THE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE RATIONALE BEHIND STUDYING ANY SUBJECT IS

ESSENTIAL FOR A LEARNER TO APPRECIATE AND IMBIBE IT. THIS WOULD SERVE
AS AN INTRODUCTORY PART OF THE HEART OF THE COURSE WHICH
INTRODUCES THE RIZAL LAW AND THE TEACHING OF THE RIZAL COURSE. IN
THE SAME WAY THAT THIS WOULD ALSO ENGAGE THE LEARNERS OF THE LIFE,
WORKS, AND WRITINGS OF RIZAL.
➢ WHAT IS REPUBLIC ACT 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
➢ Salient Parts:
✓ 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
• 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.
• -Enacted in 1956, otherwise known as the Rizal Law which mandates that the teaching of
the life, works, and writings of Rizal in all schools in the country
• -Rizal Law was sponsored by the late Senator Jose P. Laurel (main proponent of Rizal Bill
was Sen. Claro M. Recto), he believed that by reading and studying Rizal’s life, teachings and
writings, Filipino youth will be able to gain incorruptible confidence, direction, courage, and
determination to move forward in our people’s journey towards an abundant life.
• Equally Important Legal Basis:
• **ARTICLE XIV – 1987 Constitution - Education, Science And Technology, Arts,
Culture And Sports

• Section 3. (1) All educational institutions shall include the study of the Constitution as part
of the curricula.
• (2) They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for
human rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the
country, teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values,
develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking,
broaden scientific and technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency.
Objectives of Rizal Law:

✓ -To rededicate the lives of the 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;
✓ -To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and
writings
Goals of Rizal Law:

✓ -To recognize the relevance of Rizal’s ideals, thoughts, teachings, and life values to present
conditions in the community;
✓ -To apply Rizal’s ideals in the solution of day-to-day situations and problems in
contemporary life;
✓ -To develop an understanding and appreciation of the qualities, behavior and character of
Rizal;
✓ -To foster the development of moral character, personal discipline, citizenship and
vocational efficiency among the Filipino youth
Who Choose Rizal as National Hero?

❖ -It is the Filipino themselves who chose Rizal as their national hero (though there was no law
proclaiming him as such)

- Evidences:
➢ Katipuneros considered him as the honorary leader of the Katipunan
➢ Rizal’s name was one of the passwords of the secret society which swore to fight for the
country’s freedom
➢ Two years after his death, General Emilio Aguinaldo, issued a decree on December 20, 1898
ordering that December 30, the anniversary of Rizal’s execution at Bagumbayan be
commemorated as “a day of mourning for Rizal and other victims of the Philippine Revolution”
(became the basis of the yearly celebration of Rizal Day)
➢ The Philippine Commission considered December 30 as a day of observance, by virtue of Act
No. 345
➢ On Dec. 30, 1898, a group of mason erected a simple monument in Daet, Camarines Norte
which antedates the better known monument at Luneta in Manila which was erected in 1911
➢ Though the monument in Luneta was erected during the American Regime, it is the Filipino
people themselves that helped build the monument through public subscriptions which was
authorized by Act No. 243 of the Philippine Commission
➢ Widespread admiration for Rizal is the construction of myriad monuments in his honor in most
cities and towns of the country
➢ Many main streets and avenues in the various towns and cities are named after him
➢ Rizal province, formerly part of the Province of Manila was named in his honor by virtue of Act
No. 137 of the Phil. Commission
➢ The basic unit of Philippine currency; Jose Rizal University and Rizal Technological University
etc.
• Rizal as a Pioneer Asian Nationalist Leader

- Rizal was the first exponent of Asian nationalism since he was the source of inspiration
for the outbreak of the Philippine revolution of 1896
- Although Rizal opposed the revolution, it broke out which can be considered as the first
genuine uprising by an Asian people against Western Colonialism
- Rizal through his essays, letters, and novels had already outspoken out with firmness and
courage ideas on liberal democracy
- It was through Rizal that the basic tenets of modern and social democracy were given a
major voice in Asia for the first time