MODULE: RIZALCRS – LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

CHAPTER 1 – UNDERSTANDING THE RIZAL LAW

A. Locate the passage of the Rizal law within its historical context;
B. Determine the issues and interests at stake in the debate over the Rizal Bill; and
C. Relate the issues to the present-day Philippines.

Legislation mandates the teaching of Jose Rizal's life, particularly focusing on his influential
novels. Republic Act No. 1425, commonly referred to as the Rizal Law, was enacted in 1956, following
a lively and contentious debate.
THE CONTEXT OF THE RIZAL BILL
Amidst the Philippines' confronting numerous challenges, including the imperative for nation-
building, notable figures advocating nationalism stepped forward. They advocated for governmental
actions aimed at fostering patriotism and a deep sense of love for the country among Filipinos.
One such initiative was the advocacy for the enactment of Republic Act No. 1425, also known
as the Rizal Law, which aimed to rekindle a commitment to the principles of freedom and nationalism
that guided the nation's heroes. However, the passage of this law encountered staunch resistance from
both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
FROM THE RIZAL BILL TO THE RIZAL LAW
Senate Bill No. 438, introduced by the Senate Committee on
Education on April 3, 1956, gained momentum when Jose P. Laurel, then
Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, presented the bill on April
17, 1956, initiating discussions in favor of its enactment. However,
controversy arose swiftly as the influential Catholic Church voiced its
opposition to the proposed legislation. With senators aligning with the
Church's stance, Claro M. Recto, the bill's principal author, and his
supporters engaged in a fierce battle to advocate for the passage of SB
438. Debates ensued on April 23, 1956, marking a significant moment
in the legislative process.
Debates surrounding the Rizal Bill also unfolded within the House of
Representatives. Representative Jacobo Z. Gonzales introduced House
Bill No. 5561, an identical version of SB 438, on April 19, 1956. The House
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Committee on Education gave its endorsement to the bill without alterations on May 2, 1956, setting
the stage for debates to kick off on May 9, 1956.
On May 9, 1956, Senator Jose P. Laurel put forward amendments
to the bill, notably eliminating the mandatory reading of Rizal's novels.
Instead, he proposed that Rizal's other literary works be incorporated into
the curriculum. Despite this change, Laurel insisted on the necessity of
reading the unabridged versions of the novels. On May 14, 1956,
comparable amendments were approved for the House version of the bill.
The amended versions of the bills underwent further examination but
appeared more acceptable to members of Congress. However, the
passage faced a potential setback due to technicalities: the House of
Representatives was on the brink of adjourning, and President Ramos
Magsaysay had not designated the bills as priority legislation. To navigate
this challenge, allies in the House adeptly avoided introducing any new
amendments to avoid the necessity of reprinting the bills. They also directed the Bureau of Printing to
utilize the same templates used for the Senate version when printing the House version. Consequently,
on May 17, 1956, both the Senate and House versions were approved.
The approved versions were then transmitted to Malacanang and on June 12, 1956, President
Ramos Magsaysay signed the bill into law which became Republic Act No. 1425.

REASONS WHY DO WE NEED TO STUDY THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

• The sponsors argued that in reading Rizal’s words, we are able to see ourselves.
• It is through the works of Rizal, the greatest Filipino patriot, which show not only the strengths and
virtues of the Filipinos but the Filipino’s defects and vices as well.
• Making the Filipinos realize their flaws will prepare themselves for the sacrifices they have to make to
attain freedom.
• The only objective of the bill is to foster the better appreciation of our national hero’s role in fighting for
freedom under the col onialism of the Spaniards, not to go against any religion.

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HONORS ACCORDED TO RIZAL AS THE PHILIPPINE HERO
1. The day of his birth and day of his execution are fittingly commemorated by all classes of people
throughout the country and other Filipino abroad.
2. No other Filipino hero can surpass Rizal in the numberof monuments erected in his honor, in
towns, barrios and school.
3. His name is a byword in every home and his picture is printed and used in postage stamps.
4. The paper money / coins with his image have the widest circulation that the poorest of the poor
can take hold.

No formal legislation, executive decree, or official proclamation has designated any Filipino
historical figure as a national hero. Nevertheless, several laws and proclamations have honored these
figures for their significant contributions to nation-building and history.
Even Jose Rizal, widely regarded as the foremost among Filipino heroes, has not been explicitly
declared a national hero. Instead, his esteemed position in Philippine history reflects the ongoing
admiration and acknowledgment of the people for his pivotal role in shaping the country's social
landscape.
Apart from Rizal, Andres Bonifacio is another figure implicitly recognized as a national hero, as
evidenced by the establishment of a national holiday on his birth anniversary, November 30.
Despite the absence of official declarations explicitly designating them as national heroes, these
figures continue to be esteemed and revered for their pivotal roles in Philippine history. Historians argue
that the recognition of heroes should not be a matter of legislation but rather should be left to academic
discourse. They believe that acknowledgment and admiration from society suffice as tribute to these
heroes' enduring legacies.

THE RIZAL LAW

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
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,

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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: 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.
Approved: June 12, 1956
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.

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• Constantino, Renato. 1968. The Rizal Law and the Catholic hierarchy, pp 244-247,
Quezon City: Malaya book
• https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/