The Tejeros Convention

Historical Context
This first days of the Philippine Revolution saw the defeat of the Katipunan in Manila,
forcing Bonifacio and his men to retreat to the mountains of Montalban. It was a difference story
in Cavite. Here, the Katipunan under Emilio Aguinaldo managed to subdue the Spanish forces by
surprise and take control of the province. The victory, however, was short-lived as the Cavite
Katipuneros – consisted of two groups, the Magdiwang (Bonifacio) and Magdalo (Aguinaldo) –
were soon fighting each other over territory and logistics. Unable to resolve their differences,
Aguinaldo invited the Supremo Bonifacio to mediate. However, when he arrived in infuriated
the Magdalos. The two groups finally agreed to form a revolutionary government (pamahalaang
panghihimagsik) which would lead the revolution. The assembly was set to be held in the friar’s
estate house in Barrio Tejeros, a part of the town San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias).
On March 22, 1897, the Cavite Katipuneros, as well as representative of the Katipunan from the
nearby provinces, converged at the estate house. Emilio Aguinaldo, however, was not at the
assembly as he was commanding the Filipino forces at the frontlines in Pasong Santol, Barrio
Salitran, Dasmarinas, facing the imminent attack of the Spanish Forces

Andres Bonificio’s Account

The Account
The major of the said convention agreed to establish a government, but I explained to them that
this could be done because the representatives of the other towns did not arrive, a condition that
was agreed upon in the Imus Assembly but which was disregarded by the majority because of the
dire conditions of the towns and the Imus Assembly lacks proof because there were no
documents. Nevertheless, the ones who were present promised that whatever decision was made,
the majority will abide by the decision in the assembly and that is what I will respect.

When the election held, elected President of the Republic was Don Emilio Aguinaldo; Vice
President Don Mariano Trias; Auditor General, Don Artemio Ricarte; Director of War, Don
Emiliano R. de Dios. The election were held through the expression of those who were present
(viva voce) because it was already nighttime. I was elected Director of Interior through the same
expressions of those present and among the midst of those who were elected; however, after the
decision was made and the election for the Director de Hacienda was about to start, Don Daniel
Tirona stood up and said that there is cry being raised that Don Jose Del Rosario be chosen
Director of the Interior because there is a need that this position should be filled by someone
educated. He announced this after saying that he did not state this with intention of insulting me,
I answered back that good and educated men are need for all the positions; I ask him to point
out to me who among the elected ones are already well-versed in their positions but instead he
began to shout: “Let us agree that Jose Del Rosario, a lawyer, be chosen Director of the
Interior!” No one responded to his call which he did four time whereas a few responded by
calling out my name. Because of the tumult that occurred, the President of the Magdiwang
announced that this was not an assembly of gentlemen because everything that they did had no
evidence. Also, I discovered that even before the elections were made, some of those who are
from Imus had secretly spread the word that it was not good for them to be under the leadership
of someone from another province. It was for this reason that Captain Emilio Aguinaldo was
elected President. When I heard about this, I told them that this assembly was the idea of those
with evil intention as this was the only thing that they wanted and that they deceived the people. I
even added that if they wished I will point out one by one those who intended to this if they
wanted to. The assembly answered that it was not necessary. I also told them that if the wishes of
the assembly are not to be followed, I will not recognize them then my men will also not
recognize them. Even- General Ricarte- the one elected General- also stated that their assembly
was the result of bad intentions.

Alvarez, Santiago V. (1992). The Katipunan and the Revolution: Memoirs of a General.
Loyola Heights, Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press.

Tejeros Convention
The Assembly at Tejeros was finally convened on March 25, 1897. The invitations to the
meeting were signed by Secretary Jacinto Lumbreras of the Magdiwang Council, and be
presided over the assembly: Seated with Lumbreras at the long presidential table were the
Supremo -Andres Bonifacio, Messrs. Mariano C. Trias, Diego Mojica, Emiliano R. de Dios,
Santiago V. Alvarez, Artemio Ricarte, Santos Nocon, Luciano San Miguel, Pablo Mojica,
Serevino de Las Alas, and Santiago Rillo, all of them of the Magdiwang. Among the Magdalo
has seated at the head table were Messrs. Baldomero Aguinaldo, Daniel Tirona and Cayetano
Topacio.

It must be mentioned that, before the assembly must convened, Secretary of War Ariston
Villanueva of the Magdiwang Council receive the confidential information that Mr. Daniel
Tirona of the Magdalo Faction was set to undermine the proceeding of the assembly and that he
had already succeeded in enjoining many among Magdiwang leaders to ally with him. Secretary
Villanueva kept silent, but nevertheless alerted Captain General Apoy; who had troops in
readiness for any sudden eventuality.

The leaders were seated at the presidential table, a previously, and all the others were
standing in groups on both side of those seated. After Chairman Jacinto Lumbreras had declared
the assembly opens, he announced the main topic of the discussion, which was how to bolster the
defenses in the areas still under the Magdiwang control. Presently, Mr. Severino de las Alas rose
to speak, and when he was recognized he said, “before we discuss minor details, let us first
tackle the major issue such as what kind of government we should have and how we should go
about establishing it. Once we make a decision about these questions, the problem of the
organization and strengthening of defense will be resolved.”

“As initiator of the revolution”, Chairman Lumbreras replied. “the Katipunan now holds
authority over the islands. It has government of law and definite program. It is obeyed and
respected by all because it stands for freedom, brotherly love, and well organized and well run
government. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the best measure as take to strengthen the
Magdiwang government vis-a-vis the enemy. We should avoid surrendering the headquarters of
the Katipunan army should the Magdalo eventually lose out.”

The chair next recognized the Supremo. He concurred to what Chairman Lumbreras had
just said and explained that the “K” in the middle of the sun in Katipunan flag used in the
revolution stood for the Kalayaan.

Mr. Severino de las Alas spoke again. He countered that the letter “K” and the sun on
the flag did not indicate whether the revolutionary government was democratic or not.

The Supremo replied that from the rank and file to the highest levels, the Katipunan was
united in its respect for universal brotherhood and equality of man. It was risking bloodshed and
the life itself in its struggle against the king, in order to establish a sovereign and free
government. In short, it stood for the people’s sovereignty, not a government lead by only one or
two.

Mr. Antonio Montenegro spoke in defense of Mr. Severino de las Alas’ Stand. He argued
that if they would not agree on the kind of revolutionary government they were to have and that
if they were let the status quo prevail then they who were in the revolution would be no better
that a pack of bandits or of wild, mindless animals.”

General Apoy was hurt by these words of Mr. Montenegro. He quickly stood up and look
angrily at the previous speaker.

“We the Katipunan,” he began, are under the jurisdiction of our respected Highest
Council of the Sons of the People. This council is the defender of and has authority over the
Magdiwang and Magdalo government of Cavite. We are one revolutionaries fighting for the
freedom of the native land. We are not bandits who rob others of their property and wealth. Nor
should be likened to beasts, for we know how to protect and defend others, especially the
political refugees who seek asylum with us. We are rational and we do not expose those who talk
big but do not accomplish anything. If you want to establish a different kind of government that
is to your liking, you must do as we have done: go back to your localities and snatch them from
Spanish control. Then you can do what pleases you; but don’t you dare seek refuge among
cowards who might call you bandits and beasts. And for everybody’s satisfaction. I am now
ordering your arrest!

Captain General Apoy stopped speaking and looked intently on the person he was
alluding to and ordered a detachment under Maj. Damaso Fohaj to keep him underguard. After
a short while Dr. Jose Rizal’s sister, Trining and his widow, Josephine pleaded with General
Apoy not to arrest Mr. Montenegro, but to let him stay at the estate house where themselves are
staying. They volunteer to be held personally responsible to Mr. Montenegro while there
custody. Captain General Apoy easily acceded to the request.

The strong and excited denunciation by Captain General Apoy of Mr. Montenegro
alerted the Magdiwang troops. The leaders eyed everyone suspiciously and were only waiting a
signal from General Apoy for them to begin shooting. Disorder ensued and disrupted the
assembly. When the order was restored, some wanted the convention adjourned. But the
Supremo Bonifacio prevails upon the others to continue. However, the president officer, Mr.
Lumbreras, refuse to resume his role of chairman. He wanted to yield the chair to Supremo
whom he thought to be the rightful chairman.

“The Katipunan as you know” Mr. Lumbreras explained “was responsible from the
beginning for the spread of revolutionary movement throughout the Philippines. But because of
the disaffection of some, this Assembly was called to establish a new overall Revolutionary
Council. If we are to pursue this ambitions and important undertaking, only the Supremo has the
right to preside at this assembly, for his the Father of the Katipunan, and the Revolution.”

Mr. Lumbreras speech was well received and his proposal was unanimously accepted.
The Supremo Bonifacio assumed the chairmanship accordingly and said, “Your aim is to
establish a new overall government of the Katipunan of the Son of the People. This would
repudiate the decisions made at the meeting held at the friar estate house in Imus. In my capacity
as “President-Supremo”: of the Most Venerable Katipunan of the Sons of the People. I agree
and sympathize with your aspirations. But I wish to remind you that we should respect all
decisions properly and approved in our meetings. We should respect and abide by the wishing of
the majority.”

Because of the repeated clamor for the approval of the establishment of the government
of the Philippine Republic, the chair proceeded to prepare for an election to the following
positions: President, Vice President, Minister of Finance, Minister of Welfare and Minister of
Justice and Captain General.

The Supremo spoke again before the election began. He said that the candidate who
would get the most number of votes for each position should be the winner, no matter what his
station in life or his educational attainment.

The Supremo-Bonifacio appointed Gen. Artemio Ricarte as Secretary. Then, with the
help of Mr. Daniel Tirona, he distributed pieces of paper to serve as ballots. When the ballots
had been collected and the votes were ready to be canvassed, Mr. Diego Mojica, the Magdiwang
secretary of the treasury, warned the Supremo that many ballots distributed were already filled
out and that the voters had not done this themselves. The Supremo ignored this remark. He
proceeded with business at hand as If nothing unusual had happened.

When the votes for president were counted, Mr. Emilio Aguinaldo won over Mr. Andres
Bonifacio, The Supremo. The winner was acclaimed by applause shouts of “Mabuhay!” (long
live!)

Mr. Severino de las Alas spoke again to say that since the Supremo Bonifacio had
received the second highest number of votes for Presidency, he should be proclaimed Vice-
President of the Government of Philippine Republic. When nobody signified approval or
disapproval of the proposal, the presiding officer, the Supremo Bonifacio ruled the election to be
continued. For vice president, Mr. Mariano Trias won over Mr. Mariano Alvarez and the
Supremo Bonifacio. General Vibora was elected captain over General Apoy. General Vibora
demurred, saying that he had neither the ability nor the right to assume the new position. But
General Apoy cut short his objection by saying that he was personally vouched of General
Vibora’s Competence and right to occupy the position to which he was selected. General Apoy’s
endorsement was greeted with shouts and of “Long live the newly elected Captain General.”

Mr. Baldomero Aguinaldo wanted the election to be finished before it got too dark. To
facilitate the counting of votes, he suggest that for all other positions to be voted upon, voters
should stand in one side of the hall if in favor and on the other side if against. The suggestion
was adopted for the rest of election. For the position of secretary of war, Mr. Emiliano R. de
Dios was elected overwhelming over Messrs, Santiago V. Alvarez, Ariston Villanueva, and
Daniel Tirona. After the voters had given the proper honors to the new secretary of war, they
proceeded to elect the Secretary of the interior, Mr. Andres Bonifacio, The Supremo, won over
Mr. Mariano Alvarez. The crowd broke into shout of “Mabuhay”. Mr Daniel Tirono requested
or restoration of the order and then speak aloud:
“My brethren, the office of the secretary of the interior is of so great a scope and of such
sensitivity that we should not entrust it to no one who is not a lawyer. One among us here is a
lawyer. He is Mr. Jose Del Rosario. Let us reconsider the choice for the last position, for he has
no credentials to show attesting to any education attainment.

Then, in as loud a voice he could muster, Tirona shouted, “Let us elect Mr. Jose del
Rosario, the lawyer!

Greatly embarrassed, the Supremo Bonifacio quickly stood up and said, “We agreed to
abide by the majority vote and accept its choice no matter what the station in life of the person
elected. And because of this, I demand from you Mr. Daniel Tirona, an apology. You must
restore to the voters and the one they elected the honor you have only now besmirched.”

Then he pulled out his revolver and took aim.

Instead of replying, Mr. Tirona ignored the Supremo’s remarks and, perhaps because of
fear, he slid away and got lost in the crowd. Disorder ensued as the convention secretary tried to
disarm the Supremo, who was intent on shooting Mr. Tirona. The people began to disperse and
the Supremo adjourned the meeting with these words:
“In my capacity as the Chairman of this Convention and as President-Supremo of the
Most Venerable Katipunan of the Sons of the People which association is known and
acknowledged by all, I hereby declare null and void all matter approved in this meeting.”

Then he left quickly and was followed by his aides and some other present.

Mr. Baldomero Aguinaldo, the Magdalo President, did not leave San Francisco de
Malabon that night, in order to convince that Magdiwang leaders to reconvene the disrupted
meeting the following day. They agreed to his propoas. That same night, rumor had it that
Messrs. Mariano Trias, Danie Tirona, Emiliano R. de Dios, Santiago Rillo and others were in
the parish house of the Catholic Church at Tanza (Santa Cruz de Malabon), and that they were
conferring with the priest, Fr. Cenon Villafranca. Many attested to seeing the, but no-one knew
what they talked about.
 On the request of the Magdalo Pres. Baldomero Aguinaldo, a meeting was called on the
day after tumultuous Convention, its purpose was to continue and revalidate the proceeding of
the election meeting, to revive their former alliance and to restore cordiality and fraternal live in
the relations. Aside from the Supremo Andres Bonifacio, among the Magdiwang learders who
attended were Messrs. Mariano Alvarez, Diego Mojica, Ariston Villanueva, Pascual Alvarez,
Jacinto Lumbreras, Santiago Alvarez, Artemio Ricorte, Nicolas portilla, Santos Nocon, and Fr.
Francisco De Malabon. They waited until four of the afternoon, but none of the Magdalo
members were come, not even their president who had initiated what would have been a
reconciliation meeting.

The same night, it was rumored that the Magdalo leaders were currently holding their
own meeting in the Parish House in Tanza. Though it had reason to be apprehensive because the
Magdalo were in territory under its jurisdiction. The Magdalo leadership looked the other way
because the Magdalo were hard pressed for meeting place since its territories had all been taken
by the Spanish enemy.

The next morning, March 27 1897, eyewitnesses who had spied on the proceeding
revealed that, indeed a meeting had taken place at the Tanza Parish House and that the
Supremo’s decisions regarding the election at the Friar Estate House were not respected. These
revelations surface despite denials from many sectors.

At the gathering in the Tanza Parish House, those elected at the Tejeros Convention knelt
before a crucifix and in the name of the Holy Father, the Highest Pontiff of the Roman Catholic
church, involves the Martyred Saints and solemnly took their office, Fr. Cenon Villafranca
officiated with Messrs. Severino de las Alas and Daniel Tirona as the Witnesses, the following
took their oaths of office: Mssrs. Emilio Aguinaldo, Mariano C. Trias and Artemio Ricarte.
Conspicuously absent was the Supremo Bonifacio, who was not invited although he was one of
the elected in the office. It will be recalled that as the Chairman of the Tejeros Convention, he
declared null and void all the matters approved by the assembly because of a grave violation of
a principle agreed upon before the election.

It should be noted here that, unknown to the Magdiwang Council, the Magdalo posted
troops to guard the Tanza Parish House for their oath taking ceremonies. The troops were under
strict order not to admit any of the unwanted Magdiwang partisans. If the news about the secret
ceremony had leaked out earlier; and the underdogs in the power struggle had attempted to
break into it, they would have been annihilated then and there.

Guide Questions
1. How did the two rival factions of Katipunan- Magdalo and Magdalo- come about?
2. Who were the sources of the historical accounts? What were their roles in the Katipunan?
3. Why did Andres Bonifacio declare the election results as null and void?
4. What are the similarities and differences among the two accounts?
5. How can the two accounts contribute to your understanding of the First Philippine
Republic?