DIGGING THE PAST IF THERE IS SOMETHING TO LEARN

WHEN CONFRONTED WITH A QUESTION

WHY THERE WERE NO KNIGHTS OF RIZAL OR KABABAIHANG RIZALISTA TO OFFER MORAL SUPPORT IN CONGRESS WHEN DON CLARO M. RECTO AND SENATOR JOSE P. LAUREL WAGED A PASSIONATE FIGHT TO MOUNT AND DEMOLISH THE STRONG CATHOLIC OPPOSITION IN THE PASSAGE OF THE RIZAL BILL?

is like asking

WHERE WERE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WERE IN PUGAD LAWIN SHOUTING “MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS!”, “MABUHAY SI DR. RIZAL”!

YES, WHERE WERE THEY, THOSE BRAVE KATIPUNEROS ON DECEMBER 30, 1896 TO RESCUE RIZAL?

I956 was a showdown between those who espoused NATIONALISM 

led by  Don Claro M. Recto and Sen, Jose P. Laurel in one corner and 

those who fervently opposed it in the name of RELIGIOUS FREEDOM 

personified by Senators Francisco “soc” Rodrigo, Mariano Jesus 

Cuenco and Decoroso Rosales. By the way, “Soc” is not short for 

Socrates but “SOLDIER OF CHRIST”. Each camp mobilized all-out 

resources to outwit each other as they engaged in all-out public 

relations propaganda.  

According to an article written by George Fabros of the University of the 

Philippines, there was a strong contingent from "The Knights of 

Columbus","The Catholic Action of the of the Philippines",

 "Congregation of Missions of the Philippines,"The Catholic 

Teachers Guild" and other Catholic groups, who trooped to 

Congress lobbying  to defeat the bill. 

In the same article, Fabros listed the organizations who threw 

active and solid support behind Recto and Laurel that include "The 

Spirit of 1896",  ‘Alagad Ni Rizal’, ‘Freemasons’ and 'Booklovers Society’. '

WOW! SOMETHING IS WRONG! Could it a mistake? So where were the 

1956 KNIGHTS OF RIZAL? Where were KABABAIHANG RIZALISTAS? 

Try figuring out! To invoke and say that because we are non-religious 

and non- partisan organization still makes no sense and still so 

shallow for an excuse! 

YES, after long sessions and "show downs" finally, the Rizal Bill was 

approved on June 12, 1956 and became Republic Act 1425 known as 

the Rizal Law.  

Jose Sison Luzadas, KGOR

Scarborough Chapter

CANADA