LESSON 1

RIZAL LAW
�On' April 3, 1956, Senate Bill No.
438 was submitted to the Senate
Committee on Education. Senator Jose
P. Laurel, the Chairman of the
Committee, sponsored and presented
the bill to the members of the Upper
House on April 17, 1956.
�Senator Jose P. Laurel stated that:
�Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo must be read by all
Filipinos. They must be taken to
heart, for in their pages we see
ourselves as in a mirror, our defects
as well as our strength, our virtues
as well as our vices. Only then would
we become conscious as a people, and
so learn to prepare ourselves for
painful sacrifices that ultimately
lead to self-reliance, self-respect
and freedom (Laurel, Jr, 131).
Catholic Church arguments were as follows:

�1.The bill was an attempt to discredit the Catholic

religion.
�2. Inimical to the tenets of the faith to which 170
lines in Noli Me Tangere and 50 lines in El
Filibusterismo were offensive to the Church doctrine.
�3.The bill might divide the nation.
�4. Compulsion to read something against one's faith
impaired freedom of speech and religious freedom.
Avast majority of our people are at the same
time Catholics and Filipino citizens. As such,
they have two great loves: their country and
their faith. These two loves are no conflicting
loved. They are harmonious affections, like
the love of a child for his father and for his
mother. This is the basis of my stand. Let us
not create a conflict between nationalism and
religion; the government and the church
(Laurel, Jr, 132)
� Rizal did not pretend to teach
religion or theology when he wrote
those books. He aimed at inculcating
civic consciousness in the Filipinos
national dignity, personal pride, and
patriotism...but while he criticized
and ridiculed the unworthy behavior
of certain ministers of the church,
he made exceptions in favor of the
worthy ones, like the Dominican
friar, Padre Fernandez, and the
virtuous native priest, Padre
Florentino, and the Jesuits in
general (Laurel, Jr., 132-133).
�Meanwhile, a similar bill (House Bill No. 5561) was
filed byCongressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales in the House of
RepresentativesAs expected, the bill was welcomed by
dissenting opinions. Different face but same stance, the
bill was attacked based on its constitutionality and
religiosity. With this setback both in the Upper House
and the Lower House, it seemed hopeless for the bill to
pass into law in the latter part of April 1956.
It was in this context that Senator Laurel proposed
substitute bill.
�The inclusion of all works and writings of Jose Rizal, not just
the two novels, was the main feature of this bill. He then
stressed the removal of the term "compulsion" to appease the
opposition.
�However, Senator Laurel asserted the importance of reading the
original and unexpurgated edition of Rizal's novels because the
true purpose of studying these will be defeated if not
followed. To add a more conciliating clause, the last amendment
was proposed -the provisions regarding the "exemption" of
students from reading the two novels on certain conditions.
�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,
�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.
�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.
�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
�Accordingly, the Rizal Law aims to accomplish the
following goals:
�1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of
freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and
died
�2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his
life and works in shaping the Filipino character
�3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the
study of Rizal’s life, works, and writings.
�An Act to Prohibit Cockfighting, Horse
Racing and Jai-Alai on the Thirtieth Day of
December of Each Year and to Create a
Committee to Take Charge of the Proper
Celebration of Rizal Day in Every
Municipality and Chartered City, and for
Other Purposes
�Republic Act No. 229
�Congress of the Philippines
�9 June 1948
� RA 229
� An act to prohibit cockfighting, horse racing and jai-alai on the thirtieth
day of December of each year and to create a committee to take charge of the
proper celebration of rizal day in every municipality and chartered city, and
for other purposes
� Memorandum Order No. 247
� Directing the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports and the Chairman of
the Commission on Higher Education to fully implement Republic Act No. 1425
� CHED Memorandum No. 3, s. 1995
� Enforcing strict compliance to Memorandum Order No. 247
� RA 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.
 KEEP SAFE
AND STUDY
WELL
Remember “You
are the hope of
the Nation”
 Thank You :)
Credit to Ms. LORD EILEEN M. LAGRISOLA, LPT

Prof. Antonio A. Maligaya

Instructor