INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: REPUBLIC ACT 1425

A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND IN CONTEXT OF RA 1425

Before the passage of RA 1425, history would tell us that some historical backgrounds
and contexts led to the passage of the Rizal law. in the context of that time, the RA 1425
was passed with the aim that the youth will not forget Rizal. But why should we not
forget Rizal? Let us unravel the historical background and context of the 1950's for us to
answer this question. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo issued a proclamation on December 20,
1898, marking the second anniversary of Jose Rizal's execution in Bagumbayan and
declaring December 30 to be "a national day of mourning" for Rizal and other Spanish
victims throughout its three centuries of cruel rule. In order to show respect, he issued
an order that all national flags be flown at half-staff beginning at noon on December 29
and that all government offices be closed on December 30 for the entire day. Filipinos
chose Club Filipino in Manila as the location for the first Rizal Day celebration, which
took place on December 30, 1898. In order to gain the Filipinos' sympathies and show
them that they supported them more than the Spaniards, the Americans officially
recognized Rizal. This was done to force them to comply with the new government. In
1901, under the leadership of William Howard Taft, the nation's first American civil
governor, Rizal was given the formal title of Philippine National Hero. On June 11, 1901,
the Taft Commission passed Act 137 renaming the district of Morong into the Province
of Rizal on the advice of Trinidad Pardo de Tavera. Republic Act. No. 1425, also known as
the Rizal Law has been enacted on June 12, 1956 and was sponsored and authored
mainly by the late Senator Jose P. Laurel and Senator Claro M. Recto. Rizal Law is a
mandate to include in the course curricula of all public and private schools, colleges and
universities the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

B. THE ISSUES INDIBATE OF RA. 1425 IN THE CONTEXT OF RA. 1950’s

The Rizal Bill: Senate Bill 438 mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines to
offer courses about Jose Rizal First authored by Senator Claro M. Recto. Senator Recto
brought the bill to the Senate and proposed it to Senator Jose B. Laurel Sr. who was
current Chairman of the Committee on Education. Senator Laurel sponsored the bill
which led to many controversies. It was considered as one of the most controversial bills
in the Philippines. It had been brought to the Upper and Lower House of the Congress
for deliberations. It was not just opposed by the Legislative Arm but also by the Catholic
Church.
 T H E O P P O S I T I O N PA RT Y G R O U P

Senator Decoroso Rosales- brother of Archbishop Rosales Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo,

Senator Mariano Cuenco, Jesus Paredes Fr. Jesus Cavana, The friars Catholic Action of
the Philippines, The congregation of the Mission, The knights of Columbus, and The
Catholic Teachers guilds.

Oppositions argued that the bill would go against the Catholic religion with Rizal’s
famous novels which were said to contain mostly scrutiny against the friars and Catholic
faith. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) submitted a pastoral
letter to which according, Rizal violated Canon Law 1399 which forbids or bans books
that attack or ridicule the catholic doctrine and practices.

The Defence Party

Senator Claro M. Recto- sought to sponsor the bill at congress Arsenio Lacson- the
mayor of Manila who supported the Rizal bill too Senator Jose P. Laurel- filed the Rizal
Bill in 1956. Other illustrious nationalists President Ramon- who signed the bill on June
12, 1956 and who directed the DECS and CHED to immediately and fully implement the
Rizal bill. Senator Lim, Senator Primicias, the defending party emphasized that the only
objective of the bill is to keep the memory of the national hero alive in every Filipino’s
mind, especially the youth, and to give heroic credit to Rizal as he peacefully fought for
freedom, and not to go against religion. 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.

Rizal Law, today. The life and works of Rizal are included in the curricula of all schools and
universities as the collegiate course. Reading Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo is a must.

To help us to remember the national heroes, patriots, and Jose Rizal himself, with special
fondness and devotion of their lives and works that have shaped the national character. His
works, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant inspiring source for the youth of
patriotism. Not only remembering the past, but gives us the reason to love and serve the
country to the youth who are the future of our society.
Background of Rizal Law
April 19, 1956 – “Conflict on the House of Representative” Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales
introduced House Bill No. 5561, an identical copy of House Bill No. 438.
April 23, 1956 – Debate on Senate Bill No. 5561; State (Sen. Laurel/ Recto) and Church (Sen.
Mariano J. Cuenco/ Francisco Rodrigo/ Decoroso Rosales)
May 2, 1956 – Jose P. Laurel, Committee on Education recommended the approval without
amendment
May 9, 1956 – Debate started following the report of the Committee on Education
June 12, 1956 – Republic Act No. 1425 was approved by President Ramon Magsaysay
Among the 333 pages of Noli Me Tangere, 25 of the passages are nationalistic while 120 are
anti-Catholic.

Goals and Objectives of Rizal Law

It was intended to the re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our
heroes lived and died;
Memorializing with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the
national character;
Suffuse the life , works and writings of Jose Rizal which give constant and inspiring source of
inspiration to the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in school; and
All schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and to
teach the duties of citizenship.

•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.
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