Author Topic: Republic of Bohol Can Be Created (Read 1226 times)

pioneer · « **on:** July 05, 2007, 11:53:20 AM »

By JES TIROL
Historian and Writer

Proem

In the present political crisis, one of the goups that support President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the League of Provincial Governors of the Philippines. This group threatened that if President Arroyo will be deposed by extra-constitutional means, the different provinces will create their own independent republics.

The most vocal are the governors from the island of Mindanao and the governor of Ilocus Sur.

Republic of Negros

In the history of the Philippines, the only provinces that have experienced becoming a functioning republic are the provinces of Negros and Bohol.

When he Philippines Government led by President Emilio Aguinaldo was already in the verge of defeat by the American forces, the island of Negros created the so-called Republic of the Negros. It was organized under the leadership of the landed class of Negros.

At the time when the Americans had not yet invaded the island of Negros, the Republic of Negros made plans how to resist the Americans. However, upon the arrival of the Americans the leaders of the Republic of Negros immediately collaborated or surrendered to the Americans.

The upper class men of Negros, who were the leaders of the Negros Republic, found out that it would beneficial for them, if they collaborate with the Americans. It was the reason why the big landed estates of Negros was not dismantled.

Republic of Bohol

On June 11, 1899 the provincial officials and town officials of Bohol gathered at the Provincial Capitol Building for a constitutional convention. On the same day the constitution of the Republic of Bohol was approved and the officials of the republic were elected.

Don Bernabe Reyes was elected President, Don Salustiano Borja was elected Vice President and Rafael Reyes, Eduardo Calceta, Macario Sarmiento were elected Counselors (Consejeros). The army was under the command of Sargento Mayor Pedro Samson.

The Republic of Bohol existed and was governed independently until the arrival of the Americans in Bohol on March 17, 1900. The republic collected taxes and rendered services to the Boholanos.

Upon the arrival of the Americans the Boholanos protested but agreed to co-exist with the Americans. However, on September 1, 1990 war erupted between the Boholanos and the Americans. The Republic of Bohol prosecuted the war until the surrender of General Pedro Samson on December 23, 1901.

Other Republics

A republic was declared by General Lukban in Bicol and Samar but it did not function. It was a republic in name only. There was also a republic declared in Central Luzon but it did not have the support of the people.

Evaluating the Threat

In my opinion, the threat of the provincial governors to create independent republics is not an empty threat. History confirms that the people can and will create a republic when they are in dire straits. However, we cannot be sure in which direction the different republics will go. The Republic of Negros immediately surrendered to the Americans because of the promise of preferential treatment to the hacienderos of Negros. The Republic of Bohol fought the Americans in a fierce war that saw twenty (20) of the thirty-five (35) towns of Bohol burned to the ground and almost all livestocks were killed by the Americans.

If the island of Mindanao will declare itself an independent republic, it is not yet clear whether or not there will be an in-fighting among the governors for leadership. The island of Mindanao has no "experience" how to be a republic. But if and when Mindanao will become a republic, God forbid (simbako lang), will Boholanos need visas to visit their relatives in Mindanao?

Let us just pray that the present political crisis will not result to the disintegration of the Philippines.

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boholrepublic · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:54:27 PM »

Why not?

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pioneer · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2007, 08:43:05 PM »

Why not?

Can you be our first lady?

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boholrepublic · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2007, 04:25:15 PM »

It could happen, you know. Think, Murphy's Law.

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udtohan · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2007, 10:52:24 PM »

for me, it's impossible. maskin moingon pa si sir jes nga narepublic ang bohol sa panahon ni dgaohoy, not the whole bohol ang nahiusa niya. ilabina na karon...far from reality.

if mahitabo, nah sige atong ipadayon pud.

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2007, 01:45:46 AM »

For me, it is impossible to secede from the Republic of the Philippines. As members of the global community and under the threat of economic, cultural and political domination by great powers in our region. So there in lies the necessity to maintain and uphold the national sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines. Great powers of the region look to test the resolve of our republic, and time and time again have we stepped up to the challenge, despite our shortcomings. In one particular example is the naval-oceanographic status of the country. Since the 1980s, there has been massive illegal entry into the naval waters of the Philippines by nations such as the People's Republic of China and the Federated States of Malaysia. These nation states have also been caught red handed in providing safety for illegal fisherman who come to the oceanic territories of the Philippines in the Kalayaaan group (western Philippines) and in Philipppine-administered Tawi-Tawi group.

And did the Philippines give in to such actions. No, on the contrary, despite risking open clashes with the militaries of the PRC and Malaysia, the Philippine Navy has brutally pursued a policy of 'shoot then ask' against illegal aliens in the sea. Thousands of Chinese fishing boats who were caught by our overstretched Philippine navy were either sunk or confiscated and jailing Chinese fisherman according to laws of the Republic and in accordance to the United Nations Treatise of the Sea: thereby sollidifying Philippine legitimacy in its actions. In the early 1990s, a Philippine naval group was sent to the Spratleys where it engaged a Chinese naval patrol group, which was deep in Philippine territory. Though the Philippines knew of its military weakness against the Chinese, the military engaged the enemy--capturing a Chinese missile patrol boat and heavily damaging other ships, which eventually steamed back to PRC-administered Spratley Islands.

Clearly, this is an example of how a dog stood its ground against an elephant. The tenacity of the Filipino when it comes to warefare and our people's dogged will determination is not something to delineate, as the Spanish, Americans and Japanese learned all too well.

We as a people need to focus on national growth, growth of patriotism and love of Las Islas Filipinas. Keep the words and passions of our forefathers who so passionately fought for our independence and national solidarity at hand. Never give up and talk of secession, for to do so would undermine the very integrity of the Republic of the Philippines. This is why we have groups who call for a 'bangsamoro' etc. Such thinking can only lead to civil war and will undermine the leaps and strides that our people achieved since independence. National solidarity, must be mandated. The United States itself went through a bloody ordeal, the American Civil War, which lead to the deaths of over 627,000 Americans and the fragmentation of the economy as a result of the war. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past, and march toward a prosperous future. Boho's future. The Philippine's future.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

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N F L · « **Reply #6 on:** November 11, 2007, 01:58:45 AM »

Lorenzo you definitely makes some sense in this matter.

We apprecite your insights our brother, are you still living there in Bohol at present time?

I am new here and I read allot of what you write as your one of the more constructive commentor's in here.

I would have to agree with how you think about the Philippines maybe about 75% as accurate. Keep up the good concerns and comments in here.

You have certainly captured my attention!

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MikeLigalig.com

Author Topic: Republic of Bohol Can Be Created (Read 1226 times)

pioneer

Republic of Bohol Can Be Created

boholrepublic

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pioneer

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boholrepublic

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udtohan

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Lorenzo

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N F L

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