THE NEED FOR REFORMS IN THE OKR

  Premise for the Conference on Reforms in the Order of the Knights of Rizal

Saturday, March 25, 2006 and April 22, 2006

East York Civic Centre

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Sponsored by: Knights of Rizal Reform Movement (KRRM)        

A.  Understanding the true meaning and significance of reforms (WHAT)

The American Heritage Dictionary defines reforms as “a change for the better; to put an end to a wrong” ; “action to improve social or economic conditions without radical or revolutionary change”.

The KRRM, sponsor of this meeting, does not advocate revolution or unnecessary upheaval within the Order of the Knights of Rizal. Just like our hero Dr. Jose Rizal, who, together with other propagandists of his time sought positive and progressive changes in the political and social conditions in the Philippines, the KRRM is seeking similar improvements within the fraternal organization that bears his name. Having been around for almost 95 years, other than the pride and the honor that each Knight possesses as a member of an illustrious organization, little can be said about the impact the OKR has had upon the individual lives of its members and in a larger sense, upon the communities they serve. Where or on whom it has had considerable influence, the changes are obviously not significant enough to notice. For example, in the Philippines where Rizal is taught and where some fanatics venerate him, where the Order has consistently promoted Rizal through various programs, seminars and leadership training, the people continue to suffer from the effects of retrogressive colonial mentality and they continue to languish in political and economic despair.

If there is one organization tasked by no less than a Congressional Act (R.A. 646) to propagate the teachings and ideals of Rizal, and hence, inspire a people and generate a nation that should be the envy of the world, it is the OKR. The expectations should be that after almost 95 years of teaching and advocating Rizalism, the country is that much better off because its citizenry is that much more responsible, that much more caring and that much more prosperous.

Sadly, such is not the case. The OKR has not done well enough.  We believe it has not performed satisfactorily and it has not delivered. It has not kept up with the change of time. We believe it has reduced itself to a mere social club – a body used by certain individuals as tool for pandering prestige and influence. But we also believe that if it makes proper adjustments where needed, the OKR can yet play a vital role in helping the process of solving the country’s ills. The Order of the Knights of Rizal is no ordinary civic organization. It is an institution with a huge responsibility.

B.     Compelling reasons for a reform initiative in the OKR (WHY)

In nine months time – to be precise, on December 30, 2006 - as has been mentioned earlier, our brotherhood will be 95 years old. The fact that the OKR is nearing its centennial year of existence is reason enough to take stock of where it has been and where it is heading. The perennial question that is often asked is: “Is Rizal or Rizalism relevant today?”  or, for that matter, is the Order of the Knights of Rizal relevant at all? When was it ever?

A close scrutiny of the Bylaws that were promulgated in 1951 and which were amended in 1983 will reveal that many errors and inconsistencies between paper and practice have been tolerated or ignored. So much so that the controversial Board of Directors that was elected in 2005 by a limited number of the members determined that the time to amend is again due.  That of course, they tried to do. Today we have an amended Bylaws that was questionably passed at best and is terribly lacking and unfair at worst.

Ironically, the events that led to the creation of the Lina Council itself exposed a far more serious problem: the existence of a deeply imbedded malady that dramatically sent the Order into a tailspin. That malady or sickness is none other than the age-old narcissistic craving for power. At the very core is a uniquely Filipino desire for attention and importance that defy reason, objectivity or fairness. Those involved in the power struggle that ensued between 2002 and 2005 epitomized what is true and has been true in Philippine politics since the birth of the Republic.  In other words, the OKR reflected the ills of the country. Actions and reactions taken by the Manila powers-that-be after the so-called Peace and Unity Summit of 2005 further demonstrated not just how rotten the system is, but how colonial the mentality is of those in positions of responsibility. For instance, at the height of the leadership controversy, an attempt on the part of many of our Philippine-based brother Knights to exercise an inherent right to express dissent was dealt with insults, threats and harassment.  At a later time, honest-to-goodness efforts on the part of some overseas Knights to submit proposals to amendments in the Bylaws were completely ignored despite an open solicitation for the same. There are other fantastic episodes of anomalies and irregularities both in the Philippines and foreign regions that just seem to endlessly replicate themselves.  

But perhaps the best way to understand the present state the Order is by reciting quickly the chronology of recent events. For, along with the need for a “checkup” on occasion of its 95^th anniversary, the events provide compelling reasons to instigate reforms now.

C.    Reforms are everybody's business (WHO)

Who should be involved in the business of reforms? Better yet, whose responsibility is it to work for reforms in the OKR? The obvious answer of course is everybody’s. Each Knight and Lady and each and every member of the affiliated organizations is dutybound to contribute to setting our house in order and to making sure it remains relevant and purposeful. To simply watch and pray and hope for the best is worse than turning one’s back on the noble pursuits he or she has pledged to support and undertake. The potential of a truly successful and productive Order of the Knights of Rizal in changing lives of people and hence, changing nations and societies the world over cannot be underestimated. Rizal was for real. Let us be for real. Each one of us here today has more than a passing interest. We have a stake.

D.    Aspects or areas where reforms are needed (WHERE)

There are three main areas where reforms are needed:  

a.      Statutory

There are indeed many provisions in the governing rules of the OKR that demand change. On top of the list are provisions about fees, voting process, and the need to elect regional council members. Such provisions should be democratic, fair and just, and should take into consideration the internationality of its membership. It should also give due cognizance to the different cultures and traditions represented in the organization.

b.      Societal

What we would like to categorize as a social reform is really a change in the thinking habit of a people. Based on the premise that one’s conduct or behaviour is dictated by his or her attitude, a change in that person’s understanding and interpretation  of circumstances will determine a changed attitude and therefore dictate a changed behaviour. When for instance during the amendment process of 2005 the Lina council proposed the inclusion of the word “God” in the by-laws, some European members protested strongly against it. While on the one hand the Filipinos in the Philippines were adamant in the inclusion of the word “God”, those overseas were equally passionate about their stand. Contrary to what appears on the surface, the conflict was not about believing or not believing in God. Rather, it was a difference of perspectives: that is, the Filipino looks at the issue from the standpoint of personal religious conviction while the European looks at the same from the standpoint of non-personal academic interpretation of what the Order is supposed to be. Whether or not the Knights believe in God the corporate identity of the Order is non-sectarian or put another way, non-religious. In short, the Europeans wanted to be politically correct. Evidently, the Filipinos in the Philippines do not see things the way people in other countries do.

In order therefore to be relevant and in sync with the global community, it is imperative that our brothers in the Philippines learn to be more objective, to be less personal and to be more realistic.

c.      Administrative  

There is also a serious need to come up with a set of generally accepted guidelines in the administration of the business affairs of the Order. Clearly defined policies should guarantee transparency in financial transactions at all levels and underwriting of projects and programs must follow a standard. Not only will a policy manual streamline the operations of the corporation, it will also boost public confidence in the Order particularly as it relates to stewardship.

E.  Ways and Means of instituting reforms (HOW)

Reforms are never easily achieved. Even the reform endeavour of Rizal and company never saw fruition. Nevertheless it should be attempted and pursued vigorously. There are various avenues through which changes can be promoted and implemented:

1.  Individual lobby - members individually writing directly to decision makers

2. Collective effort - a body such as the KRRM serving as a representative entity on behalf of the members  

3. Executive participation – “reformists” being elected to the governing councils

4.  Combination of all of the above  

F.    How soon can we see the desired reforms being implemented (WHEN)

That depends on a number of things. First of all, it depends on whether the effort is concerted or not. Secondly, it depends on what and how events unfold in Manila in the next several months. Thirdly, it depends on how determined the reformists are. In any case, as far as the KRRM is concerned, we would like to envision a truly reformed OKR by the time it reaches its centennial year five years from now (year 2011). We see the opportunity before us today as a New Dawning and the success of reforms as a New Beginning.