Andres Bonifacio and his men was forced to retreat to the mountains of Montalban
after the defeat of the Katipunan in Manila.
The Cavite Katipuneros were consisted of two groups: The Magdiwang under Bonifacio
and the Magdalo under Aguinaldo.
They were fighting each other over the territory and logistics.
Aguinaldo invited the Supremo Andres Bonifacio to Cavite to mediate.
The two groups finally agreed to form a revolutionary government (pamahalaang
panghihimagsik) which would led to revolution.
The assembly was set to be held in the friar's estate house in Barrio Tejeros, a part in
the town of San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias).
March 22,1897, all the Cavite Katipuneros together with the representatives from the
nearby provinces converged at the estate house.
Aguinaldo was not on the said event since he was the one who commands the Filipino
forces at the frontlines in Pasong Santol, Barrio Salitran, Dasmarinas, facing the
imminent attack of Spanish forces.
ARTEMIO RICARTE'S ACCOUNT
Gen. Artemio Ricarte (nom-de-guerre:Vibora) was the author of the following
account since he was one of the officials of the Magdiwang faction.
He served as the secretary of the convention when Bonifacio began presiding
over the session during the Tejeros assembly.
Ricarte was elected in the Tejeros assembly as the Captain-General of the
revolutionary government.
He initially refused the position but his objections were overruled by the
electoral body.
"Apuntes Historicos de la Insurreccion por los Asociados al Kamahalmahala't
Kataastaasang Katipunan nang manga Anak ng Bayan contra el Gobierno
Espanol en las Islas Filipinas" title of his account of the Philippine Revolution.
It's written during his imprisonment for subversion by the American authorities in
1904.
Translated into english by a British journalist, William Brecknock Watson, but
remained in the manuscript form.
He's memoirs were published in Tagalog in 1927 with the title Himagsikan ng
Mga Pilipino Laban sa Kastila.
THE ACCOUNT
The session opened under the presidency of Jacinto Lumbreras who explained
the purpose of meeting.
Severino de las Alas rose to address those present and said that it would be
better if it consider first the kind of government and then existing in the country.
The chairman replied that the Supreme Council was the one who ruled the
Katipunan from the time it was established.
Andres Bonifacio spoke to support the statement of Lumbreras and explained
the significan of letter "K" in the center of the sun in the flag which stands for
liberty.
Severino de las Alas rose again and said that neither the letter K nor the flag
itself, has anything to do with the character of the government then existing.
Andres replied that the katipuneros recognized the principles of Union,
Fraternity and Equality. Thus, it was very clear that the existing government was
in republican form.
Antonio Montenegro rose and support De las Alas suggestion.
and natiggered naman si Santiago Alvarez sa statement ni Montenegro
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA LOL
Andres Bonifacio opened the session and then proceeded to the election of the
following officers of the Republic: President, Vice President, Captain General and
Directors of War, Interior, State, Finance, Commerce and Justice.
President: Emilio Aguinaldo won over Andres Bonifacio.
VP: Mariano Trias won against Bonifacio, de las Alas and Mariano Alvarez.
CG: Artemio Ricarte won over Santiago Alvarez.
Director of War: Emiliano Riego De Dios
For the position of Director of Interior, Andres Bonifacio was elected but Daniel
Tirona stand up to protest and said that that position is a very important one and
should be occupied by a person who is not a lawyer. He nominate Jose Del
Rosario because he is a lawyer.
Bonifacio's pride was wounded and he asked Daniel Tirona to apologize. He
ended the session and left the room followed by his adherents.
ANDRES BONIFACIO'S ACCOUNT
This account is from the letter that he wrote to Emilio Jacinto in Montalban
from Indang, Cavite on April 24, 1897, a month after Tejeros elections.
This was first published in Jose P. Santos, Si Andres Bonifacio at ang
Himagsikan (1932)
SANTIAGO ALVAREZ'S ACCOUNT
March 25, 1897, the assembly at Tejeros assembly was finally convened.
Secretary Jacinto Lumbreras of the Magdiwang Council was the one who signed
the invitations to the meeting and he presided over the assembly.
Seated with him at a long presidential table were the ff:
Supremo Andres Bonifacio
Messrs. Mariano M. Alvarez
Pascual Alvarez
Ariston Villanueva
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
Among the Magdalo seated at the head table were:
Messrs. Baldomero Aguinaldo
Daniel Tirona
Cayetano Topacio
Before the assembly was convened, Secretary of War Ariston Villanueva of the
Magdiwang Council received a confidential information about Mr. Daniel Tirona
that he acceded in enjoining any among Magdiwang leaders to ally with him.
When Emilio Aguinaldo won over Andres Bonifacio for president, the winner was
acclaimed by applause and shouts of "Mabuhay"
General Vibora was elected captain against General Apoy.
Mr. Baldomero Aguinaldo wanted the elections to be finished before it got too
dark.
For the position of war, Mr. Emiliano R. de dios was elected overwhelmingly.
Mr. Andres won over Mr. Mariano Alvares for secretary of interior and the crown
shouts again "Mabuhay!" but Mr. Daniel Tirona requested for a restoration of
order.
The Supreme Bonifacio was greatly embarassed of what Daniel Tirona said. he
quickly stood up and demand an apology from Daniel Tirona.
He pulled out his revolver and took aim. Daniel Tirona was got lost in the crowd
because of fear, instead of apologizing. After the incident, he adjourned the
meeting and left quickly with his aides and some others present.
