Lumanog, Ronalyn L.

BEE EGE 2-1

Activity #1

1. How would you describe the process of enacting the Rizal Law from its filing to the approval?

Republic Act 1425 started as a Senate Bill. Senator Claro Mayo Recto initiated it which is the
main author together with Senator Jose P. Laurel as the co-sponsor. On April 3, 1956, it was filed to the
Senate Committee on Education and then known as the Rizal Bill or Senate Bill 438. 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.

According to the Book: THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL (Chapter 1: Understanding the Rizal
Law), the bill became controversial as the powerful Catholic Church began to express opposition against
its passage. As the influence of the Church was felt with members of the Senate voicing their opposition
to the bill, its main author, Claro M. Recto, and his allies in the Senate entered into a fierce battle
arguing for the passage of SB 438. Debates started on April 25, 1956. The debates on the Rizal Bill also
ensued in the House of Representatives. House Bill No. 5561, an identical version of SB 438, was filed by
Representative Jacobo Z. Gonzales on April 19, 1956. The House Committee on Education approved the
bill without amendments on May 2, 1956 and the debates commenced on May 9, 1956. A major point of
the debates was whether the compulsory reading of the texts Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo
appropriated in the bill was constitutional. The call to read the unexpurgated versions was also
challenged. As the country was soon engaged in the debate, it seemed that an impasse was reached. To
move the procedure to the next step, Senator Jose P. Laurel proposed amendments to the bill on May 9,
1956. In particular, he removed the compulsory reading of Rizal's novels and added that Rizal's other
works must also be included in the subject. He, however, remained adamant in his stand that the
unexpurgated versions of the novels be read. On May 14, 1956, similar amendments were adopted to
the House version. The amended version of the bills was also subjected to scrutiny but seemed more
palatable to the members of Congress. The passage, however, was almost hijacked by technicality since
the House of Representatives was about to adjourn in a few days and President Ramon Magsaysay did
not certify the bills as priority. The allies in the House skillfully avoided the insertion of any other
amendment to prevent the need to reprint new copies (which would take time). They also asked the
Bureau of Printing to use the same templates for the Senate version in printing the House version. On
May 17, 1956, the Senate and House versions were approved.

Thus, the approved versions were then transmitted to Malacañang and on June 12, 1956,
President Magsaysay signed the bill into law which became Republic Act No. 1425.

2. Pick one section of the provisions of the law which you might want to amend then explain why.

I choose Section 2 of the provisions of the law which I might want to amend because this section
only talks about obligatory on all school institutions to keep in their libraries the copies of the original
editions of Rizal's two great novels (Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo) also his other works and
biography. I want this section to amend because since we are living in 21st Century, it should be
obligatory in all educational institutions that the life and works of Rizal should also have a copy
electronically. Students should have an easy access to download the books about life and works of Rizal.
Although there are copies in libraries, most people in this world use their electronic gadgets frequently.
In addition, we all know that we are diverse, some people love to read in libraries but some people love
to read electronic books so in order to improve this section, there should be electronic 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.

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?

My opinion on the inserted provision which was instrumental in the compromise agreement
that led to the approval of the Rizal Law is very helpful to each one of us in order to improve our
patriotism and nationalism. As we reminisce the life and works of Rizal, we can not deny the fact that
Rizal's works and writings became a part of our freedom in the Philippines. Without his writings,
Philippines will not achieve freedom. In his writings, he fight the rights of Filipino that led the Filipinos to
fight also their rights. Thus, it is essential to study the life and writings of Rizal especially the students to
reminisce on how we achieve freedom in our country and how they firm despite of their challenges
they are facing in order to fight our beloved country.

4. In your point of view, will RA 1425 be successful in attaining its goal? Why do you think so?

In my point of view, RA 1425 is successful in attaining its goal because for me, I always heard the
life and works of Rizal and continuously study it from elementary, high school, and here I am, currently
studying it in college so that it is successful. In addition, as I go to libraries, I always see the writings of
Rizal especially his two great novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Also, most of the students
are grateful to study it because it really deepens their love for their country. The Rizal Law is indeed and
thoroughly successful in attaining its goal.

C. Complete the table below.

Name Status/Position Reason

Pro-Rizal Bill Claro Mayo Recto Senator He sated that, “Rizal

did not pretend to
teach religion when he
wrote those books. He
aimed at inculcating
civic consciousness in
the Filipinos, national
dignity, personal pride,
and patriotism and if
references were made
 by him in the course of
his narration to 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
faith fully the general
situation in the
Philippines as it then
existed."

Jose P. Laurel Senate Committed on He stated that, “Noli

Education Chair Me Tángere 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
would we become
conscious as a people
and so learn to prepare
ourselves for painful
sacrifices that
ultimately lead to self-
reliance, self-respect,
and freedom.”
Anti-Rizal Bill The Catholic Church Catholic Church It would violate
members freedom of conscience
and religion.

Fr. Jesus Cavana Priest He claimed that the

novels were things of
the past and that
reading or teaching
them would
misrepresent prevailing
conditions.

Jesus Paredes Radio commentator He opined that

members of the
Catholic religion have
 the right to decline
reading the novels for
it would endanger their
salvation.

Mariano Cuenco Senator He asserted that Rizal

attacked dogmas,
beliefs and practices of
the Church via his
writings.