DOJ secretary leads First PH Republic Day rites

Filipinos flock to the proclamation of the First Philippine Republic on Jan. 23, 1899 in Malolos, Bulacan. (Photo from a poster by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines)

CITY OF MALOLOS — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday led the first ever national commemoration of the First Philippine Republic Day held at the Barasoain Church here.

The event was held at the same place where it was done on Jan. 23, 1899, which is 120 years ago.

The occasion, which Bulakenyos lobbied to become a national commemoration, was finally achieved after President Rodrigo Duterte signed last year Republic Act No. 11014, an act declaring every Jan. 23 as the First Philippine Republic Day and a special working holiday nationwide.

For so long, only the province of Bulacan had been commemorating the First Philippine Republic Day.

“Let’s work together to liberate our nation from abuse, to defend the welfare of the exploited and to end all forms of oppression,” Guevarra said in a speech.

Under the said law, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Department of Education are tasked to plan and implement activities to ensure that the significance of this event will continue to inspire and instill a sense of pride for the rich and noble history of the Filipino nation.

President Duterte signed the law on April 5, 2018.

On Sept. 15, 1898, the first Philippine Constitution — also known as Malolos Constitution — was crafted during the Malolos Congress inside the Barasoain Church.

On Jan. 23, 1899, a few days after it was ratified, the First Philippine Republic was inaugurated in the same church.