ANPA

Lesson 10
THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY

Learning Outcomes
should be able to:
At the end of this lesson, you
views about the Tejeros
1. Identify the conflicting
Assembly
each person as a source of
2. Examine the role 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
(Aguinaldo-were
soon fighting each other over territory and logistics. Unable to

resolve their differences, Aguinaldo invited the Supremo Andre

Bonifacio to Cavite to mediate. However, when he arriveu
 THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY
123
ated the .Magdalos.
ariated The two groups finally agreed to form a
ewolutionary government (pamahalaang panghihimagsik) which
rev

Quld lead the revolution. The assembly was set to be held in

w o u .

friar's estate house in Barrio Tejeros, a part of the town of

the
San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias). On March 22,
San

97. the Cavite Katipuneros, as well as representatives of the

18
Katipunan from the nearby provinces, converged at the estate
house. Emilio Aguinaldo, however, was not at the assembly as he
was Commanding the Filipino forces at the frontlines in Pasong
was

Santol, Barrio Salitran, Dasmariñas, facing the imminent attack

of the Spanish forces.

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 the convention 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 Insurrección por los
Asociadosal Kamahalmahala't Kataastaasang Katipunan
nang manga 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
next page is his version ofthe Tejeros Assembly.
 SOURCES

124 ANALYZING PRIMARY

The Account
Early on the morning of the day set for the assembmbly
(March 22 -

JVT), men filled the Tejeros estate house

Ise,
them not only the chiefs of the Magdiwang but also
among
men of the Magdalo. Among the chiefs of the Magdiuwang
ng
apart from the Supremo of
the Katipunan,
the were

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 Tofpacio, 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 ofa 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 tbat from the time
the Katipunan was established the country had been ruled by
the Supreme Council, the provincial and popular concils.
He repeated that the purpose for wbich the assembly had
been called was one of great inportance in those critical
times. Andres Bonifacio, with permission of the cha,

spoke in support of Liumbreras 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 to say, whether
existing; that is
was a monarchy or a republic. Bonifacio replied that the
o
Katipuneros, from the president of the Supreme Councl
 THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY
125

the most insignificant member, recognized the principles of

LInion, Fraternity and Equality, on which account it was very
elear that the government of the Katipunan
republican in form.
uwas
rigorously
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 1nsurgents were nere groups of
tulisanes or, much worse, brutes.
These last words of Antonio Montenegro wounded the
pride of Santiago Alvarez, who rose with glaring eyes and,
addressing Montenegro, said: " We i n s u r g e n t s 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 Spanisb government as we have done here, and
establish there whatever government you like, and no one
will interfere with you...
The session broke up in disorder, but one hour
later,
when the passions of the adherents of Santiago Alvarez and
Antonio Montenegro bad been pacified, it convened
against
under the presidency of Andres Bonifacio because
Jacinto
Lumbreras said that inasnmuch as they were discussing a
subject which was provided for in the call for the meeting,
but which concerned the establishment
of a general
governmnent for the insurrection, he ought not to preside at
the continuation of the Then Andres
meeting. Bonifacio..
was chosen by acclamation to be president at the meeting..
Order being restored, Bonifacio opened the session
Saying: As you uwish to establish a supreme government to
direct the insurrection, abolishing that already organized
y the
Katipunan and agreed upon in the Inus assembly.
 SOURCES

126 ANALYZING
PRlMARY

Council of the Katipunan

I, Supremo of the Supreme must
as unan,
I first invite you all toto
you
agree to your just
petition; but
upon whichmust hae.
we
join us in recognizing a principle se
other session; this principlo
all our decisions in this or in any
in everything the vote or decision
is that we respect and obey
the majority." Those present signified their unanimous
of uwas agreed upon and
conformity and the Philippine Republic
and enthusiastic applause. They
proclaimed amid repeated
the following officers of the
then proceeded to the election of
Captain General, and
Republic: President, Vice-President, Commerce and
Directors Interior, State, Finance,
of War,
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

Trias. The result was
Andres Bonifacio and Mariano
proclaimed amidst applause.
the election of a Vice-President.
They then proceeded to
remarked that inasmuch as Andres
Severino de las Alas
number of votes
had secured the second largest
Bonifacio
in the election for
President, he should be proclaimed
No one expressed a
wish to speak in favor
Vice President.
the suggestion of De las Alas, wherefore the
or against
and
chairman ordered that
the election be proceeded with,
cast
resulted in a majority of votes being
this being done it
Andres Bonifacio,
Mariano Trias Closas as against
for Mariano Avarez.
Severino de las Alas, and

then immediately proceeded

to the election o
They session, Artenio
General. The secretary of the
a Captain over Santiago
Ricarte, was elected by a large majority
rose and protested against his OW
Alvarez. Ricarte
voces
disapproved the protest viva
election... Those present
to order saying that8|
chairman called the meeting
and the continue the
election
advisable to
night was falling, it was
 THE TEJEROS AsSEMBLY 127

be Katipunan, for the other positions. lt

vite you all to
was
unanimously proposed and1
we must base
abproved that, to cut short the
voting, those who favored
any person for a position should stand on one side, and those
this principle who favored other person should stand on the other side in
te or decision groups, and in that way, they voted for a Director of War,
ir unanimous Emiliano Riego de Dios....
eed upon and
The election of a Minister of the Interior was
plause. They proceeded
fficers of the with in the same way, with the result that Andres Bonifacio
was elected.. In the midst of the acclanation that was
General, and
mmerce and
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
hour later occupied by a person who is not a lawyer. We have in our
Jote, Ennilio province lawyer Jose del Rosario; hence we must protest
a
dic defeating against the election of the person elected and acclaimed."
result was Thee, shouting at the top of his voice, he cried: "Let us vote
for Jose del Rosario, the lawyer!"
e-President. Bonifacio's pride being wounded, he
and spoke rose
as Andres thus: "Have agreed that we shall obey the will of
we not
er of votes the majority, whatever might be the social
position of the
proclaimed person elected?" Having said this, he asked Daniel Tirona
ak in favor to repeat what he had said, or to
apologize
the assembly
to
erefore the for the insult offered to the
person elected, because up to
l with, and that time not one those elected was
fitted by reason of his
being cast culture for the position to which he had been
designated.
Bonifacio, As Tirona tried to hide
himself among the crouwd, without
paying attention to what Bonifacio demanded of himn, the
latter drew his revolver and was about to
lection of the
fire at Tirona, but
1, Artenmio secretary of the session (Ricarte) seized his hand and the
1ncident passed without more ado. As those
Santiago present were
about to leave the room,
his own Bonifacio said in a loud voice:
, as president
VIva vOce, of the session, and also as president of the
ng that as Supreme council fo the Katipunan as you all know, declare
ThiS
e election assembly closed, and annul everything that has been
done therein. He then
"

left, followed by his adherents.

128 ANALYzING PRIMARY SoURCES

Andres Bonifacio's Account

This account by Andres Bonifacio is from a letter he w.
to Emilio Jacinto in Montalban from Indang, Cavite on Aprilwrote
2a
1897, a month after the Tejeros elections. This would be the f
time the other members of the Supreme Council would hear
irst
the events that happened in Cavite. This was first published
in
Jose P. Santos, Si Andres Bonifacio at Ang Himagsikan (1932

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
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 Artemio
Don Mariano Trias; Auditor General,
Emiliano R. de Dios. The
Ricarte; Director of War, Don
those who
elections were held through the expressions of
because it was already nighttime.
were present (viva voce)
same
elected Director of the Interior through the
I was
the midst of
those present and among
of
expressions
the decision was
those who were elected: however, after
was
the Director de Hacienda
made and the election for
Daniel Tirona stood up
and said th4
about to start, Don
Don Jose del
Rosario De
raised that
there is a cry being
 THE TEJEROS AssEMBLY
129
ehosen Director of the Interior
that this position should be
because there is a need
He announced this after
filled by someone educated.
saying that he did not state this
ith the intention of
insulting me. I
good and educated men are needed answered back that
I asked bim to forall the
positions;
point out to me who among the elected
ones are already well-versed in
their positions but
he began to shout: "Let us instead,
agree that Jose del Rosario,
a lawyer, be chosen Director
of the Interior!" No one
responded to his call which
he did times four whereas a
few responded by calling out my name.
Because of the
tumult that occurred, the President of the
announced that this was not an
Magdiwang
because
assembly of gentlemen
everything that they
did had no evidence.
Also,
I discovered thateven 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
someone from another
leadership of
province. It was this for
that reason
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
added that if they wished I will point out one
people. I even
by one those
who intended to this if they wanted to. The
assembly
answered that it uwas 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 Generalalso stated that
their assenbly was the result of bad intentions..
130 ANALYZING PRIMARY SURCES

Encarnacion
From the private collection of Emmanuel

O)

N
 OANAI

THE TEJEROS AsSEMBLY 131

Santiago Alvarez's Account
The account of the Tejeros Convention is found in Chapter
32 of Gen. Santiago Alvarez's memoirs. Like Ricarte, Alvarez
was a direct participant and witness to the events that occurredd
in the elections.

The Account
The assembly at Tejeros 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 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
but
leaders to ally with him. Secretary Villanueva kept silent,
nevertheless alerted Captain General Apoy, who had troops
in readiness for any sudden eventuality.

The leaders wereseated at the presidential table, as

in
previoushy described and all the others were standing
 132 ANALYzING PRIMARY SoURCESs

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. Presenth
Mr. Severino de las Alas rose to speak, and when he was
recognized, he said, *Before we discuss minor details, let us
tackle the major issue such as wbat kind of government
first
we should have and how we should go about establishing
it. Once we make a decision about these questions, the

problemn of organization and strengthening of defenses will

be resolved.
"As initiator of the Revolution," Chairman Lumbreras

replied, "the Katipunan holds authority over the

now

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-rnun

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
democratic or
whether the revolutionary government was
not.

The Supremo replied that from the rank-and-file to the

Katipunan was
the united in its respect for
highest levels, risking
universal brotherhood and equality of men. It was
n
bloodshed and struggle against the king,
life itself in its
In shor,
order to establisha sovereign and free government.

it stood for people's sovereignty, not a government led o1ly

two.
by one or
 Section No Time
08031
Day Room
08:30-10:dTTh BA

THE TEJEROs AssEMBLY

133
Mr. Antonio
Montenegro
Mr. Severino de las Alas's stand. spoke in defense of
He argued that
of
would agree on the kind of if they
were to have and that
revolutionary government they
if they were to let the
prevail then they who were in the Revolution status quo
better than a pack of bandits or uwould be no
of wild, mindless animals."
General Apoy was hurt by these words
Mr. Montenegro. He of
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
freedomn
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. Lunbreras's speech was well received and his
proposal was unanimously accepted. The Supremo Bonifacio
 SoURCES
134 ANALYZING PRIMARY

chairmanship accordingly said, "Your ai

and
assumed the
the Katipuna.
is to establish a n e w overall government of an
the People. This would repudiate te
the
and the Sons of
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

aspirations. But I wish to remind you

sympathize with your
that we should respect all decisions properly discussed and
approved in all our meetings. We should respect and abide
by the wishes ofthe 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, ministerof
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, uwarned the Supremo that many ballos
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 Mr. Emi
were counted,
Aguinaldo won over Mr. Andres Bonifacio, the Supremo
 THE TEJEROS iSEMBLY
135

The winner
was acclaimed by applause and shouts of
"Mabuhay!"
Alas spoke again to say that since the
Mr. Severino de las
second highest number
Supremo Bonifacio had received the
should be proclaimed vice-
of votes for the presidency, he
the Philippine Republic.
president of the government of or disapproval of
the
When nobody signified approval
the presiding officer, the Supremo Bonifacio, ruled
proposal, Mariano
election be continued. For vice-president,
that the and the Supremno
won over Mr. Mariano Alvarez
Trias
General Vibora was elected captain over General
Bonifacio.
Apoy..
Aguinaldo
Baldomero
uwanted the elections to be
Mr.
the counting of
before it got too dark. To facilitate
finished be voted
that for all other positions to
votes, he suggested
the sides of the hall if
on one of
voters should stand
upon, This suggestion
and on the other side if against.
in favor election. For the position
the rest of the
was adopted for elected
Emiliano R. de Dios was
of war, Mr.
of secretary had given the proper
overwhelmingly.... After the voters

proceeded to elect
honors to the new secretary of war, they
the
the interior. Mr. Andres Bonifacio,
the secretary of crowd broke
Mr. Mariano Alvarez. The
won over
Supremo, Daniel Tirona requested for
into shouts of "Mabuhay!"
Mr.
then spoke aloud:
a restorationof order and
Interior is of
the office of Secretary of
"My brethren, that we should no
and of such sensitivity
sO great a scope us here is

it to one who is not a lawyer. One among

entrust reconsider the
del Rosario. Let us
a lawyer. He is Mr. Jose credentials to show
he has no
choice of the last position, for
educational attainment.
attesting to any Tirona
muster,
voice as he could
Then in as loud a
Rosario, the lawyer!"
shonted, "Let us elect Mr. Jose del
 c

136 ANALYZING PRiMARY SOURCES

Greatly embarrassed, the Supremo Bonifacio quickl

stood up and said, "We agreed to abide by the majorit
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 mmust restore to the
voters and the one they elected the bonor you have onhy now
besmirched."
Then he pulled out his revolver and took aim.
Instead of replying, Mr. Tirona ignored the Supremo's
remarks and, perhatps because of fear, be slid away and
got lost in the crowd. Disorder ensued as the convention
secretary tried to disarm the Suprem0, 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.

Guide Questions
1. How did the two rival factions of Katipunan-Magdalo
and Magdiwang-come about?
What
2. Who were the sources of the historical accounts?
were their roles in the Katipunan?
as
3. Why did Andres Bonifacio declare the election results
null and void?