Description
Malolos Constitution (Philippines)
Book Summary
This volume contains the full text of the Malolos Constitution, the first charter of the Philippines, promulgated in 1899 and originally written in Spanish. It is a fundamental work for understanding the constitutional origins of the Republic of the Philippines and its independence process. The reader will find a historical document of great value, which reflects the influences of other American and European constitutions, as well as the political thought of the Filipino revolutionary leaders of the late 19th century.
What is it about?
The Malolos Constitution established the legal framework of the First Philippine Republic, proclaimed after independence from Spain. The text details the organization of the State, the rights and duties of citizens, and the structure of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Written in Spanish, the country's official language at that time, the constitution was drafted by a congress assembled in the Barasoain Church in Malolos, under the presidency of Emilio Aguinaldo. The work includes the independence ratification process and the influences of the constitutions of Mexico, Belgium, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil, and France, which served as models for its drafting.
Main themes
- Founding of the First Philippine Republic
- Philippine independence process and its legal framework
- Structure and organization of the republican State
- Influences of American and European constitutionalism in Asia
- Use of Spanish as the official language in the 19th-century Philippine administration
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and professionals of law, history, and political science, as well as any reader interested in the constitutional history of the Philippines, colonialism in Asia, and independence processes. It is also very useful for researchers studying legal influences between continents and the development of republics in Southeast Asia.
What this book offers
- Direct access to the original text of the first Philippine constitution, an essential historical document.
- Understanding of the political and legal foundations of the First Philippine Republic.
- Context on the revolutionary process and the Philippine declaration of independence.
- Knowledge of international constitutional influences in the drafting of the text.
Technical specifications
- Author: Various Authors
- Publisher: Linkgua Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: CLASSIC TEXTS, STRUCTURE AND POLITICAL PROCESSES
- Collection: LAWS
- Publication date: July 2008
- Number of pages: 60
- Weight: 53 g
Editorial review
This is a compact and accessible edition of a key document for the history of the Philippines. Its value lies in offering the Spanish-speaking reader the original text of a constitution written in Spanish, thus facilitating the study of a historical period little known in the Hispanic world. It is a brief yet substantial reference work, ideal for those seeking a primary source on late 19th-century Asian constitutionalism.