TERM PAPER IN

SOCS 4

Submitted by: Dominic Leron

Course/Year & Section: BSIT-2G

Submitted to: Ms. Janice Conde

ANDRES BONIFACIO y DE CASTRO: FIRST PRESIDENT

For you who should become the first president in the Philippines. Andres
Bonifacio or Emilio Aguinaldo?

Andres Bonifacio is the father of the Philippine revolution. Still, there are those who believe he
had another role in Philippine history as the country's first president. Bonifacio, often
portrayed with a bolo in hand, is most known for leading the Katipuneros' revolt against the
Spanish colonizers.
The eldest child of a tailor and a factory worker, Bonifacio was able to reach the equivalent of
second year high school and took care of his five siblings after their parents died. In 1892, he
joined La Liga Filipina, which was founded by Jose Rizal. In the same year, he established the
KKK (Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan).
The belief that Bonifacio should be recognized as the first President of the Philippines is based
on his position as Supremo of the Katipunan revolutionary government from 1896 to 1897.
"From that point on, the Katipunan ceased to be a mere revolutionary organization into a
revolutionary government. Ang unang pambansang pamahalaan sa Pilipinas," historian Xiao
Chua said.
On August 24, 1896, Andres Bonifacio convened the Kataastaasang Kapulungan (Supreme
Council), declaring an armed revolution against Spain. It was in the same meeting that they
established the Katipunan as a national government, and held an election of officials to lead the
army and the nation. The Katipunan was more than a secret revolutionary society; it was,
withal, a Government. It was the intention of Bonifacio to have the Katipunan govern the whole
Philippines after the overthrow of Spanish rule," Gregorio F. Zaide, who wrote a history of the

Katipunan. In letters addressed to Emilio Jacinto in 1897, Bonifacio's titles and designations
included Ang Kataastaasang Pangulo and Pangulo ng Haring Bayang Kataluganhis concept of
the Philippine nation. Bonifacio defined "Tagalog" as the term for all Filipinos, and not only
those who spoke the language. In referring to the nation as Katalugan, Bonifacio went against the
colonial "Filipinas." Should the Katipunan revolutionary government be recognized, this would
predate the Tejeros Convention on March 22, 1897.

The Tejeros Convention was meant to resolve issues over who should lead the revolution. It started
reasonably enough, until it descended to the usual politicking. The pro-Aguinaldo faction argued
he had led a string of victories in Cavite, mostly turning points in the revolution, whereas
Bonifacio met mostly defeats in Manila and environs. The pro-Bonifacio faction countered that
major Spanish forces were concentrated in Manila, while Cavites battles were no more than
skirmishes with the constabulary in streets and alleys. There was that disease of regionalism, one
historian calls Cavitismo. Aguinaldos adviser Apolinario Mabini noted later: All the electors
were friends of Don Emilio Aguinaldo and Don Mariano Trias, who were united, while Bonifacio,
although he had established his integrity, was looked upon with distrust only because he was not a
native of the province. And there was the prototype of dagdag-bawas, the rigged ballot boxes,
as testified to by some.

But after a violent incident with the insulting Daniel Tirona, Bonifacio, being Presidente Supremo
of the Katipunan Supreme Council, declared the results null and void and dissolved the assembly.
The following day, Aguinaldo was said to have surreptitiously taken his oath of office as
president in a chapel officiated by a priest (contradicting the Mason affiliation of the Katipunan).
This was despite his Captain-General Artemio Ricartes declaration that he found the elections
dirty or shady and not in conformity with the true will of the people. On their way out of
Cavite, Bonifacio reportedly burned down a village in Indang and tried to burn its church when the
townsfolk refused to feed them. Aguinaldo ordered him arrested. He was stabbed in the neck by
Maj. Jose Paua; brother Ciriaco was shot dead; and wife Gregoria was said to have been raped by

Col. Agapito Bonzon. Bonifacio and brother Procopio were charged with sedition, treason and
conspiracy to assassinate Aguinaldo. They were taken for trial to Naic, Aguinaldos headquarters.
When his men tried to rescue them, they were taken to the remoter town of Maragondon. On May
10, 1897, Bonifacio and his brother Procopio were killed under orders from Aguinaldo, who
issued a statement 50 years later saying he had authorized the death sentence as advised by
members of the Council of War.
Calls to rewrite the history of the Philippine revolution intensified during the commemoration of
Bonifacio's 150th birth anniversary. While he is recognized for his contribution to the Philippine
revolution, his supporters, who have long seen him as underappreciated, stressed that Bonifacio
may have had another role in Philippine history.
Citing original documents attested to by historians, the resolution argued "the Katipunan, under
Bonifacios leadership, ceased being a secret society and was forced to come out in the open as a
revolutionary government with its own laws, bureaucratic structure and elective leadership." The
resolution said Bonifacios presidency was also further acknowledged in contemporary Spanish
publications. "For instance, in the February 8, 1897 issue of the La Ilusraction Espaola y
America, an article on the Philippine Revolution appeared, accompanied by a portrait of
Bonifacio in a black suit and white tie, with the caption 'Andres Bonifacio/Titulado (Presidente)
de la Republica Tagala,'" it added.

Most historians seem to sympathize with Bonifacio, as obviously do most Filipinos. For decades
now we have been celebrating a Bonifacio Day (Nov. 30), but we dont recall any Aguinaldo Day.
Inviting Bonifacio to Cavite and entrapping him there recalls Macbeth inviting his king to his
home and killing him while asleep.

But while the National Historical Council of the Philippines is open to such petitions, they
maintain that Bonifacio was not the first President. "We do not think of him as the first President,

but rather we think of him as the leader of the Katipunan. Because for one reason, we do not yet
have a government to call our own at that time," said commission member Bryan Anthony
Paraiso. "It does not diminish his contribution to Philippine history," Paraiso also said.

Being a president is not an easy job. As a president, one should ensure the safety and well-being
of his fellow countrymen. He has to maintain peace and order within the scope of his land. He
has the responsibility of protecting his country. I think Andres Bonifacio can handle that
situation. For me Andres Bonifacio is the right man to become the first president in the
Philippines.