GEC 2: Readings in Philippine History

Unit: 3 Week: 13-14

Lesson 9: The Tejeros Assembly

Objectives:
At the end of the rating period, students should be able to:
1. Identify the conflicting views about the Tejeros Assembly;
2. Examine the role of each person as a source of information in
the event; and
3. Formulate arguments to support a position using primary and
secondary sources.

Discussion:

Historical Context
The first day 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 Andres Bonifacio to Cavite to mediate. However, when he arrived in infuriated
Magdalos. The two groups finally agreed to form a revolutionary government 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 (General Trias). On
March 22, 1897, the Cavite Katipuneros, as well as representatives of the Katipunan
from 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 Santol, Barrio Salitran, Dasmarinas, facing the imminent attack of the Spanish
forces.

Artemio Ricarte’s Account

The following account was written by Gen. Artemio Ricarte (nom-de-gurre:
Vobora) who was one 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 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.” It was written during his imprisonment for subversion by the
American authorities in 1904. It was translated into English by a Bristish 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
Early on the morning of the day set for the assembly (March 22) 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 Magdiwang, apart from the Supremoof 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

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 GEC 2: Readings in Philippine History
Unit: 3 Week: 13-14

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 the great
importance in those critical times. Andres Bonifacio, with permission of the chair, 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 public. 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 rigorously republican in form.
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.
These last words of Antonio Montenegro 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 Kaitpunan; if you wish to establish any other kind of government
more suited to your fancy, retire 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….
The session broke up in disorder, but one hour later, when the passions of the
adherents of Santiago Alvarez and Antonio Montenegro had been pacified, it convened
against under the presidency of Andres Bonicaio 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
insurrection, he ought not to preside at the continuation of the meeting. Then Andres
Bonifacio…….. was chosen by acclamation to be the 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. I as a Supreme 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 session; 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. Ricarte was rose and protested against his own election……..those present
disapproved the protest viva voce, and the chairman called the meeting to order saying
that was night was falling, it was advisable to continue the election for the other

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1st Semester AY 2020-2021
 GEC 2: Readings in Philippine History
Unit: 3 Week: 13-14

positions. It was unanimously proposed and approved that, to cut short the voting,
those who favored any person for a position should stand on one side, and those who
favored other person should stand on the other side in groups, and in that way, they
voted for a Director of War, Emiliano Riego de Dios…..
The election of a Minister of 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 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 apologize to the assembly for the insult offered to the person elected, because up to
that time not one those elected was fitted by a 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 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 you all know, declare this assembly
closed, and annul everything that has been done therein.” He then left, followed by his
adherents.

Andres Bonifacio’s Account

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 and 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 I will respect.
When the election was 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 de Dios. The elections were held through the
expressions of those who were present (viva voce) because it was already nightime. I
was elected 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 de chosen Director
of the Interior 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 already well-
versed in their positions but instead, he 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

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1st Semester AY 2020-2021
 GEC 2: Readings in Philippine History
Unit: 3 Week: 13-14

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 was the only thing
that they wanted and that they deceived the people. I even added that if they wished I
will point 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….

Santiago Alvarez’s Account

The account of the Tejeros Convention is found in Chapter 32 of Gen. Santiago
Alavarez’s memoirs. Like Ricarte, Alvarez was a direct participant and witness to the
events that occurred 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 Villanueva, Mariano 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 Madiwang.
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 uundermine 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 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 organized 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 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’ 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 animas.”

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1st Semester AY 2020-2021
 GEC 2: Readings in Philippine History
Unit: 3 Week: 13-14

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 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 beats……..”
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 Sones 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…..
Thr 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 Mr.
Andres Bonifacio, the Supremo. The winner was accalaimed 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 overwhelming…After
the voters had given the proper honors to the new secretary of the interior. Mr. Andres
Bonifacio, the Supremo, won over r. Mariano Alvarez. The crowd broke into shouts of
“Mabuhay!” Mr. Daniel Tirona requested for a restoration of order and then spoke aloud:

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1st Semester AY 2020-2021
 GEC 2: Readings in Philippine History
Unit: 3 Week: 13-14

“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 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
acknowledge 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.

References:
a. BATIS, Sources in Philippine History, Jose Victor Torres, C&E Publishing Inc. 2018
b. https://digital.soas.ac.uk/content/LO/AA/00/59/03/00001/pdf.pdf
c. https://pvao.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Philippine-History.pdf

Prepared by: Noted:

OSCAR H. FALCON AMIEL A. BRACINO

Instructor Program Chairperson of GEC Department

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1st Semester AY 2020-2021