Is the Philippines really independent? One really wonders, for one reason or another, the nation had been struggling through the democratic principles and processes, still continuing to build the spirit of fulfilling the aspirations of its people for a better life for all. Inspite of all the much publicized economic gains, it seems the majority of the population still have to experience benefits. But slowly and surely the nation was moving up, holding their collective breath until after the next election.
Independence Day was celebrated last June 12, a date in Philippine history proclaimed in Republic Act No. 4166. (-An act changing the date of Philippine Independence Day from July 4 to June 12, and declaring July 4 as Philippine Republic Day, further amending for the purpose Section 29 of the Revised Administrative Code,) proclaimed by President Diosdado Macapagal, in 1964. Before that, July 4, to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of General Relations between the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines. Signed at Manila, on 4 July 1946, designated as the date to celebrate Independence Day. The confusion as to the date of celebration, can be traced back to history.
Research show that in 1896, the Philippine Revolution began, then, in December 1897, the Spanish government and the revolutionaries signed a truce, the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, requiring that the Spanish pay the revolutionaries 800,000 pesos and that Aquinaldo and other leaders go into exile in Hong Kong. In April 1898, at the outbreak of the Spanish—American War, Commodore George Dewey aboard the U.S.S. Olympia sailed from Hong Kong to Manila Bay leading the Asiatic Squadron of the U.S. Navy. On May 1, 1898, the United States defeated the Spanish in the Battle of Manila Bay. Emilio Aguinaldo decided to return to the Philippines to help American forces defeat the Spaniards, The U.S. Navy agreed to transport him back aboard the USS McCulloch, and on May 19, he arrived in Cavite. But, some historians dispute this historical note, since they have evidence to show that the Americans choreographed the whole event and in so doing “hijacked”, Philippine independence.
The Spanish- American War was culminated by the Treaty of Paris of 1898, was an agreement made in 1898 that resulted in the Spanish Empire’s surrendering control of Cuba and ceding Puerto Rico, parts of the Spanish West Indies, the island of Guam, and the Philippines to the United States. The cession of the Philippines involved a payment of $20 million from the United States to the Spanish Empire. The treaty was signed on December 10, 1898, and ended the Spanish—American War. The Treaty of Paris came into effect on April 11, 1899, when the documents of ratification were exchanged. So, this is the reason why the date of independence , is contested by some quarters.
Be that as it may, Filipinos are hopeful people, looking forward to a continuing journey towards a better future. This is the reason why the election of the next President in 2016, will determine the course of the nation’s history.
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