The Philippines marks 30th of November as an official holiday to commemorate one of its heroes, Andres Bonifacio. Known as "Father of the Philippine Revolution", he was a key person and leader in the Filipino revolution against the Spaniards. Andres Bonifacio was also accredited for founding the Katipunan, a secret organization which, defended the poor and oppressed Filipinos, tried to restore good principles and aimed to oust the Spanish rule, which was the key to Philippine independence.
Commonly, official holidays are declared to commemorate the death of a fallen hero. Andres Bonifacio however, had a different case. It is in his natal birth that the public holiday was declared and not in his death. This is because, Andres Bonifacio did not die in the hands of his enemies-as in the case of other heroes-but instead he was killed by his countrymen.
The majority of historians hold that Andres Bonifacio's unfortunate demise was the result of the rich vs. poor struggle. They hold that Andres Bonifacio represented the masses or the lower class while Emilio Aguinaldo represented the bourgeois or upper class. Though this may seem a valid argument, I, however do not see it as a struggle between the rich and poor. Andres Bonifacio was executed together with his brother, Procopio, because he allowed himself to wallow in nonsensical politics.
When Andres Bonifacio let himself wallow in the arena of nonsensical politics, he lost his place in the revolutionary government. When the revolutionary government was formally organized, Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as president while Andres Bonifacio, the El Supremo (The Supreme Leader ) of the Katipunan was elected as director of the interior. However, a fellow Katipunero, Daniel Tirona, questioned his capacity to fulfill the obligations as director, citing that such position belongs to a lawyer. Since Andres Bonifacio did not have any legal training, it was improbable that he will be able to satisfy the demands of such post.
Furious and offended by the remarks from a fellow Katipunero, Andres Bonifacio declared the proceedings null and void pointing out that the only rules agreed upon in holding key positions within the revolutionary government was through a majority vote. No qualifications were agreed upon nor discussed. Bonifacio then opted not to coordinate with Aguinaldo's revolutionary government from that time on.
His actions, however, prompted to the revolutionary government to accuse him of treason. He was then tried and after which he was sentenced to death by execution. Though President Aguinaldo tried to lower the sentence to banishment, according to some sources, this decision did not however take into effect. Both Bonifacio and his brother, Procopio, were executed. Historians theorize that Aguinaldo changed his decision back to execution on the advice that if Andress Bonifacio lives, he would only create chaos inside the revolutionary government. Foolish politics has achieved its evil aims. Foolish politics has caused people to entertain themselves with nonsensical thinking, exploited the weakness of our government, used situations for personal gain, compromised for certain favors and dedicated their lives to partisan politics even though there were issues that need to be addressed.
Today, excessive politicizing not only ravages, but also devastates our society. Politicizing has pressured Ombudsmen to delay or dismiss cases against corrupt officials who are close to the president. It has changed principled judges and justices to favor their decisions for those who have the upper hand in the political arena. It has influenced law enforcers turn their attention away from criminals who have friends in high places, and it has been the reason why people with tainted character get to be appointed to hold positions that are considered as hallowed.
Andres Bonifacio dreamed of a just and humane society, but this dream died with him in Mount Nagpatong in Maragondon, Cavite. This is the place where our fellow countrymen executed him. Like Andres Bonifacio, foolish politics will continue to bring chaos and death into the lives of the Filipino people.
Commonly, official holidays are declared to commemorate the death of a fallen hero. Andres Bonifacio however, had a different case. It is in his natal birth that the public holiday was declared and not in his death. This is because, Andres Bonifacio did not die in the hands of his enemies-as in the case of other heroes-but instead he was killed by his countrymen.
The majority of historians hold that Andres Bonifacio's unfortunate demise was the result of the rich vs. poor struggle. They hold that Andres Bonifacio represented the masses or the lower class while Emilio Aguinaldo represented the bourgeois or upper class. Though this may seem a valid argument, I, however do not see it as a struggle between the rich and poor. Andres Bonifacio was executed together with his brother, Procopio, because he allowed himself to wallow in nonsensical politics.
When Andres Bonifacio let himself wallow in the arena of nonsensical politics, he lost his place in the revolutionary government. When the revolutionary government was formally organized, Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as president while Andres Bonifacio, the El Supremo (The Supreme Leader ) of the Katipunan was elected as director of the interior. However, a fellow Katipunero, Daniel Tirona, questioned his capacity to fulfill the obligations as director, citing that such position belongs to a lawyer. Since Andres Bonifacio did not have any legal training, it was improbable that he will be able to satisfy the demands of such post.
Furious and offended by the remarks from a fellow Katipunero, Andres Bonifacio declared the proceedings null and void pointing out that the only rules agreed upon in holding key positions within the revolutionary government was through a majority vote. No qualifications were agreed upon nor discussed. Bonifacio then opted not to coordinate with Aguinaldo's revolutionary government from that time on.
His actions, however, prompted to the revolutionary government to accuse him of treason. He was then tried and after which he was sentenced to death by execution. Though President Aguinaldo tried to lower the sentence to banishment, according to some sources, this decision did not however take into effect. Both Bonifacio and his brother, Procopio, were executed. Historians theorize that Aguinaldo changed his decision back to execution on the advice that if Andress Bonifacio lives, he would only create chaos inside the revolutionary government. Foolish politics has achieved its evil aims. Foolish politics has caused people to entertain themselves with nonsensical thinking, exploited the weakness of our government, used situations for personal gain, compromised for certain favors and dedicated their lives to partisan politics even though there were issues that need to be addressed.
Today, excessive politicizing not only ravages, but also devastates our society. Politicizing has pressured Ombudsmen to delay or dismiss cases against corrupt officials who are close to the president. It has changed principled judges and justices to favor their decisions for those who have the upper hand in the political arena. It has influenced law enforcers turn their attention away from criminals who have friends in high places, and it has been the reason why people with tainted character get to be appointed to hold positions that are considered as hallowed.
Andres Bonifacio dreamed of a just and humane society, but this dream died with him in Mount Nagpatong in Maragondon, Cavite. This is the place where our fellow countrymen executed him. Like Andres Bonifacio, foolish politics will continue to bring chaos and death into the lives of the Filipino people.
About the Author:
Zigfred Diaz is a huge of the Andres Bonifacio however this is not what his blog is all about. He writes on several interesting topics including Philippine politics and Current events, financial management, investments, law and business. Go visit his blog today!
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