Columns/Opinions

¿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)

Sheer Stupidity

By Sir Freddie P. Base

Deputy Commander, Order of the Knights of Rizal

Central Region Chapter

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 

Rizalism:  Key to Global Peace, Solidarity and Prosperity, the theme in this year's General Assembly of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (Republic Act 464) according to  "Mr Zed" junzerrudo@hotmail.com  'is indeed most appropriate considering what has gone [wrong] lately with our organization [the Middle East and Africa Region] '.  What an appropriate remark from a worthy brother knight!  But why did this kind of remark?  Where is Rizalism in the Middle East and Africa Region today?

For the un-initiated, the Order of the Knights of Rizal, Middle East and Africa Region has its first Regional Commander in the person of Sir Dr. Lito Astillero, KGOR.  He is subsequently succeeded by Sir Alberto Layag, KGOR elected by his peers to serve a full one-year term in 2005 when the Order in Manila was imbued with political dis-unity among several groups interested to hold on to power.  After the re-organization of the Order in Manila, Sir Alberto Layag, KGOR has been re-appointed as the Regional Commander for the next two years (2006 and 2007) by Sir Hilario Davide, Jr., KGCR, Supreme Commander.

The first of his 2-year term being the Regional Commander, Sir Alberto Layag, KGOR or simply Sir Bert to his peers in the Order, has his hands full governing his regional command with three (3) active chapters namely:  the Order in Bahrain Chapter, headed by Sir Alex Ginete, KCR; the Eastern Province Chapter (EPC) headed by Sir Zane Thirlwall, KCR and the Central Region Chapter (CRC) headed by Sir Mar Vera Cruz, KCR.  The Order in the Western Region Chapter which has yet to re-organize its officers and members are deemed inactive in 2006.

For the years 2005 and 2006, we have seen the growth of the OKOR Middle East and Africa Region when it held the 3^rd and 4^th MEAR Skills and Talent Competition -among Filipino International Schools in the Middle East - in Bahrain under the able leadership of Sir Bert.  Having invited the cream of the crop of the Filipino International Schools in the middle east to compete in categories like Young Jose Rizal, Young Maria Clara, On-the-Spot Painting and Battle of the Brain Contests, the Order of the Knights of Rizal, Middle East and Africa Region Council considers this competition as its grand finale among the many activities organized by its different chapters in the middle east.  Within these prestige activities, Sir Bert Layag has been in the forefront directing every chapter and every member of the Order in particular.  No stone is left un-turned , Sir Bert Layag will utilize his family members if and when needed.

But like the mother Order in Manila, the Middle East and Africa Region Council is not bereft of social and political immaturity by individuals imbued with self-interest.  Madly wanting to get titles of the Knights of the Grand Officer of Rizal (KGOR), these individuals who call themselves emulative of the doctrines and teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal will move mountains to be recognized as such no matter what happens to the Order, sowing dis-unity amongst brethren and making personal issues as agenda instead.  Witnesses to these chicaneries were no other than Sirs Joey Lina-Supreme Commander 2005 and Jesus David-Supreme Commander 2004, who both came to Al Khobar on the invitation of Sir Bert.

When order was restored, Sir Bert stands tall among the brethren of the Order, getting the nod of both past Supreme Commanders Lina and David affirming their full support to the command responsibility inherent to the title of the Regional Commander.  Thus, the visits by Sirs Lina and David proved to be the turning point of solidarity and unity among the knights of the Middle East and Africa Regions.  Thus, Sir Bert re-appointment by Supreme Commander Hilario Davide for the years 2006 and 2007 has been considered by many as befitting the past achievements of Sir Bert Layag.

Now from the europhoria of the success of the 4^th Middle East and Africa Schools Skills and Talent Competition and after a full year having served the Order comes the sad news:  Sir Bert Layag's appointment as the Regional Commander has been ordered revoked by the Supreme Commander on the ground of non-confirmation of the appointment by Sir Bert himself.  Granting the reason to be true, a simple reminder would not have redounded to immediate revocation. A flimsy reason indeed as claimed by knights in the Eastern Province. 

Without rational explanation, knights in the Eastern Province are provoked and politicized and the ill-feeling may spread to the Central Region and Bahrain chapters.  It is not unusual to conclude that the decision is considered by many as ill-advised, void of wisdom and the motive is of sheer stupidity.  The revocation order has something to do with personal ambition within the middle-east area; a complete turn around of support in the midst of prosperity.

Which brings us to think of similarities about the Order in Europe and Canada but this is another story.  FB