Simoun, a jeweler, is the main character in El Filibusterismo.

He is Crisostomo Ibarra's new persona, who

in the prologue Noli escaped from pursuing soldiers. It is made known that Crisostomo discovered his
lost fortune and escaped to Cuba, where he gained wealth and made friends with Spanish officials.
Simoun returns to the Philippines after a long absence, where he can now travel about without
restriction. He is a powerful figure not only because of his money but also because he is the governor
general's trusted friend and advisor.

Simoun appears to be a friend of Spain, but in reality, he is scheming a dreadful revenge against the
Spanish authorities. His two obsessions are rescuing his paramour Maria Clara from the Santa Clara
nunnery and fomenting a Philippine revolution against Spain.

The story of El Filibusterismo begins on board a steamer ship sailing up the Pasig river from Manila to
Laguna de Bay. Among the passengers are Simoun; Doña Victorina, a pro-Spanish native woman who is
going to Laguna in search of her henpecked husband, Tiburcio de Espadaña, who has deserted her;
Paulita Gomez, her beautiful niece; Ben-Zayb (anagram of Ibañez), a Spanish journalist who writes silly
articles about the Filipinos; Padre Sibyla, vice-rector of the University of Santo Tomas; Padre Camorra,
the parish priest of the town of Tiani; Don Custodio, a pro-Spanish Filipino holding a position in the
government; Padre Salvi, thin Franciscan friar and former cura of San Diego; Padre Irene, a kind friar who
was a friend of the Filipino students; Padre Florentino, a retired scholarly and patriotic Filipino priest;
Isagani, a poet-nephew of Padre Florentino and a lover of Paulita; and Basilio, son of Sisa and promising
medical student, whose medical education is financed by his patron, Capitan Tiago.

Simoun, a mysterious and wealthy man, is a personal friend and confidant of the general governor of
Spain. He was referred to as the "Black Eminence" or the "Brown Cardinal" due to his enormous power
in Malacaang. He supports corruption in the government, advocates the oppression of the masses, and
hastens the moral decay of the nation using his riches and political clout so that the populace will
become desperate and fight. With the aid of wealthy Chinese businessman Quiroga, who desires to
become Manila's Chinese consul, he smuggles weapons into the nation. Because he learned about Maria
Clara's passing in the nunnery at the eleventh hour, his initial attempt to launch the armed insurrection
was unsuccessful. He did not indicate the start of hostilities during his excruciating moment of grief.

Simoun perfects his plan to topple the government after a long period of illness caused by the tragic loss
of Maria Clara. On the day of Paulita Gomez and Juanito Pelaez's wedding, he presents them with a
magnificent lamp as a wedding gift. Only he and his close associates, Basilio (Sisa's son who joined his
revolutionary cause), are aware that when the wick of his lamp burns lower, the nitroglycerine hidden in
its secret compartment will explode, destroying the house where the wedding feast will be held and
killing all of the guests, including the governor general, friars, and government officials. Simoun's
supporters will simultaneously blow up all of Manila's government buildings.
As the wedding reception begins, the poet Isagani, who has been rejected by Paulita due to his liberal
ideals, stands outside the house, saddenedly watching the festivities within. His friend, Basilio, warns
him to leave since the lit bulb will soon explode. Isagani thinks his beloved Paulita is in great danger after
learning the horrifying secret of the light. He rushes into the home, seizes the lit lamp, and throws it into
the river, where it explodes. As a result, the revolutionary conspiracy is revealed. The troops corner
Simoun, but he escapes. He finds safety in the seaside residence of Padre Florentino, mortally wounded
and carrying his treasure chest.

The Spanish authorities, on the other hand, become aware of his presence in Padre Florentino's home.
Lieutenant Perez of the Guardia Civil informs the priest by letter that Simoun would be arrested at eight
o'clock that night. Simoun avoids arrest by ingesting poison. As he dies, he confesses to Padre Florentino,
exposing his true identity, his heinous plot to use his fortune to avenge himself, and his evil intention to
harm his friends and enemies. The dying Simoun's confession is lengthy and heartbreaking. Padre
Florentino rises and begins to meditate after wiping the sweat off his wrinkled brow. "God will forgive
you, Seor Simoun," he says to the dying man. He knows that we are fallible. He has seen that you have
suffered, and in ordaining that the chastisement for your faults should come as death from the very ones
you have instigated to crime, we can see His infinite mercy. He has frustrated your plans one by one, the
best conceived, first by the death of Maria Clara, then by a lack of preparation, then in some mysterious
way. Let us bow to His will and render Him thanks!” Watching Simoun die peacefully with a clear
conscience and at peace with God, Padre Florentino falls upon his knees and prays for the dead jeweler.
The priest then takes the treasure chest and throws it into the sea.