January 23 declared as First Philippine Republic Day

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law making January 23 of every year as the “First Philippine Republic Day” to commemorate the inauguration of what is popularly known as the Malolos Republic.

The chief executive signed Republic Act 11014 on Thursday, which also declared January 23 as a special working holiday in the entire country.

Under the new law, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, in coordination with the Department of Education, “shall plan and implement activities for the First Philippine Republic Day and ensure that the significance of this historical event will continue to inspire and instill a sense of pride for the rich and noble history of the Filipino nation.”

The House of Representatives passed the bill declaring January 23 as a special working holiday in October 2016, while its counterpart bill in the Senate was approved last January 29.

NCHP noted that while the first Philippine Republic was short-lived, it “catapulted the Filipino nation onto the world’s consciousness carving not only a place among the family of nations but also a distinct niche as the first republic in Asia.”

The First Philippine Republic was born with the proclamation of the Malolos Constitution on January 23, 1899.

It came to an end when former president Emilio Aguinaldo pledged allegiance to the United States on April 1, 1901 after he was captured.