EXPLAINER: Why the Philippines for some time marked Independence Day on July 4 instead of June 12

On Friday, June 12, 2026, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., led flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at Rizal Park to mark the 128th Independence Day of the Philippines.

It was on June 12, 1898, that the Philippine flag was first waved at the balcony of General Emilio Aguinaldo’s house as a declaration that the Philippines had been freed from the control of the Spanish colonizers.

But for a period of time in the country’s history, the Philippines marked its Independence Day on July 4, the same date that the United States celebrates its own from Britain.

Why?

After the declaration in Kawit, Cavite, in 1898, the United States didn’t recognize Philippine independence as its officials signed with Spanish leaders the Treaty of Paris, which gave the Americans control of the Philippines.

It wasn’t until July 4, 1946, that the United States recognized the Philippines as an independent republic with then-US President Harry Truman’s Proclamation No. 2695.

“The United States of America hereby withdraws and surrenders all rights of possession, supervision, jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty now existing and exercised by the United States of America in and over the territory and people of the Philippines…” the proclamation read.

“On behalf of the United States of America, I do hereby recognize the independence of the Philippines as a separate and self-governing nation…” it added.

Because of this declaration by the US, the Philippines observed Independence Day on July 4.

Until 1962, when then-President Diosdado Macapagal declared June 12, 1962, a special public holiday and called the date Philippine Independence Day, in recognition of Aguinaldo’s declaration in 1898.

“The establishment of the Philippine Republic by the Revolutionary Government under General Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898, marked our people’s declaration and exercise of their right to self-determination, liberty and independence…” read Macapagal’s Proclamation No. 28.

The proclamation also said that the independence attained on June 12, 1898, was “a legitimate assertion.”

After two years, on August 4, 1964, Congress passed the Republic Act No. 4166, declaring June 12 as Philippine Independence Day.

July 4, under the same law, was designated Philippine Republic Day. –NB, GMA News