Finally on display: Bonifacio's letters exposing betrayal at Tejeros Convention

Letters written by Andres Bonifacio exposing the events surrounding the controversial Tejeros Convention will finally be made available to the public.

Bonifacio's letters to Emilio Jacinto contained information as to how the election on March 22, 1897 was supposedly manipulated by allies of Emilio Aguinaldo.

"This is the first time the general public will see letters... He would discuss how there were people plotting para matanggal siya as the rightful president and the father of the Katipunan," Leon Gallery curator Lisa Guerrero-Nakpil told GMA News' JP Soriano in a 24 Oras report on Thursday.

At the Tejeros Convention, Aguinaldo wanted to dissolve the Katipunan and establish a revolutionary government.

Snap elections were held and Aguinaldo was elected president while Bonifacio was voted director of interior.

But Daniel Tirona, a member of the Magdalo faction loyal to Aguinaldo, protested Bonifacio's election, saying he was not fit for the position.

In one of his letters, Bonifacio claimed that before the election, some members of the Katipunan hailing from Imus said they should not be under the leadership of someone who was not from Cavite.

Bonifacio hailed from Tondo, Manila while Aguinaldo was from Kawit, Cavite.

Guerrero-Nakpil said Bonifacio never received Jacinto's supposed replies to his letters.

"He wrote a second time again to Emilio Jacinto and dito mas detailed 'yung Tejeros Convention. Still no answer... April 24, three days later he was arrested by Emilio Aguinaldo," Guerrero-Nakpil said.

Bonifacio and his brother Procopio were charged with treason. According to some historical accounts, he was killed at Mt. Buntis in Maragondon, Cavite.

"Makikita talaga natin 'yung trahedya ng rebolusyon. At the end of the day ang nag-start, ang nagbuwis ng buhay minsan nakakalimutan ng bayan," the art curator said.

According to the management of Leon Gallery, the letters have been authenticated as these contain signatures of the Filipino hero.

The letters will be put up for auction starting March 3. The bid will start at P500,000. —Anna Felicia Bajo/JST/BAP/KG, GMA News