Biyernes, Hulyo 29, 2011

President of the 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.

Position
Name
President
Emilio Aguinaldo
Vice-President
Mariano Trías
Captain-General
Artemio Ricarte
Director of War
Emiliano Riego de Dios
Director of the Interior
Andrés Bonifacio

The Tejeros convention which was held on March 22, 1897 only worsened the rivalry between the two factions of the Katipunan. The aim of the convention was to form a central revolutionary government that would unite the two councils. An election of officers was held in Tejeros. Although he was away fighting the Spaniards in Dasmarinas, Cavite, Emilio Aguinaldo was elected president of the new revolutionary government.  Bonifacio was nominated for the position of director of the interior, but Daniel Tirona of Kawit stood up and questioned his ability to hold that job.

Tirona said that the position needed someone with a law degree. Bonifacio took Tirona’s words as an insult. He declared that, as the leader of the Katipunan, all the acts of the Tejeros convention were unlawful. Hurt and angry, he left with his wife, his two brothers, and some trusted bodyguards.

A day later Emilio Aguinaldo became president of the new revolutionary government, he was sworn into office along with other elected officials, most of whom were Cavitenos. Bonifacio was not present.