136 ANÅLYZING PRIMARY 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.

Guidc Questions

1. 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
null and void?
 THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY 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 vicepresident 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!"

134 ANALYZING PREMARY SOURCES

assumed the chairmanship accordingly and

said, "Your aim is to establish a new
overall government of the Katipunan and
the Sons of the Peöple. This would
repudiate the decision made at the
meeting held at the friar estate house
in Imus. In my capaci as "President-
Supremo" of the Most Venera atipunan of
the Sons o t e sy pathize with your
aspirations. But I wish to remind yo at
we should respect all decisions properly
discussed a approved in all our meetings.
We should respect anda de y the wishes
of the majority. "
cause of a repeated clamor for the
appr al for the establis o a government
of the P pine Republic, the chair
proceede to repare for an election to the
following positions: President, vice-
president, minister of finance, minister
of warfare, minister ofjustice, and
captaingeneral.
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 MT. 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.
132 ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES

groups on both sides of those seated. After Chairman Jacinto

Lumbreras had declaréd 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
 ofgovernment 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 t evo ution stoo aan. "
Mr. Severino de las Alas spoke again. He cou ered that
the-letter "K" and the sun on the flag did not in icate whether
the revolutioizary government tvas democr ic or not.
The Supremo replied that from the rank-and-f e to the
hig levels, the Katipunan was united in it espect for universal
r d and equality Of 111 t was risking bloodsbed 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.
THE TEJEROS ,ASSEMBLY 131

Santiago Alvarez's Account

The account of the Tejerös Convention is found in
Chapter 32 of Gen. Santiago Alvarez's memoirs. Like Ricarte,
Alvarez was a direct participant and w#ness to the events that
occurred in the elections.
The Account

The assembly at Teieros 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 Villaneuva, Mariano C. Trias, Diego
Mojica, Emiliano R. de Dios, Santiago V. Alvarez, Artemio
Ricarte, Santos Nocon, Luciano San Miguel, Pablo Moiica,
Severino de las Alas, and Santiago Rillo, all of thewz 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 Villanue
Magdiwang Counci ntial
information that Mr. tel Tirona of the Magdalo faction s to
und Ille the proceedings of the assembly and that h é alr ady
acceded in enjoining any among the Magdiwa g le ders to
ally with him. Secretary Villanueva kept silent, t n ertheless
alerted Captain General Apoy, who had tr ops in r diness
forany sudden eventuality.
Th aders were seated at the r ntial table, as previously es
e others were standing in
THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY

129
 ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES
chosen Director of the Ihterior 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 the
intention of insulting me. I answered back that good and
educated men are needed for all the positions; I asked him to
point out to me who among the elected ones are instead, e
began to shout: "Let us agree that Jose del Rosario, a lawyer,
be chosen Director of the Interior!" No one onded to his call
which he did four es whereas a few respon e name. Because
of the tu t at occurred, the President o t e ang 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 cvas for this reason that Captain Emilio
Aguinaldo was elected President. When I heard about this, I
told them that this assembly was th those with evil intentions
as this was the only mg that they that they deceived the e. I
even added that if they wished I wil poznt 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....
 THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY

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 of
the Supreme Council would hear Of the events that happened in
Cavite. This was first published in Jose P. Santos, Si Andres
Bonifacio at Ang Himagsikan (1932).
 ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES

The Account
The majority of the said convention agreed to establish
a government, but I explained to them that this could not 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 lack' 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 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 expressions
of those present and among ' the midst of those ere elected:
howev , a ade and the. electio e Director de Hacienda w bout
to start, Don Daniel Tirona stood up and said that there
•n raised that Don Jose del Rosario
THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY

L27
 ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES

for the other positions. It was unanimously proposed and

approved that, to cut short the voting, those who favored any
person for a positio ou stand on one st e, hose who favored
other erson should stand on the other side in groups, and in
at way, they voted for a Director of War, Emiliano Rieg de
Dios....
The elec on of a Minister of the Interior was proceeded
with in the s nze way, with the result that Andres Bonifacio
was elected... n the midst of the acclamation that was accorded
And iel Tirona floor and said: "Fellow
countrymen: The position ofMinister 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 he had said, or to apologize to the assembly for the
insult offered to 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: "I, 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 has been done therein. " He then left,
followed by his adherents.
 THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY

126
I, as Supremo of the Supreme Council of the Katipunan,
agree to your just petition; but I must first invite you all to
join us in recognizing a principle upon which we must base
all our decisions in this or in any other sessi01z; this
principle is 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, Interior,
State, Finance, Commerce and Justice...
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.
They then immediately proceeded to the election of a
Captain General. The secretary of the session, Artemio
Ricarte, was elected by a large majority over Santiago
Alvarez. Ricårte rose and protested against his own election.
Those present disapproved the protest viva voce, and the
chairman called the meeting to order saying that as night was
falling, it was advisable to continue the election
 ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES

125
the most insignificant member, recognized the principles of
Union, Fraternity and Equality, on which account it was very
clear that the government o the Katipunan was rigorously
repu n in form.
Antonio Montenegro rose and spoke in support f t
De las Alas suggestion and in a louder voice t usual that
unless some definite under was arrived at regarding t e ma
er, t e insurgents were mere groups of tulisanes or, orse,
rutes.
ese last words of Antonio Montenegro wounded the
pri e of Santiago Alvarez, who rose with glaring eyes addres
ontenegro, said: "We insur e avite 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..
Th ssion broke up in disorder, but one hour la en the
passions of the adherents of Santiago Alvarez and Antonio
Montenegro had been pacified, it convened against nder the
presidency of Andres Bonifacio because Jaci Lum r
tscussing a subject which was provided for in the call
for the meeting, but which concerned the establishment of a
general government for the insurrection, he ought not to
preside at the continuation of the meeting. Then Andres
Bonifacio... was chosen by acclamation to be president at the
meeting...
Order being restored, Bonifacio opened the session
saying: As you wish to establish a supreme government to
direct the insurrection, abolishing that already organized by
the Katipunan and agreed upon in the Imus assembly.
 THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY

124
 ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES

The Account
Early on the morning of the day set for the assembly
(March 22 — JVT), men filled the Tejeros estate house,
among them 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 chairs 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 has 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 TEJEROS ASSEMBLY

123
infuriated the Magdalos. The two groups finally agreed to forgi
a revolutionary governrfrent (pamahalaang panghihiinagsi)
WhficN 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
of San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias). On March 22,
1897, the Cavite Katipuneros, as..well as representatives of the
Katipunan from the nearby provinces, converged at the estate
house. Emilio Aguinaldo, howeveg was not at theassembly as-he
was commanding the Filipino forces aft the frontlines in 'Pasong
Santol, Barrio Salitran,. Dasmariäas, facing the imminent attack
of the Spanish forces.

Artemio Ricartels Account

The following account was written bf Gen. Artemio Ricarte
(nom-de-guerre: Vibora) who was* one of the officials• of the
Magdiwang faction. During the Tejeros Assembly, he served as
the secretary of the convention wh&l "Bonifacio began
presiding over the session. Ricarte was elected in the w Tejeros
Assembly as Captain-General of the revolutionary government.
He initially refused the position but\his objections were
overruled by the electoral body. His, account: of the Philippine
revolution was titled "Apuntes Histöricos de la. Ingrrecci6n por
los Asociados al 'Kamahalmahaldfr Kataa&taasang:
..Katipunan nang manga Anak ng. Bayan' contra •el . Gobiernö
'Espaiol en las Islas Filipinas. " .1t was written duripghiå
imprisonment for subversion by the American, authorities in
1904. It was translated into English by a British journalist,
William Brecknock Watson, but remained in manuscript {on-al.
meu10irs were pubfished in Tagalog in 1927 in Yokohama,
Japan with the title Himagsikan ng MgcPilipino Labaø
smf<astila. The account on the next page is his version of the
Tejeros Assembly.
 Lesson 10
THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
I. Identify the conflicting views about the Tejeros Assembly
2. Examine the role of each person as a source of information in
the event
3. Formulate arguments to support a position using

primary and secondary sources

Historical Context
The 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 different 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—which consisted of two groups, the Magdiwang
(Bonifacio) and Magdalo soon fighting each
other over territory and logistics. Unable 'to resolve their
differences, Aguinaldo invited the Supremo Andres Bonifacio
to Cavite to mediate. However, when he arrived in