On October 13, 1930, Benigno Ramos released a printed newspaper, called Sakdal (accuse or accusation). The original purpose of the paper was to accuse high government officials of acts, which they declare to be detrimental to the country and the Filipino people.
The paper tackled issues which were of interest to the Filipno masses such as corruption and mismanagement under the Nacionalista Party administration, immediate independence for the Philippines, and the land reform problem.
Its radical populist stance on such issues won it a large following in the Manila hinterland and in the rural areas, such that by 1933, subscribers of the newspaper met in a convention in Manila to form the Sakdal Party. They did unexpectedly well in the Philippine elections of 1934, although still unable to pose a challenge to Nacionalista Party dominance.
The Sakdal Party advocated independence from the United States of America, which later led them to collaborate with Japan because they believed Japan could liberate the Philippines and grant true independence.
Because of poor harvests and frustrations with the government’s lack of response to peasant demands, the Sakdalistas took up arms and seized government buildings in a number of locations on May 2 to 3, 1935. The insurrection, suppressed by the Philippine Constabulary, resulted in approximately 100 dead. Consequently, Ramos went into exile in Japan.
Benigno Ramos was born in 1893, educated in Bulacan and went on to work there as a teacher and later as a Philippine Senate Staff. He became a member of the Nacionalista Party and a close associate of Manuel L. Quezon. In 1930 he joined a “wildcat strike” by teachers in Manila, causing Quezon to demand his resignation.
Reference:
Kahimyang Project
Pambansang Komisyong Pangkasaysayan
The US Library of Congress, Country Studies
Photo credit: quora.com
(Filed by JR Amigo/ai/mnm)