La Cámara de Comercio de las Islas Filipinas, widely known today as The Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands, is the oldest business institution in the Philippines, having been founded in 1886. The Chamber traces its roots back to the Spanish period when the King of Spain, Alfonso XII through Queen Regent Maria Cristina, issued a Royal Decree on April 9, 1886 creating the "Camara" institution for all Spanish colonies. Sr. Don Joaquín María Elizalde was its first President, followed in 1890 by Sr. Don Francisco Godínez, and in 1895 by Sr. Don José de Echeita.