Knights Of Rizal – Gomburza Ghent Chapter

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About the Knights Of Rizal

The history of the Knights of Rizal goes back to December 30, 1911 when Col. Antonio C. Torres organized a group of 9 men for the purpose of commemorating in a fitting manner the execution and martyrdom of our National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Thereafter, year after year, the same group of men would gather to celebrate the birth and commemorate the death of Dr. Rizal.

During Rizal Day celebrations, this group would be seen conspicuously on horseback reminiscent of the Knights of old known for their chivalry and exemplary life.

To provide a continuing entity and to encourage others to join them, these admirers of Dr. Rizal on November 16, 1916, organized a private non-stock corporation and named it the “Orden de Caballeros de Rizal.’ The incorporators of the corporation were: Antonio C. Torres, Juan Flameño, Martin P. de Veyra, Jose A. del Barrio and Jose S. Calvez.
Colonel Antonio C. Torres, who before the last war was Chief of Police of Manila, was the first Supreme Commander. The following have since then been Supreme Commanders of the Order: Martin P. de Veyra, Manuel Lim., Juan F. Nakpil, Herminio Velarde, Teodoro Evangelista, Hermigildo B. Reyes, Santiago F. dela Crusz, Jesus E. Perpiñan, Vitalino Bernardino, Jose Ma. Paredes, Claudio Teehankee, Jose S. Laurel III, Justo P. Torres, Jr., Simeon C. Medalla, Condrado M. Vasquez, Sr., Filemon H. Mendoza, Angel Rizal Alvarez, Elias B. Lopez, Lamberto C. Nanquil, Demetrio L. Hilbero, Rogelio M. Quiambao, Vicente P. Palmon, Carmelo T. Gempesaw, Jesus B. David, Jose D. Lina, Jr., Hilario G. Davide, Jr., Sir Virgilio R. Esguerra, Sir Pablo S. Trillana III, Sir Reghis M. Romero II, Sir Reynato S. Puno Sr., and incumbent Sir Elihu A. Ybañez, KGCR.

In 1951, the Supreme Council of the Order created a Committee on Legislation for the purpose of studying the feasibility of filing a bill in the Congress of the Philippines to be enacted into law to enable the Order to secure a legislative charter. Justice Roman Ozeata was the Chairman of the Committee with Sirs Carlos Hilado and Pedro Sabido as members. The bill seeking to give the Order of the Knights of Rizal a legislative charter was docketed as Senate Bill No. 251, with then Senators Enrique Magalona, Lorenzo Sumulong, Esteban Abada, Emiliano Tria Tirona, Camilo Osias, Geronima Pecson, Jose Avelino and Ramon Torres as sponsors. In the lower house, Congressman Manuel Zosa of Cebu was the principal sponsor of the measure. The explanatory note of the Bill read as follows:

“The purpose of the attached bill is to accord to the civic and patrioti organization known as “Orden de Caballeros de Rizal” (Order of the Knights of Rizal) the same kind of official recognition and encouragement as that accorded to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines by Commonwealth Act No. 111, by granting to its legislative Charter and investing it with the necessary powers to enable it more fully and more effectively to accomplish the laudable purposes for which it was organized.”

“The bill enacted into law will also serve as a historical monument to Rizal; it will constitute an official recognition by the Republic of the Philippines of the inestimable value to the nation of his teachings and examples and of the wisdom and necessity of inculcating them in the minds and hearts of our people so they may strive to follow and practice them. The authors and proponents of this bill believe that if the purpose thereof are faithfully and effectively carried out, social discipline, civic virtues, and love of justice will be fostered, promoted, and enhanced in this country, and that the Knights of Rizal as chartered entity is the most convenient instrumentally by which this desirable ends can be attained: Let Rizal’s life and martyrdom influence and guide the destiny of the nation. Let this and future generations live the Rizal way.”

Recommended for approval on May 15, 1951, the measured was signed into law by the President of the Philippines on June 14, 1951, becoming Republic Act 646.

KR CHARTER EXEMPT FROM RESTRICTIVE PROVISIONS OF CORPORATE LAW

It is patent from the wordings of Act 646 that the purpose in lifting the Knights of Rizal from its staus of a purely private corporation to a “public corporation,” is to broaden its powers and to exempt it from the restrictive provisions of the corporation law (now corporation code) to enable it to effectively carry out the objectives for which it was established. While it is true that the power granted to it “to make and adopt by-laws, rule and regulations” is qualified in the sense that such adopted by-laws rules and regulations should not be inconsistent with the laws of the Philippines, the qualification should be construed as empowering the corporation to adopt by-laws which are not illicit or contrary to morals, good customs, public order or public policy (SEC. Opinion, January 13, 1969).

KNIGHTS OF RIZAL HAS CORPORATE POWERS

As a legal entity the Knights of Rizal can exercise corporate powers. Thus, it shall have perpetual succession, with power to sue and to be sued, to hold such real and personal property as shall be necessary for corporate purposes; to solicit and receive public contributions; to receive real and personal property by gift, device, or bequest; to adopt a seal ant to alter the same at pleasure; to have offices and conduct its business and affairs in the City of Manila and elsewhere; to make and adopt by-laws, rules, and regulations not inconsistent with the laws of the Philippines, and generally to do all such acts and things (including the establishment of regulations for election of associates and successors) as may be necessary to carry7 into
effect the provisions of Republic No. 646 and to promote the purposes of said corporation. (Sec. 3, R.A.646).

THE KNIGHTS OF RIZAL: AN ORGANIZATION

The Order of the Knights of Rizal is a cultural, non-sectarian, non-partisan, non racial, civic and patriotic organization chartered under Republic Act 646, as an instrumentality by which the teachings of our foremost national hero Dr. Rizal may be propagated among the Filipino people, and others who may believe in his teachings to the end that they emulate and follow his examples.

The Knights of Rizal was organized in 1909. Colonel Antonio C. Torres, who before the last war was Chief of Police of Manila, was the first Supreme Commander. The following have since then been Supreme Commanders of the Order: Martin P. de Veyra, Manuel Lim, Juan F. Nakpil, Herminio Velarde, Teodoro Evangelista, Hermenegildo B. Reyes, Santiago F. de la Cruz, Jesus Perpiñan, Viatalino Bernardino, Jose Ma. Paredez, Claudio Teehankee, Jose S. Laurel III, Justo P. torres, Jr., Simeon C. Medalla, Conrado M. Vasquez, Sr., Filemon H. Mendoza, Angel Rizal Alvarez, Elias B. Lopez, Lamberto C. Nanquil, Demetrio L. Hilbero, Rogeio M. Quiambao, Vicente P. Palmon, Carmelo T. Gempesaw, Jesus B. David, Jose D. Lina, Jr.,
Hilario G. Davide, Jr., Sir Virgilio R. Esguerra, Sir Pablo S. Trillana III , Sir Reghis M. Romero II, Sir Reynato S. Puno Sr., and the incumbent Sir Elihu A. Ybañez, KGCR

National leaders and statesmen who became members were President Manuel L. Quezon, Emilio Aguinal, Jose P. Laurel, Carlos P. Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal, Ferdinand E. Marcos,. Fidel V. Ramos, and Joseph Ejercito Estrada. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was recipient of the Teodora Alonzo Award, highest award given to women.

Vice President Ferdinado Lopez, Salvador H. LAUREL; Chif Justice Roberto Concepcion, Claudio Teehanke, Marcelo B. Fernan, Andres R. Narvasa, and Hilario Davide, Jr., Justices Calixto O. Zaldivar, Condrado V. Sanchez, Roman Ozaeta, JBL Reyes, Quintin Paredes, Jose Ma. Paredes, Condrado M.
Vasquez, Justo P. Torres, Jr., Reynato S. Puno, Senators Claro M. Recto, Jose W. Diokno, Gil J. Puyat, Jose J. Roy, Camilo Osias, Lorenzo M. Tañada, Lorenzo Sumulong, Benigno Aquino, Jr., Edgardo J. Angara, Ernesto M. Maceda, Juan Ponce Enrile, Blas Ople, Heherson T. Alvarez,; high government officials and prominent personalities like Salvador Araneta, Jose D. Ingles, Jorge Bocobo, Narciso Ramos, Carlos P. Romulo, Jorge B. Vargas, Jose Y. Yulo, Leoncio Lopez-Rizal, Sixto Y. Orosa, Jose V. de Venecia, Ruben D. Torres, Alfredo S. Lim, Hernado Perez, Renato S. de Villa, Jose D. Lina, Jr., Alfonso T. Yuchengco, Cesar E.A. Virata, Rufino Cardinal J. Santos, Jaime Cardinal L. Sin and Don Emilio T. Yap; educators Leoncio B.
Monzon, Condrado Benitez, Francisco T. Dalupan, and Teodoro Evangelista, among others.

International personalities who became members of Order were King Juan Carlos I of Spain, US Secretary of State, Henry Albert Kissinger, Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, Senator Paul Harty of Belgium, Sir Austin Coates of Vienna, Austria, Senator John Ensign of Las Vegas, USA and Dr. Daisaku Ikeda of Japan, among others. Likewise, most of the members of the diplomatic corps in the Philippines particularly those
from Latin America joined the Order, meanwhile on assignment in this country, and continued the propagation of the ideals and teachings of Rizal in their own countries.

The Order has presently in its roll around 25,000.00 members listed in 131 active chapters in the Philippines and 61 active chapters in the USA, Europe, Canada, Austria, Japan, Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The Kababaihang Rizalta, Inc., an international organization of women, the Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal (KAPARIZ) a youth organization, the Kapisanan Ng Mga Gurong Nagmamahal Kay Rizal (KAGUNARI) and the Philippine Association of Teachers in History and Rizal, Inc. (PATHRI), organization of educators/teachers on Rizal; and the Maria Clara ni Rizal (Maclariz) and the Maria Clara Senior Citizen Club – all dedicated to the same aims and purposes as of the Knights of Rizal are recognized as counterparts organization of the Order and collaborate and coordinate their activities in pursuance of their common objectives.

Knights of Rizal Mission and Vision

Mission

To inculcate the propagate the teachings of our national hero not only to the Filipinos, but to foreign nationals as well, and to promote the spirit of Rizalian virtues, patriotism and internationalism and engage in educational, civic, socal and cultural endeavors.

Vision

An organization dedicated to the propagation of RIZALIAN thoughts, ideas and works to the end that peoples regardless of race, creed and religion may emulate Rizal’s examples for the benefit of humankind.

Philippine Republic Act 646

AN ACT TO CONVERT THE “ORDEN DE CABALLEROS DE RIZAL” INTO A PUBLIC CORPORATION TO BE KNOWN IN ENGLISH AS “KNIGHTS OF RIZAL” AND IN SPANISH AS “ORDEN DE CABALLEROS DE RIZAL”, AND TO DEFINE ITS PURPOSES AND POWERS.

WHEREAS,a civic organization known as “Orden de Caballeros de Rizal” (Knights of Rizal) was incorporated under the Corporation Law of the Philippines in the year 1916 by patriotic citizens for the following purposes.

“(a) To develop the most perfect union among the Filipinos in revering the memory of Dr. Jose Rizal;”
“(b) To promote among the associated knights the spirit of patriotism and Rizalian chivalry;”
“(c) To study and spread the teaching of Dr. Jose Rizal and keep ever alive his consecrated memory and to make effective his exemplary and exalted principles:’ and
“(d) To organize the annual festivities in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal.”

WHERES, there is greater need than ever for the Filipino people to propagate and to practice the teachings of Rizal;
WHEREAS, the Knights of Rizal, if officially recognized and vested with appropriate powers, would be a convenient instrumentality by which the teachings of our national hero may be propagated among our people to the end that they emulate and follow his examples; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to grant legislative Charter to the said Knights of Rizal in order to accord official recognition to it and to enlarge its powers so that it may more fully and more effectively accomplish the laudable purposes for which it was organized; Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in congress assembled;

SECTION 1. The present civic organization known as “Orden de Caballeros de Rizal” is hereby converted into a body corporate and politic with powers hereinafter specified, under the name and style of KNIGHTS OF RIZAL and in Spanish as “Orden de Caballeros de Rizal” (hereinafter called corporation). The principal office of the corporation shall be in theCity of Manila,Philippines.

SECTION 2. The purposes of this corporation shall be to study the teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal, to inculcate and propagate them in and among all classes of the Filipino people, and by words and deeds to exhort our citizenry to emulate and practice the examples and teachings of our national hero; to promote the associated knights the spirit of patriotism and Rizalian chivalry; to develop a perfect union among the Filipinos in revering the memory of Dr. Jose Rizal and to organize and hold programs commemorative of Rizal’s nativity and martyrdom.

SECTION 3. The said corporation shall have perpetual succession, with power to sue and to be sued, to hold such real and personal property as shall be necessary for corporate purposes, to solicit and receive public contributions, to receive real and personal property by gift, device or bequest, to adopt a seal and to alter the same at pleasure; to have offices and conduct its business and affairs in the City of Manila and elsewhere; to make and adopt by-laws, rule and regulations not inconsistent with the laws of the Philippines, and generally to do all such acts and things (including the establishments of regulations for the election of associates and successors) as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this Act and to promote the purposes of the said corporation. The existing By-Laws of the “Orden de Caballeros de Rizal” insofar as they are not inconsistent with this Act shall remain in force as the By-Laws of the corporation until repealed or amended.

SECTION 4. All persons of legal age and of good moral character and reputation, who are in sympathy with the purposes of the corporation, are eligible for active membership, upon unanimous approval of the Supreme Council in banc of the written application therefore duly endorsed by at least two active members of the corporation.

SECTION 5. The general administration and direction of the affairs of the corporation shall be in the hands of a Supreme Council (Board of Directors) of nine members, which is hereby vested with full powers and authority to act and perform all such functions as the corporation itself may do and perform.

SECTION 6. A group of five or more persons of legal age and are residing in any locality outside of Manila and who are of good moral character and reputation, may associate themselves and form a chapter of the corporation upon approval of a written petition to the Supreme Council. It shall be the duty of each chapter to promote and carry out the purposes of the corporation in the locality where the chapter is organized.

SECTION 7. Any donation or contribution which from time to time may be made to the corporation by the Government or any of its subdivisions, branches, offices, agencies, or instrumentalities, or by any other person or entity shall be expended by the Supreme Council solely to promote the purposes for which the corporation is organized.

SECTION 8. From and after the passage of this Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to falsely and fraudulently call himself as, or represent himself to be, a member of, or an, agent for, the Knights of Rizal; and any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment of not exceed six months or a fine not exceeding five hundred pesos or both, in the discretion of the court.

SECTION 9. This act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 14, 1951.

Code of Ethics

A RIZALIAN:

  • Loves his country and people
  • Venerates the memory of the nation’s heroes by making their ideals his own and his children’s
  • Strives to do justice to all his fellowmen
  • Maintains a tolerant and undertaking attitude towards his fellowmen
  • Values honour as he values his life
  • Upholds freedom at all cost
  • Promotes social justice and general welfare of his countrymen and is
  • Is truthful and honest in thoughts and in deeds