Central Executive Committee (Philippines)

The Central Executive Committee was a provisional government established in the Philippines by Emilio Aguinaldo in June 1898, shortly after his return from exile in Hong Kong. It served as a transitional administrative body in areas liberated from Spanish colonial rule during the Philippine Revolution.

The Committee was formed to provide a centralized system of governance and to manage the affairs of the newly-freed territories. Its main responsibilities included organizing local governments, collecting taxes, maintaining peace and order, and raising funds for the revolutionary cause. It also aimed to establish infrastructure, such as roads and schools, where feasible.

While Aguinaldo held overall authority, the Central Executive Committee was composed of various prominent figures in the revolution. Its structure was intended to be a precursor to a more formal republic.

The Committee's existence was relatively short-lived. It was replaced by a more formal structure of government, initially a dictatorial government followed by a revolutionary government, as the revolutionary movement gained momentum and sought international recognition. The establishment of these successive governments marked a transition toward a more robust and internationally recognized assertion of Philippine independence. The Central Executive Committee, therefore, played a crucial, albeit brief, role in the early stages of the establishment of a Filipino state.