Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista

Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista (17 December 1830 – 4 December 1903), also known as Don Bosyong, was a lawyer and author of the Declaration of Philippine Independence document. A distant relative of the Rizal family, Philippine national hero José Rizal always sought his advice during his school days in Manila.

Ambrosio was born in Biñan, Laguna to Gregorio Enriquez and Bautista Silvestra Altamira. He attended preparatory school in Biñan, and studied law at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), obtaining a degree in 1865. He then practiced law in Manila by offering free legal services to poor clients. One day, Ambrosio was captured by a group of bandits while on his way to Malolos, Bulacan. After learning that he was the Don Bosyong who had saved many of their friends and who was the defender of the poor in court cases against rich Filipinos and the Spaniards, the bandits apologized and set him free.

Bautista solicited funds to finance the campaign for the reforms in the Philippines. He then became a member of the La Liga Filipina, Cuerpo de Compromisarios, and La Propaganda. In 1896, the Spaniards arrested and imprisoned him at Fort Santiago, as he was suspected for being involved in the Philippine Revolution. He defended himself and was later released from prison. He became the first adviser of President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898, and subsequently wrote the Declaration of Philippine Independence. On 14 July 1899, Bautista was elected vice-president of Tarlac's Revolutionary Congress. He was later appointed judge of the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan.

See also

• Patricio Mariano

References

• BAUTISTA RIANZARES Ambrosio (1830 - 1903 (accessed on September 10, 2007)
• Quirino, Carlos. Who's Who in Philippine History. New York: Home Books, 1995.
• National Historical Institute. Historical Markers: Regions I-IV and CAR. Manila: National Historical Institute, 1993
• "Southern Luzon and Bicol: Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista." Unsung Heroes of the Philippines Revolution - MSC Communications Technologies, Inc.. (accessed September 12, 2007).

Persondata
Name	Bautista, Ambrosio Rianzares
Alternative names
Short description	Author of the Declaration of Philippine Independence
Date of birth	17 December 1830
Place of birth	Biñan, Laguna, Philippines
Date of death	4 December 1903
Place of death