How did the two rival factions of Katipunan—Magdalo and Magdiwang—come about?
Who
were the sources of the historical accounts? How can the three accounts contribute to your
understanding of the first Philippine Republic?
The Tejeros Convention had three accounts—Artemio Ricarte, Andres Bonifacio,
Santiago Alvarez. The said accounts similarly state the event take placed on the Tejeros
estate house. The conflict of two factions of Katipunan, Magdalo and Magdiwang, in the
Tejeros Convention is caused by uncollected, and unarbitrary decision of the government to
build up. Tejeros Convention is considered as the first presidential and vice-presidential
election, although only the Katipuneros were able to take part of it, not the general
populace.
According to Artemio Ricarte’s account, March 22, 1897 was the day set of the
Tejeros assembly. The event was also attended by Mariano Trias, the Magdiwang minister
of grace and justice, Santiago Rillo, Vicente Riego de Dios, and other leaders from towns
under the Magdiwang council’s jurisdiction. The session opens by Jacinto Lumbrersas
explaining the purpose of the meeting in few words. Severino de las Alas rose to address
the pressing defense, supported by Andres Bonifacio and Antonio Montenegro. However,
the meeting leads to the election to decide on who the leaders of the revolutionary
movement would be. The voting ended as win to Emilio Aguinaldo against Andres Bonifacio
and Mariano Trias; 146 votes or 57 percent winning the presidency. Bonifacio insisted on a
recount of votes. Severino de las Alas tried to make Bonifacio a vice president, however, it
only gains an insult. Bonifacio then voided the results of the convention in his capacity as
the Supremo of Katipunan:
I, as president of the supreme council of the Katipunan as you all know,
declare this assembly closed, and annul everything that has been done therein.
According to Andres Bonifacio’s accounts, in the letter of Bonifacio to Jacinto, the
majority in Tejeros Convention collectively agreed to establish a government but Andres
Bonifacio challenge the decision; there is lack of compliance from the agreed conditions.
Nevertheless, the one who where present the promised that whatever decision was made,
the majority will abide by the decision and Andres Bonifacio respected it. The election came
was came to a result: 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; Andres Bonifacio, Director of the Interior. Daniel Tirona raised that Don Jose del
Rosario should be appointed as the Director of the Interior. However, while there is no
answer to Daniel’s shout:
"Let us agree that Jose del Rosario, a lawyer, be chosen Director of the
Interior!"
The shout to Andres Bonifacio’s name was responded by few voices. Even so, Andres
Bonifacio nulls the result of the election using his power as the Supremo of the Katipunan.
Andres Bonifacio called the meeting “Imus meeting.”
According to Santiago Ricarte’s Account, March 25, 1987, the meeting was
convened and was signed by Jacinto Lumbreras. The meeting was opened by Jacinto
Lumbreras announcing the main topic – Bolstering the defense in areas under Magdiwang
control. The conflict rose about the revolutionary government being democratic or not.
However, Andres Bonifacio stood for people’s sovereignty. The hot contradiction of
ideologies and repetitive clamor for the approval of the establishment for the government of
Philippine Republic results to the decision of election. Then, they prepare for the election to
the following positions: president, vice-president, minister of finance, minister of warfare,
minister of justice, and captain general. The results were— Aguinaldo wins over Bonifacio.
This result starts the conflict that results to threaten of gun and insults. With the power of
Andres Bonifacio as Supremo of Katipunan he annulled the meeting and election results:
"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."
This event that took place at Tejeros estate house, San Francisco de Malabon,
significantly builds the Republic of the Philippines. The democracy that is showed by Andres
Bonifacio, leaves a mark to many fellow Filipinos. The three accounts abovementioned
contribute to the reveals the occurrence of the event in Tejeros Convention.
Reference:
Richardson, J. (30 Oct 2018). Katipunan: Documents and Studies. Artemio Ricarte,
Declaration, March 24, 1897. Retrieved from http://www.kasaysayan-kkk.info/cavite-politics-
in-a-time-of-revolution/artemio-ricarte-declaration-march-24-1897
May, G.A (2007). JSTOR. Warfare by "Pulong" Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, and the Philippine
Revolution Against Spain. Retrieved from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/42633930?read-
now=1&refreqid=excelsior
%3A0509419df57572e9e541813fcf5a9a65&seq=18#page_scan_tab_contents
Jimenez, J. III (6 June 2019). The Manila Times. Andres Bonifacio and Philippine elections.
Retrieved from https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/06/06/opinion/columnists/andres-
bonifacio-and-philippine-elections/565321/
Richardson, J. (16 Jul 2013). Katipunan: Documents and Studies. Andres Bonifacio, Letter
to Emilio Jacinto, April 24, 1897. Retrieved from http://www.kasaysayan-kkk.info/cavite-
politics-in-a-time-of-revolution/andres-bonifacio-letter-to-emilio-jacinto-april-24-1897
Wikipedia (n.d). Imus Assembly. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imus_Assembly
Official Gazette (n.d). Araw ng Republikang Filipino, 1899. Retrieved from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/araw-ng-republikang-filipino-1899/
