Knights of Rizal signature scandal: Manacay says he had permission, Malasig says he never gave it

Rely Manacay, the Knights of Rizal’s New York State area commander, said he had permission to use the digital signature of Dr. Emmanuel “Manny” Malasig, then commander of the Order’s Eastern USA Region, on a recommendation to promote Ali Ilaga, commander of the Astoria Chapter in New York. Malasig previously said he had never authorized the use of his signature on that recommendation.

Speaking at a “Meet the Press” forum with the Filipino American Press Club of New York, Manacay said Malasig had instructed him to use the digital signature and send him a copy of all correspondence addressed to the Knights of Rizal’s international headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

Manacay said Malasig later questioned him about Ilaga’s recommendation. By then, he said, he had already sent it to Manila. Manacay added that Malasig had time to submit a written objection to the promotion but did not do so. He also said Malasig had told him he supported Ilaga’s advancement.

In August, Malasig gave a different account of how the recommendation reached headquarters. He said it had been submitted without his endorsement and that he agreed to let the matter move forward only after senior officials pressured him. His account placed that agreement after the recommendation had already been sent.

The recommendation sought to elevate Ilaga from Knight Commander of Rizal to Knight Grand Officer of Rizal, the fourth of the Order’s five ranks. Malasig said Ilaga had held his previous rank for about four to five months when the recommendation came under review. The Order’s official recommendation form calls for approval at the chapter, area and regional levels.

Malasig said the Council of Elders initially deferred the promotion. According to his account, the decision was reversed four days later, and the promotion went ahead. The dispute was followed by a series of resignations in the Eastern USA Region. Malasig stepped down as regional commander while remaining a member of the Order, and seven other regional officials also resigned. Among them was Regional Pursuivant Sonny Austria, who called on the Supreme Council to investigate how Malasig’s signature came to appear on the recommendation.

Supreme Council member Jay Cayabyab denied having a personal role in securing Ilaga’s promotion. He said the Supreme Council reviewed the recommendation before approving it and that he had no authority to determine the outcome on his own. His remarks addressed the council’s approval of the promotion, while Manacay’s and Malasig’s accounts differed on whether permission had been given to use the signature before the recommendation was sent to Manila.

Ilaga defended his promotion, saying he had worked hard for it and believed he deserved the advancement. Cayabyab said he hoped those involved could reconcile for the good of the Order.