898 proclamation with skepticism.
Although the Americans were initially sympathetic to the Philippine
Revolutionaries, their goals shifted, especially after the signing of the Treaty
of Paris (1898), which ceded the Philippines to the United States. Many
Americans at the time (and in later historical accounts) framed the
revolution as one of instability, and the Filipino independence movement
was often perceived as misguided or premature. They believed the Filipinos
were incapable of self-rule, which led to the Philippine-American War
(1899-1902), where the United States suppressed the Filipino fight for
independence.
3. Filipino Nationalist Bias:

On the Filipino side, especially among the nationalists and the

leaders of the revolution, the Proclamation of Independence was
seen as the culmination of years of struggle for freedom and
sovereignty. Nationalist historians, particularly in the early 20th
century, often emphasized the legitimacy and heroism of the act.
They saw the proclamation as a powerful assertion of Filipino
identity and the Filipino people's right to self-determination.
However, some argue that the proclamation itself was not fully
inclusive. The Tagalog-centered leadership (with Aguinaldo at the
helm) was often criticized for not fully representing the diverse
ethnic groups and regions of the Philippines. Some argue that the
Visayan and Mindanao regions were not fully integrated into the
movement at that time, and the revolution was largely viewed
from a Tagalog perspective, creating a regional bias.
4. Bias in Modern-Day Nationalism:

In contemporary times, Filipino nationalism tends to celebrate the

proclamation as a key moment of pride and independence,
sometimes overlooking the challenges and complexities that
followed, such as the American colonization and the Philippine-
American War. Some modern accounts might portray the
Philippine-American War more positively, emphasizing the
bravery and sacrifice of the Filipino people, while others might
focus on the failures of the Filipino leadership or the limitations of
the proclamation itself.
 IMPORTANCE IN
UNDERSTANDING
PHILIPPINE
HISTORY
The Act of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence (1898) is
a key moment in the country’s history, marking the official
declaration of freedom from Spanish rule and the Filipino people's
right to self-rule. Understanding this event helps us see the
beginnings of the Philippines' national identity, the ongoing fight
for independence, and the challenges of building a nation. It shows
the strength of the Filipino people in their struggle against
colonialism, the struggles in their politics, and the outside
influences that affected their path to independence.
The proclamation was more than just a symbol—it was a
declaration of hope for a fair, self-governed nation. However, it
also hinted at the difficulties ahead, with forces like the United
States playing a role in the country's future. Learning about this act
helps us understand the Filipino spirit and the continuing journey
toward true independence.
The End…