The Philippines marks 30th of November as an official holiday to commemorate one of its heroes, Andres Bonifacio. Known as "Father of the Philippine Revolution", he was a key person and leader in the Filipino revolution against the Spaniards. Andres Bonifacio was also accredited for founding the Katipunan, a secret organization which, defended the poor and oppressed Filipinos, tried to restore good principles and aimed to oust the Spanish rule, which was the key to Philippine independence.

Commonly, official holidays are declared to commemorate the death of a fallen hero. Andres Bonifacio however, had a different case. It is in his natal birth that the public holiday was declared and not in his death. This is because, Andres Bonifacio did not die in the hands of his enemies-as in the case of other heroes-but instead he was killed by his countrymen.

The majority of historians hold that Andres Bonifacio's unfortunate demise was the result of the rich vs. poor struggle. They hold that Andres Bonifacio represented the masses or the lower class while Emilio Aguinaldo represented the bourgeois or upper class. Though this may seem a valid argument, I, however do not see it as a struggle between the rich and poor. Andres Bonifacio was executed together with his brother, Procopio, because he allowed himself to wallow in nonsensical politics.

Excessive politicizing became the key reason why Andres Bonifacio lost his place in the revolutionary government. At that time the revolutionary government elected Emilio Aguinaldo as their president and the "El Supremo" (The Supreme leader) of the Katipunan by majority vote was elected to the position of director of the interior. Yet despite the majority vote, a fellow Katipunero, Daniel Tirona, doubted Andres Bonifacio's capacity to hold the position as secretary of the interior citing that such position belonged to a lawyer.

This remark infuriated and insulted Andres Bonifacio. He contended that no mention of qualification was ever brought up for the post but that it was only agreed that posts be filled through majority decision. Thus he stated that the previous proceedings invalid. From then on he refused to participate in Aguinaldo's revolutionary government.

His actions, however, prompted to the revolutionary government to accuse him of treason. He was then tried and after which he was sentenced to death by execution. Though President Aguinaldo tried to lower the sentence to banishment, according to some sources, this decision did not however take into effect. Both Bonifacio and his brother, Procopio, were executed. Historians theorize that Aguinaldo changed his decision back to execution on the advice that if Andress Bonifacio lives, he would only create chaos inside the revolutionary government. Foolish politics has achieved its evil aims. Foolish politics has caused people to entertain themselves with nonsensical thinking, exploited the weakness of our government, used situations for personal gain, compromised for certain favors and dedicated their lives to partisan politics even though there were issues that need to be addressed.

Presently, our society continues to groans from the pain it experiences because of nonsensical politics. Corrupt government officials who are close to the president remain free as the office Ombudsman continue to delay and usually dismiss cases filed against them. Judges and justices justify evil deeds made by those who hold power. Law enforcers close their eyes to the crimes of those who have friends in authority. Men who have shady characters and who do shady deeds gets elected into important government positions.

Andres Bonifacio dreamed of a just and humane society, but this dream died with him in Mount Nagpatong in Maragondon, Cavite. This is the place where our fellow countrymen executed him. Like Andres Bonifacio, foolish politics will continue to bring chaos and death into the lives of the Filipino people.