How Bonifacio became the Supremo..

by Basilio Ibabawan

Andres Bonifacio was the third president of the Katipunan. The first president was Deodato Arellano who was elected when the Katipunan was founded in 1892. Then, in the following year, Arellano was replaced by Roman Basa. In turn, Basa was removed and replaced by Bonifacio. Here's how Bonifacio became president of the Katipunan:

"Andres Bonifacio, Secretary of the Supreme Council, displayed a notable audacity and energy, and this united to a clear intelligence, gave him a great predominance over his companions. This predominance he asserted, and in 1893 brought about the destitution from the presidency of Deodato Arellano, Roman Basa, chief clerk of the Comandancia General de Marina being elevated to that office. On account of the want of character, Bonifacio decided, by a coup d'etat if we may so call it, to depose him also, putting himself in that office and becoming the dictator of the Katipunan." (p. 41, St. Clair, "The Katipunan")

And here's why Basa was removed:

"The President, Roman Basa, having examined the books of Andres Bonifacio, treasurer of the society, saw that he was keeping his accounts very badly, and was robbing the Society. For this reason they both resigned and insulted each other. Andres Bonifacio called a general meeting of the Society in which he stated that Basa had said that all initiates in the Katipunan were thieves, and that the Katipunan was an association of robbers. The members of the assembly were incensed by this insult and elected Andres Bonifacio president." (from the Testimony of Pio Valenzuela before the Olive court of Investigation, September 2, 1896, p. 227-232, JRM Taylor PIR, Vol 1)

*PIR Philippine Insurgency Record