Marcelo H. del Pilar vs Riek Machar

Del Pilar established a mutual aid society in Manila that secretly functioned as a propaganda cell. The organization collected funds and distributed anti-friar literature, laying groundwork for the broader reform movement.

Del Pilar authored a satirical parody of Catholic prayers and catechism, mocking the hypocrisy of Spanish friars in the Philippines. The pamphlet was widely circulated and contributed to anti-clerical sentiment among Filipinos.

Facing arrest by Spanish authorities for his subversive writings, del Pilar fled to Spain. There he joined other Filipino expatriates in the Propaganda Movement, continuing his campaign for reforms through journalism and lobbying.

Del Pilar became editor of La Solidaridad, the primary newspaper of the Propaganda Movement in Barcelona, Spain. He used the paper to advocate for political reforms in the Philippines, including representation in the Spanish Cortes and secularization of parishes.

Del Pilar died of tuberculosis in Barcelona, impoverished and in exile. His death occurred as the Philippine Revolution was beginning, but his writings had already inspired the Katipunan and the nationalist movement.

Riek Machar was appointed Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. He served alongside President Salva Kiir in the lead-up to independence.

After being accused of plotting a coup, Riek Machar fled to the bush and formed the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO). He led a rebellion against President Salva Kiir's government, sparking the South Sudanese Civil War.

Riek Machar returned to Juba and was sworn in as First Vice President of South Sudan as part of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. The unity government aimed to end the civil war, but implementation remained fragile.