Tejeros Convention

The Tejeros Convention (alternate names include Tejeros Assembly and Tejeros Congress) was the meeting held between the "Magdiwang" and "Magdalo" factions of the Katipunan at San Francisco de Malabon, Cavite which on March 22, 1897. This is the first presidential and vice presidential elections in Philippine history, although only the Katipuneros (members of the Katipunan) and not the general populace were able to take part.

Purpose and results

The convention was called upon to discuss the defense of Cavite against the Spaniards during the Philippine Revolution. Instead, the convention became an election to decide the leaders of the revolutionary movement, bypassing the Supreme Council.

Andrés Bonifacio, the current "Supremo" (leader) of the Katipunan presided the election. He secured the unanimous approval that the decision will not be questioned. Bonifacio headed the "Magdiwang" faction, while Emilio Aguinaldo headed the "Magdalo" faction.

The results of the election:

Aguinaldo, who was busy at a military front in Imus, won the election. Bonifacio's position fell to Director of the Interior, as the Magdiwangs did not vote for him for the Presidency and the Vice-Presidency.

Bonifacio, who was not formally educated, accepted the decision. However, Daniel Tirona, a Caviteño (people from Cavite), objected that the post should not be occupied by a person without a lawyer's diploma. He suggested a Caviteño lawyer, Jose del Rosario for the position. Bonifacio, clearly insulted, voided the convention as "Supremo" of the Katipunan.

Aftermath

Bonifacio then became a fugitive of the Revolutionary Movement. Bonifacio fled to the Morong and was tried "in absentia". He was found to be guilty of treason and was sentenced to die. An arresting party caught up with him at Cavite where he was arrested.

Although Aguinaldo wanted to banish him, his general, Gregorio Del Pilar, wanted to kill him instead, because he thinks that Andres Bonifacio is a threat, so Aguinaldo ordered to execute Andres Bonifacio and his brother Procopio , and they were executed by a firing squad on May 10, 1897 at Maragondon, Cavite.

Flags

References

* [http://www.msc.edu.ph/centennial/tejeros.html The Tejeros Assembly of 1897] MSC Computer Training Center

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