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The Life and Works of Rizal

Chapter 1

Republic Act 1425

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Chapter 1
Republic Act 1425
Introduction

This module discusses the mandatory teaching of Jose Rizal’s life with the emphasis on his
landmark novels in inscribed legislation. Republic Act No. 1425, more popularly known as Rizal
Law, was passed 1956 leaving a colorful narrative of debate and contestation.
As an introduction to the life and works of Rizal. In this module 1 entitled “Introduction to
Rizal Law, you will study RA 1425 within its context, look into the major issues and debates
surrounding the bill and its passage into law and reflect on the impact and relevance of this legislation
across history and the present time.
In the course of the discussion, the process of how a bill becomes a law in the Philippines will
be tackled so you will have an idea regarding the country’s legislative process.

Specific Objectives

- Explain the history of the Rizal Law and its important provisions
- Critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal Course

Sample:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

- Understand the policy, guidelines, and requirements of the course

- Appreciate the content of the course
- Explain the history of the Rizal Law and its important provisions
- Critically assess the effectiveness of Rizal Course

Duration

Chapter 1: Republic Act 1425 = 3 hours

(2 hours discussion; 1 hours
assessment)
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Lesson 1: Background and Content of Republic

Act No. 1425, S.1956
The postwar period saw a Philippines rife with challenges and problems. With a country torn
and tired from the stresses of World War II, getting up on their feet was a paramount concern of the
people and the government.
As the Philippines grappled with various challenges, particularly the call for nation-building,
prominent individuals who championed nationalism came to action. They pursued government
measures to instill patriotism and love for country in the hearts and minds of the Filipinos. These
people drew inspiration from Philippine experience of the revolution for independence against Spain
and from the heroes of that important period in the country’s history.
One measure sought was the passage of the Republic Act No. 1425 or the Rizal Law, which
was primarily set to address “a need for re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for
which our heroes lived and died.” The passage of the law was met with fierce opposition in both the
Senate and the House of Representatives.

I. FROM THE RIZAL BILL TO THE RIZAL LAW

On April 3, 1956, Senate Bill No.438 was filed by the Senate Committee on Education. On
April 17, 1956, then Senate Committee on Education Chair Jose P. Laurel sponsored the bill and
began delivering speeches for the proposed legislation. Soon after, the bill became controversial as
the powerful Catholic Church began to express opposition against its passage. As the influence of
the Church was felt with members of the Senate voicing their opposition to the bill, its main author,
Claro M. Recto, and his allies in the Senate entered into a fierce battle arguing for the passage of SB
438. Debates started on April 23, 1956.

The debates on the Rizal Bill also ensured in the House of Representatives. House Bill
No.5561, an identical version of SB 438, was filed by Representative Jacobo Z. Gonzales on April
19, 1956. The House Committee on Education approved the bill without amendments on May 2,
1956 and the debates commenced on May 9, 1956. A major point of the debates was whether the
compulsory reading of the texts Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo appropriated in the bill was
constitutional. The call to read the unexpurgated version was also challenged.
As the country was soon engaged in the debate, it seems that an impasse was reached. 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 added that Rizal’s
other works must also be included in the subject. He, however, remained adamant in his stand that
the unexpurgated versions of the novels be read. On May 14, 1956, similar amendments were
adopted to the House version.

The amended version of the bills was also subjected to scrutiny but seemed more palatable
to the members of Congress. The passage, however, was almost hijacked by technicality since the
House of Representatives was about to adjourn in a few days and President Ramon Magsaysay did
not certify the bills as priority. The allies in the House skillfully avoided the insertion of any other
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amendments 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.
Tus, on May 17, 1956, the Senate and House versions were approved.

The approved versions were then transmitted to Malacañang and June 12, 1956, President
Magsaysay signed the bill into law which became Republic Act No. 1425. After the bill was enacted
into law, there were no recorded instances of students applying for exemption from reading the
novels, and there was no known procedure for such exemptions. In 1994, President Fidel V. Ramos
ordered the Department of Education, Culture and Sports to fully implement the law as there had
been reports that it has still not been fully implemented.

II. 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.
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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 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.
Approved: June 12, 1956
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.

A. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RIZAL LAW (R.A. NO. 1425)

One of the important legislations to boost Filipino nationalism is the Rizal Law of Republic Act No.
1425 which highlights the following:
1. The study of Rizal’s Life, Works and Writings can support and foster the cause of nationalism
for Filipinos especially the youths;
2. The inclusion of the works of Rizal in the College Curriculum particularly the study of his
novels – Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are necessary to have a better understanding
of 19th century Philippines.
3. The inclusion also of other works of Rizal such as his letters, paintings, travels can promote
the cause of nationalism;
4. Funding of the law in order to give supplemental copies of the novels to public libraries; and
5. The implementation of the law. Although this law is not declaring that Rizal is a national
hero, it can be a positive step towards enshrining him and other national heroes of the country.

B. ANALYSIS ON RIZAL LAW

Students often wonder why they have to study Rizal course. What is its relevance to their course
or their field of expertise? There are several answers to this questions:
1. The adoption and implementation of R.A. No. 1425 which clearly states that the study of Jose
Rizal’s Life Works and Writings must be taught in all public and private Schools, Colleges
and Universities;
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2. The study of Rizal’s work particularly his two important novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo and other works (poems, diaries, essays) as well as their translations in
Filipino and English should be implemented and funded by the government as provided for
in the law;
3. The law also mandates the study of Rizal’s Life, works and writings in the secondary levels
specially the Noli Me Tangere on the 3rd year level and El Filibusterismo in 4th year level.
This forms part of the Filipino curriculum where the medium of instruction is Filipino;
4. The Rizal Course offers a wide range of thoughts on how Rizal and other heroes (Marcelo H.
Del Pilar, Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini and others) fought for freedom for the
sake of the country’s survival against the “evil imperialism” of foreign invaders.

C. RIZAL LAW AND THE K-12 LAW

The study of Rizal is still part of the K-12 Law and the new General Education Curriculum
in the sense that Rizal course is mandatory to college students with a view to develop their historical
thinking and national awareness. The study of Rizal may also give reflections on the events of the
past that formed part of Philippine History and to awaken the minds of the modern Filipinos who are
popularly called “millennials”.

References/Additional Resources/Readings

De Viana, A.V., Cabrera, F.C., Samala, E.P., De Vera, M.M., & Atutubo, J.C. (2018). Jose Rizal:
Social Reformer and Patriot. Rex Book Store, Inc.

Zaide, G.F. & Zaide, S.M. (2008). Jose Rizal: life, works and writings of a genius writer, scientist
and national hero. All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc.

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/