The Philippine flag is raised in front of the Barasoain Church in City of Malolos during Monday's 124th anniversary celebration of the First Philippine Republic. Photo by Anton Luis Catindig

CITY OF MALOLOS–The Philippine territory is protected from any territorial aggression and encroachment by foreign forces under the present administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Bulacan officials said here during Monday’s 124th year anniversary celebration of the First Philippine Republic held at the historic Barasoain Church.

Bulacan First District Rep. Danilo Domingo in his speech as guest of honor and speaker said the country is blessed today because the present administration knows the direction our country must take for our future and that no invasion or aggression by any other foreign nation will be allowed. 

“We are blessed today because we can clearly and strongly see, heard and felt where the administration will bring our country in the future. We need to support the policy and direction of our country today,” the congressman said. 

Gov. Daniel Fernando with Vice Gov. Alex Castro (6th and 5th from left) join Bulacan First District Rep. Danilo Domingo (9th from Left) and City of Malolos Mayor Atty. Christian Natividad (5th from right) with Board Member Mina Fermin (first from right) with City of Malolos Vice Mayor Migz Bautista, (3rd from right) and the whole of the members of the Malolos City Council. Photo by Anton Luis Catindig

“Hindi na tayo magkakaroon ng anomang pagdududa na matatag ang paninindigan ng ating pamahalaaan sa kasalukuyan na walang bahagi ng territory natin, ayon sa ating Pangulo, not a square inch na ibibigay sa dayuhan. Hindi papayag ang ating pamahalaan na makuha ng sinomang malaki o maliit man na bansa ang kapangyarihan sa ating bansa upang maangkin ang alinman nating teritoryo upang maisiguro na ang yaman ng ating bansa ay mapakinabangan lamang nating mga Pilipino, (We will no longer have doubts that our current national government is strong and firm that no part of our country’s territory, as told by our President, not a square inch will be given to foreign nation. Our national government will not allow any huge or small foreign nation to grab the power and authority to get our territory to ensure that our country’s wealth will only be enjoyed and shared by us Filipinos), Domingo who is a lawyer and formerly served as nine years mayor of Malolos said.

He encouraged every Filipino who inherit the freedom and democracy brought by the First Philippine Republic to strengthen their unity as Filipinos and support the leaders we have today both in the local and national level because they shape our country today for our future and the next generation.

Gov. Daniel Fernando asked every Bulakenyo to emulate the leaders of the First Philippine Republic who serve our country with integrity and honesty because they are the true essence of the First Philippine Republic.

The governor said the occasion honors Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Pedro Paterno and their group of other dignified, educated and noble delegates to the Malolos Congress who made and ratified the Malolos Constitution on Sept. 15, 1898 at Barasoain Church known as the Malolos Congress which ratification on Jan. 22, 1899 pave the way for the birth of the First Philippine Republic. 

Following Emilio Aguinaldo’s June 12, 1898 declaration of Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite, he led Mabini, Paterno and the other Malolos Congress delegates in drafting the Malolos Constitution on Sept. 15 inside the Barasoain Church. The First Philippine Republic then became known as the First Republic in Asia. 

“We should not stop commemorating this very momentous and vital event in our history for the next generation to remember, celebrate and enrich,” Fernando said. 

Mayor Christian Natividad led the people of the city into a week of “Fiesta Republika” events which highlighted the cultural and historical richness of the city. 

Other than the Barasoain Church, the Malolos Cathedral convent and other more than a century old edifices and houses that served as national government agencies during Aguinaldo’s time and the First Philippine Republic remain standing today and being taken care of in the city.