Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista - Confidante of Gen. Aguinaldo

[pioneer]

By PNA

On December 7, 1830, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, lawyer and Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s confidante, was born in Biñan, Laguna.

Bautista, who was arrested and jailed at the outbreak of the Revolution, was the one who authored and read the “Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence” during the June 12, 1898 Independence proclamation by Gen. Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite.

Accordingly, Gen. Aguinaldo thought that it was necessary to declare the independence of the Philippines to inspire the people to fight more eagerly against the Spaniards.

The declaration of independence would also lead the foreign countries to recognize the independence of the country.

Bautista patterned the act on the American declaration of Independence, which was signed by 98 persons, among them an American army officer who witnessed the proclamation.

The proclamation for Philippine Independence was, however, promulgated on August 1 when many towns had already been organized under the rules laid down by the Dictatorial Government.

The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United States or Spain, as the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, in consideration for an indemnity for Spanish expenses and assets lost.

Bautista, who also served as solicitor general of the revolutionary government, died on December 4, 1903 at the age of 72.