Duterte signs law marking Jan. 23 as First Philippine Republic Day

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law declaring January 23 of every year as the "First Philippine Republic Day."

Signed on April 5, Republic Act 11014 declares the occasion a special working holiday in the entire country to commemorate the declaration of the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899 at the Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Bulacan.

The law tasks the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, in coordination with the Department of Education, to implement activities and "ensure that the significance of this historical event will continue to inspire and instill a sense of pride for the rich and noble history of the Filipino nation."

Considered to be the first in Asia, the so-called "Malolos Republic" was established during the presidency of Emilio Aguinaldo.

The republic came to an end when Aguinaldo took his oath of allegiance to the United States nine days after he was captured by American troops on March 23, 1901, a day after his 32nd birthday. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News