Apolinario Mabini

In his prime, Apolinario Mabini was struck by paralysis. Yet, at no point in his life was he ever afflicted by a lack of moral convictions, especially in his pursuit of Philippine independence. Indeed, as American authorities from Major General Ewell Otis to Civil Governor William Taft would attest, Mabini was a thorn on their side for many years. They called him “a consistent opponent of American sovereignty and a persistent inspirer of rebellion and insurrection…and may be said to be the most prominent irreconcilable among the Filipinos.”

They were right. It was Mabini who discerned so early America’s intent toward the Philippines.

Apolinario Mabini was born of poor parents, Inocencio Mabini and Dionisia Maranan, in Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas on 23 July 1864. By dint of hard work and by winning scholarships, he graduated from San Juan de Letran and the University of Santo Tomas. He finished law when he was 29. As a student, Mabini already had a reformist bent, having joined Jose Rizal’s La Liga Filipina and supported the printing of La Solidaridad.

He was 31 when he was paralyzed. At that time he had already established a reputation as a just and nationalistic lawyer. Felipe Agoncillo recommended him to General Emilio Aguinaldo, describing Mabini as “a man with a head of gold.” Aguinaldo and Mabini first met on 12 June 1898 when Philippine independence was proclaimed. Ironically, Mabini was against the proclamation of Philippine independence because it would be “premature and imprudent.” Despite Mabini’s dissension and his disability, he impressed Aguinaldo with his intellect, willingness to serve and legal expertise.

He became Aguinaldo’s trusted adviser who tried to shape the first Philippine Republic along democratic principles.

Ever the thinker, the strategist, the architect, Mabini wrote many “ordenanzas” or decrees for Aguinaldo. A decree that took effect on 23 June 1898 transformed Aguinaldo’s dictatorial government into a revolutionary one....