Module 1: Republic Act 1425 “Rizal Law”

Objectives:
1. Explain the history of the Rizal Law and its
important provision.
2. Appreciate the importance of the Rizal Law through a Reaction
Paper.

Preliminary Activity: (TOP 5 Words)

Direction: Give at least five (5) words or phrases that would describe the
picture below.

He is
____________________________
Good Job! It seems like you really know our
__ Do you still want to learn
National hero.
more?
Lesson Proper: Read the following content and understand each information.

Why do we need to study the life and works of

Rizal?

It is because of the Rizal Law or Republic Act 1425. The RA 1425 states that
every public and private schools, collages, and universities should include courses
about the life, and works of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, in their curricula. This Republic Act calls for an increased sense of
nationalism from the Filipinos during a time of a dwindling Filipino identity.

The law was sponsored by Sen. Jose P. Laurel and Sen. Claro M. Recto and
was enacted in June 12, 1956. The purpose of the law was to disseminate Rizal’s ideas
and ideals through his novels: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and since the
youths are important in nation building, it is natural to remind them about the past.

From Rizal Bill to Rizal Law: The Trials

Before being enacted, the ‘Original’ Rizal Bill stated that to include Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo as compulsory readings, and to emphasize on original or
unexpurgated versions of the novel.But the ‘Original’ Rizal Bill was opposed by the
Catholic church, because they saw the bill as an attempt to discredit the Catholic
Religion; and by the idea of compulsion to read something against one’s faith, impairs
freedom of speech and religious freedom. So, as an answer to the problem, the
‘Original’ bill was revised.

The final version of the bill stated: to include all the works and writings by Jose
Rizal, to put emphasis on original or unexpurgated versions of the Noli Me Tangere and
El Filibusterismo, and removed the idea of compulsion by allowing exemption by reason
of faith. As of today, no one still availed of the exemption.

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.

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

Additional Thoughts

It is Senator Claro M. Recto who authored the Rizal bill while Senator
Jose P. Laurel Sr. who was then the Chairman of the Committee on
Education, sponsored bill in the Senate and it was signed by President Fidel V. Ramos
on June 12, 1956. Before Senator Laurel filed this bill, its passage was rough due to
several persons who tried to block its approval.

Notable Persons Who Tried to Block Its Approval

 Sen. Decoroso Rosales – brother of Archbishop (Cardinal) Rosales

 Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo – President of Catholic Action of the Philippines
 Sen. Mariano Cuenco – brother of Archbishop Cuenco
 Jesus Paredes – radio commentator
 Fr. Jesus Cavana – member of the Paulist Order who wrote a pastoral letter
 The Friars

Intentions of Persons Who Blocked the Approval of Rizal Bill

 The Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are very damaging to the clerics.
 The novels were written when Dr. Jose Rizal, estranged from Catholic faith and
religion and contradict many of the Christians belief.
 To compel Catholic students to read a book which contains passages
contradicting their faith constitutes a violation of a Philippine constitutional
provision (Art. 3, Sec.1, Par.7).
  The novels do contain teachings contrary to Catholic faith and so, the church is
opposed to the proposed compulsory reading in their entirety of such books in
any school in the Philippines where Catholic students may be affected.

Notable Persons Who Fought for Its Approval

 Sen. Jose P. Laurel

 Sen. Claro M. Recto
 Other Illustrious Nationalists

Intentions of Persons Who Pushed for the Approval of Rizal Bill

 There is a need for a rededication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for
which our heroes lived and died.
 There is a need to remember with special fondness and devotion the lives and
works of our heroes who shaped the national character.
 The life, works and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal particularly, his novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo are constant and inspiring source of patriotism
which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years
in school, should be suffused.
 There is a need to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience
and to teach the duties of citizenship.

CHED Memorandum Order 6 dated February 15, 1996 – CHED ordered all colleges
and universities to offer Rizal course as separate three-unit course fully and
immediately.

Exercise

Direction: Read and explain briefly the following situations.

A. Compare and contrast the views of those in favor and against RA 1425.

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B. As a student what is your point of view of the Rizal’s Law.

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Output (Reaction paper)

Direction: Write a reaction paper about the importance of the Rizal’s law in today’s
generation. Follow the format below.

Font Style: Arial

Font Size: 12

Paper Type: Short Bond paper

Margin: Normal (Top:1, Bottom:1, Left:1, Right:1)

Line Spacing: 1.5

Criteria for the Reaction Paper

Related to the Topic
Unity of the Ideas

References:

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/

https://pjacintoblog.wordpress.com/portfolio/pi10-a-brief-history/

https://www.academia.edu/12954675/What_is_the_importance_of_studying_Rizal

https://www.slideshare.net/luzille/controversy-over-rizal-law-and-rizal-centennial-
18611961?qid=02da20ab-f559-4347-bfef-3ea761e2229d&v=&b=&from_search=1
https://www.slideshare.net/rogerramos3910/ra-1425-rzal-lawearly-childhood