Emilio Aguinaldo himself held the portfolio of Foriegn Affairs temporarily as published in the first issue of the La Independia and edited by Antonio Luna. 

A decree of September 1898 designated Cayetano S. Arellano to the post but refused to take the position according to Mabini in his work entitled La 

Revolucion Filipina. 



In the meantime, however, until January 2, 1899, Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, discharged the functions of Secretary of Foreign Relations in acting 

capacity. Pardo de Tavera, therefore, should be considered the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines.



Source:

<ol class="article-sources">
<li>
The laws of the first Philippine Republic (the laws of Malolos) 1898-1899 Compiled & edited by Sulpicio Guevara, 1972
</li>
</ol>

January 2, 1899: Apolinario Mabini was designated Secretary of Foreign Relations