Objectives of Katipunan
Katipunan laid down three fundamental objectives.
a.) political - consisted in working for the separation of Philippines from Spain
b.) moral - revolve around the teaching of good manners, hygiene, good morals and attacking obscurantism, religious fanaticisism and weakness of character
c.) civic - revolve around the principle of self-help and defense of the poor and oppressed
All members were urged to come to the aid of the sick comrades and their families, and in case of death, the society was to pay the funeral expenses
Structure of Katipunan
The structure of Katipunan reveals that it was greatly influenced by Masonry as to initiation rites, and by Rizal's La Liga Filipina as to organization. Structurally, the society had 3 governing bodies- the Kataastaasang Sanggunian or Supreme Council, the Sangguniang Bayan or Provincial Council and the Sanggyniang Balanggay or Popular Council. Kataastaasang Sanggunian is the highest governing bodyof society. Sangguniang Bayan and Sangguniang Balanggay represents the province and municipality or town.
Judicial matters affecting the members of the society were referred to as sort of court known as the Sangguniang Hukuman or Judicial Council. During its existence, the Judicial Council had not passed the death sentence on any member. But a secret chamber, composed of Bonifacio, Jacinto, Valenzuela srntenced some members to be expelled for having allegedly violated the secrets of the society.
Expansion of Katipunan
The distribution of 'Kalayaan' directly influenced the thingking and feeling of the masses in Central Luzon. Jacinto and Bonifacio's writings awakened the people from a long lethargy and swelled the ranks of Katopunan. At the end of March 1896, hundreds of people nightly joined the Katipunan. The people became aware of their rights and duties to their country. From the founding of the society to January 1896, it did not have more than 300 members, but since the appearnce of the 'Kalayaan', the members had increased around 30 000. The people were now prepared to shoulder the risks demanded of them in the struggle for the emancipation of the native land.
Because the triangle method was so slow, Bonifacio decided to change the method of recruiting members which is taking in as many new members as an original member can. By this method, the members reached more than 100.
First Supreme Council
Deodato Arellano- President (Supremo)
Andres Bonifacio-Interventor or Comptroller
Ladislao Diwa-Fiscal
Teodoro Plata-Secretary
Valentin Diaz-Treasurer
Second Supreme Council (February 1893)
Roman Basa-President
Andres Bonifacio-Fiscal
Jose Turiano Santiago-Secretary
Vicente Molina
Briccio Pantas
Restituto Javier-Councilors
Teodoro Plata
Teodoro Gonzales
Ladislao Diwa
Third Supreme Council (1895)
Andres Bonifacio-Supremo
Emilio Jacinto-Fiscal
Jose Turiano Santiago-Secretary
Vicente Molina-Treasurer
Pio Valenzuela-Physician
Pantaleon Torres
Aguedo del Rosario-Councilors
Doroteo Trinidad
Fourth Supreme Council (December 31, 1895)
Andres Bonifacio-Supremo
Pio Valenzuela-Fiscal and Physician
Emilio Jacinto-Secretary
Vicente Molina-Treasurer
Enrique Pacheco
Pantaleon Torres
Balbino Florentino-Councilors
Francisco Carreon
Hermenegildo Reyes
Last Supreme Council (August 1896)
Andres Bonifacio-Supremo
Emilio Jacinto-Secretary of State
Teodoro Plata-Secretary of War
Briccio Pantas-Secretary of Justce
Agueda del Rosario-Secretary of Interior
Enrique Pacheco-Secretary of Finance
Kinds of Membership
Upon reaching of more than a hundred members, Bonifacio divide the members into 3 grades. The first grade was called 'Katipon' and wore a black hood in meetngs. Their password was 'Anak ng Bayan.' The second grade was called 'Kawal'(Soldier) who wore a green hood. The password was 'Gom-Bur-Za 'taken from the three martyrs, Gomez, Burgos and Zamora. The third grade, called 'Bayani'(Patriot) who wore a red mask and sash with green borders symbolizing courage and hope. The Password was 'Rizal.' The Katipon could graduate to the Kawal class if he had brought several members into society while Kawal could became a Bayani upon being elected as an officer of society.
