Conflicting Perspectives of the Rizal Law

The Republic Act No. 1425, which is also known as the Rizal Law, was enacted in 1956
mandates to include in the curricula of all public and private schools, colleges and universities courses on
the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal. This law was authored and fought by Claro M. Recto and was
signed by President Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956. This seeks to rededicate the lives of youth to
the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died, to pay tribute to our national
hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino character, and to gain an inspiring source of
patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and writings.

However, despite all the pros of studying “The Life and Works of Rizal”, there are still rising
arguments that are inevitable which are against this law. One of which was the intense debate between the
secular nationalist led by the two senators Claro M. Recto and Jose P. Laurel, and those who felt that
Rizal’s writings undermined the Catholic Church, consisting of Francisco Rodrigo, Mariano J. Cuenco
and Decoroso Rosales. On their debate, the two senators pointed the relevance of pushing the Rizal Law
while on the opposing side, the representatives of the Catholic Church gave point on how the reviving of
Rizal’s Works attacked dogmas, beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church.

In my own perspective, the citizens who are in favor of this law are aware of how our national
heroes shed their own blood, sweet and tears for the freedom that we all are enjoying right now. They also
have deep sense of nationalism and has a great heart for the sufferings of our national heroes. On the other
hand, those who are opposed say for instance the Catholic Church, are I think is disappointed for Rizal’s
works to be brought to youth since one of their co-priest, Padre Damaso represents a bad image since he
was named as a cruel priest. Also, all the wrong-doings of the church that time was tackled on Rizal’s
works.

Nowadays, there are still the same scenarios and forces with regards to Rizal’s Law. The only
example I can cite is the RH Bill, which was supported by many in the hope of minimizing the growth of
Philippine population, yet the Catholic Church oppose it since they believe that passing the RH bill will
be immoral and is contradicting in what they believe is morally right.

References:

https://www.scribd.com › doc › RA-1425-Summary-Proponents - RA 1425: Summary & Proponents by

Prof. Jimmuel Naval, 2015

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/ Republic Act 1425 by The Official

Gazette,2015
thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com › 2011/08 › why-study-rizal - Why Study Rizal? - The Life and
Works of Rizal by Atom, 2011
https://opinion.inquirer.net/34745/understanding-churchs-view-on-rh - Understanding Church’s view on
RH by Samuel Yap, 2012