THE LIFE AND WORKS OF

RIZAL

ROWENA S. FILLOMENA
INSTRUCTOR
 Course Overview
• Mandated by R.A 1425
• Focused on Jose Rizal’s life,
works, and ideas particularly
his NOLI ME TANGERE and
EL FILIBUSTERISMO.
• Seek to develop a sense of
moral character, personal
discipline, civic
consciousness, and duties of
citizenships.
 Course Overview
• Twelve (12) lessons will be divided
in 5 units.
• UNIT 1- The passage of RA 1425
• UNIT 2- On the concept of Nations,
Heroes, and Nationalism.
• UNIT 3- 19th century social and
political conditions
• UNIT 4- Rizal’s personal life
• UNIT 5- Major writings of Rizal
 Course Objectives
At the end of the course, students should be
able to:
• Discuss Jose Rizal’s life within the context of
the 19th century Philippines in relation to
international events.
• Understand the context that produce Rizal and
other Nationalist.
• Analyze Rizal’s various works particularly the
novels Noli Me Tangere and El Flibusterismo.
• Organize Rizal’s ideas into various themes.
• Demonstrate a critical reading of primary
sources from various personages relevant to
the formation of Nationalism
• interpret the values that can be derived from
studying Rizal and other Nationalist life and
Works
• display an appreciation for education of love
and love of country
 UNIT 1
UNDERSTANDING THE
RIZAL LAW
 THE TRIALS OF THE RIZAL BILL
-DR. J.B. LAUREL JR.
• The enactment of R.A 1425 otherwise
known as the RIZAL LAW sparked heated
disputes and bitterness among Philippine
legislators.
• It was originally filled by the Senate
Committee on Education on April 3, 1956
as Senate Bill No. 438. It was supported
by all the senators except from (3).
• When Senator Jose P. Laurel, the then
chairman of the Committee on Education
started his sponsorship of the bill on April
17, 1956 between the pros and antis
emerged.
SECTION 1. JOSE RIZAL’S NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL
FILIBUSTERISMO ARE HEREBY DECLARED COMPULSORY
READING MATTER IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS,
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES.

SECTION 2. THE WORKS IN SECTION 1 OF THIS ACT SHALL BE

IN THE ORIGINAL EDITIONS OR IN THEIR UN EXPURGATED
ENGLISH AND NATIONAL LANGUAGE VERSIONS.
SECTION 3. THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL TAKE
STEPS TO PROMULGATERULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE
IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
ACT.

SECTION 4. NO PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE

CONSTRUED AS PROHIBITING OR LIMITING THE STUDY OF THE
WORKS OF OTHER FILIPINO HEROES.
SECTION 5. ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE COLLEGE OR
UNIVERSITY FOUND VIOLATING. FAILING TO COMPLY WITH OR
CIRCUMVENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE
PUNISHED ACCORDINGLY
(A) THE HEAD OF ANY PUBLIC COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY CHARGED WITH
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, WHO SHALL HAVE BEEN
FOUND GUILTY OF VIOLATING, FAILING TO COMPLY WITH, OR
CIRCUMVENTING THE PROVISIONS THEREOF, SHALL BE DISMISSED
IMMEDIATELY FOM PUBLIC SERVICE AND SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM
TEACHING IN ANY PUBLIC OR GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZED PRIVATE
SCHOOL, COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.
(B) GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION OF ANY PRIVATE COLLEGE OR
UNIVERSITY FOUND VIOLATING OR CIRCUMVENTING THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS ACT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY WITHDRAWN, AND THE RESPONSIBLE
HEAD AND PROFESSOR OR PROFFESORS CONCERNED SHALL BE
DISQUALIFIED FROM TEACHING IN ANY GOVERNMENT- RECOGNIZED
COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.

SECTION 6: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT UPON ITS APPROVAL.

• Jose P. Laurel argued that the object of
the measure was to disseminate the
ideas and ideals of the great Filipino
patriot through the reading of his works,
particularly NOLI ME TANGERE and EL
FILIBUSTERISMO
“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 we became conscious as a
people,and so learn to prepare ourselves for painful
sacrifices that ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-
respect, and freedom ”
 OPPOSITION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
• THE HIERARCHY OF THE PHILIPPINE CHURCH
CLAIMED THAT THE 2 NOVELS CONTAINED ERRORS
WHICH WHERE AGAINST THE TEACHINGS OF
CATHOLICSM.
• THE “COMPULSORY” NATURE OF THE BILL WAS
ALSO CHALLENGE AS A BREACH OF RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM.
 OPPOSITION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
• IN GENDERAL THE PHILIPPINE CHURCH STRONGLY
OPPOSED DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS: (1) SHOW
OPEN CRITICSM TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (2) IN THE
“COMPULSORY” TEACHING OF THE UN EXPORGATED
VERSIONS OF RIZAL’S NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILI, A
TEACHER A TEACHER WOULD HAVE THE TENDENCY TO
DISCUSS- OR WORSE TO CRITICIZE- CERTAIN CHURCH
DOCTRINES AND (3) THE INEVITABLE CRITICSM OF THE
CHURCH DOCTRINES MIGHT LEAD TO THE JEOPARDY OF
THE FAITH OF THE PEOPLE
 EXCERPT FROM THE STATEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE
HIERARCHY ON THE NOVELS OF DR.JOSE RIZAL

“AMONG THE MANY ILLUSTRIOUS FILIPINOS WHO HAVE DISTINGUISH

THEMSELVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY, THE HIGHEST
PLACE OF HONOR BELONGS TO DR. JOSE RIZAL. AND JUSTLY SO; FOR
RIZAL POSSES TO AN EMINENT DEGREE THOSE VIRTUES WHICH
TOGETHER MAKE UP PATRIOTISM. HE LOVED HIS COUNTRY NOT A
WORD ALONE BUT IN DEED. HE DEVOTED HIS TIME, HIS ENERGIES AND
THE RESOURCES OF HIS BRILLIANT MIND TO DISPELLING THE
IGNORANCE AND APATHY OF HIS PEOPLE, AND COMBATING TYHE
INJUSTICES AND INEQUALITIES UNDER WHICH THEY LABORED. WHEN
THIS SALUTARY ACTIVITIES FELL UNDER THE SUSPICION OF THE
COLONIAL GOVERNMENT A ND HE WAS CONDEMED TO DEATH AS A
REBEL, HE GENEROUSLY OFFERED HIS BLOOD FOR THE WELFARE OF
HIS COUNTRY”
 EXCERPT FROM THE STATEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE
HIERARCHY ON THE NOVELS OF DR.JOSE RIZAL

“DID RIZAL ATTACK ONLY THE ABUSES OF CERTAIN PRIESTS BUT

NEVERV CONTRADICT CATHOLIC DOCTRINES? NO, WHEN IN MAY 1889,
DR. TAVERA TOLD RIZAL IN PARIS THAT HE (TAVERA) TRIED TO DEFEND
HIM (RIZAL) BEFORE FR. FAURA EXPALINING THAT, IN THE ATTACK UPON
THE FRIARS, THE STONE WAS THROWN SO HIGH AND WITH SUCH
FORCE THAT IT REACH RELIGION,” RIZAL CORRECTED HIM SAYING:
“THIS COMPARISON IS NOT QUITE EXACT; I WISH TO THROW THE
MISSILE AGAINST THE FRIARS; BUT AS THEY USED THE RITUAL AND
SUPERSTITIONS OF A RELIGION AS A SHIELD, I HAD TO GET RID OF
THAT SHIELD IN ORDER TO WOUND THE ENEMY THAT WAS HIDING
BEHIND IT.”
 EXCERPT FROM THE STATEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE
HIERARCHY ON THE NOVELS OF DR.JOSE RIZAL

“IN THIS TWO NOVELS WE FIND PASSAGES AGAINST CATHOLIC DOGMA

AND MORALS 11 WHERE REPEATED ATTACKS ARE MADE AGAINST THE
CATHOLIC RELIGION IN GENERAL, AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF
MIRACLES, AGAINST THE DOCTRINE OF PURGATORY, AGAINST THE
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM, AGAINST CONFESSION, COMMUNION, HOLY
MASS AGAINST THE DOCTRINE OF INDULGENCES, CHURCH PRAYERS
TYHE CATHECHISM OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE, SERMONS
SACRAMENTALS AND BOOKS OF PIETY. THERE ARE EVEN PASSAGES
CASTING DOUBTS ON OUR COVERING WITH CONFUSION GOD’S
OMNIPOTENCE, THE EXISTENCE OF HELL, THE MYSTERY OF THE MOST
BLESSED TRINITY, AND THE TWO NATURES OF CHRIST.”
I. WE, THE CATHOLIC PHILIPPINE HIERARCHY, IN OUR NAME AND IN THE NAME OF MILLION OF
FAITHFUL FILIPINO CATHOLICS, WISH ON THIS OCCASION TO RESTATE OUR UNSHAKABLE
LOYALTY TO OUR FATHERLAND, AS WELL AS THE LAWFULLY CONSTITUTED AUTHORITIES OF
THE COUNTRY.

II. FAITHFUL CATHOLICS WISHTO BE SECOND TO NONE IN LOVE AND VENERATION FOR OUR
NATIONAL HERO, DR. JOSE RIZAL, WHOSE PATRIOTISM FOR US NOBLE INSPIRATION.

III. WE ASSERT THAT HE IS OUR GREATES PATRIOT AND OUR GREATEST NATIONAL HERO, NOT
HOWEVER FOR WHAT ONE DAY HE WROTE AGAINST OUR RELIGION AND WHICH AT THE END
RETRACTED “WITH ALL HIS HEART”, BUT FOR WHAT HE DID ON BEHALF OF THE WELFARE OF
OUR COUNTRY:

IV. THE NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO WERE DOUBTLESSLY WRITTEN
AS AN EXPRESSION OF RIZAL’S ARDENT AND GENEROUS LOVE FOR OUR DEAR PHILIPPINES,
AND THERE ARE MANY BEAUTIFUL PASSGES IN THEM SHOWING THIS; AND WE ARE IN FAVOR
OF PROPAGATING THESE OPASSAGES AND ENCOURAGING OUR YOUNG GENERATION TO READ
AND LEARN THEM.
V. BUT UNFORTUNATELY THIS NOVELS WERE WRITTEN WHEN DR. JOSE RIZAL, ESTRANGED
FOR A TIME FROM OUR FAITH AND RELIGION, DID CONTRADICT MANY OF OUR CHRISTIAN
BELIEFS.

VI. THIS IN NO WAY IMPLIESTHAT WE MUST REJECT HIM IN ORDER TO REMAIN LOYAL TO OUR
FAITH. IT ONLY MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO IMITATE HIM PRECISELY IN WHAT HE DID WHEN HE
WAS ABOUT TO CROWN THE WHOLE WORK OF HIS LIFE BY SEALING IT WITH HIS BLOOD: WE
OUGHT TO WITHDRAW, AS HE COURAGEOUSLY DID IN THE HOUR OF HIS SUPREME SACRIFICE,
“WHATEVER IN HIS WORKS, WRITINGS, PUBLICATIONS AND CONDUCT HAD BEEN CONTRARY TO
HIS STATUS AS A SON OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.” A DYING PERSONS LAST WILL IS SACRED.
TAKING TO ACCOUNT RIZAL’S LAST WILL, WE MUST CARRY OUT FOR HIM, WHAT DEATH
PREVENTED HIM FROM DOING, NAMELY THE WITHDRAWAL OF ALL HIS STATEMENTS AGAINST
THE CATHOLICFAITH.

VII. IT IS OUR CONVICTION THAT TO DISREGARD OUR NATIONAL HERO’S LAST WILL
EXPRESSED IN HIS RETRARCTION AS WELL AS HIS LAST FAREFWELL, IS FAR FROM REVERING
HIS MEMORY, BRINGING IT INTO CONTEMPT.
VIII. IT IS TRUE, AS THE EXPLANATORY NOTE TO THE PROPOSAL BILL NO.438- 3RD C.R.P SAYS
TAHT “TO PRAISE RIZAL WITHOUT TAKING THE TROUBLE TO STUDY THAT WHICH IS ELICITS
OUR PRAISES IS TO BE HYPOCRITICAL”. HENCE WE SUGGEST THAT A RIZALIAN ANTHOLOGYBE
PREPARED WERE ALL THE PATRIOTIC PASSAFES AND THE SOCIAL POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF
RIZAL NOT ONLY FROM THIS TWO NOVELS BUT FROM ALL THE REST OF HIS WRITINGS,
LETTERS, POEMS AND SPEECHES BE COMPILED. IT IS NOT ONLY IN THE TWO NOVELS BUT
ALSO IN HIS OTHER WRITINGS ARE THE PATRIOTIC TEACHINGS OF RIZAL TO BE FOUND. IN
ORDER TO COMPILE AN ANTHOLOGY OF THE KIND WE SUGGEST, WE HAVE ALREADY
ORGANIZED A COMMITTEE WHICH IS MAKING THE NECESSARY STUDIES.

IX. OUR OBJECTION THEN TO THE BILL PROPOSED IS NOT AN OBJECTION AGINST OUR
NATIONAL HERO NOR AGAINST THE IMPARTING OF PATRIOTIC EDUCATION TO OUR CHILDREN.

X. OUR CONSTITUTION (ART. 3. SECTION 1 (7) GUARANTEES THE FREE EXERCISE OIF
RFELIGION. THE SUMPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS DECIDED THAT THE
AMERICAN SCHOOL CHILDREN BELONGING TO A CERTAIN SECT CANNOT BE COMPELLED TO
SALUTE THE AMERICAN FLAG BECAUSE SAID ACT IS OFFENSIVE TO THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEF.
(WEST VIRGIN BOARD OF EDUCATION V. BARNETTE, 319, US. 624). ON THIS BASIS, WE BELIEVE
THAT COMPEL CATHOLIC STUDENTS TO READ A BOOK WHICH CONTAIN PASSAGES
XI. WE, THE CATHOLIC PHILIPPINE HIERARCHY MAINTAIN THAT THESE NOVELS DO CONTAIN
TEACHINGS CONTRARY TO OUR FAITH AND SO, WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE PROPOSED
COMPULSAORY READING IN THEIR ENTIRETY OF SUCH BOOKS IN ANY SCHOOL IN THE
PHILIPPINES WHERE CATHOLIC STUDENTS MAYBE AFFECTED. WE CANNOT PERMIT THE
ETERNAL SALVATION OF IMMORTAL SOULS, SOULS FOR WHICH WE ARE ANSWERABLE BEFORE
THE THRONE OF DIVINE JUSTICE, TO BE COMPROMISED FOR THE SAKE OF ANY HUMAN GOOD ,
NO MATTER HOW GREAT IT MAYBE APPEAR TO BE. “FOR WHAT DOES IT PROFIT MAN IF HE
GAINS THE WHOLE WORLD, BUT SUFFER THE LOSS OF HIS OWN SOUL?”

GIVEN THIS 21ST DAY OF APRIL IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1956. MANILA PHILIPPINES FOR
THE PHILIPPINE HIERARCHY:

(SGD.) + RUFINO J. SANTOS, D.D

ARCHBISHOP OF MANILA
PRESIDENT, ADMINISTARTIVE COUNCIL
CATHOLIC WELFARE ORGANIZATION
OPPOSITION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

THE CATHOLIC ACTION OF MANILA (CAM) WAS ONE OF THE

PRINCIPAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT INITIATED CAMPAIGN
AGAINST THE BILLS. IT’S TWO ATTEMPTS WERE TO RELEASE
ARTICLES OF RESISTANCE DAILY, INSTEAD OF WEEKLY,
THROUGH THE SENTINEL, ITS OFFICIAL ORGAN, AND TO
CONVINCE THE CATHOLICS TO WRITE THE SENATORS AND
THE CONGRESSMEN TO JUNK THE BILLS.
OPPOSITION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

FR. JESUS CAVANNA, A SPEAKER ON THE SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZED BY

CAM, LAMBASTED RIZAL’S NOVELS BY SAYING THAT THE NOLI AND FILI
“...BELONG TO THE PAST AND IT WOULD BE HARMFUL TO READ THEM
BECAUSE THEY PRESENTED A FALSE PICTURE OF CONDITIONS IN THE
COUNTRY AT THAT TIME. NOLI ME TANGERE IS AN ATTACK ON THE
CLERGY AND ITS OBJECT WAS TO PUT TO RIDICULE THE CATHOLIC
FAITH. THE NOVEL WAS NOT REALLY PATRIOTIC BECAUSE OF 333
PAGES, ONLY 25 CONTAIN PATRIOTIC PASSAGES WHILE 120 WERE
DEVOTED TO ANTI- CATHOLIC ATTACK” (QUOTED FROM ROSALES,
SINAG VOL.1)
 THE PROS AND ANTIS

-DEBATES ON SENATE BILL NO. 438 STARTED

ON APRIL 23,1956.

-PROS- JOSE P. LAUREL AND CLARO M. RECTO

-ANTIS- MARIANO J. CUENCO, FRANCISCO

“SOC” RODRIGO, AND DECORO ROSALES
 THE PROS AND ANTIS

-CLARO M. RECTO ARGUED THAT UNDER THE POLICE POWER

AND THE ARTICLE 14 SECTION 5. OF THE (1935)
CONSTITUTION, THE STATE COULD REQUIRE THE READING
OF NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO

-THE PROPOSED BILL WAS ENVISIONED TO FOSTER

UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF RIZAL’S TIMES AS
WELL AS HIS ROLE IN EXPOSING SPANISH TYRANNY IN THE
PHILIPPINES.
 “RIZAL DID NOT PRETEND TO TEACH RELIGION OR THEOLOGY HE
WROTE THOSE BOOKS. HE AIMED AT INCULCATING CIVIC
CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE FILIPINOS, NATIONAL DIGNITY PERSONAL
PRIDE, AND PATRIOTISM AND IF REFERENCES MADE BY HIM IN THE
COURSE OF HIS NARRATION OF CERTAIN RELIGIOUS PRACTICES IN
THE PHILIPPINES IN THOSE DAYS AND TO THE CONDUCT AND
BEHAVIOR OF ERRING MINISTERS OF THE CHURCH, IT WAS BECAUSE
HE PORTRAYED FAITHFULLY THE GENERAL SITUATION IN THE
PHILIPPINES AS IT THEN EXISTED.”
 “...BUT WHILE HE CRITICIZED AND RIDICULED THE UN WORTHY
BEHAVIOR OF CERTAIN MINISTRIES OF THE CHURCH, HE MADE
EXCEPTIONS IN FAVOR OF CERTAIN MINISTERS OF THE CHURCH, HE
MADE EXCEPTIONS IN FAVOR OF THE WORTHY ONES, LIKE DOMINICAN
FRIAR, PADRE FERNANDEZ, AND VIRTUOUS NATIVE PRIEST, PADRE
FLORENTINO AND THE JESUITS IN GENERAL.”

-CLARO M. RECTO
 “A VAST MAJORITY O OUR PEOPLE ARE AT THE SAME TIME
ARE CATHOLICS AND FILIPINO CITIZENS. AS SUCH, THEY
HAVE TWO GREAT LOVES: THEIR VOUNTRY AND THEIR FAITH.
THESE TWO LOVES ARE NOT CONFLICTING LOVES. 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; BETWEEN
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CHURCH.”

-FRANCISCO ‘SOC’ RODRIGO

 HOUSE BILL 5561
THE PROS AND THE ANTIS

• PROS -JACOBO GONZALES, EMILIO CORTEZ, MARIO

BENGZON, JOAQUIN R. ROCES, and W. RANCAP LAGUMBAY.
• ANTIS - RAMON DURANO, JOSE NUGUID, MARCIANO LIM,
MANUEL ZOSA, LUCAS PAREDES,GODOFREDO RAMOS,
MIGUEL CUENCO, CARMEN D. CONSING and TECLA SAN
ANDRES ZIGA.
 ON MAY 9, 1956, A SUDDEN TURN OF
EVENT HAPPENED. IT BECAME
APPARENT THAT JOSE P. LAUREL WAS
WILLING TO ENTER INTO A
COMPROMISE WITH THOSE WHO
OPPOSE THE BILL.
AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
SCHOOLS,COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND
WRITINGS OFJOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND
ELFILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF,
ANDFOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-
dedicationto 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,
JoseRizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have
shapedthe national character;

WHEREAS,the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere
andEl Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of
theyouth, 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
bythe State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline,
civicconscience and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,
 AN ACT TO MAKE NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL
FILIBUSTERISMO COMPULSORY READING MATERIAL IN ALL
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

VS

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND

PRIVATE SCHOOLS,COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES
ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OFJOSE RIZAL,
PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND
ELFILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND
DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
• SENATOR LAUREL EXPLAINED THAT HE
ELIMINATED THE ‘COMPULSION IDEA’ AFTER
CONSULTING HIS RELIGIOUS CONSCIENCE AS A
MEMBER OF THE CHURCH.

“IF RIZAL WAS A HERO, AND ON THAT THERE

COULD BE NO DEBATE, IF RIZAL IS A NATIONAL
HERO, THESE BOOKS THAT HE HAS WRITTEN ,
WHENEVER READ, MUST BE READ IN THE
UNEPURGATED, ORIGINAL FORM”
• SENATOR PRIMICIAS PROPOSED THE
INCLUSION OF THIS AMENDMENT TO THE
AMENDMENT:

“THE BOARD SHALL PROMULGATE RULES

AND REGULATION PROVIDING FOR THE
EXEMPTION OF STUDENTS FOR REASOS OF
RELIGIOUS BELIEF STATED IN A SWORN
WRITTEN STATEMENT....”
THE PROPPOSAL OF SENATOR
PRIMICIAS WAS INCLUDED IN SECTION
ONE (1) PARAGRAPH TWO (2) OF THE
BILL.

SENATOR LAUREL’S SUBSTITUTE BILL

WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY ON
SECOND READING ON MAY 12, 1956.
 HOUSE BILL 5561
• THE SOLUTION ON THE IMPASSE BY SENATOR LAUREL WAS
DEE,MED ACCEPTABLE BY MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.
• ON MAY 14, 1956, CONGRESSMAN TOLENTINO, THE THEN
HOUSE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER SPONSORED AN
AMENDMENT BY SUBSTITUTION LIKE THE ONE PROPOSED
BY SENATOR LAUREL.
• ALTHOUGH THERE WERE MINOR DISSENTS, 51
CONGRESSMEN APPROVED THE BILL ON SECOND READING
ON THE SAME DAY.
 ANTI CLIMAX
• JUST AS HOW THE DELIBERATION IN THE BOTH CHAMBERS OF
CONGRESS WERE INTENSE, IT’S ANTI CLMAX WAS DRAMATIC AS
WELL.
• REPRESENTATIVES NEED TO PASS THE BILL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
BECAUSE THE CONGRESS WAS TO ADJOURN INDEFINITELY (SINE
DIE)
• SINCE THE PRESIDENT DID NOT CERTIFY THE BILL AS URGENT, IT
MUST UNDERGO THE RIGORS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS.
FIRST, PRINTED COPIES OF THE BILL MUST BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG
THE MEMBERS OFTHE HOUSE ATLEAST THREE (3) CALENDAR DAYS
BEFORE ITS FINAL APPROVED.
 ANTI CLIMAX
• THROUGH THE HELP OF CONGRESSMAN GONZALES, SPEAKER
LAUREL MANAGED TO PULL SOME STRINGS AT THE BUREAU OF
PRINTING. HE MADE AN INSTRUCTION NOT TO DESTROY THE
PRINTING MOLDS OF SENATOR LAUREL’S SUBSTITUTE BILL. HE
ORDERED ENOUGH COPIES FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE
ALTERING THE BILL NUMBER AND THE CHAMBER OF ORIGIN.
• WHILE SENATE WAS STILL DELIBERATING SB 438 FOR IT’S 3RD
READING, COPIES OF HB 5561 WERE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
 ANTI CLIMAX
• WHILE HB 5561 WAS BEING DELIBERATED ON IT’S 2ND READING.
SPEAKER LAUREL MADE SURE THAT NO INSERTIONS OR
AMENDMENTS BE MADE IN ORDER TO AVOID ITS REPRINTING AND
REDISTRIBUTION.
• SB 438 WAS ACCEPTED AS IT IS.
• SPEAKER LAUREL DID NOT LET THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE
NOT UNRTIL THE BILL COULD BE APPROVED.
• SB 438 APPROVED ON ITS 3RD READING WITH 23 SENATORS IN
FAVOR (1 WAS ABSENT) WHILE HB5561 WAS APPROVED ON ITS 3RD
READING WITH 71 REPRESENTATIVES IN FAVOR (6 OBJECTED, 2
ABSTAINED, WHILE 17 WERE ABSENT).
 PASSING OF THE LAW
• ON JUNE 12, 1956, PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY
SIGNED THE ILL AND HENCEFORTH BECAME
REPUBLIC ACT 1425.