Rizal's Retraction: Understanding the Reason

Understanding the Retraction of Jose Rizal

• The retraction of Jose Rizal refers to the document he supposedly wrote retracting his membership in the Freemasons and renouncing his alleged errors against the Catholic Church.
• The document was first published in La Voz Española and Diario de Manila on December 30, 1896, and later in Barcelona, Spain, in the magazine La Juventud on February 14, 1897.
• The "original" text was only found in the archdiocesan archives on May 18, 1935, after almost four decades of disappearance.

The Maladministration of Spain

• The Filipino people suffered intensely beneath the bondage of Spanish misrule, which was marked by:
  • Instability of Colonial Administration
  • Corrupt Spanish Officials
  • No Philippine Representation to the Spanish Courts
  • Human Rights denied to the Filipinos
  • No Equality before the law
  • Maladministration of Justice
  • Racial Discrimination
  • Frailocracy/Secularization of Filipino Priests
  • Forced Labor and Excessive Taxes
  • Haciendas owned by Friars and Spanish Officials
  • Abuses in varied forms

Reasons Why Rizal was Chosen and Declared as the Philippine's National Hero

• Rizal was the first Filipino to unite and awaken the Filipino people to peacefully rise for independence.
• He was a model for being a peacemaker by his complete self-denial, his complete abandonment of his personal interest and to think only of his country and people.
• He was a towering figure in the propaganda campaign from 1882-1896.
• He was a martyr at Bagumbayan where he willingly died for the country.

The Cuerpo de Vigilancia Testimony

• Federico Moreno, a witness, testified that Rizal:
  • Entered death row accompanied by his counsel, Señor Taviel de Andrade, and the Jesuit priest Vilaclara.
  • Was served a light breakfast.
  • Asked for a prayer book.
  • Spoke with the Jesuit fathers, March and Vilaclara, regarding religious matters.
  • Refused to sign a prepared retraction on his life and deeds.
  • Wrote a document by himself.
  • Heard mass and confessed to Father March.
  • Received communion.

The Significance of the Retraction Issue

• If Rizal did retract, it would imply that he must have forfeited the National Hero title, and that his ideology that started the revolution which gave birth to Filipino nationalism is feigned or nothing but a farce.
• The debate about the retraction issue is a part of ongoing conflicts about the ideology of the Philippines' cold-war, whether to accept co-religion or secularism.
• Catholics believe that Rizal's retraction is a common act of "penance" as his last act before he died, while non-Catholics tend to believe otherwise.

A Historian's View

• The question of Rizal's retraction goes deeper than the authenticity of a document or motives of a man about to face death.
• Rizal's retraction is a reflection of our personal image of him.

Understanding the La Liga Filipina and the Katipunan

• The Katipunan, founded by Deodato Arrellano, Teodoro Plata, Valentin Diaz, Ladislao Diwa, Andres Bonifacio, and Jose Dizon, envisioned a united Filipino nation that would revolt against the Spaniards for total independence.
• The Katipunan was a successor organization of La Liga Filipina, founded by José Rizal.
• La Liga Filipina's aims included:
  • Mutual protection in every want and necessity.
  • Defense against all violence and injustice.
  • Encouragement of instruction, agriculture, and commerce.
  • Study and application of reforms.

The Katipunan

• The Katipunan was established as a secret brotherhood organization.
• The organization's four aims were:
  • To develop a strong alliance with each and every Katipunero.
  • To unite Filipinos into one solid nation.
  • To win Philippine independence by means of an armed conflict (or revolution).
  • To establish a republic after independence.
• The Katipunan signalled the end of the crusade to secure reforms from Spain by means of a peaceful campaign.### The Katipunan's Values and Principles
• The Katipunan's values and principles emerged from the 18th-century French Revolution and influenced the educated class of the colonies, including Ilustrados like Jacinto.
• The Kartilya, a document written for the Katipunan fraternity, reflects the organization's values and principles as a reaction to the colonial regime.

The Kartilya's Teachings

• The Kartilya teaches that:
  • True nobility is not about one's ancestry, wealth, or beauty, but about one's actions and character (Article 13).
  • All people are equal, regardless of skin color, and no one is superior to others (Article 4).
  • One should prioritize self-reflection and self-improvement over external appearances (Article 5).
  • It is important to defend the oppressed and fight against oppression (Article 8).
  • One should be mindful of their words and actions, as they can affect others (Article 6).
  • Time is valuable and should not be wasted (Article 7).
  • Women should be treated with respect and dignity, as companions and partners, not as playthings (Article 11).

The Katipunan's Philosophy

• The Katipunan's philosophy emphasizes the importance of individual development and self-improvement, as well as the treatment of others with respect and dignity.
• The organization's values and principles are focused on promoting equality, justice, and freedom.

Criticisms and Context

• The Kartilya's teachings may be criticized for promoting a patriarchal view of women and their roles in society.
• However, it is essential to consider the historical context in which the document was written, as the recognition of women's importance and equality was advanced for its time.
• The Katipunan's recognition of women's roles in the struggle for independence and their establishment of a women's unit within the organization were progressive for the time.