IT has been seven months since reports of financial irregularities within the Knights of Rizal surfaced in communities around the world, affecting members of this esteemed organization that seeks to promote the ideals of José P. Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines.
IT has been seven months since reports of financial irregularities within the Knights of Rizal surfaced in communities around the world, affecting members of this esteemed organization that seeks to promote the ideals of José P.
Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Despite the gravity of the situation, the current officers of the Knights of Rizal have failed to respond to the serious allegations raised by concerned members across Australia, the United States, and local chapters worldwide. Even the Council of Elders, tasked with safeguarding the integrity of the Order, has been compelled to speak out, defending the members who have questioned the disbursement of funds, particularly the troubling discovery that membership fees were deposited into personal bank accounts of officers. These issues, including allegations of “financial engineering” and misuse of the Order’s resources, remain unresolved, creating a pervasive sense of disillusionment among the membership. José Rizal once said, “The youth is the hope of our future.” His words echo a profound belief in integrity, selflessness, and the responsibility to future generations. The present situation within the Knights of Rizal, however, stands in stark contrast to these principles. What was once an organization meant to champion Rizal’s vision has now become embroiled in what some are calling a “cancerous growth.” The discovery of financial irregularities that are being swept under the rug threatens to erode the very foundation of the Order. The motto “Non omnis moriar”—which neophytes solemnly recite, pledging that Rizal’s ideals will live on through their actions — risks losing its meaning. Audit findings, which expose unpaid real estate taxes, unaccounted foreign contributions, and the depletion of trust funds, defy basic principles of financial stewardship. In a particularly egregious move, certain chapters in Angono, Rizal, have been created with the apparent intention of padding the voter base and securing the election of trustees whose legitimacy is now in question. This manipulation of the system to undermine transparency and accountability is a betrayal of the very ideals that Rizal espoused. A member of the Knights of Rizal, Nasser S. Sharief, a Certified Public Accountant , has been vocal in highlighting the disturbing allegations that threaten to tarnish the Order’s legacy. Sharief, Secretary-General of the Southeast Asian Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, pointed to the formation of numerous Angono chapters—predominantly consisting of tricycle drivers and unqualified individuals—as a means to secure votes and thwart the election of reform-minded trustees. According to Sharief, these chapters were designed to divert attention away from the financial irregularities and silence those who sought to expose them. As Rizal warned in his Noli Me Tangere, “The true Filipino is not the one who excels in wealth and power, but the one who knows how to serve his fellow men and his country.” The creation of these chapters, which defied due process and proper investigation, reflects an alarming disregard for the values of honor and patriotism that Rizal stood for. The interests of a few, it seems, have triumphed over the greater good of the organization and its mission. Rizal’s vision, as enshrined in Republic Act 646, was clear: the Knights of Rizal was to promote the study and propagation of his teachings, foster patriotism, and cultivate a union among Filipinos that transcended class and division. It is now the responsibility of the current members and leaders of the Knights of Rizal to restore the Order’s integrity. In doing so, they will honor Rizal’s legacy and ensure that the organization remains a beacon of inspiration and national pride, as it was always intended to be. The unfolding financial scandals within the Knights of Rizal call into question not only the leadership and management of the organization but also its adherence to the teachings of José Rizal. In this critical moment, it is crucial for members to remember Rizal’s unwavering commitment to justice, transparency, and moral fortitude. If they are to truly honor his legacy, they must take decisive action to address these issues, ensuring that the Knights of Rizal remains a noble Order worthy of its founder’s ideals. In the words of Rizal, “The youth, like the mother country, will not be the same if we allow the oppressors to continue their reign” . Now is the time for the Knights of Rizal to rise to the occasion and restore the honor and integrity of the organization.
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