The Beginnings of La Liga Filipina

Just as when Masonry is starting to blossom in the Philippines, propaganda movements were
created and established by Filipinos, even those who were immigrants and have settled in Europe. One
of these civic societies is the La Propaganda (Junta de la Propaganda/Junta de Programa) headed by
Deodato Arellano. Its members, mainly but not exclusively from the middle class, donated money to
help defray the costs of the Filipino reformers in Spain who were fighting for political concessions from
the Mother Country. However, the funds of the organization were misused, and the society eventually
died out.

After what happened, Jose Ma. Basa had an idea to establish another civic society in the name
of La Liga Filipina (Philippine League). With this, Rizal wrote the constitution of the said society,
embodying concrete action with civic purposes at Hongkong and realized its need for establishment.

When he arrived in the country, eventually on the night of July 3, 1892, Sunday, after his
morning interview with Governor General Despujol, Jose Rizal attended a meeting of patriots in the
house of Doroteo Ongjunco, a Chinese-Filipino mestizo, at Ylaya Street, Tondo, Manila in which at least
20 Filipinos attended. During this meeting, he founded and inaugurated La Liga Filipina. Rizal was the
one who explained the aims of the society, followed by the election of the officers.

Constitution of La Liga Filipina

1. Aims:
2. Motto:
3. Structure of the Organization:

The governing body of La Liga Filipina was the Supreme Council which had jurisdiction over the
whole country. It was composed of a president, secretary, treasure and a fiscal. There was a
Provincial Council in every province and Popular Council in every town.

4. Duties of the Members:

a. Obey the orders of the Supreme Council
b. To help recruit new members
c. To maintain the strictest secrecy in regard to the Council’s decisions
d. To have a symbolic name which he cannot change until he becomes president of the council;
e. To report to the fiscal anything that he may hear which affects the league
f. To behave well as befits a good Filipino
g. To help fellow members in all ways

Any Filipino who cares about the welfare of their homeland is eligible to join. They pay an entrance fee
of two pesos and a monthly due of 10 centavos. Their duties are the following.

a. First, they should obey promptly every order of the Supreme Council
b. Aside from giving service to the organization, they should also help in recruiting new members
c. They should also keep the strictest secrecy the decisions of the Council
d. They should also adopt a symbolic name of his own choice and shall not be able to change it
until he becomes the president of the council
e. They must report everything they see or hear about the Liga Filipina to the Fiscal of their
Council.
f. They should act in a manner befitting a good Filipino
g. And Lastly, they should help the other members in all ways, especially in the case of need and
danger.

5. Other provisions:
 Intending to improve the lives of Filipinos, the society will promote mutual aid
through initiatives such as forming cooperatives to provide legal assistance, scholarship grants,
and financial loans.