Pangasinan State University

Social Sciences Department

Activity I: The Rizal Law

Introduction

Dr. Jose P. Rizal was indeed a man of patriotic intentions who devoted his almost entire life in
promoting and fighting for the good of his country. His myriad patriotic writings and accomplishments were
undoubtedly recognized not only in the Philippines but in some other countries. Rizal’s incomparable love for is
country dates back as early as his childhood days and eventually ended after his fateful death. His sacrifices
veraciously paved the way for a nationwide awakening for nationalistic ends. Filipinos then revered him as one
the greatest heroes of the Philippines. Rizal therefore and all of his undertakings are worthy of due homage
and gratitude in any way particularly by means of laws.

Rizal Law Backgrounder

Republic Act 1425 or also known in its official title as “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” is just one of the ways to recognize his invaluable efforts for the nation. Discerning more about
this republic act would help students recognize the value of taking the course.

Basically, Republic Act 1425 started its journey as a Senate Bill. lt had a humble but precarious
beginning. It was initiated by the then Senator Claro Mayo Recto the main author with Senator Jose P. Laurel
as the co-sponsor. It was then known as the Rizal Bill or Senate Bill 438 filed to the Senate Committee on
Education on April 3, 1956.The Bill had to undergo expurgation as a compromise with the opposing side. The
compromised version was accepted by all concerned parties. It was duly approved by the body. The full text of
the law has six sections.

. Furthermore, the law was enacted to honor and credit Rizal by studying the sacrifices he endured as
well as other Filipino heroes.

Controversies over the Rizal Bill

Senate Bill started its shaky journey in the congress with opposition from the Catholic Church. The
Church accused Recto of being a communist and an anti-Catholic. Recto on the contrary remained adamant
with his position continued to pursue the bill. The church equally unfazed continued with the anti-Rizal Bill
campaign. The members of the Catholic Clergy then launched a series of actions against Recto’s bill such as
writing letters to the Congressmen and Senators voicing out their opposition, conducting symposia and reading
Pastoral Letter during a mass.
 Anti and pro Rizal Bill groups eventually emerged with both groups engaging in a tit for tat to defend
their stance. The Catholic Action of the Philippines, Congregation of the Mission, Knights of Columbus and the
Catholic Teachers’ Guild are anti-Rizal Bill. On the other hand, they were countered by the Veteranos De La
Revolucion, Alagad ni Rizal, The Free Masons and The Knights of Rizal.

Other personalities such as Fr. Jesus Cavana claimed that the novels were things of the past and that
reading or teaching them would misrepresent prevailing conditions. Radio commentator Jesus Paredes opined
that members of the Catholic religion have the right to decline reading the novels for it would endanger their
salvation. Senator Mariano Cuenco asserted that Rizal attacked dogmas, beliefs and practices of the Church
via his writings. The church accused Recto of being a communist and an anti-Catholic and mandating the
reading of the two novels would violate freedom of conscience as well as religion.

Soon the Catholic Schools threatened to shut down if the bill was passed into law. Recto answered
back and had a threat of his own that is to nationalize the schools. The Catholic priests dropped their threat
and instead warned the lawmakers that they would never be accommodated in the next national elections. The
undeterred Senator Recto went on his advocacy despite the stern opposition.

The Compromise Provision

Senator Laurel on May 12, 1956 the Chair Committee on Education sought to end the standoff by filing
a compromised version of the bill. The new version would accommodate part of objection of the church that
would include a provision which would allow college students to read the novels on an optional basis or file an
exemption from reading the original version of the two novels. The said exemption should only be applied by
way of religious belief. Eventually the members of the Catholic Church and the proponents of the bill hereafter
came to a settlement and approved the bill into law.

The provision which paved the way for a compromise between the opposing sides was an insertion in
section 1 of the act particularly the third statement. The provision states that “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.”

Finally, the Rizal Bill was passed into law on June 12, 1956 because of such compromise agreement
which accommodated the catholic clergy’s stand.

For further understanding the full text of RA 1425 is hereby printed below.

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.

Activity
A. Film-viewing
For further understanding of the Rizal Law, watch the Video “The RIZAL Law-Anyare?” which is
uploaded then answer the following questions.

B. Questions:
1. How would you describe the process of enacting the Rizal Law from its filing to the approval?
2. Pick one section of the provisions of the law which you might want to amend then explain
why.
3. What is your opinion on the inserted provision which was instrumental in the compromise
agreement that led to the approval of the Rizal Law?
4. In your point of view will RA 1425 be successful in attaining its goal? Why do you think so?

C. Complete the table below.

Pro-Rizal Bill

Anti-Rizal Bill

References:
1. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/
2. Cruz-Araneta, Gemma (2010-12-29). "Legislating Rizal, 1". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the
original on December 30, 2010. As cited by Wikipedia

3. Ocampo, Ambeth (2007-05-04). "The Fight over the Rizal Law". Philippine Daily Inquirer. As cited by
Wikipedia