THE BIRTH OF FEDERALISM IN THE PHILIPPINES - DECEMBER 2, 1898

(By: dinggol araneta divinagracia -Ilonggo Nation Movement (INM) -December 2, 2007)

Federalism in the Philippines was first articulated by the ilonggos during the 1898 Revolution. The Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Visayas and Mindanao; proclaimed during the November 17th “Cry of Sta. Barbara” in Iloilo, was replaced by the revolutionary leaders on November 23, 1898 to a politico-military government composed only of the Visayas.

They preferred instead a federal arrangement composed of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao as a logical substitute because of its indigenous elements.

On December 2, 1898, after series of serious discussions and thorough deliberations, with the merger of the Central and Western Visayas Cantonal Governments --the Panay government, based in Iloilo was renamed "Estado Federal de Bisayas" or Federal Republic of the Visayas, patterned after the U.S. Federal and Cantonal government of the Swiss Confederation.

Earlier, Gen. Roque Lopez and Gen. Pablo Araneta of Iloilo secretly maintained liaison with their “Parientes“ and friends in Negros Island, namely; Gen. Aniceto Lacson of Talisay, Gen. Juan “Tan Juan” Araneta of Bago, Gen. Marciano Araneta of La Carlota, Gen. Leandro Locsin of Silay and others to start the armed uprising against the Spanish forces in their respective areas.

Gen. Pablo Araneta, a Physician-Surgeon by profession, as Panay Island Commanding General and Chief-Expeditionary Forces for the Visayas under Martin Delgado (Gen-en-Gefe), commissioned Colonels Eduardo and Emilio Esteban to coordinate with other Visayan Revolucionarios. While the Negros revolutionary leadership also assigned Gen. Pantaleon “Leon Kilat“ Villegas of Bacong, Negros Oriental to organize the Cebuano patriots and join in the revolution.

It is worthy to note, that evidently --the Spanish Government in the Philippines, formally surrendered to both the Independent Negros Republic on November 6, 1898 and to the FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF THE VISAYAS on December 23rd of the same year.

It is regrettable, however, to note that the heroic triumph of the Visayan Patriots who successfully established an independent, sovereign and legitimate Nation-State, became a travesty of history --when modern imperialism substituted centuries of colonialism.

Adding insult to injury, minions and lackeys of the victors relegated this events to the dustbin of history; forgotten in the memories of the young; to be erased in the minds of future generations.

Hence, the Ilonggo Nation Movement's bold attempt to revive this glorious era of the yesteryears and commemorate --the birth of Federalism in the Philippines.

Here's an anniversary comment taken from Manuel Luis Quezon-III(MLQ3) blogsite:

"Manolo, Resil Mojares’s paper delivered at the recent conference on Political Reform and Charter Change, says the Ilonggos (even before the birth of Salvador Araneta) first articulated the federalist dream. He says that in 1898, leaders in Iloilo formed the Federal State of the Visayas, anticipating that a Federal Republic of the Philippines, composed of three states — Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao — would be formed by the Aguinaldo government.

Mojares further points out that in 1899, some “eminent” Filipinos submitted to the Philippine Commission a draft for a Federal Republic of the Philippines with 11 states. The Ilocano intellectual Isabelo de los Reyes also proposed in 1900 a federal constitution with 7 states.

The Tagalogs, of course, were not dreaming of federalism but of a unitary state, with themselves at the helm.

(Sheila Coronel said this on July 29th, 2005 at 3:57 pm)

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Footnotes:

After the November 6th “Acta de Capitulacion-1898” in Negros Island.

On Nov. 26, 1898, in a meeting of the Negros island cantonal government, Gen. Juan "Tan Juan" Araneta sponsored a resolution which was uninamously approved to set up a Federal Republic. "I proposed, that this island, after having attained its liberty and independence by means of a brilliant feat of arms, thus winning an honorable place in the concert of civilized nations, be governed by prestigious men in our country who knows its needs and understand its glorious ideals. For this reason I believe that the best government to realize the beautiful aspiration of our island, which is also that of the entire Filipino people, is that of a Federal Republic." This approved resolution was documented by Don Melecio Severino -Secretary General.

The Aguinaldo Dictatorship and the Malolos Republic:

The Visayan leaders recognized Aguinaldo's revolutionary government, since it was for a Federal Republic of the Philippines, with a Federal State each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Later, however, on May 24th of 1898 upon the advice of Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, an autocratic regime was established with Emilio Aguinaldo as dictator.

This move was oppossed by Aguinaldos adviser, Apolinario Mabini of Batangas, considered as the "Brain of the Revolution" and he was supported by all the Visayan leaders. However, on the 12th of June, 1898, under this dictatorship Philippine Independence was proclaimed in Kawit, Cavite. This proclamation was not recognized by Spain, the United States nor by any other foreign nation.

Consequently, on January 21,1899 Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Malolos Republic with a Constitution drafted by Ilonggo Don Gregorio S. Araneta- Secretary General and other illustrados of the congress held in Malolos, Bulacan. Two days later, on the 23rd, the First Philippine Republic with Emilio Aguinaldo as President was formally inaugurated and the Constitution ratified in Malolos, Bulacan.

And the rest, sabi dah! is history. --dinggol.d~~~