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1 Understanding the Rizal Law: SOCSC 005-ACTCY31S2 - Life and Works of Rizal

1.1 Understanding the Rizal Law

Hi! The first topic has the following Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)  :

1. Locate the passage of the Rizal law within its historical context;
2. State the opposing group points of contention and determine the interests of the contending
groups regarding the Rizal Law and :
3. Draw parallels to the present time.

Let us begin learning!

Vocabulary:

bill- a measure which, if passed through the legislative process, becomes a law

unexpurgated- basically untouched. In the case of the novels of Rizal, unexpurgated versions
were those that were not changed or censored to remove parts that might offend people. 

bicameral - involving the two chambers of Congress; the Senate and the House of
Representatives 

Introduction
     According to Republic Act 1425, better known as Rizal Law, the teaching of Jose Rizal's life
with the emphasis on his famous novels is mandatory. The law was passed in 1956 after many
debates and contestation. 

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      In the course of the presentation, the process of how a bill becomes law will be traced to have
an idea about the country's legislative process. 

How a Bill Becomes a Law: The Legislative Process

How a bill become a law in the Philippines

* The Senate and the House of Representatives follow the same legislative procedure.

*Legislative proposal emanate from a number of sources.

* Authored by the members of the Senate or House as part of their advocates and agenda;
produced through the lobbying from various sectors; or initiated by the executive branch of
the government with the president’s legislative agenda.

Steps:

STEP 1 Bill is filed in the Senate Office of the Secretary. It is given a number and calendared for
first reading.

STEP 2 First Reading. The bill’s title, number, and the author(s) are read on the floor. Afterwards,
it is referred to the appropriate committee .

STEP 3 Committee Hearings. The bill is discussed within the committee and a period of
consultations is held. The committee can approve ( approved without revisions, approve with
amendments, or recommend substitution or consolidation with similar bills) or reject. After the
committee submits the committee report, the bill is calendared from second reading.

STEP 4 Second Reading. The bill is read and discussed on the floor. The author delivers a
sponsorship speech. The other members of the Senate may engage in discussions regarding the
bill and a period of debates will pursue. Amendments may be suggested to the bill.

STEP 5 Voting on Second Reading. The senators vote on whether to approve or reject the bill. If
approved, the bill is calendared for third reading .

STEP 6 Voting on Third Reading . Copies of the final versions of the bill are distributed to the
members of the Senate who will vote for its approval or rejection.
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STEP 7 Consolidation of Version from the House. The similar steps above are followed by the
House of Representatives in coming up with the approved bill. Of there are differences between
the Senate and House versions, a bicameral conference committee is called to reconcile the two.
After this, both chambers approve the consolidated version.

STEP 8 Transmittal of the Final Version to Malacañan. The bill is then submitted to the President
for signing. The President can either sign the bill into law or veto and return it to Congress.

Presentation
    How did the Rizal Bill become the Rizal Law?  On April 3, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 was filed
by Jose P. Laurel, the then-Senate Committee on Education Chair, and delivered speeches for the
proposed legislation. This proposal was met by controversies, especially the Catholic Church
which opposed its passage.  The Catholic Church was influential so that it created a fierce
argument between those who sided with the Church and the allies of Claro Recto.  One of the
opposition members was Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo.  Debates started on April 23, 1956.

     The debates on the Rizal Bill occurred in the House of Representatives. House Bill No. 5561,
an identical version of Senate Bill 438, was filed by Representative Jacobo Z. Gonzales on April
19, 1956. The House Committee on Education approved the bill without amendment on May 2,
1956, and the debates started on May 9, 1956. A major point of the debate was whether the
compulsory reading of the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo appropriated in the bill
was constitutional. The call to read the unexpurgated versions was also challenged.

      During the debate, it seemed that it was not possible to reach an agreement. To move the
procedure to the next step, Senator Jose P. Laurel proposed amendments to the bill on May 9,
1956. In particular,  he removed the compulsory reading of Rizal's novels and proposed that
Rizal's other works be included in the subject. However, he still stood in his belief that the
unexpurgated version of the novels is read. On May 14, 1956, similar amendments were adopted
to the House version.

     The amended version of the bill was also subjected to scrutiny but was acceptable to the
members of Congress. But the passage was almost stopped by technicality since the House of
Representatives was about to adjourn in a few days and President Ramon Magsaysay did not
certify the bill as a priority. The allies in the House skillfully avoided the insertion of any other
amendment to prevent the need to reprint new copies (which would take time). They also asked
the Bureau of Printing to use the same templates for the Senate version in printing the House
version. Thus, on May 17, 1956, the Senate and House versions were approved.

   The approved versions were transmitted to Malacanan and on June 12, 1956, President
Magsaysay signed the bill into law which became Republic Act No. 1425. 

The Rizal Law

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

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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 ELI
FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FRO
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,
were, a member with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the
national character;

WHEREAS, life works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangtere 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. Course on the life works, and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included the curricula of all schools, colleges and
universities, public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or
unexpurgated editions of the Nilo Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation
shall be used as basic texts. 

SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges, and universities to keep 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 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 persons engaged in any public school.

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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.

Approved: June 12, 19561956.

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol.52,No.6.2971 in June 

Summary
    To understand the Rizal law, it is necessary to understand how a bill becomes a law by a
legislative process that involves.

1. Filing a Bill in the Senate Office of the Secretary

2. First Reading
3. Committee Hearings
4. Second Reading
5. Voting on Second Reading
6. Voting on Third Reading 
7. Consolidation of Version from the House
8. Transmittal of the Final Version to Malacanan

The Rizal Bill became the Rizal Law when:

1. Senate Bill No. 438 was filed by the Senate Committee on Education
2. Jose P. Laurel sponsored the bill
3. Legislators and Senators debated on the Rizal Bill
4. Legislators and Senators amended versions of the bill
5. Malacanan approved the final version
6. Malacanan issued Republic Act 1425 aka Rizal Law

  

 Therefore, it is a must that students in all schools in the Philippines study the life, works, and
writings of Rizal.

  

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2.1 Remembering Rizal

 For our second module the following Intended Learning Outcomes will be :

1. Evaluate Rizal ‘s heroism and importance in the content of Rizalista groups.

2. Discuss the history of selected Rizalista.
3. Compare and contrast the different views on Rizal among the Rizalistas.

Vocabulary:

Millenarian groups- socio-political movements who generally believe in the coming of a major
social  transformation with the establishment of the Kingdom of God .

Rizalista - a religious movement that believes in the divinity of Jose Rizal.

Jove Rex Al- the Latin name of Jose  Rizal according to Rizalistas; Jove means GOD; Rex
means KING; and Al means ALL ( thus , GOD KING of ALL).

Colorum - a term used to refer to secret societies that fought against the colonial government in
the Philippines

Canonization- the act of declaring a dead person as a saint 

Introduction

Rizal  execution on December 30, 1896 became an important turning point in the history of
Philippine revolution. His death activated  the full-scale revolution that resulted in the declaration

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of Philippine independence by 1898.  Under the American colonial government, Rizal was
considered as one of the most important Filipino heroes of the revolution and was even declared
as the National Hero by the Taft Commissions of 1901. A Rizal monument was built every town
and December 30, was declared as a nation holiday to commemorate his death and heroism. In
some provinces, men-most of whom were professionals -organized and became members of
Caballeros de Rizal , now known as the Knights of Rizal. 

Presentation

Rizal as the Tagalog Christ

Rizal as the Tagalog Christ

   In late 1898 and early 1899, revolutionary newspapers La Independencia and El Heraldo de la
Revolucion  reported about Filipinos commemorating Rizal's  death in various towns in the country
. In Batangas , for example, people were said to have gathered " tearfully wailing before a portrait
of Rizal " ( Ileto 1998) while remembering how Christ went through the same struggles. 

  After Rizal execution, peasants in Laguna were reported to have regarded Rizal as "lord of a kind
of paradise in the heart of Mt. Makiling". In 1907, Miguel de Unamuno gave Rizal the title "Tagalog
Christ" as a religious organization venerating him had been formed in different parts of the
Philippines. Rizalistas believe that Rizal, just like Jesus Christ or reincarnation of Jesus Christ
would eventually return to life and save mankind. In history Apolinario dela Cruz ( 1815-1841) who
founded the religious  confraternity Cofradia de san Jose was also considered as the " Tagalog
Christ" by his followers. More over , Filipino revolutionary Felipe Salvador ( 1870-1912) , also
known as Apo Ipe , who founded the messianic society Santa Iglesia ( Holy Church) was called bu
his followers as the " Filipino Christ  and the " King of the Philippines.

Parallelism between Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal

Both Jesus (J) and Jose (J) fulfilled a purpose/ call or mission. Jesus is for the redemption
of mankind from sin while Jose is for the redemption of his people from oppression.
  Both J&J were Asians, had brilliant mind, extra ordinary talents.
Both J&J were reformers, healers, non violent revolutionaries, have followers.
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Both died at young age and at the hands of their enemies. 

 The Canonization of Rizal: Tracing the Roots of Rizalistas

The Philippine Independent Church (PIC) canonized Jose Rizal as saint and published in the
"acta de Canonization de los Grandes Martires de la Patria Dr. Jose Rizal y PP. Burgos,
Gomez y Zamora' that the council of Bishops headed by Gregorio Aglipay met in Manila on
September 24, 1903.
PIC observed that Rizal's followers is increasing after his canonization as saint and influential
in molding the socio-religious belief of mankind.
Jose Rizal was revered as saint or god
A colorum sect in Tayabas Quezon
Rizalina in Barrio Caluluan Conception Tarlac
Banal in many towns of Leyte (Dulag, Barauen and Limon)
Pantay-pantay Society in Legaspi city whose members are called Rizalinos.
Some 'colorum' sects also venerated Rizal as god.

Major Groups Venerating Jose Rizal

1. Adarnista
1. Founder: Candida Balantac (engkantada/Inang Adarna) in 1901
2. Branches:  La Union, Pangasinan and Tarlac, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya,
Baguio city and Manila
3. Members: 10,000
4. Teachings: Rizal is a god of the Filipino people, Rizal is true god and man....
5. They believe in the following 1. Rizal is a god of the Filipino People 2. Rizal is true god and
a true man 3. Rizal was not executed as has been mentioned by historians. 4. Man is
endowed with a soul; as such, man is capable of good deeds 5. Heaven and hell exist but
are, nevertheless, " within us" 6. The abode of the members of the sect in Bongabon,
Nueva Ecija is the New Jerusalem or Paradise 7. The caves  in Bongabon  are dwelling
place in Jehovah or God. 
2. Sambahang Rizal (Rizal Church)
1. Founder: Basilio Aromin in 1918
2. Branches: Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan
3. Members: 7,000
4. Teachings: Bible (Noli and El Fili) shows the doctrine and teachings of Rizal.
5. The Sambahang Rizal conducts sacraments like baptism , confirmation , marriage , and
ceremonies for the dead.
3. Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi (Factions: Watawat ng Lahi, Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi, Inc. and
Iglesia ng Lipi ni Gat Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Inc.)
1. Founder: Philippine National Heroes (PNH) and Arsenio de Guzman in 1911
2. Branches: Nationwide
3. Members: 100,000
4. Teachings: Rizal was the Christ and the "Messenger of God".RizalRizal

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5. The aims of the organization are as follows (Foronda , 2011) 1. To love God above all
things 2. To love one's fellowman as one loves himself  3. To love the motherland and to
respect and venerate the heroes of the race especially the martyr of Bagumbayan, Dr.
Rizal , to follow , to spread, and to support their right teachings ; and to serve the country
with one's whole hearth towards its order, progress and peace.
4. Suprema de la Iglesia de Cuidad Mistica de Dios Inc. (Supreme Church of the Mystical City of
God)
1. Founder: Naria Bernarda Balitaan (MBB) in 1920s
2. Branches: Foot of Mt. Banahaw Sta. Lucia Dolores, Quezon (Main) and other provinces in
Luzon Island
3. Members: 100,000
4. Teachings: Jesus Christ's works was continued by Jose Rizal and the twelve lights (12
apostles) in 19th century. 
5. The Ciudad Mistica shares many elements with the Catholic Church . They hold masses
(every Saturday), and have prayers and chants. They commemorate the birth and death
anniversaries of the twelve lights  with Rizal death (December 30) as the mostimportant
celebration.

Summary

  This topic showed that Rizal is not only regarded  as the Philippine national hero but also
venerated as the " Filipino Jesus Christ" or the Jove Rex Al ( God,King of All) by most Rizalista
groups. The Canonization of Rizal by L Iglesia Filipina Independiente and the eventual emergence
of Rizalista groups in different parts of the country could be associated with the long struggle of
the Filipino s for freedom and independence . Syncretism is also evident among the Rizalista
groups as the nationalism visions are included in their religious beliefs and texts. 

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