Readings in Philippine

History

Presented by:
Group 5
Obeda, Ferlito
Onlos, Rien Asher
Perez, Louglen
Plaza, Rusty
Presas, Mark Joseph
Quinto, John Waltine
Rabino, Alyn
 Lesson 10
The Tejeros Assembly

a. Historical Context

b. Artemio Ricarte’s Account on the Tejeros Assembly.

c. About Artemio Ricarte

d. Andres Bonifacio’s Account on the Tejeros Assembly.

e. About Andres Bonifacio

f. Santiago Alvarez’s Account on the Tejeros Assembly.

g. About Santiago Alvarez

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 Mantalban. 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 (Aguinaldo) – were 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 arrive in infuriated the Magdalos. The
two groups finally agreed to form a revolutionary government (pamahalaang
panghihimagsik) which 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 as the estate house. Emilio
Aguinaldo, however, was not at the assembly as he was commanding the Filipino forces at
the frontlines in Pasong Santol, Barrio Salitaran, Dasmariñas, facing the imminent attack
of the Spanish forces.
Photo of the Tejeros Assembly that happened

in March 22, 1897

 Artemio Ricarte’s Account
The following account was written by 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 theconvention when Bonifacio
began presiding over the session. Ricarte was elected in the 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 Históricos de la Insurrection por los
Asociados al ‘Kamahalmahala’t Kataastaasang Katipunan nang mga Anak ng
Bayan’ contra el Gobierno Español en las Islas Filipinas.” It was written during
his 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 form. Ricarte’s memoirs were published in Tagalog in
1927 in Yokohama, Japan with the title Himagsikan ng mga Pilipino Laban sa
Kastila. The account on the next page is his version of the Tejeros Assembly.
 About Artemio Ricarte
• 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, 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 Sntos Nocon.
Among those of Magdalo were Baldomero Aguinaldo, Daniel Tirona, Cayetano Topacio,
and Antonio Montenegro.

• The session opened under the presidency of Jacinto Lumberas 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 the existing in the country, as
upon that government would depend whatever defense might be needed.
 About Artemio Ricarte
• 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 chair, spoke in support of Lumberas 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 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 manarchy or a republic.

• Bonifacio replied that the Katipuneros, from the President of the Supreme Council to the
most insignificant member, recognized the principles of Union, Fraternity and Equality,
on which account it was very clear that the government of the Katipunan was rigously
republican in form.
 About Artemio Ricarte
• 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 or, much worse,
brutes.

• The last words of Antonio Montenegr wounded the pride of Santiago Alvarez, who rose
with glaring eyes and, 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...”
 About Artemio Ricarte

• The session broke up in disorder, but one hour later, when the passions of the adberents
of Santiago Alvarez and Antonio Montenegro had been pacified, it converted against
under the presidency of Andres Bonifacio because Jacinto Lumbreras said that inasmuch
as they were discussing a subject which was provided for in the call for the meeting, but
which concerned the establishment of a general government for the ressurection, he
ought not to preside at the continuation of the meeting. Them 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.
 About Artemio Ricarte

• I, as Supremo of the Supreme Council of the Katipunan, agree to your just petition; but I
must first to invite you all to join us in recognizing a principle upon which we must base
all our decisions in this or in any other session; this principle in 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
proclaimedamid repeated and enthusiastic applause. They then proceeded to the election
of the following officers of the Republic President, Vice-President, Captain General, And
Director 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 admist applause.
 About Artemio Ricarte
• 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 to 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.
Ricarte 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 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 on the other side ing groups, and in that was, they
voted for a Director of War, Emiliano Riego de Dios….
 About Artemio Ricarte
• 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, he asked Daniel Tirona to repeat what he had said, or to
apologizeto 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.
 About Artemio Ricarte

• 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 of the
Katipunan as you all know, declare that thos assembly closed and annul everything that
has been done therein.” He them left, followed by his adherents.
 Andres Bonifacio’s Account

This account by Andres Bonifacio is from a letter he wrote to Emilio

Aguinaldo in Maontalban 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 the first
published in Jose P.Santos, Si Andres Bonifacio at Ang Himagsikan (1932).
 About Andres Bonifacio
• 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 lacks 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 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 chosen Director of
the Interior because there is a need that this position should be filled by someone
educated.
 About Andres Bonifacio
• .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; ones
are already well-versed in their positions but instead, be began to shout: “Let us agree
that Jose del Rosario, a lawyer, be chosen Director of the Interior!” No one responded to
his call which he 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, 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 was for this reason that Captain Emilio Aguinaldo was elected President. When I heard
about this. I told them that this assembly was the idea of those with evil intentions as this
was the only thing that they wanted and that they deceived the people. I even added that
if they wished I will point out of one by one those who intended to this if they wanted to.
 About Andres Bonifacio

• The assembly answered that it was not necessary. I also followed, I will not recognize
those who were elected and if I will not recognize them 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….
 About Andres Bonifacio

Letter of Andres Bonifacio to Emilio Jacinto dated in April 24, 1897

 Santiago Alvarez’s Account

• The account of the Tejeros convention is found in Chapter 32 of

Gen. Santago Alvarez’s memoirs. Like Ricarte, Alvarez was a
direct participant and witness to the events that occurred in the
elections.
 About Santiago Alvarez
• The assembly at Tejeros was finally convened on 25 of 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 Lumberas 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 bad troops in readiness for any sudden eventuality.
 About Santiago Alvarez
• 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 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 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 concerned 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.”
 About Santiago Alvarez
• 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 who were in thw 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.
 About Santiago Alvarez
• “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 our 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 be thought to the rightful chairman….
 About Santiago Alvarez
• Mr. Lumbreras’s speech was wwll ewceived and his proposal was unanimously accepted.
The Supremo Bonifacio assumed the chairmanship accordingly and said, “You 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 and 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.
 About Santiago Alvarez
• The supremo spoke again before the election began. Hes 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.
 About Santiago Alvarez
• 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….
 About Santiago Alvarez

• After the voters had given the proper honors to the new 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 the Secretary of the Interior is or so great a scope and of such
sensitivity that we should no entrust it to one who is not 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!”
 About Santiago Alvarez

• Greatly embarrassed, the Supremo 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 the elected the honor you have only now
besmirched.”

• The 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 and the meeting with these words:
 About Santiago Alvarez

• “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.
THANK
YOU!