The difference between June 12 and July 4
We know that from 1946 to 1962, the nation celebrated Independence Day every July 4 simultaneous with the US. But President Diosdado Macapagal (father of later president GMA) issued on May 12, 1962 a Presidential Proclamation declaring that, to "rectify the historical error" Araw Ng Kalayaan should be celebrated every June 12, starting on June 12, 1962. The Philippine Congress thereafter passed Republic Act 4166 declaring June 12 as the Philippine Republic Day.
Which is more appropriate, June 12 or July 4?
Until today, many still debate which date should be historically and politically correct. Those who favor July 4 are quick to point out that there was no real and authentic independence in 1898 for two reasons. First, Aguinaldo's declaration in Kawit, Cavite, was not recognized by the international family of nations. Second, a few months after June 12, 1898, Spain ceded the entire Philippine islands to the US by virtue of the Treaty of Paris. So from then on, the Filipinos were never free, but under the control and domination of the Spanish conquistadors, the American colonizers, and later, the Japanese invaders.
Those who favor June 12 are of the opinion that albeit the Aguinaldo-declared independence was short-lived, it was a declaration that was the result of people fighting for and earning freedom after thousands lost their lives. This side derides the July 4 Independence Day as one handed on a silver platter, not earned through the blood, sweat, and tears of Filipinos. Besides, it is an Independence Day copied from the American Fourth of July Freedom Day. Thus, the Filipinos could not have earned a distinct and separate identity as a free people. Using July 4 would perpetuate image of the Filipinos as ''the little brown Americans'' always aping and following the shadow of Uncle Sam.
We need to educate ourselves and dig into the pages of history in order to decide for ourselves intelligently. Historical facts indicate that on June 5, 1898, President Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree declaring that the "Independencia de las Islas Filipinas" should be proclaimed seven days later in the balcony of his stately mansion in Kawit, Cavite. Indeed, the 21-page "Proclamacion de la Independecia del Pueblo Filipino" was solemnly read by Aguinaldo's trusted aide Ambrocio Rianzares Bautista, and signed by 98 Filipinos representing 16 provinces. Immediately, the Banda de San Francisco de Malabon played for the first time, the Julian Felipe composition "Marcha Nacional Filipino." To me, the June 12 was more genuine and dramatic.
I do believe that it was an authentic declaration, lacking in the legal requirements for the establishment of a complete state.
Nonetheless, it was a '' bona fide'' expression of freedom-loving people who declared that from then on they refused to be subjugated by any other sovereign nation. To my mind, such self-determination does not need the consent or recognition of other states and by other peoples. President Macapagal was correct, historically and politically.
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