WHEREAS, on 21 January 1899, the Malolos Constitution was promulgated at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan; and

WHEREAS, on 23 January 1899, the First Philippine Republic (also known as the Malolos Republic) was inaugurated at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, making the Philippines the first independent republic in Asia.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare January 23 of every year as œAraw ng Republikang Filipino, 1899. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 9th of January, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Thirteen.

 

(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines

By Authority of the President:

(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary