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The First President The first presidential and vice-presidential elections in Philippine history took place at the Tejeros Convention in Cavite on March 22, 1897; however, only the Katipuneros and not the general populace were able to take part. Emilio F. Aguinaldo was voted President of the Revolution while Mariano Trias was elected Vice-President. The execution of Andres Bonifacio on May 10, 1897 made Aguinaldo the undisputed leader of the Revolution. At the height of the war against Spain, Aguinaldo and his men established a republican government at Biak-na-Bato in July 1897. Its constitution, signed in November of that year, declared that the Revolution aimed for the separation of the Philippines from the Spanish monarchy and its formation into an independent state with its own government. Aguinaldo entered into a truce with the Spanish government on December 14, 1897. Both parties agreed that the revolutionaries would surrender their weapons and that Aguinaldo and his men would go on voluntary exile to Hong Kong. In return, the Spaniards would pay the Filipinos P800,000 as general amnesty and indemnity. In May 1898, after being assured by Commodore George Dewey that the United States would recognize Philippine independence and not colonize the country, Aguinaldo returned to the Philippines to join forces with the US in the war against Spain. Aguinaldo decreed the establishment of a dictatorial government on May 25 and proclaimed Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite on June 12. One week later, he issued a decree ordering the reorganization of towns under the Filipino government. This was followed by a supplementary decree regarding the holding of meetings, the establishment of the police force and the limited power of the military, the conduct of trials, civil registers, taxes, properties, the holding of an election, and the creation of the Revolutionary Congress at Barasoain, Malolos. On June 23, Aguinaldo issued a decree changing the Dictatorial Government to a Revolutionary Government, and in effect changing the title of the chief-of-state from Dictator to President. The President was declared to be the “personification of the Filipino people.” A committee was created to draft the constitution at the Malolos Congress, which began on September 15. Aguinaldo promulgated what is now known as the Malolos Constitution, which established the Philippine Republic, on January 20, 1899. He was then inaugurated as President of the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899. Friday, July 16, 2010 Back