CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: REPUBLIC ACT 1425

Learning outcomes;
At the end of this Chapter, the student expected to:
1. Explain the history of the Rizal law and its important provisions;
2. Critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal course

LAWS ON RIZAL
There are at least two Republic Acts and two memorandum orders
pertaining to Jose Rizal:
 Republic Act No. 1425 or the Rizal Law
 Republic Act No. 229 or The celebration of Rizal Day
 MEMORANDUM ORDER NO.247 by President Fidel V. Ramos
 CHED MEMORANDUM No. 3,s. 1995 by Commissioner Mona
D. Valisno

Republic Act No. 1425

The Rizal Law
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425 AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE
CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND
WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME
TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE
PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history,

there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and
nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;

WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the

national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special
fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the
national character;
WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly
his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and
inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth,
especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should
be suffused;
WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the
supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State, and all schools
are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic
conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship;
Now, therefore,
SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose
Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall
be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities,
public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original
or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
or their English translation shall be used as basic texts. The Board of
National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith
measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this Section,
including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers and
textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of
this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a
disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act.
The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the
exemption of students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn
written statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in
the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking
the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules
and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in
the Official Gazette.
SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and
universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of
the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The
said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of
Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading
in all public or private schools, colleges and universities. The Board of
National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of
books, depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or
university.
SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the
translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as
other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal

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Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions;
and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to
read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils
throughout the country.
SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as
amendment or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of the
Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by
public school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.
SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is
hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not otherwise
appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this
Act.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

History
Senator Claro M. Recto was the main proponent of the Rizal
Bill.
Catholic Church claimed that it would violate freedom of
conscience and religion.
Catholic Bishops conference of the Philippines (CBCP) “Such
bill is a violation of 1939 Canon Law which prohibits books that
attacks the Catholic Doctrine and practices.

•Among the 333 pages of Noli Me Tangere, 25 of the passages

are nationalistic while 120 are anti-Catholic.
•AGAINST: Catholic Action of the Philippines, the Congregation
of the Mission, the Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic
Teachers Guild.
•PRO: Veteranos de la Revolucion (Spirit of 1896), Alagad in
Rizal, the Freemasons, and the Knights of Rizal
•Senate Committee on Education sponsored a bill co-written by
both José P. Laurel and Recto, with the only opposition coming
from Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Mariano Jesús Cuenco, and
Decoroso Rosales.

Senate bill 438 known as Rizal Bill which was first authored by
Senator Claro M. Recto – requiring the inclusion in the curricula
of all private and public schools, colleges and universities the
life, works and writings of Jose Rizal particularly his novels Noli

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 Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo – is considered as one of the
most controversial bills in the Philippines.
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, 1956.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 229.

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT COCKFIGHTING, HORSE RACING AND JAI-
ALAI ON THE THIRTIETH DAY OF DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR
AND TO CREATE A COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE
PROPER CELEBRATION OF RIZAL DAY IN EVERY MUNICIPALITY
AND CHARTERED CITY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Approved, June 19, 1948

Memorandum Order No. 247, s. 1994

MALACAÑANG
MANILA
MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 247
DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE
AND SPORTS AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON
HIGHER EDUCATION TO FULLY IMPLEMENT REPUBLIC ACT NO.
1425 ENTITLED “AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES,
COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL,
PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS, NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL
FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND
DISTRIBUTION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

FIDEL V. RAMOS
President
Signed on December 26, 1994

CHED MEMORANDUM No. 3,s. 1995

COMMISSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Office of the President of the Philippines
January 13, 1995

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CHED MEMORANDUM
No. 3, s. 1995
To:
Head of State Colleges and Universities
Head of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities
Office of the President Memorandum Order No. 247
Re: Implementation of Republic Act No. 1425

Enclosed is a copy of Memorandum Order No. 247 dated December

26, from the Office of the President of the Philippines entitled,
"Directing Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports and the
CHAIRMAN OF COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION to fully
implement the Republic Act No. 1425 entitled "An Act to include in the
curricula of all public and private schools, colleges and universities,
courses on the Life, Works and Writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his
novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, authorizing the printing
and distribution thereof and for other purposes" for guidance of all
concerned. Strict compliance therewith is requested.

(sgd) MONA D. VALISNO

Commissioner
Officer-in-Charge

Republic Act 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013

(“Enhanced Basic Education Act”).
Passed by Congress on January 30, 2013 and approved by the
President Benigno Aquino Jr. on May 15, 2013, the law in its full
name stands as “An Act Enhancing the Philippine Basic
Education System by Strengthening its Curriculum and
Increasing the Number of Years for Basic Education,
Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes.” The law
became effective on June 4, 2013.

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Further Readings:

 https://philnews.ph/2020/05/14/issues-and-interests-on-
rizal-law-do-these-issues-remain-today/
 https://dimasalang.weebly.com/ra-1425.html


Assessment:
1. Compare and contrast the views of those in favor and against
RA 1425, considering the context of the 1950’s.would similar
arguments still have force today?

2. Essay: Reflect on your secondary education: Did your school

comply with RA 1425? How effective is the Rizal law in instilling
patriotism among secondary school student?

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