124) avsevzinc rasey sources fremio Ricar Early on the morning of the day set for the assembly (March 22 - JVT), men filled the Tejeros estate house, among thent not only the chiefs of the Magdiwang but also men of the Magdalo. Among the chiefs of the Magdiwang, apart from the Supremo of the Katipunan, were the following: Mariano, Pascual and Santiago Alvarez; Luciano San Miguel, Mariano Trias Closas; Severino de las Alas and Santos Nocon. Among those of Magdalo were Baldomero Aguinaldo, Daniel Tirona, Cayetano Topacio, and Antonio Montenegro. The session opened under the presidency of Jacinto Lumbreras who, in a few words, explained the purpose of the meeting. Severino de las Alas rose to address those present and said that before discussing the defense of a small piece of territory in Cavite, it would be well to consider first the kind of government then existing in the country, ‘as upon that government would depend whatever defense might be needed. The chairman replied that from the time the Katipunan was established the country had been ruled by the Supreme Council, the provincial and popular councils. He repeated that the purpose for which the assembly had been called was one of great importance in those critical times. Andres Bonifacio, with permission of the chain spoke in support of Lumbreras and his stand in regard to the government and went to explain the significance of the letter “K” in the center of the sun on the flag, which stands for liberty, as bas already been said in the description of the insurgent flag. Severino de las Alas again addressed the ‘meeting and said that neither the letter “K” on the flag, nor the flag itself, has anything to do with the character of the government then existing; that is to say, whether it was a monarchy or a republic. Bonifacio replied that the Katipuneros, from the president of the Supreme Council to the most insignificant member, recognized the principles of rue temtos assy 125 Union, Fraternity and Equality, on which account it was very clear that the government of the Katipunan was rigorously republican in form. ‘Antonio Montenegro rose and spoke in support of the De las Alas suggestion and in a louder voice than usual said that unless some definite understanding was arrived at regarding the matter, the insurgents were mere groups of tulisanes o7, much worse, brutes, These last words of Antonio Montenegro wounded the pride of Santiago Alvarez, who rose with glaring eyes andy addressing Montenegro, said: “We insurgents of Cavite and ‘especially of the Magdiwang government recognize and obey the government established by the Katipunan; if you ‘wish to establish any other kind of government more suited to your fancy, retire to your province and conquer territory from the Spanish government as we have done here, and, ‘establish there whatever government you like, and no one will interfere with you...” The session broke up ix: disorder, but one howr laten when the passions of the adherents of Santiago Alvarez and ‘Antonio Montenegro had been pacified, it convened agains under the presidency of Andres Bonifacio because Jacint Lumbreras said that inasmuch as they were discussing subject which was provided for in the call for the meetings but which concerned the establishment of a gene ‘government for the insterrection, he ought not to preside the continuation of the meeting. Then Andres Bonifac was chosen by acclamation to be president at the meeting, Order being restored, Bonifacio opened the sessi saying: As you wish t0 establish a supreme government direct the insurrection, abolishing that already orga by the Katipunan and agreed upon in the Intus assSais principles off wit it was very vas rigorously support of the ce than usual was arrived at nero groups of wounded the wring eyes and, of Cavite and recognize and bipunan; if you ent more suited miquer territory done here, and he, and no one fone hour later, iyo Alvarez and onwened against because Jacinto wre discussing a for the meeting, | of a general not to preside at dres Bonifacio... the meeting... med the session le government to ready organized ¢ Imus assembly. 12.60 axatvainc penissy sources 1, as Supremo of the Supreme Council of the Katipunan, agree to your just petition; but I must first invite you all to fm asi recognizing a principle npn which we must base all our decisions tm this or in any other session; this principle {s that we respect and obey in everything the vote or decision of the majority.” Those present signified their unanimous conformity and the Philippine Republic was agreed upon and proclaimed amid repeated and enthusiastic applause. They then proceeded to the election of the following officers of the Republic: President, Vice-President, Captain General, and Directors of War, Intron Stat, Fane, Commerce and istic. Ballots were then distributed and one hour later the votes were counted. As a result of this vote, Emilio Aguinaldo was elected President of the Republic defeating Andres Bonifacio and Mariano Trias. The result was proclaimed amidst applause. __ They then proceeded to the election of a Vice-President Severino de las Alas remarked that inasmuch as Andres Bonifacio had secured the second largest number of votes in the election for President, he should be proclaimed Vice President. No one expressed a wish to speak in favor or against the suggestion of De las Alas, wherefore the chairman ordered that the election be proceeded with, and this being done it resulted in a majority of votes being cast for Mariano Trias Closas as against Andres Bonifacio, Severino de las Alas, and Mariano Alvarez. i They then immediately proceeded to the election of 4 Captain General. The secretary of the session, Artemio Ricarte, was elected by a large majority over Santiago Alvarez. Ricarte rose and protested against his own clection.... Those present disapproved the protest viva voce, and the chairman called the meeting to order saying that as might was falling, it was advisable to continue the election tue Tayenos assenouy [27 for the other positions. It was unanimously proposed and approved that, to cut short the voting, those who favored ‘any person for a position should stand om one side, and those ‘who favored other person should stand on the other side in ‘groups, and in that way, they voted for a Director of Wan, Emiliano Riego de Dios... ‘The election of a Minister of the Interior was proceeded with in the same way, with the result that Andres Bonifacio was elected... In the midst of the acclamation that was accorded Andres Bonifacio, Daniel Tirona demanded the floor and said: “Fellow countrymen: The position of Minister of the Interior is a very important one and should not be ‘occupied by a person who is not a lawyer. We have in our province a lawyer Jose del Rosario; hence we must protest against the election of the person elected and acclaimed.” ‘Thee, shouting at the top of his voice, he cried: “Let us vote for Jose del Rosario, the lawyer!” Bonifacio’s pride being wounded, he rose and spoke thus: “Have we not agreed that we shall obey the will of the majority, whatever might be the social position of the person elected?” Having said this, be asked Daniel Tirona to repeat what ke had said, or to apologize to the assembly for the insult offered 10 the person elected, because up to that time not one those elected was fitted by reason of his culture for the position to which he had been designated. ‘As Tirona tried to hide himself among the crowd, without paying attention to what Bonifacio demanded of him, the latter drew his revolver and was about to fire at Tirona, but the secretary of the session (Ricarte) seized his hand and the incident passed without more ado. As those present were ‘about to leave the room, Bonifacio said in a loud voice: “1, as president of the session, and also as president of the supreme council fo the Katipunan as you all know, declare this assembly closed, and annul everything that bas been done therein.” He ther left, followed by his adherents.128 ssacrzivc prinany sources Andres Bonifacio’s Account This account by Andres Bonifacio is from a letter he wrote to Emilio Jacinto in Montalban from Indang, Cavite on April 24, 1897, a month after the Tejeros elections. This would be the first time the other members ofthe Supreme Council would heat of the events that happened in Cavite. This was fist published in Jose P. Santos, Si Andres Bonifacio at Ang Himagsitan (1932). The Account The majority of the said convention agreed to establish 4 government, bt 1 explained to them that ths could not ees ee representatives of the other towns did not arrive, a condition that was agreed upon in the Imus Assembly but which wasclregarded by the majority becuse of the dire conditions of the towns; and the Imus Assembly lacks proof because there were ~o 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 | will respect. When the elections were 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 elections were held through the expressions of those who were present (viva voce) because it was already nighttime. I was elected Director of the Interior through the same Soret of those present and among the midst of ose 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 a cry being raised that Don Jose del Rosario be swe Teyenos assixmry 129 ‘chosen Director of the Interior because there is a need that this position should be filled by someone educated. ‘He anounced this after saying that he did not state this ‘with the intention of insulting me, I answered back that good and educated men are needed for all the positions: ‘Lasked him to point out to me who among the elected ‘ones are already well-versed in their positions but instead, the began to shout: “Let us agree that Jose del Rosario, 2 lawyer, be chosen Director of the Interior!” No one responded to his call which be did four times 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, 1 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 T heard about this, 1 told them that this assembly was the idea of those with evil intentions as this was the only thing that they wanted ard that they deceived the people. T 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 those who were elected and if 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...wn 129) ere is a need: one educated. not state this ed back that the positions, ng the elected ys but instead, ¢ del Rosario, jor!” No one mes whereas @ lecause of the je Magdiwang | of gentlenren evidence. Also, 1¢ made, some pread the word je leadership of this reason that yesident. When sembly was the the only thing people. F even ine by one those The assembly told them that if. lowed, I will not ill not recognize e them, Even also stated that 130 ANALYZING PRIMARY SouRcES cof Andres Bonifacio te Emilio Jacinto cates pi 24,1887 FIGURE 26. Let rue tuenos assennty 131 Santiago Alvarez’s Account ‘The account of the Tejeros Convention is found in Chapter 32 of Gen. Santiago Alvarez’s memoirs. Like Ricarte, Alvarez was a direct participant and witness to the events that occurred in the elections. aera || The Account The assembly at Tejeros was finally convened on 25 March 1897 (sic). The invitations to the meeting were signed by Secretary Jacinto Lumbreras of the Magdiwang Council, and he presided over the assembly. Seated with Lumbreras at the long presidential table were the Supremo ‘Andres Bonifacio, Messrs. Mariano M. Alvarez, Pascual Alvarez, Ariston Villanewva, Mariano C. Trias, Diego Mojica, Emiliano R. de Dios, Santiago V. Alvarez, Artemio Ricarte, Santos Nocon, Luciano San Miguel, Pablo Mojica, Severino de las Alas, and Santiago Rillo, all of them of the Magdiwang, Among the Magdalo seated at the head table were Messrs, Baldomero Aguinaldo, Daniel Tirona, and Cayetano Topacio. It must be mentioned that, before the assembly was convened, Secretary of War Ariston Villanueva of the Magdiwang Council received the confidential information that Mr, Daniel Tirona of the Magdalo faction was set to undermine the proceedings of the assembly and that he bad already acceded in enjoining any among the Magditwang ally with him, Secretary Villanueva kept silent, but leaders to alerted Captain General Apoy, who had troops nevertheless in readiness for any sudden eventuality. The leaders were seated at the presidential table, as previously described and all the others were standing inBa or Os het MBE LTC Gian See ae RL! 132. Anatrzinc pmeasy sourcss groups on both sides of those seated. After Chairman Jacinto Lumbreras had declared the assembly open, he announced Es ‘main topic of discussion which was bow to bolster the lefense in the areas still under 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 Be pee have and how we should go about establishing is Ons ue ‘make a decision about these questions, the Broblem of ongenizaton and strengthening of deferes will “As initiator of the Revolution,” Chairman Lumbreras replied, “the Katipunan now holds authority over the islands, It has a government of law and a definite program. It is obeyed and respected by all because it stands fe freedom, brotherly love and a well-organized and well-en government...” a The chair next recognized the Suj ° ipremo. He concurred ses aig Chairman Lumbreras had just said and explained sat the “K” in the middle of the sun in the Katipunan fla used in the Revolution stood for “Kalayaan.” . Mr. Severino de las Alas i las spoke again. He countere Che fe “K” and the sun on the flag did not as eae revolutionary government was democratic or The Supremo replied that from a lie from the rank-and-file to the highest levels, the Katipunan was united in its Bt og rere brotherhood and equality of men. It was risking oodshed and fe itself in te strug agains the king, in te oe sovereign and free government. In short, F for people's sovereignty, not a governme) ; by one or two. oovsensns ‘we Tepenos Asseumey 133 ‘Mn Antonio Montenegro spoke in defense of Mn Severino de las Alas's stand. He argued that if they would agree on the kind of revolutionary governntent they were to have and that if they were to let the status quo prevail then they who were in the Revolution would be no better than a pack of bandits or of wild, mindless animals.” General Apoy was burt by these words of ‘Mn Montenegro. He quickly stood up and looked angrily at the previous speaker. “We of 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 governments “of Cavite, We are true revolutionaries fighting for 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 seck 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 yous but don’t you dare seek refuge among cowards who might call you bandits and beasts...” When order was restored, some wanted the convention adjourned but the Supremo Bonifacio prevailed up the others to continue. However, the presiding officer Mr. Lumbreras, refused to resume his role of chairman He wanted to yield the chair to the Supremo whom b 134 4 assumed is to esta and the decision in brms. | Venerabl sympathi that we s approved by the wis Becau ‘establishn the chair following finance, m general, The He said th of votes fe what his s The Su 4s secretay the distribs the ballots canvassed, of the tre distributed not done th He proceed ad happen thought to be the rightful chairman. Mr. Lumbreras’s speech was well received and bis proposal was unanimously accepted. The Supremo Bonifaci When t Aguinaldosour il defense he status n would be jess animals. words oked angrily ye under cil of the Se ler of, and i govern ing for freed (rob others hened to beast shers, especiall yith us. We a talk big but Ablish a differ “you must do and snatch th shat pleases yous yards who mig Al the conventio prevailed upon presiding officer, ‘ole of chairman, ypremo whom he received and bis iupremo Bonifacio 94 Awsuyzive Panany Sources sumed the chairmanship accordingly and said, “Your aim to establish a new overall pith of ca Rel and the Sons of the People. This would repudiate the decision made at the meeting held at the friar estate house in Imus. In my capacity as “President-Supremo” of the Most nerable 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 discussed and ipproved in all our meetings. We should respect and abide by the wishes of the majority.” Because of a repeated clamor for the approval for the ee of @ government of the Philippine Republic, chair proceeded to prepare for an election to the following positions: president, vice-president, minister of er minister of warfare, minister of justice, and captain- The Supremo spoke again before the electic b in be election began. He said thatthe candidate who would get the most mnber 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 votes were read 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 the business at band as if nothing unusual had happened. Ae When the votes for president were counted, Mr. Emilio Aguinaldo won over Mr. Andres Bonifacio, the Supremo. crue Tepenos asseunty 135 The winner was acclaimed by applause and shouts of “Mabuhay!” Mr, Severino de las Alas spoke again to say that since the ‘Supremo Bonifacio had received the second highest number of votes for the presidency, he should be proclaimed vice- president of the government of the Philippine Republic. When nobody signified approval or disapproval of the proposal, the presiding officer, the Supremo Bonifacio, ruled that the election be continued. For vice-president, Mariano Trias won over Mr. Mariano Alvarez and the Supremo Bonifacio. General Vibora was elected captain over Genéral Apoy. Mr. Baldomero Aguinaldo wanted the elections to be finished before it got too dark. To facilitate the counting of votes, he suggested that for all other positions to be voted upon, voters should stand on one of the sides of the hall if in favor and on the other side if against. This suggestion was adopted for the rest of the election. For the position of secretary of war, Mr. Emiliano R. de Dios was elected overwhelmingly... 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 shouts of “Mabuhay!” Mr. Daniel Tirona requested for a restoration of order and then spoke aloud: “My brethren, the office of Secretary of Interior is of ‘so great a scope and of such sensitivity that we should no ‘entrust it to one who is not a lawyer. One among us bere is a lawyer, He is Mr. Jose del Rosario, Let us reconsider the ‘choice of the last position, for he bas no credentials to show attesting to anty educational attainment. Then in as loud a voice as he could muster, Tirona shouted, “Let us elect Mr. Jose del Rosario, the lawyer!”136 sssvaise pmsary sources 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 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 ‘matters approved in this meeting.” Then he left quickly and was followed by his aides and some others present, Guide Questic 41. How did the two rival factions of Katipunan—Magdalo and Magdiwang—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 ull and void?