La Liga Filipina

Almost simultaneously with the introduction of Masonry in the Philippines, a civic society called La Propaganda was established. Its members, composed mostly, of not exclusively, of the middle class, contributed money to defray the expenses of the Filipino reformers in Spain who were waging a campaign to obtain political concessions from the Mother Country. The funds collected were forwarded to the Hispano-Filipino Association. In time, however, the funds of the organization were malversed, and the society passed out of existence.At this juncture, Rizal stepped into the picture and proposed the founding of another civic society. He had prepared a constitution for this society while at Hongkong and now he thought that the time has come for concrete action. On the night of July 3, 1892, at a house in Tondo, Rizal founded and inaugurated La Liga Filipina. Elected were Ambrosio Salvador, President; Agustin de la Rosa, Fiscal; Bonifacio Arevalo, Treasurer; and Deodato Arellano, Secretary. * * *

Objectives of La Liga Filipina

La Liga Filipina aimed to:

▪ Unite the whole country▪ Protect and assist all members▪ Fight violence and injustice▪ Support education▪ Study and implement reforms

The aims of the Liga were to be carried out through the creation of a governing body composed of the Supreme Council, the Provincial Council, and the Popular Council. The members were each to pay ten centavos as monthly dues. Each of the members was free to choose a symbolic name for himself. The funds of the society were to be used in the following manner:The member or his son who, while not having the means shall show application and great capacity, shall be sustained;The poor shall be supported in his right against any powerful person;The member who shall have suffered any loss shall be aided;Capital shall be loaned to the member who shall need it for an industry or agriculture;The introduction of machines and industries, new or necessary in the country, shall be favored; andShops, stores, and establishment shall be opened where the members may be accommodated move economically than elsewhere.Innocent as the society was, the Spanish authorities considered it dangerous and on the night of July 6, 1892, Rizal was secretly arrested. The following day, Governor-General Eulogio Despujol ordered Rizal's deportation to Dapitan. The Liga languished for a while, but some members

continued to support it. The aims remained the same, but it was agreed that all should contribute toward the support of La Solidaridad in Spain. Domingo Franco was elected President; Deodato Arellano, Secretary-Treasurer; Isidro Francisco, Fiscal; Juan Zulueta and Timoteo Paez, members of the Supreme Council. Later on, Mabini became the Liga'sSecretary.

History of the Filipino People. Teodoro A. AgoncilloSource: http://msc.edu.ph/centennial/liga.html

Jose Rizal’s Advice to Dr. Pio Valenzuela

Rizal and the Katipuan

On June 21, 1896. Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Bonifacio’s emissary, visited Rizal in Dapitan and informed him of the plan of the Katipunan to launch a revolution. Rizal objected to Bonifacio’s bold project stating that such would be a veritable suicide. Rizal stressed that the Katipunan leaders should do everything possible to prevent premature flow of native blood. Valenzuela, however, warned Rizal that the Revolution will inevitably break out if the Katipunan would be discovered.

Sensing that the revolutionary leaders were dead set on launching their audacious project, Rizal instructed Valenzuela that it would be for the best interests of the Katipunan to get first the support of the rich and influential people of Manila to strengthen their cause. He further suggested that Antonio Luna with his knowledge of military science and tactics, be made to direct the military operations of the Revolution.

Source: http://www.joserizal.ph/kt01.html