Tejeros Convention Account (PDF)

# The Tejeros Convention ## The Account The assembly at Tejeros was finally convened on 25 March 1897. 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...

# The Tejeros Convention ## The Account The assembly at Tejeros was finally convened on 25 March 1897. 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 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, 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 had already acceded in enjoining any among the 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, as previously described and all the others were standing in groups on both sides of those seated. After Chairman Jacinto Lumbreras had declared the assembly open, he announced the main topic of discussion which was how to bolster the defense 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 we should have and how we should go about establishing it. Once we make a decision about these questions, the problem of organization and strengthening of defenses will be resolved." “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 for freedom, brotherly love, and a well-organized and well-run government….” The chair next recognized the Supremo. He concurred with what Chairman Lumbreras had just said and explained that the “K” in the middle of the sun in the Katipunan flag used in the Revolution stood for “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 men. It was risking bloodshed and life itself in its struggle against the king, in order to establish a sovereign and free government. In short, it stood for people’s sovereignty, not a government led only by one or two. Mr. Antonio Montenegro spoke in defense of Mr. Severino de las Alas’s stand. He argued that if they would agree on the kind of revolutionary government 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 hurt by these words of Mr. 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 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….” When order was restored, some wanted the convention adjourned but the Supremo Bonifacio prevailed upon 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 he thought to be the rightful chairman.... Mr. Lumbreras’s 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 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 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 discussed and approved 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 establishment of a 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 warfare, 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 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 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 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 General 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 here is a lawyer. He is Mr. Jose del Rosario. Let us reconsider the choice of the last position, for he has no credentials to show attesting to any educational attainment. Then in as loud a voice as 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 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.