Proem

June 11, 2007 is declared by President Gloria Arroyo as a public holiday instead of June 12. The date is serendipitously apt in Bohol because it is the 108th Anniversary of the Republic of Bohol. So let us celebrate the anniversary of the Republic of Bohol, a republic that actually functioned.

During the Philippines Revolution

During the revolution the Province of Bohol was part of the Gobierno de Canton de Visayas or Federal Government of the Visayas with headquarters at Santa Barbara, Iloilo. The headquarters was attacked and dispersed by the American Forces on February 11, 1899.

Bohol was still peaceful but it no longer had a connection with the national government headed by President Emilio Aguinaldo. To maintain their legal existence, the officials of the province of Bohol decided that they will convert Bohol into a Republic.

Republic of Bohol

On June 11, 1899 the Town Presidents (Mayors) in Bohol and other delegates gathered at the second floor of the Province Capitol Building. The purpose was to approve the constitution, elect officials and declare the existence of the Republic of Bohol.

Don Bernabe Reyes was elected President, Don Salustiano Borja as Vice President, Don Rafael Reyes as Minister of Finance, Don Eduardo Calceta as Minister of Justice, and Don Macario Sarmiento as the Minister of Police.

Activities Done

The Republic of Bohol actually functioned and was tacitly recognized by the invading Americans. The government had a budget based on estimated income. A system of taxation was established. A police force was organized. The school system was organized under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church. A department of public works existed and maintained the roads and buildings. In fact, when the invading Americans arrived, they praised the excellent condition of the road network in Bohol.

The postal system was organized and stamps of the Bohol Republic were issued. It should be noted that letters with Bohol Republic stamps were honored by the Americans by actually delivering those letters to any place in the world.

The Republic of Bohol had its own seal and flag. The Republic of Bohol existed independently from June 11, 1899 to March 17, 1900 and co-existed with the invading American forces until September 1, 1900 when the Boholano-American war started. The Republic of Bohol ended when General Pedro Samson surrendered on December 23, 1901.

Fund Raising

When the Bohol Republic existed, the Minister of Finance immediately announced a general registration of all land ownership. A special record book was provided for that activity. It was only recently that I recognized the effectiveness of that activity.

Recently, I was requested to translate into English the Spanish decision of Judge Pedro Rich regarding cadastral cases in Tagbilaran, Bohol.

The hearing of the cases was done on 12 July 1930 and subsequent days. What caught my attention was the statement of Judge Pedtro Rich regarding the uncontested cases.

He said, "It is decreed, that even previous to the declaration of general rebellion, the adjudication and registration of the following lots in favor of the following named persons as a continuation of the same . . ."

The cadastral case I was translating was for Lot No. 620 and it was uncontested because it was already registered even before the arrival of the Americans. We know that during the Spanish era only very few parcels of land were registered. So we can only attribute the massive registration of lands in Tagbilaran, Bohol to the efforts of the Republic of Bohol.

Unfortunately we do not have the book of registry by the Republic of Bohol. However, we can trust on the statement of Judge Pedro Rich that most of the lands in Tagbilaran had uncontested cadastral cases because it was already registered before the arrival of the Americans.

Comment

Even today, the people of Bohol are misled to believe that the Republic of Bohol was during the Dagohoy Revolution. It was not. The Republic of Bohol with its separate constitution and elected officials was declared on June 11, 1899. Since June 11 is a public holiday, it would be better if you will celebrate it in honor of the Bohol Republic.