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<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources/inaugural_malolos.webp" alt="Malolos Republic Inauguration 1899" />
<figcaption>
The arrival of Aguinaldo at Malolos on January 23, 1899 for the inauguration of the first Philippine Republic
</figcaption>
</figure>

Earlier, Aguinaldo, who had returned to the Philippines from Hong Kong, had planned to form a Filipino government in the wake of victories against the Spaniards and to show the capacity of the Filipinos for self-government. Hence, he established a Dictatorial Government, then a Revolutionary Government.




He declared Independence at Kawit, Cavite on <time datetime="1898-06-12">June 12, 1898</time>, believing that such a move would inspire the people to fight more eagerly against the Spaniards and at the same time lead the foreign countries to recognize the independence of the country.


Notably, Aguinaldo adopted the Constitución Política de la República Filipina, drawn up by the Philippine Constitutional Convention in the Barasoain Church in Malolos in January 1899 to replace the dictatorial government set up by the Pact of Biak-na-Bato on <time datetime="1897-07-07">July 7, 1897</time>.

January 23, 1899: the Malolos Republic was inaugurated in Malolos, Bulacan