EMILIO AGUINALDO: THE FIRST PRESIDENT (THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTS SERIES)

PROFILE

Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy was born on March 22 (or 23 depending on historical reference), 1869. His parents are Engelita Marcosie and Jose Manuel Aguinaldo. Twenty eight (28) years later, he bacme the first and still the youngest Philippines president.

RISE TO POWER

Politics is not new to the Aguinaldos. His father had been mayor of Kawit (Cavite viejo) at the time of his death in 1878. After which, Emilio himself assumed the position, holding the post 1895. While a Mayor, he joined the Katipunan or the K.K.K., a secret organization led by Andrés Bonifacio, dedicated to the expulsion of the Spanish and independence of the Philippines through armed force using as his guerilla namee Magdalo, in honor of Mary Magdalene.

During the revolt against the Spanish in 1896 in Aguinaldo and the Cavite rebels won major victories in set-piece battles, coupled with defeats of Bonifacio's group, ultimately led the way to victories against the Spanish forces led by General Camilo de Polavieja at the Battle of Zapote Bridge in Cavite, making the as the Revolution's hotbed.

Emilio Aguinaldo was officially inaugurated as the first president and dictator of the Philippine Republic in January of 1899. Prime Minister Apolinario Mabini headed the new cabinet. However, the United States did not recognize this new independent Filipino government. President William McKinley offered as one reason the specious American goal of "Christianizing" the (largely Roman Catholic) people of the Philippines.

CONTROVERSIES

The Katipunan revolt against the Spanish began in the last week of August 1896 in San Juan del Monte (now part of Metro Manila).[12](p176) However, Aguinaldo and other Cavite rebels initially refused to join in the offensive alleging lack of arms. Their absence contributed to Bonifacio's defeat.

In March of 1897, the two Katipunan factions met in Tejeros for an election. The assembly elected Aguinaldo president in a possibly fraudulent poll, much to the irritation of Andres Bonifacio. He refused to recognize Aguinaldo's government; in response, Aguinaldo had him arrested two months later. Bonifacio and his younger brother were charged with sedition and treason, and were executed on May 10, 1897 on Aguinaldo's orders.

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