Columns/Commentary

¿Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?(Juvenal – Satires S VI 347)

by Sir Dennis Barcelona, KR (Deputy Commander, Hamburg Chapter, Germany)

I never took Latin in school. However, a few famous lines in the ancient language I do have. If I am right, the above means, “Who will guard the guardians themselves?”

Yes, exactly, who will check, guard and question the gods-that-be in Manila?

I say gods, sardonically – because they are or have acted “above the law.” I repeat, gods, because they seem to be powerful, in control and exempted from the values we, rank and file castes are supposed to practice.

Above the law? Yes, because they have wantonly violated and twisted the Constitution and By-Laws (CBL) to fit into their personal interests/agenda. They have made unkept promises; gave lip-service to proposed reforms; and, they have hood-winked a helpless Supreme Commander into “toeing the(ir) line.”

The events of the recent months have changed the playing field of the Order. We have seen how corruption and ineptitude has prevailed causing dissatisfaction and rancour everywhere. I have always mentioned, in jest - sometimes, how our hero must be turning in his grave upon learning of the rankling in the Order that bears his name. “Let’s give him a break!”

We know a lot now – at how low some of us have stooped in the name of glory and power. We all know how much each of us has done or has not done - against or for – the Order. It is not too late for anyone to do something. Indeed, something must happen yet. What? Which? How? We are all intelligent people, aren’t we? We can think, we can act. Do something worthy – as long as you feel you are a true Rizalian – challenge yourself, but do something and stop being a fence-sitter. “Shake a leg!” We must have an answer to the question, ¿Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

I admire the brother knights in the Middle East – standing up and supporting their Regional Commander (who was summarily relieved from his post, for a flimsy reason, it seems) – how I wish we could also give the same support to the European appointee (untouched so far, despite serious accusations about his person). Ah, C’est la vie!  

Commentary on Pledge of Allegiance, Non Omnis Moriar, Panalangin, etc. and the Canadian issues

by Sir Jose Sison Luzadas, KGOR

American school children are required to recite “'I pledge allegiance to the FLAG of the UNITED STATES and the Republic for which it stands, one nation UNDER GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 

Since its mandatory requirement, there was a long if not prolonged contested debates involving the Bill of Rights and religious conscience. Although much of the debates and discussions simmered down, the ember is still as volatile an issue both inside and outside the classrooms among political activists, politicians, educators, bureaucrats, libertarians and religious leaders to ordinary citizens.

It all started by a man named Francis Bellamy, a former pastor with strong socialist orientation when in 1892 he composed his “ideal” Pledge of Allegiance for every American citizen.The original reads: I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Not surprising with such  pledge full of patriotic and egalitarian idealism, Bellamy’s catchy combination of words caught the attention of American politicians who were instrumental in replacing the words, "my flag" with "the flag of the United States of America". Again in the 1950’s during McCarthy era, through the active participation of the Knights of Columbus, another revision was done when the phrase "under God" was inserted. Their rationale is to safeguard religious America from being contaminated by "godless communism."

Today, while the Americans continue their debate on the addition, deletion, insertion or re-phrasing Bellamy’s original Pledge of Allegiance, the members of the Knights of Rizal  in most of their  major functions like initiation rites continue reciting verbatim the same Pledge  omitting ONLY the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  replaced with “PHILIPPINES” or recite its equivalent translation in PILIPINO.

Among people in a free society, the Americans are subra or supra sensitive in protecting their rights and freedom. What Filipinos consider matter of minor importance can be a deadly violation of their fundamental rights!  Yet we still hear convincing arguments that vigilance is the price of freedom!

Was there any attempt by someone trying to question the selection and its pertinence? No one because we “go with the flow” or because dissent is never encouraged and seldom heard. Had there been no Francis Bellamy composing the original Pledge, there will be no such debate on this controversial patriotic issue. Had it not for Knights of Columbus for injecting the phrase “UNDER GOD”, Americans will not be at loggerheads debating the same issue.

Likewise in Canada, the Executive Council headed by Sir Emiliano 'Ka Miling' Silverio who depended heavily on his trusted advisers could not put up and implement good program of activities because they are more pre-occupied on how they can silence and discipline rebellious elements from Scarborough Chapter and the KRRM, more so having failed to expel their perceived nemesis in a more convincing fashion.

Sir Lino Reyes, KCR (of Dimasalang and San Ildefonso, Bulacan chapters) the most moderate and credible member of the Council quit his post as Education chair on what he considered “unRizalian” policies. He was referring to the Executive Council’s version of Pledge of Allegiance that has nothing to do with Rizal’s idealisms and teachings but instead hijacking allegiance and loyalty to the officers of the Executive Council! Ka Miling with all probability would like to finish his last year as Region Commander with respect and dignity and does not wish to be identified with “Personality Cult”.

While I deplore using the phrase “foreign borrowing” I cannot help but cite Dr Rizal’s NOLI dedication regarding copying or imitating “foreign ideas”, to wit: “non omnis moriar” was borrowed from Horace, an ancient Roman poet, the prayer used in KR functions sounds similar from the page of a Catholic missal and reciting “almost” verbatim the US composed pledge of allegiance to their flag.

Don’t we have a sense of originality in our version of “KASABIHAN SA BUHAY”, “PANALANGIN SA DIYOS” at “PANUNUMPA SA WATAWAT”?

(Please direct your comments to: luzadas@bellsouth.net)