MAKILALA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Brgy. Concepcion, Makilala, Cotabato

Course Code: Rizal 1 Instructor: Liezel M. Clapano, LPT

Course Description: Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal Contact Number: 0910-399-2195
Credit Unit: 3 Units Email Address: liezelclapano77@gmail.com
Module Number: 1
Duration: 2 Weeks

MODULE 1: RIZAL LAW

Intended Learning Outcomes: At the end of this chapter, the students are expected to:
a.Discuss the reasons and value of learning the life and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal;
b. Analyze the content of “Rizal Law”; and
c.Identify the important events and people that played an important role in the making of the
Rizal Law.

1.1 WHY STUDY RIZAL?

a. To recognize the importance of Rizal’s
ideals and teachings in relation to present
conditions and situations in the society.
b. To encourage the application of such
ideals in current social and personal
problems and issues.
c. To develop an appreciation and deeper
understanding of all that Rizal fought and
died for.

Emilio Aguinaldo, the natural soldier who took

command of the revolution, routed the Spaniards
on his second attempt, proclaimed the First
Republic, and compelled the Great American
Union to mobilize against him five times the
forces required to secure the Spanish surrender.
The success of the Revolution may have required a disciplined unity under an unchallenged dictator, and that
unity may have demanded the elimination first of Andres Bonifacio, and of Antonio Luna, as dangerous rivals
of the supreme leader, but these Acts of State, of politician necessity, would have tarnished a patriotic image.

Leon Ma. Guerrero, Jr. – Rizal’s foremost biographer, author, lawyer, and diplomat.

“In an era that ushered in the birth of the Filipino nationalism, Rizal had many competitors. There was
Marcelo H. del Pilar, considered even by his antagonist as the real Soul of Subversion. There was Apolinario
Mabini (Dakilang Lumpo – contracted polio which his legs paralyzed, Utak ng Katipunan – a brilliant thinker
who used his pen in the service of the Filipino people’s struggle for freedom in the age of new imperialism);
Prime Minister of the war against the United States of America, The Sublime Paralytic.
1. The Filipinos were unanimous in their choice of Rizal as the National hero. It was Rizal who
enlightened his countrymen to the fact that they were Filipinos and as such, members of the Filipino
Nation. He sought to unite the entire archipelago and envisioned a compact and homogenous
society of all the tribal communities from the northernmost islands of Batanes to the southernmost
islands in the Sulu Seas, based on common interest and the mutual protection of all.
 2. We love freedom and justice, for we have given our worship to a man, for their sake, forsook the
comforts and pleasures of peace. God is Justice, wrote Rizal, and He cannot abandon His own
cause, the cause of Freedom without which there can be no justice.
3. We prize virtue more that victory; the sacrifice above success, for Rizal died a failure in the eyes of
the world, at the mercy of an unmerciful enemy.

1.2 THE RIZAL LAW

Senator Claro M. Recto – Father of the Rizal Law; the author of Senate Bill No. 438

Senate Bill No. 438 (R.A. No. 1425/house Bill No. 5561) – made public in April 1956; the Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo of Dr. Jose Rizal must be compulsory reading in all colleges and universities
in the Philippines; sponsored by Commission on Education chaired by the late Senator Jose P.
Laurel (Committee on Education Chair) and co-sponsored by all other senators except Senators
Francisco Rodrigo, Mariano Jesus Cuenco, and Decoroso Rosales.
 The Bill was signed into Law by President Ramon Magsaysay and became Republic Act No. 1425.

BILL’S ONLY PURPOSE – To retain the memory of our national hero in every Filipino, be it newly born or
an adult.

Spearheading the OPPOSITIONS to Senate Bill No. 438 were the following:
1. Catholic Teacher’s Guild;
2. Knight of Columbus;
3. Catholic Action of the Philippines;
4. Congregation of Missions; and
5. Other Catholic Groups.
 Church feared the Bill would violate freedom of conscience and religion (Anti-Catholic).
 Rizal Law violated Canon Law 1399 prohibiting books that attack or ridicule Catholicism, doctrines
and practices.

Reasons:

1. By compelling Catholic students to read these controversial novels is a violation of religious freedom as
guaranteed by the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
2. Catholic Church objected to the Bill allegedly because of the novel’s attacks on the Catholic Church.
3. Catholic Church accused Rizal’s novel of attacking Catholic dogma and morals and that therefore, it is
has violated canon 1399 of the Canon Law (Body of Laws of the Roman Catholic Church).
 Of course, Recto and Laurel defended the bill and argued that the sole purpose of the Bill was to
keep alive the memory of the national hero in the minds of every Filipino,

Father Jesus Carvana – Catholic Priest; claimed to have a “thorough and comprehensive” reading of the
Noli and Fili and came up with the following statistical data:

1. Out of the Noli’s 332 pages, there were only 25 pages to patriotic (are nationalistic) passages against
120 pages of anti-Catholic statements; and
2. Out of the Fili’s 293 pages, there were only 41pages of patriotic (are nationalistic) value as against 80
pages of anti-Catholic statements.

On the other hand, the Bill had its ARDENT AND PASSIONATE SUPPORTERS in such groups as:

1. The Spirit of 1896 composed of the veterans of the Philippines Revolutions of 1896;
2. The Alagad ni Rizal;
3. The Freemasons; and
4. Booklovers Society.

Aged Veterans of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 – they gathered at historic Imus, Cavite in order to rally
behind the passage of the Bill; one supporter of the Bill cried out, said “My loyalty to my religion
ends, where my loyalty to my country begins.”
 - This statement reminds us of another Filipino nationalist, the late President Manuel L.
Quezon when he said, “My loyalty to my party (political party) ends, where my loyalty to
my country begins.”
 I shall maintain my loyalty to my country and honesty to the people. I will perform my duties to
the best of my abilities

June 12, 1956 – the Senate Bill No. 438 was passed into law as Republic Act No. 1425 known as Rizal Law.
 Mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines to offer courses about Rizal.

Every student has to learn the values of nationalism and patriotism through and from the life and works of our
national hero. The law aims to establish cognizance among students on how the works of our national hero
shaped the history of Philippines. Thus, below is the Jose Rizal Law

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

Senator Jose P. Laurel, the person who sponsored the said law said that since Rizal was the founder of the
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.

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;
 Re-dedicate the lives of the youth to the ideas of freedom and nationalism

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;
 To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino
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;
 Inspiration through him and his works

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;
 Foster development of the youth in all aspects of citizenship

SECTION1. 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 EI
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.