Gregorio Aglipay Cruz Y Labayan

1860-1940. First bishop of the Philippine Independent Church. A Catholic priest in Manila, he accepted in 1898 a post as military chaplain of the revolutionary army of General Aguinaldo. He was the only priest- member of the revolutionary congress. The latter appointed him vicar-general, for which he was later excommunicated. He convened the Paniqui Assembly of clergy which set up a provisional government for the church until such time as the pope would name Filipino bishops. When Rome refused, the Philippine Independent Church was formed and Aglipay was consecrated supreme bishop. A militant nationalist, he ran unsuccessfully for the presidency of the Commonwealth of the Philippines in 1935. He remained Supreme Bishop of the “Aglipayan” Church until his death.