Pangasinan State University

Social Sciences Department

Bayambang, Pangasinan

Activity I: The Rizal Law

(By: Dr. Reynante U. Malicdem)

Introduction

Dr. Jose P. Rizal was indeed a man of patriotic intentions who devoted his almost entire life in promoting
and fighting for the good of his country. His myriad patriotic writings and accomplishments were undoubtedly
recognized not only in the Philippines but in some other countries. Rizal’s incomparable love for is country dates
back as early as his childhood days and eventually ended after his fateful death. His sacrifices veraciously paved
the way for a nationwide awakening for nationalistic ends. Filipinos then revered him as one the greatest heroes
of the Philippines. Rizal therefore and all of his undertakings are worthy of due homage and gratitude in any way
particularly by means of laws.

Rizal Law Backgrounder

Republic Act 1425 or also known in its official title as “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” is just one of the ways to recognize his invaluable efforts for the nation. Discerning more about this
republic act would help students recognize the value of taking the course.

Basically, Republic Act 1425 started its journey as a Senate Bill. lt had a humble but precarious beginning.
It was initiated by the then Senator Claro Mayo Recto the main author with Senator Jose P. Laurel as the co -
sponsor. It was then known as the Rizal Bill or Senate Bill 438 filed to the Senate Committee on Education on
April 3, 1956.The Bill had to undergo expurgation as a compromise with the opposing side. The compromised
version was accepted by all concerned parties. It was duly approved by the body. The full text of the law has six
sections.

. Furthermore, the law was enacted to honor and credit Rizal by studying the sacrifices he endured as well
as other Filipino heroes.

Controversies over the Rizal Bill

Senate Bill started its shaky journey in the congress with opposition from the Catholic Church. The Church
accused Recto of being a communist and an anti-Catholic. Recto on the contrary remained adamant with his
position continued to pursue the bill. The church equally unfazed continued with the anti-Rizal Bill campaign.
The members of the Catholic Clergy then launched a series of actions against Recto’s bill such as writing letters
to the Congressmen and Senators voicing out their opposition, conducting symposia and reading Pastoral Letter
during a mass.
 Anti and pro Rizal Bill groups eventually emerged with both groups engaging in a tit for tat to defend their
stance. The Catholic Action of the Philippines, Congregation of the Mission, Knights of Columbus and the
Catholic Teachers’ Guild are anti-Rizal Bill. On the other hand, they were countered by the Veteranos De La
Revolucion, Alagad ni Rizal, The Free Masons and The Knights of Rizal.

Other personalities such as Fr. Jesus Cavana claimed that the novels were things of the past and that
reading or teaching them would misrepresent prevailing conditions. Radio commentator Jesus Paredes opined
that members of the Catholic religion have the right to decline reading the novels for it would endanger their
salvation. Senator Mariano Cuenco asserted that Rizal attacked dogmas, beliefs and practices of the Church via
his writings. The church accused Recto of being a communist and an anti-Catholic and mandating the reading
of the two novels would violate freedom of conscience as well as religion.

Soon the Catholic Schools threatened to shut down if the bill was passed into law. Recto answered back
and had a threat of his own that is to nationalize the schools. The Catholic priests dropped their threat and
instead warned the lawmakers that they would never be accommodated in the next national elections. The
undeterred Senator Recto went on his advocacy despite the stern opposition.

The Compromise Provision

Senator Laurel on May 12, 1956 the Chair Committee on Education sought to end the standoff by filin g
a compromised version of the bill. The new version would accommodate part of objection of the church that
would include a provision which would allow college students to read the novels on an optional basis or file an
exemption from reading the original version of the two novels. The said exemption should only be applied by
way of religious belief. Eventually the members of the Catholic Church and the proponents of the bill hereafter
came to a settlement and approved the bill into law.

The provision which paved the way for a compromise between the opposing sides was an insertion in
section 1 of the act particularly the third statement. The provision states that “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.”

Finally, the Rizal Bill was passed into law on June 12, 1956 because of such compromise agreement
which accommodated the catholic clergy’s stand.

For further understanding the full text of RA 1425 is hereby printed below.

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 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.

Name: Marycris L. Lapitan

Year&Section: BSE-FILIPINO I-2

Activity
A. Film-viewing
For further understanding of the Rizal Law, watch the Video “The RIZAL Law-Anyare?” which is
uploaded then answer the following questions.

B. Questions:
1. How would you describe the process of enacting the Rizal Law from its filing to the approval?
- Its implementation has not been easy for lawmakers. This bill went through a long process before it became a law. A
tense debate took place where various opinions and motives emerged from government leaders in their quest to
implement the Rizal Law. One of the reasons why the passage of this law was not easy was because of the strong
opposition of the Catholic Church. The church and the legislators who sided with them believe that Rizal's two novels
contain statements that are against the church. But In the end, the members of the Catholic Church and the proponents
of the bill hereafter came to a settlement and approved the bill into law.

2. Pick one section of the provisions of the law which you might want to amend then explain
why.
- I might want to change Section 1 of the Rizal law's provisions. It is mentioned in this section that the Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo original or unexpurgated editions or their English translation shall be used as basic texts in
collegiate courses. My suggestion is to include a separate secondary-level subject about Rizal's life and works. I think if
we study the life of Rizal at a young age, we can have a good sense of nationalism, a good moral character and the love
for our country. Additionally, I want to include the requirement that all secondary students in both public and private
schools read the original Rizal novels or their English translations. Students will gain a better and deeper understanding
of what Rizal's genuine motivation was for creating his novels if they accomplish this because it allows us to revive the
freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and sacrificed their lives.

3. What is your opinion on the inserted provision which was instrumental in the compromise
agreement that led to the approval of the Rizal Law?
- I disagree on the inserted provision which is when their religious beliefs are offended, students are exempted from
reading Rizal's novels. There is nothing controversial other than the decision to demand reading and study of Rizal's
books Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in schools because of some anti-Catholic aspects that the church could not
allow. Although the two novels may contain some offensive comments against the Catholic Church, as a whole, they still
inspire in us a sense of patriotism. The Rizal Law's implementation in every school is a great idea. Despite the fact that a
part of his novel is opposed to Catholicism, Catholic schools need to teach about Rizal's life and works. Due to the fact
that we study Rizal's life to understand nationalism and patriotism rather than to be anti-Catholic.

4. In your point of view will RA 1425 be successful in attaining its goal? Why do you think so?
- The goal of the Rizal Law is to establish regulations that will help people learn more about the life, works, and writings
of Dr. Jose Rizal, our country's national hero, particularly his books Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. This is done
to help the students comprehend how Jose Rizal gave his life in love to our nation. The purpose of teaching the Rizal
course in the school is to develop a sense of nationalism and patriotism in every young Filipino. I think that RA 1425 has
not yet succeeded in achieving its intended outcome. Our interest in things like the Internet has prevented us from
understanding Rizal more deeply. Nowadays, almost no one is aware of Jose Rizal's contributions to the country except
his name. The nation's history, heritage, culture, and traditions, particularly Jose Rizal's legacy, are being ignored and
disregarded by the youth. They become less ambitious and, sure, more lazy. Sadly, action has proved that the Rizal law
has not been effective.

C. Complete the table below.

Name Status/Position Reason
Senate Committee

Senators Jose P. Laurel and Claro M.

Pro-Rizal Bill Claro M. Recto the main author Recto made a big argument in favor of the
Rizal Bill's passage, claiming that Rizal
novels and writings should indeed be
Jose P. Laurel the co-sponsor read by every other generation because
they contain a strong sense of
nationalism and morality.

Senate Committee

Anti-Rizal Bill Francisco “Soc” former Catholic Senator Rodrigo's main argument was
Action President that Rizal's books, especially Noli Me
Rodrigo Tangere and El Filibusterismo, were
written to explicitly criticize and insult
the Catholic church. Wherein clearly
violates the law, that the church should
be separated from the state, as it was
clearly stated in the 1987 Constitution of
the Philippines, Article Il, Section 6,
which is still the core and backbone of
our country as of today. As he stated that
"Let us not create a conflict between
nationalism and religion, but ween the
government and the church.

Mariano Cuenco, Cuenco emphasized that Rizal attacked

the practices and beliefs of the church.
brother of Julio
Rosales, an
archbishop.

Decoroso Rosales He believed that approval of the bill

would lead to the closure of Catholic
schools all throughout the country.
 Groups who
opposed the bill

Catholic Action of
the Philippines

Congregation of the
Mission The The inevitable criticism of Church
doctrines might lead to the jeopardy of
Members
the faith of people.
Knights of of Catholic
Columbus Clergy

Catholic Teachers
Guild

References:
1. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/
2. Cruz-Araneta, Gemma (2010-12-29). "Legislating Rizal, 1". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the
original on December 30, 2010. As cited by Wikipedia

3. Ocampo, Ambeth (2007-05-04). "The Fight over the Rizal Law". Philippine Daily Inquirer. As cited by
Wikipedia