Chief Justice’s Brother Vicente Gesmundo, Aquino Resign as KOR Promotion Controversy Deepens

The leadership fallout within the Knights of Rizal’s Eastern USA Region has widened, with Sir Vicente Gesmundo, KCR, the younger brother of Philippine Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, and Sir Mariano F. Aquino Jr., KGOR, LM, resigning from their regional posts following the controversy that earlier triggered the resignation of Eastern USA Regional Commander Dr. Emmanuel Malasig.

Gesmundo resigned as Eastern USA Regional Deputy Pursuivant, while Aquino stepped down, effective immediately, as Chancellor of the Eastern USA Region. Both cited principle, conscience, integrity, accountability, and solidarity with Malasig’s leadership.

Their resignations come amid a dispute over the promotion of Astoria Chapter Commander Ali Illaga, which became the subject of allegations involving the unauthorized use of Malasig’s digital signature on a promotion recommendation.

Malasig eventually resigned as Eastern USA Regional Commander, saying his authority had been undermined and that he could no longer effectively carry out the responsibilities of his office. He remains a member of the Knights of Rizal and described his resignation as a decision based on integrity, fairness, transparency, due process, and accountability.

The controversy has now prompted other regional officers to step down.

Gesmundo said his resignation was made in “full support and solidarity” with Malasig and reflected his commitment to the principles and ideals that the Knights of Rizal is expected to uphold.

“This is a personal decision made out of principle, conviction, and solidarity with the values and ideals that our Order is meant to uphold,” Gesmundo wrote.

He said that after carefully considering Malasig’s resignation, his conscience compelled him to relinquish his own regional position.

“As Rizalians, we have a responsibility to stand for what we believe is right, even when doing so requires personal sacrifice,” Gesmundo said.

Despite leaving his regional post, Gesmundo stressed that he is not leaving the Knights of Rizal. He will continue serving as Commander of the Manhattan New York Chapter.

“I am stepping away from this regional office not from the Order we love, not from our brotherhood, and certainly not from the principles and values we have been entrusted to uphold,” he wrote.

Gesmundo, whose brother, Alexander G. Gesmundo, serves as Chief Justice of the Philippines, emphasized that truth, honor, justice, dignity, and integrity should guide every Rizalian.

Aquino likewise resigned as Chancellor in what he described as an act of conscience and solidarity with Malasig.

He said duly rendered decisions and legitimate authority must be respected through established processes to preserve fairness, credibility, trust, and unity within the Order.

Aquino stressed that integrity requires members to stand by their convictions, even when doing so comes at a personal cost.

“With a clear conscience, I step away from this position, but not from the Order I cherish nor from the values I have pledged to uphold,” Aquino wrote.

Like Gesmundo and Malasig, Aquino said he remains committed to the Knights of Rizal and its mission despite relinquishing his leadership position.

The successive resignations have intensified scrutiny of the Eastern USA leadership dispute and raised broader questions about promotion procedures, regional authority, internal accountability, and the handling of official endorsements within the organization.

The allegations concerning Malasig’s signature and the promotion process remain disputed matters within the organization. The resignation letters themselves do not establish criminal wrongdoing by any individual.

For Malasig, Gesmundo, and Aquino, however, the controversy has become a matter of principle whether established decisions, proper procedures, and the authority entrusted to regional leaders are being respected.

All three have emphasized that while they are relinquishing leadership positions, they are not abandoning the Knights of Rizal or the ideals of Dr. José Rizal.