Whereas, General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first and only President of the first Republic of the Philippines, which is also the first democratic republic in all Asia;

Whereas, General Emilio Aguinaldo led the Philippine revolution against Spain and succeeded in winning Philippine independence after more than three and one-half centu­ries of Spanish domination, which independence was later lost as a result of the Philippine-American was because of the superiority of American arms; and

Whereas, General Emilio Aguinaldo, as President of the First Philippine Republic, as leader of the Philippine revolution, and. as a patriot and statesman, deserves the undying gratitude of the Filipino people, and his memory should be properly remembered and honored during his centennial  year:  Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. The period from January one to December thirty-one, nineteen hundred sixty-nine, is hereby declared as the General Aguinaldo Centennial Year, during which period proper and fitting ceremonies, celebrations and other activities shall be held to honor and commemorate the memory of General Emilio Aguinaldo.

SEC. 2. The sum of five hundred thousand pesos is appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated which shall be disbursed by the General Emilio Aguinaldo National Centennial Commission to carry into effect the purpose of this Act.

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,  April  14,  1969.