The Philippines Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow
On this day, July 1, in 1902, the United States Congress enacted the Philippine Organic Act, authored by Rep. Henry Allen Cooper (R-Wisconsin). The law established the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands and served as its basic law. The law also established a bicameral Philippine legislature composed of the Philippine Commission and the … Read more
On this day, June 26, in 1945, the Philippines signed the United Nations (UN) Charter, with future UN General Assembly President and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Carlos P. Romulo representing the Philippine Commonwealth delegation. The Philippines is one of the 51 founding members of the UN. 1892 On this day, June 26, in … Read more
On this day, June 24, in 1974, the Order of Gawad Mabini was created by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 490. The Gawad Mabini is conferred on Filipinos who rendered distinguished foreign service or helped promote the interests and prestige of the Philippines. The award was named after Apolinario Mabini, the Philippines’ First Secretary of … Read more
On this day, June 23, in 1898, President Emilio Aguinaldo created the Department of Foreign Affairs. Apolinario Mabini, the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs, was tasked to win international recognition for PH as an independent state & establish diplomatic relations with other countries. The DFA was among the first government departments created following the … Read more
On this day, June 22, in 1920, Filipino statesman and lawyer Jovito Salonga was born in Pasig, Rizal Province. He is an outspoken critic of President Ferdinand Marcos and his declaration of Martial Law, earning him the moniker of “The Nation’s Fiscalizer.” He was arrested for subversion in 1980 but was released. He went on … Read more