INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: R.A NO.

1425
RIZAL’S LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS
BS Tourism Management GE104 I Ms. Bernice I SEM 1 2022

delivering speeches for the proposed

THE CONTEXT OF THE
RIZAL BILL
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 into 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 the Philippine
experience of the revolution for
independence against Spain and from the
heroes of that important period in the
country's history.
legislation.
-According to him, the dissemination of
ideas and ideals of Jose Rizal through
the reading of his works, notably the
Noli Me Tangere and the El
Filibusterismo, is the main purpose of
the bill.
Soon after, the bill became
controversial as the Catholic Church
began to express opposition against
its passage. Its main author, Senator
Claro M. Recto, and his allies in the
Senate entered into a fierce debate
which started by April 23, 1956.
Representative Jacobo Z. Gonzales
filed a similar bill called House Bill No.
5561 at the House of Representatives
on April 19, 1956. Debates
commenced on May 9, 1956.

One measure sought was the passage of A major point of the debates was
Republic Act No. 1425 or the Rizal Law, whether the compulsory reading of
which was primarily set to address "a the Noli Me Tangere and El
need for a re-dedication to the ideals of Filibusterismo was constitutional.
freedom and nationalism for which our
The call to read the unexpurgated
heroes lived and died." The passage of
versions was also challenged.
the law was met with fierce opposition in
both the Senate and the House of
Representatives.

FROM RIZAL BILL TO RIZAL LAW

April 3, 1956- Senate Bill No. 438 was
filed to the Senate Committee on
Education.
April 17, 1956- Senate Committee on
Education Chairperson Jose P. Laurel
Sr. sponsored the bill and began

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INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: R.A NO. 1425
RIZAL’S LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS
BS Tourism Management GE104 I Ms. Bernice I SEM 1 2022

The following are excerpts from the

statements of the legislators who
supported and opposed the passage
of the Rizal Law in 1956

FOR

"Rizal did not pretend to teach religion

when he wrote those books. He aimed
at inculcating civic consciousness in
the Filipinos, national dignity, personal
pride, and patriotism and if references
were made by him in the course of his
"Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo narration to certain religious practices
must be read by all Filipinos. They in the Philippines in those days, and to
must be taken to heart, for in their the conduct and behavior of erring
pages we see ourselves as a mirror, ministers of the church, it was because
our defects as well as our strength, our he portrayed faithfully the general
virtues as well as our vices. Only then situation in the Philippines as it then
would we become conscious as a existed."
people and so learn to prepare - Senator Claro M. Recto
ourselves for painful sacrifices that
ultimately lead to self-reliance, AGAINST
self-respect, and freedom."

- Senator Jose P. Laurel

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INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: R.A NO. 1425
RIZAL’S LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS
BS Tourism Management GE104 I Ms. Bernice I SEM 1 2022

"A vast majority of our people are, at ***MY PERSONAL NOTE: (based on the
video)
the same time, Catholic and Filipino
citizens. As such, they have two great THREE BRANCHES OF THE
loves: their country and their faith. GOVERNMENT
These two loves are not conflicting
EXECUTIVE- implementer of the law
loves. They are harmonious affections, (president and cabinet members)
like the love for his father and for his LEGISLATIVE- creators of the law
mother. - Supreme law of the land
- Bicameral legislative
This is the basis of my stand. Let us (2 houses; upper house (senate), lower
house (house of representatives)
not create a conflict between
JUDICIAL- interpret the law
nationalism and religion, between the - Answer the question of the
government and the church." constitutionality of particular
legislative bodies
- Senator Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo

May 17, 1956- The Senate and House

versions of the bill were approved.
June 12, 1956- approved versions
were then transmitted to Malacañan
- President Ramon Magsaysay
signed the bill into law which
became Republic Act
1425.
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
1. Bill is filled in the office of senate
secretary
2. First reading
3. Committee hearing
4. Second reading
5. Voting on second reading
No. 6. Third reading
7. Voting on third reading
8. Consolidation of version from the
house
9. Transmittal the final version from
the house

*approved- no changes
**approved- with amendments
***reject

BICAMERAL CONFERENCE MEETING-

reconsolidate the 2 versions

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INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: R.A NO. 1425
RIZAL’S LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS
BS Tourism Management GE104 I Ms. Bernice I SEM 1 2022

POWER OF THE PRESIDENT -the main purpose is to read the Noli me

tangere and El Filibusterismo.
*sign the bill
*veto power- power of rejecting ***catholic church began to express
opposition
CONTEXT OF THE RIZAL BILL
April 23, 1956- Sen. Claro M. Recto (Main
Post war period- call for nation building Author) and his allies entered fierce
debate.
POINTS OF THE ARGUMENTS
● Constitutional compulsory of NT Rep. Jacob Z. Gonzales filed will called
and ELFI House Bill No. 5561 on House of
● Call to read the “unexpurgated” representatives- April 19, 1956
versions
May 09, 1956- debate commenced.
CATHOLIC CHURCH ARGUMENT
1. Rizal violate freedom of
conscience and religion (all people
has the right to think freely and
entertain based on conscience and
religion)
NOLI ME TANGERE and EL
FILIBUSTERISMO-
● Ipinapakita ang opression sa
spanish
● Enemies of the church may use
materials against catholic church

COUNTER ARGUMENT
-Fictional materials not historical narrative
-but it reflects what really happened in PH

RIZAL LAW- REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

- A need for rededication to the
nationalism for which our heroes
lived and died.

April 3, 1956- senate bill no. 438

- Filled to senate committee on
education
April 17, 1956- Jose P. Laurel Sr. (senate
committee on Education)
-sponsored the bill