TODAY IN THE PAST

Today, September 27, 1853, is the birth of Benito Legarda, statesman, Vice-President of the Malolos Congress, member of the Philippine commission, and one of the resident commissioners sent to the United States. Died August 27, 1915.

The Pact of Biac-na-Bato (December 1897) was intended to bring about peace between the revolutionists and the Spanish authorities.

Aguinaldo had to go on exile. But after the Pact there was no peace. Instead the Spanish-American war erupted and Aguinaldo returned to renew the revolution.

For his part Governor-General Augustin followed a policy of attraction starting with the creation of the Philippine Consultative Assembly.

He named the following as members: Pedro A. Paterno, Cayetano Arellano, Isaac Fernando Rios, Joaquin Gonzales, Maximino Paterno, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, Manuel Genato, Gregorio Araneta, Juan Rodriguez, Benito Legarda, Leon Ma. Guerrero, Ambrosio Salvador, Bonifacio Arevalo, Ariston Bautista, Jose Luna Novicio, Teodoro Gonzales; Jose Lozada, Ricardo Esteban Barreto, Pantaleon Garcia and Paterno Serrano.

It should be noted that half a dozen among the members were citizens notoriously identified with the old time Katipunan or had been imprisoned for participation in the insurrection of 1896.

The Consultative Assembly was a belated pallative, and, although the commission drew up plans for real autonomy, it was realized that discontentment was widespread. Thus many joined the ranks of the revolutionists soon enough.