CITY OF MALOLOS — September 2, 2026 — As the nation prepares to mark the historic convening of the Malolos Congress this coming September 15, Malolos City Mayor Atty. Christian D. Natividad calls on every Filipino to rekindle the revolutionary body’s enduring legacy — describing it as a living symbol of hope, justice, and democracy that remains as relevant today as it was over a century ago.
“The Malolos Congress is not merely a chapter in our history — it is the very soul of our nation. It stands as an eternal beacon of hope, justice, and democracy — exactly as our forefathers declared. When our people gathered here in 1898, they did not only draft a Constitution; they planted the seed of a free, sovereign, and just Philippines. That promise still calls to us today.”
— Mayor Christian D. Natividad
A Legacy Born in Courage
On September 15, 1898, the Malolos Congress — officially the Malolos Revolutionary Congress — convened at the Barasoain Church, becoming the first constituent assembly of a free and independent Philippines. It framed the Malolos Constitution, the first republican charter in Asia, establishing the Philippines as a sovereign nation governed by the will of its people.
Mayor Natividad emphasized that the ideals forged in Malolos remain the foundation of the nation’s present and future:
“Our forefathers dared to dream of a nation where freedom is not a privilege but a right — where justice is blind, and democracy is the voice of every citizen. That dream is unfinished work. It falls to our generation to protect it, to strengthen it, and to pass it on, brighter than ever.”
— Mayor Christian D. Natividad
A Call to Renewed Commitment
In his message, Mayor Natividad urged Maloleños and all Filipinos to commemorate the date not only with ceremony but with renewed dedication to the values the Congress represented:
– Justice — Upholding the rule of law and equal protection for all
– Democracy — Safeguarding the voice of the people and the integrity of our institutions
– Unity — Remembering that the nation was built on shared sacrifice and common purpose
– Hope — Believing that the Philippines will continue to rise and flourish
“Let us return to the spirit of Malolos — not to look back with nostalgia, but to move forward with purpose. The beacon lit by our forefathers still burns. It is our duty to keep it burning bright.”
Mayor Christian D. Natividad stated.
