The Tejeros Convention is one of the most important meetings of the Katipuneros during the Spanish Colonial Period. It explains how the disagreement between the Magdiwang and Magdalo factions became a major conflict in the revolution. It also shows the Katipunan’s government structure and the personality politics within the group which somehow explains the political structure of the Philippines today.The KKK was divided into two rival factions which had its own leaders and territories; these were the Magdiwang faction led by Andres Bonifacio’s brother-in-law and the Magdalo faction led by Emilio Aguinaldo’s cousin. The Magdalo faction mostly comprised of people from the rich section of society or the ilustrados from Cavite while the Magdiwang faction comprised of people from the poorer section of society or the middle-class, most of which came from Manila. The two factions have always been in dispute despite having one goal.
BUT BEFORE DIVING DEEPER TO THE CONVENTION ITSELF, LET'S FIRST KNOW WHO ARE PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THIS
THE MAGDALOS
The Magdalo faction of the Katipunan was a chapter in Cavite,mostly led by Principalias[cleanup needed] of that province during the Philippine Revolution. It was named after Mary Magdalene, patroness of Kawit, Cavite. It was officially led by Baldomero Aguinaldo, but his cousin Emilio Aguinaldo (whose own Katipunan codename was "Magdalo") was its most famous leader.
THE MAGDIWANG
The Magdiwangwas a chapter of the Katipunan, a Philippine revolutionary organization founded by Filipino rebels in Manila in 1892, with the aim to gain independence from Spain. The Magdiwang Council was acknowledged"as the supreme organ responsible for the successful campaigns against the enemy. The Magdiwang chapter was started by Mariano Álvarez, related by marriage to Andrés Bonifacio, the leader of the Katipunan.
why did the convention happen?
Alongside the Spanish authorities, Katipuneros were soon fighting amongst themselves. Rivalries emerged between commanders and territories, creating big rifts in the association. The Katipunan divided into two councils, namely the Magdiwang and Magdalo – that is, those who favoured Aguinaldo and those who favoured Bonifacio. To settle the leadership dispute, the Tejeros Convention was established. This assembly of officials was intended to unite the two factions and elect officers for the revolutionary government. The convention was called to discuss the defense of Cavite against the Spaniards during the Philippine Revolution in order to settle the dispute between the two councils and to decide on what type of government should be installed for the defense of the country.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN THE CONVENTION?
On March 1897, the Tejeros Estate House was filled by the men of Magdalos and Magdiwang. The session was opened under the presidency of Jacinto Lumberas and latter explained the purpose of the meeting, Severino de las Alas argued that before discussing the defense of territory in Cavite, it would be much better to consider the type of government that would be needed for the defense. Chairman Jacinto Lumbera said that as the Katipunan was established, the country has been ruled by the Supreme Council then Andres Bonifacio spoke in support of Chairman Lumberas and raise his stand with regards to the significance of letter “K” in the center of the flag, for letter “K” stands for liberty or kalayaan. Severino de las Alas spoke and said that the letter has nothing to do with the type of government that will be existing. Andres Bonifacio then replied that letter “K” recognizes the principles of Union, Fraternity and Equality, and he added that it stood for people’s sovereignty, not only a government led only by one or two. Antonio Montenegro argued that insurgents were just mere groups of tulisanes and much worse, brutes. Antonio Montenegro’s last words wounded the pride of Santiago Alvarez, who rose and addressed Montenegro that if he wish to establish any other kind of government suited with accordance to his fancy, he can just retire and return to his province and conquer the territory of Spaniards and establish what government he likes and no one will interfere with it. An hour later, the feud between Montenegro and Alvarez was pacified so Chairman Jacinto Lumberas ought not to preside
the continuation of the meeting and wanted it to be adjourned. Supremo, Andres Bonifacio stopped them and announced that the meeting will be continued. The Supremo addressed them and recognizes the principles on which they must base in their decisions; the principles is to respect and obey the decision of majority. They latter proceeded to the distribution of ballots and after, the votes were being counted. Don Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as President defeating Andres Bonifacio. They proceeded to the election of Vice President,
Severino de las Alas remarked that Andres Bonifacio has the largest number of votes in presidency so he should be claimed as Vice President. No one spoke in favor or against with it so the Chairman ordered the election to be proceeded, and this will be by the majority of votes. Don Mariano Trias was elected as Vice President, Don Artemio Ricarte as Auditor General, Don Riego de Rios as Director of War and Andres Bonifacio as Director of Interior, however, Don Daniel Tirona stood up and raise his concern that Don Jose del Rosario should be the Director of Interior for the position needs someone educated. He also added that he had no intention of insulting the Supremo. The Supremo replied that good and educated men are needed for the position and asked for Don Daniel Tirona’s apology, but Don Daniel Tirona, instead of apologizing to the
Supremo, he began to shout and call someone to agree with him. Andres Bonifacio’s wounded pride led to latter withdrew his revolver and about to fire it out to Tirona. Because of that incident, the President of Magdiwang announced that the meeting is not an assembly for it lacks evidence. The Supremo, Andres Bonifacio addressed the men in a loud voice announcing that him as the President of the session, President of the Supreme Council of the Katipunan, he hereby declared the assembly void and null.
SUMMARY OF VOTES IN THE ELECTION
The results were:
President Emilio Aguinaldo
Vice-President Mariano Trias
Captain-General Artemio Ricarte
Director of War Emiliano Riego de Dios
Director of the Interior Andres Bonifacio
“Nothing in this world is hidden forever. The gold which has lain for centuries unsuspected in the ground, reveals itself one day on the surface. Sand turns traitor, and betrays the footstep that has passed over it; water gives back to the tell-tale surface the body that has been drowned. Fire itself leaves the confession, in ashes, of the substance consumed in it.” -W. Collins