PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (BBM) will lead the country's commemoration of the establishment of the first Philippine Republic during its 125th anniversary milestone at the Barasoain Church historical landmark in Malolos City, Bulacan on Jan. 23, 2024.

The Chief Executive will be joined by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, and other legislators, executive branch officials, and local government officials in officiating the remembrance.

Established after the adotption of the Malolos Constitution of 1899, the first Philippine Republic was Asia's first democratic republic that served as an inspiration for other Asiatic republics, including the Republic of China in 1911.

The republic replaced the revolutionary government, created by President Emilio Aguinaldo on June 18, 1898 after the proclamation of Philippine Independence from the Spanish Empire on June 12, 1898.

The republic lasted from January 1899 until Aguinaldo was captured by American forces in Palanan, Isabela on March 22, 1901 during the Philippine-American War.

The milestone would be part of the "125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood 2023 to 2026," which would commemorate the events that led up to Philippine independence and the development of the nation from 1898 to 1901.

Previously, Marcos enjoined the nation to participate in the commemoration through Administrative Order 8, series of 2023 with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines as head of the National Steering Committee.