Other names Don Bosyong Died December 4, 1903 Role Lawyer | Name Ambrosio Bautista Occupation Lawyer | |
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Known for Author of the Declaration of Philippine Independence | ||
Unveiling of Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista Monument and National Marker
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista (December 17, 1830 - December 4, 1903), also known as Don Bosyong, was a lawyer and author of the Declaration of Philippine Independence. A distant relative of the Rizal family, Bautista frequently provided advice to Philippine national hero José Rizal during his school days in Manila.
Contents
- Unveiling of Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista Monument and National Marker
- Unveiling of Rizal Monument and Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista Marker
- Early life and career
- Political activism
- In popular culture
- References
Unveiling of Rizal Monument and Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista Marker
Early life and career
Bautista was born in Biñan, Laguna to Gregorio Enriquez and Bautista Silvestra Altamira. He attended preparatory school in Biñan and studied law at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), obtaining a degree in 1865. He then practiced law in Manila and offered free legal services to poor clients. Whilst practicing law, Bautista, on his way to Malolos, Bulacan, was captured by a group of bandits, who subsequently learned that he had saved many of their friends as a defender of the poor in court cases against rich Filipinos and Spaniards. The bandits apologized to Bautista and set him free.
Political activism
Bautista solicited funds to finance a campaign for reforms in the Philippines, later becoming a member of the La Liga Filipina, Cuerpo de Compromisarios and La Propaganda. In 1896, the Spaniards arrested and imprisoned him at Fort Santiago, as he was suspected of being involved in the Philippine Revolution; Bautista elected to defend himself and was later released from prison.
In 1898, Bautista became the first adviser to President Emilio Aguinaldo and subsequently wrote the Declaration of Philippine Independence.
Contrary to popular opinion, it was Bautista, rather than Aguinaldo, who hoisted the Philippine flag in front of the exultant assembly on June 12, 1898, at the Proclamation of Independence in Cavite, Philippines.
On July 14, 1899, Bautista was elected to the position of president in Tarlac's Revolutionary Congress and was later appointed judge of the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan.