MALOLOS CITY — Bulakenyos commemorated the 125th anniversary of the inauguration of the Malolos Congress at the grounds of the historical Barasoain Church in this city on Friday morning (Sept. 15).
Anchored on the theme “Kongreso ng Malolos Saligan sa Pagsulong ng Nagbabagong Panahon,” started with a flag-raising ceremony followed by a wreath-laying laying ceremony on the monument of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
The activities were led by Senate President Pro Tempero Senator Loren Legarda, as the guest of honor and speaker, Vice Governor Alex Castro, Malolos City Mayor Christian D. Natividad, Bishop of Malolos Diocese Dennis Cabanada Villarojo, Col. Relly Arnedo, Bulacan Provincial Director. and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) President Dr. Emmanuel Calairo.
Loren Legarda in her message advocates that the contributors of the Malolos Congress remain the voice of the people in the current and changing times.
The lady senator also explained that what the Congress of Malolos contributed during their sessions in Barasoain from September 15, 1898 to January 21, 1899 undeniably remained the model and basis for the drafting and adoption of current congressional laws.
“It is reasonable that if the delegates of the Malolos Congress heard the voice of the Filipinos then, the current generation of citizens should also continue to make their voice heard through active solidarity with the congress today,” Legarda said.
The senator singled out how the Malolos Congress connects in this era such as having three branches of government such as the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary.
Meanwhile, Dr. Calairo said that based on the historical data of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in October of 1898, the Congress of Malolos approved the first floating domestic loan worth P20 million payable within 40 years. This will finance the operation of the First Republic.
This happened a month ago after the Congress of Malolos on September 29, 1898, ratified the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898. It included the granting of basic rights such as being able to study, vote or be voted, -property, express opinion, choose religion and other civil rights.
On his part, Vice Governor Alexis Castro said that the strength of the Republic is in the hands of the current generation of Filipinos. If this, he said, can be used in the right way like studying hard, what was fought before to make education a right will be repaid.
As for Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad, the dedication of the leaders to their sworn duty will shape so that the voice of the people who gave them the power to govern can be truly heard.
“The Constitution adopted by the Congress of Malolos is the most important document of being a Republic of the Philippines
Also present at the event were Congressmen Danny Domingo of Bulacan 1st District, several chief executives of the local government unit, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Panlungsod members, veterans, and some local government employees.
The commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of the Malolos Congress is the culminating activity of the weeklong celebration of Singkaban 2023 and is organized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Provincial History, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office.
September 15 was declared a special non-working holiday in the entire Bulacan province to observe the Malolos Congress anniversary. (UnliNews Online)
