The laws of the first Philippine Republic (the laws of Malolos) 1898-1899. / Compiled & edited by Sulpicio Guevara.

PROLOGUE

3

on the legitimacy of the documents examined, resolving those of doubtful
character by the absolute majority of votes.
"Whereupon, it shall proceed to designate, also by absolute majority
of votes, a President, a Vice-President and two Secretaries, who shall
be elected from among the representatives constituting the Congress,
notifying the Government of the results of the election.
"ART. 14. The place where the Congress shall deliberate is sacred
and inviolate and no armed force shall enter it, unless the President
of the Congress asks for it, to maintain internal peace disturbed by those
who know not how to honor the Congressmen and their august functions.
"ART. 15. The powers of the Congress shall be: To provide for
the general interests of the Filipino people and for the compliance of the
laws of the Revolutionary Government; to discuss and vote for said laws;
to discuss and approve, before ratification, all treaties and conventions;
to examine and approve the general expenses annually presented by the
Secretary of Finance, as well as the extraordinary taxes and contributions
imposed.
"ART. 16. The Congress shall also be heard in all matters of grave
and transcendental importance which admit of delay or waiting; Provided, however, that the President of the Revolutionary Government may
resolve those of urgent character, without prejudice to giving a report
to the Congress of such resolution adopted, through a Message.
"ART. 17. Any Representative may present to the Congress any bill;
the same may also be done by any Department Secretary by authority
of the President of the Revolutionary Government.
"ART. 18. The sessions of the Congress shall be public and only in
cases whereby secrecy is required shall the sessions be held in secret."
On September 15, 1898, Thursday morning at 9:00 o'clock, the Malolos Congress convened in inaugural session at the Barasoain Church
in Malolos, Bulacan, amid great rejoicing of the people. The newspaper,
"LA REPUBLICA FILIPINA", edited by Pedro A. Paterno, which published its first issue the day following the inauguration, gave the following account of the memorable event:3
"The great number of people who, for the past few days, had been
pouring in from outlying provinces and nearby towns into Malolos, in
whose town convent the headquarters of the Revolutionary Government
had been established, is so extraordinary and unusual that, notwithstanding the many houses of strong materials in the town, many of those
who came, from the most dignified to the lowliest - lawyers, medical
practitioners, pharmacists, bankers, merchants, and artists - were forced
to find lodging in nipa houses.
"At 8:20 in the morning, the hour of arrival of the train at the
railroad station, the aspect of the town of Malolos was indescribable.
People of all classes rambled along the principal streets, anxious to
witness the inaugural session of the first Philippine parliament. The
government buildings and private houses displayed the national flag,
symbol of our rights and liberties. Bands of music, which had been
parading the streets since the early hours of the morning, saturated the
air with feelings of patriotism.
3 Translation by the author from the Spanish original.