Question 1

Horacio de la Costa’s pastoral letter has somehow shaped the very fate of the Rizal law. Though the
authenticity of the letter was very much suspected and never definitely established, still it added fuel to
the fires of discord. Several drafts of the pastoral letter which he wrote for the bishops in 1952 survived,
imposing different attitudes of the church towards Rizal, one draft being different than the other. Briefly
discuss the content of the Draft C.

Response: de la Costa believed that Jose Rizal is not only a hero because he was executed but also
because he was a moral teacher and a moral example to the Filipinos. Draft C is made to deny to Rizal the
moral role which was prominent in draft A. Draft C hastens to limit the ideas to being only "in the
political and social order". Draft C also retained the passage on Captain Tiago's veneration of the saints
and shows that rather attacking the doctrine, it is seen as a whole is satirizing. C omitted the ones from
Tasio the Philosopher and seen his argument as Rizal is using only a literary device. Also, it is seen in
Draft C that it claims that Rizal wrote fiction and not history. Uncut versions of Rizal's work are not
advisable for high school students. The rest of C follows A except for two practical matters. The role of
the teacher in A is added the need for a handbook to fully explain the text. Also, it is not advisable for
high school students to be given the entire novels instead should be given "an abridge edition adapted to
age levels which is the essence of Rizal's thought, and yet not be a scandal to the young and tender
conscience"

Question 2

The Rizal bill was as controversial as Jose Rizal himself. The process it went through to become a law
was a long, tedious one. As the bill saw the light of day and became a law, important amendments were
made. What was the important provision that was included in the amended version all about?

Response: Senator Laurel created an amendment to the original bill for which Jose Rizal's other works
will be included and reading the two books, Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo would no longer be
compulsory to elementary and secondary schools but is still strictly observed to college level. Senator
Primicias created an additional amendment in getting an exemption only from reading the two novels
through affidavit or written statement but not being exempted from taking the course.

Question 3

What are the reasons why the sponsors and authors in making the Rizal Bill. Give at least 1.

Response: For social and political awareness.

Question 4

Horacio de la Costa’s pastoral letter has somehow shaped the very fate of the Rizal law. Though the
authenticity of the letter was very much suspected and never definitely established, still it added fuel to
the fires of discord. Several drafts of the pastoral letter which he wrote for the bishops in 1952 survived,
imposing different attitudes of the church towards Rizal, one draft being different than the other. Briefly
discuss the content of the Draft B.

Response: It stated that Draft B is another copy of Draft A, but with a few handwritten changes, which
were perhaps made during the meeting with the critics of the law. All were taken up into Draft C which
had also a few further changes.

Question 5

Rizal law has elicited interest and provoked discussions that could be remembered in the Annals of
Congress; Rizal being the center of it all. Why is Rizal singled out among our national heroes for study
and emulation?

Response: Rizal fought back in a peaceful way. He went against the oppression of the Spaniards using his
brain and his pen. Despite knowing that he will be executed he still returned to his country and faced his
consequences. No blood was shed during his fought against the Spaniard except for his own.

Question 6

Give at least one reason why the Catholic Church is against the passing of the Rizal Law.

Response: Because the writing of Rizal can be seen as if it was against the Catholic church because he
perceived them as rapist. Noli as part of the Rizal law is seen as "attack on clergy" because most of the
part of the book is seen as anti-catholic. People will possibly turn against the Catholic church as they will
be discouraged if they read his writings. The Philippines is known as a very religious country and the
Catholic church wants to keep the values of a Filipino. They also claimed that the books Noli me Tangere
and El Fillibusterismo would violate freedom of conscience and religion.
Question 2

Due to apparently never-ending debate on the Rizal Bill, approved amendments were formulated through
ideas of three senators. Senator Laurel’ created an amendment to the original bill in which, other that Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, works written by Rizal and works written by others about Rizal would
be included and reading of the unexpurgated revision of the two novels would no longer be compulsory to
elementary and secondary levels but would be strictly observed to college level. Senator Lim suggested
the exemption to those students who feel that reading Rizal’s novels would negatively affect his or her
faith. Senator Primicias created an additional amendment that promulgates the rules and regulations in
getting an exemption only from reading the two novels through written statement or affidavit and not
from taking the Rizal Course. According to historian Ambeth Ocampo, no student has ever availed of this
exemption. After the revised amendments, the bill was finally passed on May 17, 1956 and was signed
into law as Republic Act 1425 by President Ramon Magsaysay on June 12 of the same year.