by Nasser Salih Sharief

In a profound initiation ritual that symbolically aligns new members with the path walked by Dr. José Rizal to his martyrdom, the Knights of Rizal has long stood as a beacon of the national hero’s virtues. But recent revelations suggest a disconcerting departure from these ideals, necessitating urgent reform and a return to transparency and integrity.

In the solemn chambers of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, a neophyte’s senses are dulled by a blindfold, a gesture meant to instill solidarity and commitment to the lofty ideals of our revered national hero. Yet, beneath the surface of these time-honored rituals, disturbing allegations have surfaced that threaten to undermine the Order’s prestigious legacy. It appears that the symbolic blindfolds have turned literal, as ‘dark forces’ within the Order have allegedly maneuvered beneath the shroud of secrecy, their ‘sinister scheming’ threatening to undermine the organization’s very foundation. 

The Knights of Rizal, an institution enshrined in law by Republic Act #646 in 1951 as a “public corporation” and bearing the hallowed name of Dr. José Rizal, is meant to epitomize the highest of standards—those of our national hero. The expectation for the Order to operate with the precision and transparency worthy of ISO 9000 certification is not met with pride but with disquieting petitioned anomalies that evoke the darkest chapters of Rizal’s novels, that the arch-villain Padre Dámaso and other dubious characters had suddenly leapt out of its pages to devour what is left of the national hero’s legacy. 

Unsettling reports have emerged alleging that vast sums of money intended for the Order’s coffers have been siphoned from the organization, with sloppy products sold at inflated prices to unsuspecting members. A glaring example is the startling disappearances of substantial lifetime membership funds. These allegations paint a picture of financial chaos, a far cry from the rigorous accountability one would expect from an organization of such caliber. 

As of the last audit by Danilo Peralta, Supreme Auditor 2021-23, the Administration bank balance of the Order was only a measly Pesos 13, 026! With its thousands of members here and abroad and counting, the Knights of Rizal would be expected to tens of millions of pesos in its banks account from out of membership dues, sale of merchandise, rentals, and donations. Now, it appears that it is remiss on its outstanding obligations. 

The financial discrepancies noted point to a virtual absence of fundamental accounting practices—a startling revelation considering the availability of artificial intelligence systems capable of real-time financial management. Such technological prowess seems a distant dream for the Order, where not even a year-end Trial Balance and Schedules could be produced, as reputable auditors Reyes Tacandong & Co. discovered to their dismay. The lack of financial records is a gaping void where accountability should reside. 

It is with no small measure of reluctance that these issues are brought before the public gaze. Yet, the significance of these anomalies transcends the Order’s internal affairs and enters the realm of public interest and national concern. The response to initial, discreet complaints has been less than adequate, with petitioners encountering resistance and obfuscation at every turn. 

Further complicating the matter is the alleged obstruction by the Supreme Council, where fears of implicating themselves in the unfolding scandal have seemingly stifled the quest for truth and justice. The situation has reached an impasse that even the Order’s Supreme Council Minority Trustees have found difficult to navigate, as their laudable efforts to audit and assess the extent of the discrepancies continue to be undermined. 

Despite the inherent duty to resolve such issues privately within the esteemed Order, it has become a matter of national concern, compelling a reluctant yet necessary exposure to public discourse. Petitioners, recognizing the sensitivity of the Order’s standing, approached the Supreme Council with restraint, only to be met with learned resignation, if true, by luminaries like the former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who allegedly stepped down from the Council of Elders, because of health reasons and possibly unable to stem the tide of frustration and dismay. 

The Minority Trustees of 2021-23, tasked with the herculean effort of cataloging the anomalies, have been met with consistent resistance. The allegations implicate the Administrative Officer, Maureen Fernandez, formally charged with theft in court, reflecting a broader issue that Major Trustees and Officers are currently unable to address due to pending petitions against them. These circumstances have led to a crisis within the Order, as internal factions clash over the future of its governance. 

The narrative unfolds further, revealing a purportedly corrupt ‘mafia’ within the Order, manipulating its structure and populating it with sham chapters to secure their hold on power. Bogus chapters are reported padded with tricycle drivers, manicurists, and standbys to overwhelm elections but no actions being done. This unscrupulous faction has been accused of leveraging their positions to protect one another, distorting the noble intentions of the organization into something unrecognizable from its original purpose. 

As such, members drawn from the upper echelons of society, including statesmen, educators, scientists, and artists, find themselves amidst a crisis that echoes the moral decay Rizal once denounced. We, the faithful adherents of Rizal’s teachings, are called upon to not merely bear witness but to act decisively to cleanse the Order of these ‘social cancers.’ 

Our response to this crisis will determine the future of the Order. Shall we remain passive, or shall we strive to embody the courage and moral fortitude of Rizal himself? The time for decisive action and stringent oversight is now. We owe it to the legacy of our national hero and to the future generations who will seek to follow in his footsteps. 

It is imperative that we heed the call to action, as the Knights of Rizal is a touchstone of our national identity. The necessity for transparency, accountability, and unwavering adherence to Rizal’s values has never been more pressing. As members and custodians of Rizal’s legacy, it is our sacred duty to restore the Order’s integrity, ensuring it stands once more as a beacon of inspiration, honor, and Philippine pride. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”