INTERACT WITH A HISTORICAL TEXT

Identifying the Arguments

RIZAL RETRACTED
Claimant 1 Argument 1 Evidence/Proofs
Fr. Balaguer Father Balaguer gave Rizal Fr. Balaguer’s statement was
the formula of retraction that used as additional proof that
had been written the night Rizal had truly retracted.
before his execution. Fr.
Balaguer was instructed by
Rizal to find a pen and write
down what he would dictate.
And he found out that it was
Rizal’s retraction paper,
which is the most reliable
witness of the Retraction’s
truth.

Your Observations:
Fr. Balaguer text on retraction of Rizal is Fr. Balaguer was the one who find out Rizal’s
retraction paper and he is there before Rizal’s execution, because on the text that Fr.
Balaguer wrote, he is the one instructed by Rizal to write down what he is going to dictate,
and this is a reliable source or witness that Rizal was retracted.

Claimant 2 Argument 2 Evidence/Proofs

Letters of Josephine According to the last Dec. 30, 1896. 4:00-5:00 a.m.
Bracken sentence of her letter, she Rizal picks up Imitation of
states that Rizal and her got Christ, reads, meditates and
married before Rizal’s then writes in Kemphis’ book
execution around 5 o’clock in a dedication to his wife
the morning. She also uses Josephine and by this very act
“Rizal” as her surname. Then in itself he gives to her their
there is a retraction. only certificate of marriage.

Your Observations:
Josephine Bracken claimed that she is the wife of Jose Rizal and they got married
before Rizal executed. They also have a marriage contract that Rizal gave her.

Claimant 3 Argument 3 Evidence/Proofs

An eyewitness account by According to him, he heard
Rev. Fr. Antonio Rosell Fathers Balaguer and
Villaclara relate that Rizal
spontaneously asked his
confession to be heard,
receiving many times this
Sacrament and that after the
dawn of the thirtieth he took
communion and was united
in Holy Matrimony with the
young Irish Josefina. There
was according to these
fathers a brief but complete
retraction written and signed
by Rizal himself.
Dec. 30, 1986. 6:15-7:00 a.m.
Rizal’s walks to the place of
execution between Fr. March
and Fr. Villaclara with whom
he converses. Keeps looking
around as if seeking or
expecting to see someone.
His last word, said in loud
voice: “It is finished.

Your Observations:
Fr. Balaguer and Fr. Villaclara talks about Rizal’s actions before he got executed. It
states that he offer his willingness to God at the end of his life. He even marry
Josefina/Josephine and write his retraction with the sign of him on it

References: Readings in Philippines History Book by Ronald M. Corpuz, Claudio V.

Tabotabo, Rex Oliver T. Papel, MAT, and Julio O. Evardone, Jr. MA Pub Ad.

RIZAL DID NOT RETRACT

Claimant 1 Argument 1
Statement of Baron He said that he had
Fernandez document stating before
Rizal’s execution. Rizal told
Narcisa to look inside his
shoes because he had a
secret letter there.
Fernandez claimed that the
letter contained denial of
Evidence/Proofs
Fernandez found a thick sheaf
of Rizal’s defense (unofficial
defense – ADICIORES A MI
DEFENSA) which Rizal had
written before his execution on
Dec. 30, 1986, containing the
denial of Rizal’s retraction.
 Rizal’s retraction because
Rizal knew that the friars
were misleading the Filipino
people.

Your Observations:
Fernandez didn’t believe that Rizal writes a retraction and even claimed that the letter
Rizal gave to Narcisa is denial of his retraction based on the thick sheaf of Rizal’s defense he
found.

Claimant 2 Argument 2 Evidence/Proofs

Manoling Morato’s “Expose” Morato said in his “EXPOSE” Morato bought from
that the friars forged the Fernandez the alleged
retraction letter and document containing Rizal’s
published in the CLERICO- denial of the said retraction
FASCIST newspaper at that that took place hours before
time. his execution. Morato
maintained that Rizal never
retracted although friars
managed to publish a fake
copy of his retraction.
Your Observations:
Morato also didn’t believe on Rizal’s retraction as he said in his “expose” that the friars
forged the retraction letter and published it in the Clerico-Fascist newspaper that time. The
friars also publish a fake copy of Rizal’s retraction.

Claimant 3 Argument 3 Evidence/Proofs

Jose and Josephine Bracken demands to take
Marriage some of the properties of
Rizal being his widow. She
even sued the Rizal Family
in order to produce the so-
called, “Jose’s Last Will and
There were no marriage
certificate that could prove
that Jose and Josephine got
married. If there is no
marriage, then there could be
no retraction that took place
 Testament”. before Rizal was executed, as
retraction is a condition before
the friars will solemnize Jose
and Josephine’s wedding.
Your Observations:
Bracken wants to take some of the properties of Rizal as she says that Rizal marry her
and now she is widowed. But when Basa asks her for their marriage contract, she was not
able to produce the document that’s why she didn’t get what she wants.

References: Readings in Philippines History Book by Ronald M. Corpuz, Claudio V.

Tabotabo, Rex Oliver T. Papel, MAT, and Julio O. Evardone, Jr. MA Pub Ad.