EMILIO AGUINALDO
Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo
(Library of Congress)
Considered by many Filipinos as a traitor. A traitor to the Filipino revolution for independence, and a traitor to Filipinos as a nation.
Ordered the assassination of two of the most prominent Filipino freedom fighters who were willing to sacrifice their lives to gain independence, Bonifacio and Luna.
In the case of Bonifacio, Aguinaldo was a usurper. Aguinaldo tried to create a semblance of legitimacy when he blamed politics for what happened. But the proceedings that elected Aguinaldo was properly voided. So there was no legit proceedings to back him up. Bonifacio was still the supremo. Bonifacio's death afterwards was pure assassination.
As for Luna, there was a lot of things that happened before and after that all points to Aguinaldo. One of Aguinaldo's officers even admitted in his memoirs that he was tasked by Aguinaldo to do the job but for some reason, he wasn't able to, and others did it.
He sold the revolution to Spain.
This is of course contrary to the notion of being willing to die for the struggle for independence as espoused by Bonifacio and his Katipunan, and also Antonio Luna.
So who benefited? What is clear was Aguinaldo kept a tight lid on the money while they were in exile to the detriment of others with him.
Aguinaldistas would point out that the money was intended to buy arms for another fight.
But when the Pact of Biac was signed, there was no Span-Am War yet. The U.S.S. Maine was still intact. Being invited by Dewey is not in anybody's mind. So the intention to fight again after Biac, as far as Aguinaldo and his group was concerned, at least for the near future, did not exist. So this reasoning doesn't hold water.
He sided with the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.
Aguinaldistas would point out that the Japanese supported the revolution for independence.
But they blatantly ignored that the Japanese Army were slaughtering Filipinos during World War II.
On the other hand, the true heroes in this regard were Iloilo Governors Tomas Confesor and Patricio Confesor. Their father, Julian Confesor, was hanged by the Americans during Phil-Am War for the killing of an American soldier. If there was anybody who should hate the Americans, that's Tomas, and that's Patricio. But come World War II, they led the fight against the Japanese Army in Panay.
Filipinos disapproved of Aguinaldo that he lost lopsidedly when he ran for President.
He lost in all provinces except two. But in one, the numbers are neck and neck. And in the other where he should be winning greatly, Cavite, Quezon got a lot of votes too that Aguinaldo only won by 3 to 2.
|
| Treaty of Paris 1898 | Benevolent Assimilation | Otis sends Iloilo Expedition | Miller meets Potter Transports Remain in Guimaras | Expedition arrives in Iloilo Harbor | Miller meets Estado Federal Benevolent Assimilation in Iloilo | Trip to Malolos | USS Baltimore | S.S. Union | USS Callao Estado Federal de Bisayas | Four Commissioners Iloilo-Antique-Capiz | Negros | Samar-Leyte | Cebu © RONNIE MIRAVITE CASALMIR cabatuan @ gmail.com To make the text bigger, use CTRL+ on your computer or laptop ... While pressing CTRL, click +. Or while pressing CTRL, scroll your mouse. |
