Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law)
Rizal Law and Its Importance
Republic Act. No. 1425, also known as the Rizal
Law
✘ enacted on June 12, 1956
✘ sponsored and authored mainly by the late
Senator Jose P. Laurel and Senator Claro M.
Recto.
✘ 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.
According to the late Senator Jose P. Laurel the
dissemination of ideas and ideals of Jose Rizal
through the reading of his works, notably the
NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO is
the main purpose of the bill.
“Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be
read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to
heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as a
mirror, our defects as well as our strength, our
virtues as well as our vices. Only then would we
become conscious as a people, and so learn to
prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that
ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-respect and
freedom”
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.
RA 1425
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 inthe 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.
Why do we need to study the life and works of
Rizal?
It can be summed into TWO major points:
✓ First and foremost, because it is mandated by
law.
✓ Secondly, because of the lessons contained
within the course itself. Why study Rizal:
Because it is mandated by law
✘ Senator Jose P. Laurel, the person who
sponsored the said law, said that since Rizal was
the founder of Philippine nationalism and has
contributed much to the current standing of
this nation, it is only right that the youth as well
as all the people in the country know about and
learn to imbibe the great ideals for which he
died.
The Rizal Law, enacted in 1956, seeks to
accomplish the following objectives:
1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals
of freedom and nationalism, for which our
heroes lived and died
2. To pay tribute to our national hero for
devoting his life and works in shaping the
Filipino character
3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism
through the study of Rizal's life, works, and
writings. Aside from those mentioned above,
there are other reasons for teaching the Rizal
course in Philippine Schools, these goals are as
follows:
1. To recognize the importance of Rizal's ideals
and teachings in relation to present conditions
and situations in the society.
2. To encourage the application of such ideals in
current social and personal problems and
issues.
3. To develop an appreciation and deeper
understanding of all that Rizal fought and died
for.
4. To foster the development of Filipino youth
in all aspects of citizenship.
The Effects of Rizal Law
Positive and Negative
Positive Effects:
✘ According to Hernan Abaya, 1984, the
nationalist reawakening began on the UP
campus, sparked by the teaching of Rizal's life
and his writings made compulsory by the Noli-
Fili law, co-authored by Recto and Laurel. This is
a statement from a person who was able to
witness the condition of the country before and
after the Rizal law was implemented. He saw
the change and the positive effect of the law to
our country back then.
✘ Through this republic act the essence of
freedom and independence was emphasized to
the youth. Also, it has been implied through this
act that national identity is a very important
legacy that our heroes have achieved through
sacrificing their own lives. They have passed it
on to us, and it is our role to nurture and
protect it.
✘ The RA. 1425 just caused havoc within
educational institutions
✘ The faith of the people is being
compromised. This law is endangering the
Christian growth of the students who are still in
their formative years. This can drive the youth
to question the credibility of the church and its
teachings and traditions.
✘ According to a survey that we have
conducted in our university, the Rizal course is
not actually significant for the students. It has
just been a laborious subject that adds
unnecessary work load to students, and it
sometimes drives the students to lose focus on
their majors.

✘ the youth was made aware of the

contributions and the principled life of Jose
Rizal who was an emblem of substantial
nationalism and unconditional love for the
country. He embodies brilliance coupled with
humility and prestige that goes along with
service. This Republic Act has pushed for Rizal
to be a role model for the youth of this country.