What is the Kartilya ng Katipunan?

The Kartilya ng Katipunan is a moral and ethical guide written by Emilio Jacinto, known as the
"Brains of the Katipunan." It served as a manual or set of principles for the members of the
Katipunan, a secret revolutionary society that aimed to gain independence for the Philippines
from Spanish colonial rule.
The Kartilya was not just about fighting with weapons—it focused on values like dignity,
respect, equality, love for others, and love for the country. Some of its key teachings
include:
True goodness is not based on wealth, power, or appearance but on a person’s character and
actions.
All people are equal, regardless of social status or background.
Love for the country should come before personal gain.
A person must always act with truth and justice, and help others, especially those who are
oppressed.

Reflection: Application to Social Issues

- In our society where injustice, discrimination, and selfishness still exist, the Kartilya ng
Katipunan calls us to defend what is right, defend those who are oppressed, speak only the truth,
and reject personal gain at the cost of others. It also challenges the leaders to serve with honor,
and every citizen to act with their hearts full of courage, act with equality, and justice. Whether
it’s treating other equally, acting with truth and justice, standing up to bullying, avoiding fake
news, or refusing corruption, we are called to live by the principle that we stand for, not by
popularity.

Reflection in Personal Life

- Personally, the Kartilya ng Katipunan became an eye opener to me to realize and examine my
own actions. May it be about using my time wisely, being true to my word, treating others fairly,
regardless of who they are, and not tolerating any kind of actions that contradicts with the
principles that I stand for. It reminds me not just to strive for success, but also to use my life for
something meaningful and with purpose. Like the Katipuneros, I may not fight with weapons, but
I can fight for what’s right through my voice, through kindness, honesty, and love for others.
 KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN
By Emilio Jacinto

1. Ang kabuhayang hindi ginugol sa isang Malaki at banal na kadahilanan ay kahoy

na walang lilim, kun di damong makamandag.
English: A life not spent in pursuit of a great and noble cause is like a tree without shade
—better a poisonous weed.
Explanation: A life without purpose is empty and unworthy. We should dedicate ourselves
to meaningful and noble endeavors.
Social Issue: Selfish careers or greed-driven jobs that harm others (e.g. corruption, illegal
business)
Example: A person chooses to work in a non-profit or community service organization
rather than entering a high-paying but unethical job because they want their work to
benefit society.
2. Ang gawang magaling na nagbubuhat sa pagpipita sa sarili at hindi talagang
nasang gumawa sa kagalingan, ay di kabaitan.
English: Good deeds done for boast or self-interest, not from genuine goodwill, are not
true kindness.
Explanation: Helping others should be genuine, not for attention or praise.
Social Issue: Virtue signaling or fake kindness on social media
Example: A student helps clean a classroom but secretly records it for likes. True kindness
is helping even without recognition or reward.
3. Ang tunay na kabanalan ay ang pagkakawang gawa, ang pag ibig sa kapwa, at
ang isukat ang bawat kilos, gawa’t pangungusap sa talagang katuiran.
English: True piety is shown by charity, love for others, and by measuring our actions and
words with true reason.
Explanation: Real holiness lies in loving others, giving, and acting with rational morality.
Social Issue: Religious hypocrisy; being religious in words but not in actions
Example: A religious person regularly donates food to the poor and treats street children
with compassion, showing true faith through action, not just prayer.
4. Maitim man at maputi ang kulay ng balat, lahat ng tao’y magkakapantay:
mangyayaring ang isa’y higtan sa dunong, sa yaman, sa ganda, ngunit di
mahihigtan sa pagkatao.
English: Though one may be darker or fairer in complexion, all are equal; one may excel
in wisdom, wealth, or beauty, but not in humanity.
Explanation: No one is inherently superior. True equality is based on character, not
physical traits or status.
Social Issue: Discrimination based on race, color, or economic status
Example: A student defends a classmate who is bullied for being from a poor family,
reminding others that everyone deserves respect.
5. Ang may mataas na kalooban inuuna ang puri sa pagpipita sa sarili; ang may
hamak na kalooban, inuuna ang pagpipita sa sarili sa puri.
English: The magnanimous person values honor over personal gain; the base-minded
value personal gain over honor.
Explanation: A noble person chooses integrity even if it means sacrifice; the selfish
choose benefit over dignity.
 Social Issue: Corruption among public officials for personal gain
Example: A barangay officer refuses a bribe to favor someone in a housing project
because they value honesty over personal benefit.
6. Sa taong may hiya, salita’y panunumpa.
English: To a person of honor, his word is as good as an oath.
Explanation: Keep your promises. If you say it, do it, your word must be trusted.
Social Issue: Broken promises by leaders, teachers, or even friends
Example: A student promises to submit a group project and fulfills it even when others
back out, showing integrity.
7. Huwag mong sayangin ang panahun: ang yamang nawala’y mangyayaring
magbalik; ngunit panahung nagdaan na’y di na muli pang magdadaan.
English: Do not waste time; lost wealth may return, but lost time is gone forever.
Explanation: Time is the most precious resource. Once lost, it cannot be regained.
Social Issue: Youth wasting time on gadgets or vices
Example: A teenager sets a schedule to balance school, family, and hobbies instead of
spending all day scrolling through social media.
8. Ipagtanggol mo ang inaapi; kabakahin ang umaapi.
English: Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor.
Explanation: Stand up for those who are mistreated, whether in court or on the
battlefield.
Social Issue: Bullying in schools or online (cyberbullying)
Example: When someone is being attacked online, a student reports it and posts a
message to stand up for kindness and respect.
9. Ang taong matalino’y ang may pag iingat sa bawat sasabihin, at matutong
ipaglihim ang dapat ipaglihim.
English: The prudent person is careful in speech and knows when to keep secrets.
Explanation: Be wise with your words, think before speaking and guard confidences.
Social Issue: Gossip and fake news on social media
Example: A person refuses to repost a rumor online about a celebrity or classmate and
explains why spreading unverified information is wrong.
10. Sa daang matinik ng kabuhayan, lalaki ay siyang patugot ng asawa’t mga
anak: kung ang umaakay ay tungo sa sama, ang patutunguhan ng inaakay ay
kasamaan din.
English: On life’s thorny path, the man leads his wife and children; if he leads into evil,
those who follow also suffer.
Explanation: Leaders, especially within a family, must guide responsibly, as others follow
their example.
Social Issue: Absentee fathers or poor role models in families
Example: A young man works part-time to support his siblings and sets a good example
by studying hard and avoiding vices.
11. Ang babai ay huwag mong tignang isang bagay na libangan lamang, kun di
isang katuang at Karamay sa mga kahirapan nitong kabuhayan; gamitan mo nag
boong pagpipitaganang kaniyang kahinaan, at alalahanin ang inang
pinagbuhatan at nagiwi sa iyong kasanggulan.
English: Regard a woman not as a plaything but as a companion in life’s hardships; honor
her fragility and remember the mother who bore you.
Explanation: Respect women as equal partners, recognizing their worth and the sacrifices
made by your own mother.
Social Issue: Gender discrimination and abuse of women
Example: A boy encourages his female classmate to lead their group project and praises
her ideas, treating her as an equal partner.
12. Ang di mo ibig na gawin sa asawa mo, anak, at kapatid, ay huwag mong
gagawin sa asawa, anak, at kapatid ng iba.
English: What you would not do to your own spouse, children, or siblings, do not do to
those of others.
Explanation: Treat others loved ones with the same respect you want for your own family.
Social Issue: Harassment, disrespect, or abuse of others
Example: A student sees a friend catcalling a girl and tells him, "Would you want
someone to say that to your sister?"
13. Ang kamahalan ng tao’y wala sa pagkahari, wala sat angus ng ilong at puti
ng mukha, wala sa pagkaparing kahalili ng Dios, wala sa mataas na kalagayan
sa balat ng lupa: wagas at tunay na mahal na tao, kahit laking gubat at walang
nababatid kun di ang sariling wika, yaon may magandang asal, may isang
pangungusap, may dangal at puri; yaon di nagpapaapi’t di nakikiapi; yaong
marunong magdamdam at marunong lumingap sa bayang tinubuan.
English: A person’s worth is not in royalty, fair skin, or wealth, but in good character,
dignity, not oppressing or consenting to oppression, compassionate, and patriotic.
Explanation: True nobility lies in character and civility, not in status or appearance
Social Issue: Judging people based on fame, wealth, or appearance
Example: Instead of idolizing influencers just because they're rich, you admire a local
volunteer who helps clean the streets and serve others.
14. Paglagalap ng mga aral na ito at maningning na sumikat ang araw ng
mahal na Kalayaan dito sa kaabaabang Sangkapuluan, at sabugan ng matamis
niyang liwanag ang nangagkaisang magkakalahi’t magkakapatid na ligayang
walang katapusan, ang mga ginugol na buhay, pagud, at mga tiniis na
kahirapa’y labis nang natumbasan.
English: When these teachings spread and shine, the sun of freedom will rise, and the
sacrifices, lives, and sufferings endured wil
Enron Corporation (USA)
Scandal Year: 2001
Nature of Misrepresentation:
 Enron used accounting loopholes, special purpose entities (SPEs), and poor financial
reporting to hide billions in debt and inflate profits.
 Enron’s executives, with the help of Arthur Andersen (their auditor), created off-the-
books entities to keep liabilities hidden from their balance sheet.
 They overstated earnings and understated debt, making the company look far more
profitable and stable than it was.
 This deception led to a massive investor loss when the truth emerged, and the company
filed for bankruptcy.
 It caused the downfall of Arthur Andersen, one of the “Big Five” accounting firms at the
time.
Impact:
Over $60 billion in shareholder value was wiped out.
Sparked stricter financial regulations like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the U.S.
2GO Group Inc. (Philippines)
Scandal Year: 2017
Nature of Misrepresentation:
 2GO was found to have overstated its income by ₱854 million (Philippine pesos) for the
year 2015.
 The error was revealed after the company was taken over by new management under
Chelsea Logistics, which discovered inconsistencies in their financial reports.
 The misstatements were related to revenue recognition and cost accounting, which
inflated the company’s profitability.
 Auditors, Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV), were also questioned for not catching
the errors earlier.
Impact:
The company restated its financial statements.
It led to loss of investor confidence and further scrutiny by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).
Comparison & Common Themes:
Both involved manipulation of financial data to make the company appear more successful.
Auditors were criticized or held liable for not detecting the fraud.
The cases highlighted the importance of transparency, corporate governance, and internal
controls.
Both scandals led to reform and stricter regulatory oversight in their respective countries.