Andres Bonifacio: The Philippines' first president?

Andres Bonifacio, considered the father of the Philippine revolution against Spain, may soon find his "rightful place" in the country's history after all.

 

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.

 

First Philippine president?

 

On Tuesday, the Manila City government passed a resolution urging President Benigno Aquino III and Congress to recognize Andres Bonifacio as the first president in the Philippines.

 

A resolution authored by Manila councilor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto, stressed that Bonifacio founded the first national government of the Philippines and served as president from August 24, 1896 "until his tragic death on May 10, 1897."

 

Citing original documents attested to by historians, the resolution argued "the Katipunan, under Bonifacio’s 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 Bonifacio’s presidency was also further acknowledged in contemporary Spanish publications.

 

"For instance, in the February 8, 1897 issue of the La Ilusraction Española 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.

 

Councilor Nieto, in a phone interview with GMA News Online Friday evening, said it's about time the national government "corrects" history by declaring the Manila-born hero as the country's first president.

 

On August 24, 1896, Bonifacio convened the Kataastaasang Kapulungan (Supreme Council), declaring an armed revolution against Spain. He also 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, was quoted in an article by historians Milagros C. Guerrero, Emmanuel N. Encarnacion, and Ramon N. Villegas.

However, at the Tejeros Convention on March 22, 1897, Emilio Aguinaldo wanted to dissolve the Katipunan and establish a revolutionary government, UP Manila professor Danilo Aragon said in "Case Unclosed: Ang Lihim ng 1897", noting that the Katipunan had to be dissolved to remove Bonifacio from his position.

 

Snap elections were held, and Aguinaldo was voted president. Meanwhile, Bonifacio was voted as Director of Interior.

 

Daniel Tirona, a member of the Magdalo faction of the Katipunan, protested Bonifacio's election, claiming he was not qualified for the job. Insulted, Bonifacio, who presided over the election, declared the assembly dissolved.

 

The next day, Bonifacio and other members of the Magdiwang faction created the Acta de Tejeros, a document stating they did not adopt the election results of the convention.

 

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.

 

True value

 

Edgardo Bonifacio, grandson of Andres Bonifacio, on Saturday also urged historians to "not ignore" the supposed correct version of history.

 

"Maituwid po ang kasaysayan na marahil na nawaglit sa isipan ng ating mga iskolar ng bayan, iskolar ng historya at maituwid muli ang sa palagay namin ay nararapat para kay Andres Bonifacio," he said in an interview aired on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" after the rites marking the 150th birth anniversary of his grandfather at the Bonifacio Monument area in Caloocan City.

 

However, even on Philippine currency, Aguinaldo seems to have primacy over Bonifacio as the former replaced the latter on the 5-peso coin.

 

Since 2000, after being transferred several times to different coins, Bonifacio now shares a spot with Apolinario Mabini on the 10-peso coin.

 

During a press conference on Friday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the matter has yet to be discussed with the President.

 

"We will take time, when we get to sit down with him, (and get) his thoughts on that particular matter," she said, adding that they still have to consult historians on the issue.

 

Meanwhile, according to a related resolution passed on Wednesday, the local government urged public and private colleges in Manila to include courses devoted to the life, works and heroism of Bonifacio in their curricula.

 

"All educational institutions are mandated by the Constitution to, among others, inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, and promote respect for human rights and appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country," it said.  — JDS, GMA News