Our History

The history of the Knights of Rizal goes back to December 30, 1911, when Col. Antonio C. Torres organized a group of young men from different walks of life to commemorate, in a suitable manner, the execution and martyrdom of the foremost Malayan and national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Since then, a group of men would gather every 30th of December to honor Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Known as Rizal Day Celebrations, this group would be conspicuously seen on horseback reminiscing about the knights of old known for their chivalry.

To provide a continuing entity and to encourage others to join them, these admirers of Dr. Rizal organized and registered under Philippine law the "Orden de Caballeros de Rizal" on November 16, 1916. A private non-stock corporation, the incorporators were Martin de Veyra, Antonio C. Torres, Juan Flamefio, Jose del Barrio, and Jose S. Galvez.

In 1951, the Supreme Council of the Order created a Committee on Legislation tasked to file a bill in the Philippine Congress that would enable the Order to secure a legislative charter. Justice Roman Ozaeta was the Chairman of the Committee with Sir Carlos Hilado and Sir Pedro Sabido as members. Soon enough, a bill seeking to give the Knights of Rizal a legislative charter was docketed as Senate Bill No. 251 sponsored by Senators Enrique Magalona, Lorenzo Sumulong, Esteban Abada, Emiliano Tria Tirona, Camilo Osias, Geronima Pecson, Jose Avelino and Ramon Torres. The measure’s principal sponsor in the Lower House was Congressman Manuel Zosa of Cebu. The explanatory note of the Bill read as follows:

“The purpose of the attached bill is to accord to the civic and patriotic organization known as "Orden de Caballeros de Rizal" (Order of the Knights of Rizal) the same kind of official recognition and encouragement as that accorded to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines by Commonwealth Act No. 111, by granting to it a legislative Charter and investing it with the necessary powers to enable it more fully and more effectively to accomplish the laudable purposes for which it was organized.

The bill if enacted into law will also serve as a historical monument to Rizal. It will constitute an official recognition by the Republic of the Philippines of the inestimable value to the nation of his teachings and examples and of the wisdom and necessity of inculcating them in the minds and hearts of our people so they may strive to follow and practice them.

The authors and proponents of this bill believe that if the purposes thereof are faithfully and effectively carried out, social discipline, civic virtues, and love of justice will be fostered, promoted, and enhanced in this country, and that the Knights of Rizal as chartered entity is the most convenient instrumentality by which this desirable ends can be attained. Let Rizal's life and martyrdom influence and guide the destiny of the nation. Let this and future generations live the Rizal Way.”

President Elpidio Quirino signed the bill into law on June 14, 19 51, as Republic Act 646.

CHARTER OF THE KNIGHTS OF RIZAL

SECOND CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

S. NO. 251 SECOND SESSION

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 646

AN ACT TO CONVERT THE "ORD EN DE CABALLEROS DE RIZAL'' INTO A PUBLIC CORPORATION TO BE KNOWN IN ENGLISH AS "KNIGHTS OF RIZAL'' AND IN SPANISH AS "ORDEN DE CABALLEROS DE RIZAL'' AND TO DEFINE ITS PURPOSES AND POWERS.

WHEREAS a civic organization known as "Orden de Caballeros de Rizal" (Knights of Rizal) was incorporated under the Corporation Law of the Philippines in the year 1916 by patriotic citizens for the following purposes:

1. To develop the most perfect union among the Filipinos in revering the memory of Dr. Jose Rizal;
2. To promote among the associated knights the spirit of patriotism and Rizalian chivalry;
3. To study and spread the teaching of Dr. Jose Rizal and keep ever alive his consecrated memory and to make effective his exemplary and exalted principles; and
4. To organize the annual festivities in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal.

WHEREAS there is a greater need than ever for the Filipino people to propagate and to practice the teachings of Rizal.

WHEREAS, the Knights of Rizal, if officially recognized and vested with appropriate powers, would be a convenient instrumentality by which the teachings of our national hero may be propagated among our people to the end that they emulate and follow his examples; and

WHEREAS it is necessary to grant legislative Charter to the said Knights of Rizal in order to accord official recognition to it and to enlarge its powers so that it may more fully and more effectively accomplish the laudable purposes for which it was organized; Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. The present civic organization known as "Orden de Caballeros de Rizal" is hereby converted into a body corporate and politic with powers hereinafter specified, under the name and style of KNIGHTS OF RIZAL and in Spanish as "Orden de Caballeros de Rizal" (hereinafter called the corporation). The principal office of the corporation shall be in the City of Manila, Philippines.

Section 2. The purposes of this corporation shall be to study the teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal, to inculcate and propagate them in and among all classes of Filipino people, and by words and deeds to exhort our citizenry to emulate and practice the examples and teachings of our national hero; to promote among the associated knights the spirit of patriotism and Rizalian chivalry; to develop a perfect union among the Filipinos in revering the memory of Dr. Jose Rizal; and to organize and hold programs commemorative of Rizal's nativity and martyrdom.

Section 3. The said corporation shall have perpetual succession, with power to sue and be sued, to hold such real and personal property as shall be necessary for corporate purposes; to solicit and receive public contributions; to receive real and personal property by gift, devise, or bequest; to adopt a seal and to alter the same at pleasure; to have offices and conduct its business and affairs in the City of Manila and elsewhere; to make and adopt by-laws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with the laws of the Philippines, and generally to do all such acts and things (including the establishment of regulations for the election of associates and successors) as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this Act and to promote the purposes of the said corporation. The existing By-Laws of the "Orden de Caballeros de Rizal" insofar as they are not inconsistent with this Act shall remain in force as the By-Laws of the corporation until repealed or amended.

Section 4. All persons of legal age and of good moral character and reputation, who are in sympathy with the purposes of the corporation, are eligible for active membership, upon unanimous approval of the Supreme Council en banc of a written application therefore duly endorsed by at least two active members of the corporation.

Section 5. The general administration and direction of the affairs of the corporation shall be in the hands of a Supreme Council (Board of Directors) of nine members, which is hereby vested with full powers and authority to act and perform all such functions as the corporation itself may do and perform.

Section 6. A group of five or more persons, of legal age residing in any locality outside Manila and who are of good moral character and reputation, may associate themselves and form a chapter of the corporation upon approval of a written petition to the Supreme Council. It shall be the duty of each chapter to promote and carry out the purposes of the corporation in the locality where the chapter is organized.

Section 7. Any donation or contribution which from time to time may be made to the corporation by the Government or any of its subdivisions, branches, offices, agencies, or instrumentalities, or by any other person or entity shall be expended by the Supreme Council solely to promote the purposes for which the corporation is organized.

Section 8. From and after the passage of this Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to falsely and fraudulently call himself as, or represent himself to be, a member of, or an agent for, the Knights of Rizal; and any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment of not to exceed six months or a fine not exceeding five hundred pesos, or both, in the discretion of the court.

Section 9. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 14, 1951.

The first Supreme Commander of the Knights of Rizal was Col. Antonio C. Torres (1911- 37), a Chief of Police of Manila before World War II.

The succeeding Supreme Commanders were:

Sir Martin P. de Veyra (1937-42)

Sir Manuel Lim (1947-50)

Sir Juan F. Nakpil (1951-52)

Sir Herminio Velarde (1952-54)

Sir Teodoro Evangelista (1955)

Sir Hermenegildo B. Reyes (1956-58)

Sir Santiago F. de la Cruz (1959-64)

Sir Jesus E. Perpifian (1965-66)

Sir Vitaliano Bernardino (196 7-69)

Sir Jose Ma. Paredes (1970)

Sir Claudio S. Teehankee (1971-83)

Sir Jose S. Laurel III (1984)

Sir Justo P. Torres Jr. (1985)

Sir Simeon C. Medalla (1986)

Sir Conrado M. Vasquez Sr. (1987)

Sir Filemon H. Mendoza (1988)

Sir Angel Rica Alvarez (1989)

Sir Elias B. Lopez (1990-91)

Sir Lamberto C. Nanquil (1992-93)

Sir Demetria L. Hilbero (1994-95)

Sir Rogelio M. Quiambao (1996-2000)

Sir Vicente P. Palmon (2001-02)

Sir Jesus B. David (2003-04)

Sir Carmelo T. Gempesaw (2003-05)

Sir Jose D. Lina Jr. (2005-06)

Sir Hilario G. Davide Jr. (2006-08)

Sir Virgilio R. Esguerra (2008-10)

Sir Pablo S. Trillana III (2010-12)

Sir Reghis M. Romero II (2012-14)

Sir Jeremias C. Singson (2014-16)

Sir Reynato S. Puna Sr. (2016-18)

Sir Elihu A. Ybanez (2018-20)

As the Knights of Rizal prosper into the future, more illustrious Knights will become Supreme Commanders to ensure the continuing legacy of the Order.