MABINI'S DECALOGUE FOR FILIPINOS
Apolinario Mabini, Martyr.
"Thou shalt love thy country after God and they honor and morethan thyself: for she is the only Paradise which God has given theein this life, the only inheritance of thy ancestors and the onlyhope of thy posterity."
PHILIPPINE PRESS BUREAU
Washington, D. C.
1922
MABINI
Mabini was undoubtedly the most profound thinker and politicalphilosopher that the Pilipino race ever produced. Some day, whenhis works are fully published, but not until then, Mabini will comeinto his own. A great name awaits him, not only in the Philippines,for he is already appreciated there, but in every land where thecause of liberty and human freedom is revered.
Mabini was born in Tanawan, province of Batangas, island ofLuzon, P.I., of poor Filipino parents, in 1864. He received hiseducation in the "Colegio de San Juan de Letran." Manila, and inthe University of Santo Tomas. He supported himself while studyingby his own efforts, and made a brilliant record in bothinstitutions. Later he devoted his energies to the establishment ofa private school in Manila and to legal work.
Mabini came to the front in 1898 during the Pilipino revolutionagainst Spain. In the subsequent revolution against the UnitedStates he became known as "the brains of the revolution." He was soconsidered by the American army officers, who bent every energy tocapture him.
He was the leading adviser of Aguinaldo, and was the author ofthe latter's many able decrees and proclamations. Mabini's officialposition was President of the Council of Secretaries, and he alsoheld the post of Secretary of the Exterior.
One of Mabini's greatest works was his draft of a constitutionfor the Philippine Republic. It was accompanied by what he called"The True Decalogue," published in the pages following. Mabini's"ten commandments" are so framed as to meet the needs of Filipinopatriotism for all time. He also drafted rules for the organizationand government of municipalities and provinces, which were highlysuccessful because of their adaptability to local conditions.
Mabini remained the head of Aguinaldo's cabinet until March,1899, when he resigned. But he continued in hearty sympathy withthe revolution, however, and his counsel was frequently sought.
Mabini was arrested by the American forces in September, 1899,and remained a prisoner until September 23, 1900. Following hisrelease, he lived for a while in a suburb of Manila, in a poor nipahouse, under the most adverse and trying circumstances. He was inabject poverty.
In spite of his terrible suffering from paralysis, Mabinicontinued writing. He severely criticised the government, voicingthe sentiments of the Filipino people for freedom. He was orderedto desist, but to this, in one of his writings to the people, hereplied: "To tell a man to be quiet when a necessity not fulfilledis shaking all the fibers of his being is tantamount to asking ahungry man to be filled before taking the food which he needs."
Mabini's logic was a real embarrassment to the American militaryforces, and in January, 1901, he was arrested a second time by theAmericans. This time he was exiled to the island of Guam, where heremained until his return to Manila on February 26, 1903.
Mabini died in Manila, of cholera, May 13, 1903, at the age of39 years. His funeral was the most largely attended of any everheld in Manila.
A