THE RIZAL LAW
They
In 1956, Senator Claro M. Recto filed a
measure, which became the original Rizal
Bill, recognizing the need to instill heroism
among the youth at the time when the
country was experiencing social turmoil. It
was a time when the country was being
ravaged by the Hukbalahap insurgency. The
imperialist presence in the form of
American influence was strong in the
country’s economy and political policies.
The communist insurgency was fought
through American guidance and material
aid. The Philippines became part of the
global network to contain the spread of
communism with the conclusion of a
mutual defense agreement with the United
States in 1951 and its joining the Southeast
Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO).
On the economic front, the United parity
rights granted in the Philippine Constitution
which allowed The Americans to exploit the
country’s natural resources. In 1956, the
Laurel-Langley Agreement ensured the free
entry of American products, thus ensuring
the preference of Filipinos for American
goods. Internally, the country was buffeted
by corrupt party politics and news of
political corruption was rampant. The
1950s were indeed confusing times.
This was the period when Recto submitted
his bill, calling for a return to patriotic
values enunciated by Filipino heroes like
Jose Rizal. Under the bill, it shall be
obligatory for college and university
students to study the life and works of Jose
Rizal. The issuance of the bill was not
welcomed by various quarters.
The Catholic Church assailed the Rizal Bill as
anti-Church because it forced the students
to read Rizal’s works like the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo which contain
passages that were anti-Church.
presented fears that the religious beliefs of
the young students would be harmed by
reading Rizal’s works while they were in
their formative years.
Forcing the students to read Rizal’s works
which have religious overtones would be a
violation of the constitutional freedom of
religion and of conscience. The Church
made use of lobbyists as well as priests in
opposing the Rizal Bill.
People Who Opposed The Rizal Law
• Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo-
former head of a Catholic
organization called Accion Catolico
-voiced the opposition of the
Church in Congress
“A vast majority of our people are at the
same time Catholics and Filipino citizens. As
such, they have two great loves: their
country and their faith. These two loves are
no conflicting love. They are harmonious
affections, like the love of a child for his
father and for his mother. This is the basis
of my stand. Let us not create a conflict
between nationalism and religion; the
government and the church (Laurel, Jr .,
132).”
Fr. Jesus Cavanna
• commented that Rizal’s novels
belonged to the past and it would
be harmful to read them because
they presented a false picture of
the conditions of the country at
that time.
Jesus Paredes
• Said that the novels contain
objectionable matters and
Catholics had the right to refuse to
read them, so as not to endanger
their faith.
Narciso Pimentel
 • Offered the speculation that Recto
introduced his Rizal Bill to get back
at the Catholic voters, who,
together with President Magsaysay,
were responsible for his poor
showing in the 1955 elections.
Miguel Cuenco
• The one who also
opposed the Rizal Law.
• The Church continued its
opposition of the bill by calling all
Catholic voters to reject lawmakers
who supported Recto’s Rizal Bill.
Pastoral letters were read in masses
voicing opposition. Bishops
threatened to close down Catholic
schools if the bill was approved.
Senator Claro M. Recto
• Authored the Rizal Bill.
He is remembered for his
nationalism, for “the impact of his
patriotic convictions on modern
political thought.”
“Rizal did not pretend to teach religion or
theology when he wrote those books. He
aimed at inculcating civic consciousness in
the Filipinos, national dignity, personal
pride, and patriotism … but while he
criticized and ridiculed the unworthy
behavior of certain ministers of the
church, he made exceptions in favor of the
worthy ones, like the Dominican friar,
Padre Fernandez, and the virtuous native
priest, Padre Florentino, and the Jesuits in
general (Laurel, Jr ., 132-133).”
After a month-long standoff, a compromise
bill was filed. It was authored by Senator
Jose Laurel and it was based on the
proposals of Senators Roseller Lim and
Emmanuel Pelaez. On June 12, 1956,
Republic Act No. 1425, better known as the
Rizal Law, came into effect. The law
accommodated the objections of the
Catholic Church. This could be seen in the
second paragraph of Section 1, allowing
students to seek exemption from reading
Rizal’s works for religious reasons. To the
authors of the original bill, it was a
complete victory but its oppositors felt
satisfied that at least they achieved
something. The law, however, still requires
the reading of the unexpurgated versions of
Rizal’s novels. It also provided the funding
of publication of Rizal’s work and their
distribution to the countryside. It was,
however, a one-time appropriation and
provision, for future publication was not
given. The Rizal Law is more than 50 years
old now, and it may need revisions to make
it more relevant.
Senator Jose Laurel
• Republic Act No. 1425
House Bill No. 5561
Senate Bill No. 438
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 printing
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
rededication 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 writings 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 novels
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 regulations 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
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 the 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