Rizal Retracted

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.
See the images below.
Source: Manalo, F. C., & Silao, J.R. (2017). Jose Rizal's retraction controversy [PowerPoint slide]. Manila: Lyceum of the
Philippines University - Manila

Source: Manalo, F. C., & Silao, J.R. (2017). Jose Rizal's retraction controversy [PowerPoint slide]. Manila: Lyceum of the
Philippines University - Manila

The Text appears to have been released to the press and published
after the death of rizal but the original document was not produced
 until 1935. Because, immediately after Rizal's death, Fr. Balaguer
gave it to Fr. Pi and Fr. Pi gave it to Fr. Nozaleda in order for his
secretary to keep it.

There are two (2) major arguments that support Rizal's Retraction.
These are:
1. The Retraction “Document” found in 1935 was considered imperative
evidence to the Retraction, itself; and
2. There were eyewitnesses closely associated with the events.

According to Ricardo P. Garcia’s “The Great Debate: The Rizal’s

Retraction”, there were two (2) great testimonies of eyewitnesses
who were privy to what happened in Rizal’s cell from early morning of
December 29 to 6:30 am of December 30. They are:

1. Fr. Vicente Balaguer. According to the priest's testimonies, the

reasonable Rizal had several rude awakenings; confessed,
celebrated mass, had Communion, and prayed the Rosary four (4)
times.
2. Former Lieutenant of the Infantry, Mariano Martinez
Gallegos. He confirmed that Rizal himself signed a document called
a retraction along with key eyewitnesses Juan del Fresno and Eloy
Moure. Both named eyewitnesses confirmed Gallegos' statements.

To further cement the arguments, new documents were released with

new interpretations. These are:
 The Cuerpo de Vigilencia (transcript portion seen below);
 Source: Manalo, F. C., & Silao, J.R. (2017). Jose Rizal's retraction controversy [PowerPoint slide]. Manila: Lyceum of the
Philippines University - Manila

Translation of the Transcript:

“At 7:50 yesterday morning, Jose Rizal entered death row accompanied by his
counsel,Señor Tavielde Andrade, and the Jesuit priestVilaclara. At the urgings of the
former and moments after entering, he was served a light breakfast. At approximately 9,
the Assistant of the Plaza,Señor Maure, asked Rizal if he wanted anything. He replied
that at the moment he only wanted a prayer book which was brought to him shortly by
Father March.

“SeñorAndrade left death row at 10 and Rizal spoke for a long while with the Jesuit
fathers, March andVilaclara, regarding religious matters, it seems. It appears that these
two presented him with a prepared retraction on his life and deeds that he refused to
sign. They argued about the matter until 12:30 when Rizal ate some poached egg and a
little chicken. Afterwards he asked to leave to write and wrote for a long time by himself.

“At 3 in the afternoon, Father March entered the chapel and Rizal handed him what he
had written. Immediately the chief of the firing squad,Señordel Fresno and the Assistant
of the Plaza,Señor Maure, were informed. They entered death row and together with
Rizal signed the document that the accused had written. It seems this was the
retraction.”

 Rizal's short writing in Josephine Bracken's copy of, "De la Imitacion

de Cristo (The Imitations of Christ)"; and
 Source: Manalo, F. C., & Silao, J.R. (2017). Jose Rizal's retraction controversy [PowerPoint slide]. Manila: Lyceum of the
Philippines University - Manila

 Rizal's frequent mentions of "cross" in his final writings.

Rizal Died Defiant

Arguments that counter the Pro-Retraction have been proposed by
some historians due to some loopholes that the pro-Retraction has
failed to overlook. These are:
1. The Retraction letter itself is not authentic according to some
historians;
2. Josephine Bracken herself remains unmarried; and
3. The aftermath of the pro-Retraction's arguments point to a different
direction.

So, what kind of hero is Jose Rizal? Is he a fickle-minded individual?

According to Austin Coates, a 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,"."