<figure class="image-550">
<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-30/malolos-congress.webp" alt="A vintage black and white historical photograph from a distance, showing a large gathering of people lining a wide dirt path leading toward a large, ornate wooden gateway or arch. In the middle distance, along the path, a figure on horseback, likely General Emilio Aguinaldo, is moving towards the gateway, surrounded by other riders and attendees. Lines of soldiers and onlookers, some in formal white clothing, are positioned on both sides of the route. Behind the crowds, numerous traditional thatched-roof and some more substantial houses are visible, nestled among dense tropical vegetation and trees. The entire scene is under a bright, clear sky."  loading="lazy" />
<figcaption>
Historical photograph, late 19th century: General <a href="/articles/3325/emilio-aguinaldos-life-and-leadership" class="news-link">Emilio Aguinaldo</a>, likely on horseback, is depicted arriving at the decorated gateway of a compound, possibly a churchyard, flanked by guards and observers. This wide-angle shot captures the procession moving along a dirt path lined with people and soldiers in Rayadillo uniforms, with traditional houses and lush Philippine vegetation in the background.
</figcaption>
</figure>

<h2>
Historical Context: From Cavite to Malolos
</h2>

<p>
Following General Emilio Aguinaldo's proclamation of Philippine independence at Kawit, Cavite on <time datetime="1898-06-12">June 12, 1898</time>, the young nation faced imminent geopolitics and internal transformation:
</p>

<ol class="k-list">
<li>
<strong>Shift to a Revolutionary Government:</strong> On <time datetime="1898-06-23">June 23, 1898</time>, upon the advice of <a href="/kauswagan/articles/1564/july-23-1864-apolinario-mabini-was-born-in-talaga-tanauan-batangas" class="news_link">Apolinario Mabini</a>, Aguinaldo issued a decree transforming the Dictatorial Government into a Revolutionary Government. Article 11 of this decree called for the creation of a national congress of revolutionary representatives to guide executive action and foster national unity.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Relocation of the Capital:</strong> In <time datetime="1898-08">August 1898</time>, Spanish colonial forces surrendered Manila to American troops following the orchestrated <a href="/kauswagan/articles/483/today-in-philippine-history-august-13-1898-the-battle-of-manila-occurred" class="news_link">"Mock Battle of Manila"</a>, intentionally excluding Filipino revolutionary forces from entering the walled city (<a href="/articles/3008/the-history-of-intramuros-the-walled-city-manila" class="news_link">Intramuros</a>). Recognizing that American forces occupied Manila and Cavite, Aguinaldo transferred the revolutionary capital north to <strong>Malolos, Bulacan</strong> on <time datetime="1898-09-08">September 8, 1898</time>, establishing a strategically secure headquarters connected by the Manila-Dagupan railway line.
</li>
</ol>
<h2>
The Opening Ceremony at Barasoain Church
</h2>
<p>
On the morning of <time datetime="1898-09-15">September 15</time>, Malolos was adorned with palm fronds, triumphal arches, and Philippine flags (<em>Bandera Filipina</em>). The town's streets were lined with revolutionary soldiers in rayadillo uniforms and crowds of civilians celebrating national self-determination. Band music played the <em>Marcha Nacional Filipina</em> as delegates entered the historic church.
</p>

<p>
Inside Barasoain Church, General Emilio Aguinaldo formally opened the convention with an address delivered in Tagalog. Aguinaldo highlighted the urgency of demonstrating to foreign powers that Filipinos possessed the maturity, education, and institutional capacity for self-governance.
</p>



<h2>
Composition of the Congress & Election of Leadership
</h2>
<p>
The assembly comprised ninety-five delegates representing various provinces. Because active conflict and distance hindered elections in several regions (such as parts of Visayas and Mindanao), Aguinaldo appointed prominent regional residents living in Manila or Luzon to represent those provinces temporarily.
</p>
<p>
The delegates represented the country's educated and economic elite (<em>ilustrados</em>) - lawyers, physicians, educators, writers, landowners, and military officers:
</p>
<ul class="k-list">
<li>
<strong>President of Congress:</strong> <a href="/articles/3381/pedro-paterno-politics-literature-and-legacy" class="news_link">Pedro A. Paterno</a> (elected despite past controversy surrounding his role in negotiating the <time datetime="1897">1897</time> Pact of Biak-na-Bato with Spanish officials).
</li>
<li>
<strong>Vice-President:</strong> <a href="/kauswagan/articles/2823/today-in-philippine-history-september-27-1853-benito-legarda-vice-president-of-the-malolos-congress-was-born-in-binondo-manila" class="news_link">Benito Legarda</a>.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Secretaries:</strong> <a href="/articles/3259/gregorio-araneta-born-on-april-19-1869-a-legal-luminary-from-molo-iloilo" class="news_link">Gregorio Araneta</a> and <strong>Pablo Ocampo</strong>.
</li>
</ul>

<h3 class="my-h3">
Pedro Paterno's Inaugural Address
</h3>

<p>
On <time datetime="1898-09-17">September 17, 1898</time>, Pedro Paterno delivered a keynote speech framing the historic mandate of the assembly:
</p>
<div class="article-comment">
<p>
"Filipinos, today begins a new era; we are beholding the political resurrection of our people. Amidst the glooms of yesterday; amidst the graves of our heroes and martyrs; amidst the ruins of the past, there arises and stands the refulgent genius of liberty, embracing all the islands and uniting the Filipinos with bonds of holy brotherhood.
</p>
<p>
Liberty is the real purpose of our existence on earth, the foundation of life and progress... Our past, the era of cruelty, of deceit, of slavery, has ended. We shall renew the history of the Philippines... Let our steps be unflinching and ever forward; let them be steps of justice, of love, of harmony, and of charity."
</p>
</div>


Malolos Congress 1898: Convening the First Philippine Republic

Learn how 95 delegates assembled at Barasoain Church on Sept 15, 1898, ratifying Philippine independence and building Asia's first constitutional republic.

September 15, 1898: the Malolos Congress convened in Barasoain Church in Malolos