The Malolos Republic was the first Philippine Republic, established in 1898 with Emilio Aguinaldo as President. Aguinaldo first established a dictatorial government to demonstrate Filipino self-governance, then a Revolutionary Government with departments. In September 1898, the Malolos Congress convened and drafted a constitution to guide the progressive republic. However, in December 1898 the US took control of the Philippines after the Treaty of Paris, challenging the fledgling republic.