The retraction of Rizal is

still one of the greatest

historical issues of all time.
The story of the Retraction
has been told and retold
and has created
tremendous ambiguities in
Philippine history on the
credence of the national
hero.
Archivist Fr. Manuel Garcia, C.M. discovered
the “original" text containing the so-called
retraction formula in the archdiocesan
archives on May 18, 1935, thirty-nine years
after Rizal’s execution
 Did the national hero really
retract his anti-Catholic ideas?
Will that retraction make him less
of a hero?
 Major arguments for the Retraction

1. The Retraction “Document” found in 1935 was considered

imperative evidence to the Retraction, itself.

2. There were eyewitnesses closely associated with the events

 Newly released documents and new
interpretations that may affirm his
retraction:

1. The Cuerpo de Vigilancia

2. What Rizal wrote on the copy of "Imitations of Christ"
3. Mentions about the "cross" in his final writings
'De La Imitacion de Cristo
 Arguments against the Retraction

1. The Retraction letter is not authentic.

2. Josephine Bracken remains unmarried.
3. The aftermath of the retraction points to a
different direction.
What kind of hero is
Jose Rizal? Is he a
fickle-minded?
Austin Coates, British author and
historian: “Before God, he (Dr. Rizal) had
nothing to retract.” And from Dr. Jose Rizal
himself, I quote: “I go where there are no
slaves, no hangmen, no oppressors… where
faith does not slay… where He who reigns is
God.”
 CONCLUSION

Let the Retraction Document, the "original" retraction

document and other “documents” pertaining to Rizal’s case ,
i.e. the burial certificate, the signature of the Prayer Book, and
other retraction documents found in the same bundle with
that of Dr. Rizal’s be subjected to an independent unbiased,
scientific analysis for further investigation
Look for another eyewitness account of the night and morning
of that day, that could prove or disprove the retraction or the
testimony of Fr. Balaguer
 Whatever the case may be, whether Rizal died a Catholic
will not nullify his works.

Rizal will always be Rizal: the hero who courted death “to
prove to those who deny our patriotism that we know how to die
for our duty and our beliefs” (J. P. Rizal)
 A POSITION PAPER

By: Francis Manalo and Jennifer Silao

SOURCES:

Books:

Coates,A. (1992).Rizal-Filipino Nationalist & Patriot. Solidaridad Publishing.

Garcia, R. (1964). The Great Debate: The Rizal Retraction. R.P Garcia Publishing

Guerero, L. (2007). The First Filipino. Manila. Guerrero Publishing.

Kalaw,T. (1956). Philippine Masonry: Its Origin, Development and Vicissitudes Up to

Present. McCullough.

(2011). Political & Historical Writings of Rizal. National Historical Commission of the

Philippines.
Websites:

Analysis Rizal's Retraction. Retrieved from http://www.joserizal.ph/rt03.html

Camacho. (2013). Retraction controversy. Retrieved from

http://joseprotasiorizal.blogspot.com/2013/09/retraction-controversy.html#

Chua. (2016). Retraction ni Jose Rizal: Mga bagong dokumento at pananaw. Retrieved
fromhttp://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/594027/retraction
n-ni-jose-rizal-mga-bagong-dokumento-at-pananaw/story/
Nidoy. (2013). Jose Rizal’s retraction: the controversy. Retrieved from
http://primacyofreason.blogspot.com/2013/06/jose-rizals-retraction-
controversy.html
THANK YOU!