You are on page 1of 2

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; and
Shops, 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, GovernorGeneral 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. Agoncillo


Source: http://msc.edu.ph/centennial/liga.html

Jose Rizals Advice to Dr. Pio Valenzuela


Rizal and the Katipuan
On June 21, 1896. Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Bonifacios emissary, visited Rizal in Dapitan
and informed him of the plan of the Katipunan to launch a revolution. Rizal objected
to Bonifacios 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

You might also like