At least four times he wanted to give up these powers and the high positions he occupied. He preferred to be in the frontlines of the war to lead his people fight the invaders.

Prior to the March 22, 1897, Tejeros Convention which catapulted him to the leadership of the Revolution, Aguinaldo publicly expressed his support for General Edilberto Evangelista to be the president of the revolutionary government planned to be established. Unfortunately, General Evangelista was killed on February 17, 1897, at the battle of Zapote Bridge.

Aguinaldo was elected President in absention. He was in Pasong Santol directing the Filipino forces against an impending enemy attack. He refused to leave the frontlines. It was only when his elder brother General Crispulo Aguinaldo came and vowed that the enemy would pass only over his dead body that Emilio Aguinaldo agreed to leave the frontlines. General Crispulo Aguinaldo was killed when the enemy attacked two days later Aguinaldo proclaimed the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899, and was elected its first President.

He wrote a letter to Congress stating his resignation from the presidency and desire to fight in the frontlines, but Apolinario Mabini and Felipe Buencamino prevailed upon him not to carry out his plan for the sake of the unity of the Filipino people.

Finally, he issued a decree on June 27, 1900 where he named General Mariano Trias as his successor in case he would be captured, killed, or incapacitated.

These many instances of his disdain for power, on top of his many achievements – the Philippine National Flag which he designed, the Philippine National Anthem, Rizal Day, the proclamation of Philippine independence, etc. – show the greatness and nobility of President Emilio F. Aguinaldo.

The nation remembers President Emilio F. Aguinaldo on his 136th birth anniversary today. May our youth emulate his great deeds and noble character.