RA 1425 OR RIZAL LAW

An act to include courses on the life, works and writings of Rizal to both public and private schools
and universities.
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
300, 000 appropriated to National Treasury
2nd reading approved on May 12, 1956.
3rd reading was approved on May 13, 1956.
Signed to be a law on June 12, 1956.
TRIALS OF THE RIZAL BILL
 RIZAL BILL SENATE BILL NO. 438
 Filed by committee on Education on April 3, 1956.
 Not supported by 3 members of the upper house.
 JOSE P. LAUREL
 Chairman of the Committee of Education
 Began his sponsorship which led to the start of long drawn disputations.

ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE BILL

SECTION 1: 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.
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.
SECTION 3: DepEd shall take steps to promulgate rules and regulations for the
immediate implementation of the provisions of this act. 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: No provision of this act shall be constructed as prohibiting or limiting
the study of the works of Filipino Heroes.
SECTION 5: Any public or private college or universities found violating, ailing to
comply with, circumventing the provision of the Rizal Law shall be punished
accordingly.
SECTION 6: This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

TWO NOVELS
~ was claimed that it contained views inimical to the tenets of their faith.
~ was branded heretical and impious.

Debates on Rizal bill

~Started on April 23, 1956

Senator Claro M. Recto

~prestigious colleague and nationalist
~Supported Jose P. Laurel
~Author of the Rizal law
~Parliamentarian an hast vast erudition in History and Law; Canon Law.

Rabid Cathoclics who opposed the Rizal Bill

1. Senator Mariano J. Cuenco
2. Senator Francisco Rodrigo
3. Senator Decoroso Rosales

The Arguments
RECTO R, C, R
Rizal criticized the unworthy behavior *Catholics have two great loves: their
of certain ministers of the church. country and faith
*bill will create a conflict between
* Made exceptions for worthy ones nationalism and religion; between
 Padre Fernandez Dominican government and the church.
Friar
 Padre Florentino Virtous
Native Priest
 Jesuits

Conflict reach the house of representatives on April 19, 1956

Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales

~introduced House Bill No. 5561 identical copy of Senate Bill No. 438
Debate: May 2, 1956
~recommending approval without amendment
~revolved on the constitutionality and property of the measure.
~

NOTABLE DEFENDERS OF THE BILL

Congressman Emilio Cortez
Mario Bengzon
Joaquin Roces
W. Rancap Lagumbay
OUTSPOKEN OPPONENTS
Congressman Ramon Durano
Jose Nuguid
Mardano Lim
Manuel Zosa
Lucas Paredes
Godofredo Ramos
Miguel Cuenco
Congresswoman Carmen Consing
 Tecia San Andres Ziga

*conflict became increasingly bitter after two weeks

May 9, 1956
~JPL propose in his own name an amendment
AMENDMENTS
~

DEABTES IN THE CHMABER

Senator Rodrigo. Suggested of the provision is section 1. rejected by sponsor
Senator Lim. Proposed the exemption of students from the requirements of the bill, on
certain condition
~ lead the senate another lengthy disputation.
EN MIENDA A LA ENMIENDA POR SUSTUCION
Amendment: substitute bill by Sen. Laurel
~ The board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption
of students for reasons of religious belief but not from taking the course provided.
~Approved on May 12, 1956, n second reading

Congressman Miguel Cuenco

~measure was unconstitutional

Congressman Bengzon
~substitute bill represented a complete triumph of the church Hierarchy.

*Measure was approved on the same day with no less than 51 congressmen appearing as
coauthors

*Senate bill no. 438 was approved on the third reading, with 25 votes in favor (Sen.
Briones was absent
*House Bill No. 5561 was also approved on 3rd reading, with 71 votes and 6 were against,
2 abstained, 17 absent.

May 17, 1956. Bill was passed by the latter chamber without amendment.
~ Provided that the number of the senate bill should also appear in the
enrolled copies.

June 12, 1956. Bill was signed into law by Pres. Ramon Magsaysay
 Became RA No. 1425

*Nationalism of Recto became a constant and growing ideal.

THE RIZAL LAW AND CTHOLIC HIERARCHY

Claro M. Recto
~original author of the Rizal Bill