CHAPTER 10

THE ENTRAPMENT
Rizal's Arrest, Exile, and Trial
Yes, probably killed... but what could he do to lift their cause out of petty politics to a pure
selfless devotion except to offer himself, their leader, a willing sacrifice? What could shock Spain
like the news that he had died without malice or fear?
Rizal's Arrival in Manila
Rizal made his preparations to leave for Manila in spite of the frantic opposition
of friends and relatives. “Nearly everybody opposes your coming and I am of the same
opinion," wrote Antonio Lopez.1 When Rizal's sister Trinidad learned of it, she became
hysterical. “She cried and begged me to advise you not to return, for you would be
killed.”2
The day after writing the letters to his relatives and to the Filipinos, on June 21,
1892, Rizal sailed for Manila, accompanied by his sister Lucia. He bore with him
passports and assurances of safe conduct in the Philippines. The ship had barely hoisted
anchor at Hong Kong when the Spanish Consul General thereat cabled to Governor
General Despujol that the victim “is in the trap.” The Governor General ordered an
inquiry to make sure that Rizal had not become a German citizen, for to arrest a
German would have caused international difficulties.3
An accusation was at once filed against Rizal for anti-religious and anti-
patriotic campaigns of education. 4They thought they had outwitted him. They did not
dream that he had left two letters behind him anticipating their treachery.
When Jose and Lucia disembarked in Manila on Sunday, June 26, 1892, they
were met at the dock by several carabineers and a major. Their baggage was searched at
the customs house
1
Epistolario Rizalino, vol. 3, p. 332.
2
Ibid, vol. 3, p. 317.
3
Austin Craig, Rizal's Life and Minor Writings, Manila: Philippine Education Co., 1927,
p. 136.
4
Ibid.
and then they were allowed to go without a word. But those who searched the baggage
carried to the office of the Governor General a “package of seditious paper," which
they said they had found the pillowcase of Lucia.
The Seditious Document: “The Poor Friars” (labag sa bayan)
The package included copies of a tract called "The Poor Friars,” a caustic attack
on the Dominicans:
“A bank has suspended payment; The New Oriental has just become bankrupt.
Great losses in India. Among those who have suffered most, we are able to mention the
Reverend Corporation of the Dominicans, which lost in this catastrophe many
hundreds of thousands. However these hundreds of thousands lost are not theirs, they
claim. How can they have this, when they take a vow of poverty? They are to be
believed then, when they take a vow of poverty? They are to be believed then, when, to
protect themselves, they say this money belongs to widows and orphans. Very likely
some of it belongs to the widows and orphans of Calamba, and who knows if not to
their murdered husbands? And the virtuous priests handle this money solely as
depositions to return it to them afterwards righteously with all interest when the day to
render accounts arrives! Who knows? Who better than they can take charge of collecting
the few household goods while the houses burn, the orphans and widows flee without
meeting hospitality, since others are prohibited from offering them shelter, while the
men are made prisoners and prosecuted? Who has more bravery, more audacity, and
more love for humanity that the Dominicans?
“But now the devil has carried off the money of the widow and the orphans, and
it is to be feared that he will carry away everything, because when the devil begins, the
devil has finish."
This paper was called "seditious” though one will search in vain for the slightest
word against the government. In our day, it would not be treasonous, but in that period
when the State and Church were united, an insult to a religious order could be
construed as sedition. Besides, the religious orders in that weare the powers behind the
throne, seating and unseating officials at will.5
5
Russell and Rodriguez, p. 240

The Founding of the La Liga Filipina

 On the night of his arrival in Manila, Rizal met over thirty distinguished
leaders, including Apolinario Mabini and Andres Bonifacio, 6 and outlined his plan
for the La Liga Filipina.
While still in Hong Kong, Rizal, his friend Basa, and others had prepared the
details of the plan and had had many copies sent to the Philippines for critical study.
Now that he had reached Manila, he wasted no time in organizing the new League. Its
constitution named these five purposes:
1. Unity of the whole archipelago into one compact, vigorous, and
homogenous body
2. Mutual protection in every grievance and need
3. Defense against violence and injustice
4. Encouragement of instruction, industrial, and agricultural enterprises
5. The study of reforms, putting them into practice
Through the League constitution contained not one seditious sentence, the fact
that it began among members of the Masonic Order in Manila and that it was a secret
organization somewhat resembling Masonry was enough to bring it under the
suspicion of the government. It contained provisions which a despotic government
would find intolerable such as:
The members must:
1. Guard in absolute secrecy the decisions of the League Councils
2. Not submit to humiliation nor treat anybody with disdain
3. Obey unquestioningly and punctually every command that emanates from a
League Councilor or a Chief
On July 3, 1892, a week after Rizal's arrival, the La Liga Filipina was formally
established. His friends wanted to call it “The Rizal Party," but he would not hear of
it.7 Four days later, July 7, Jose was summoned to Malacañan.8 Nothing was said at that
time about the La Liga Filipina, for that would have revealed the espionage which had
been going on. The Governor General had another excuse. Here is Rizal's own story:
6
Retana, p. 245.
7
Craig, p. 139.
8
The Governor's Palace now occupied by the President.
"He asked me who the owner was of the roll of pillows and mats with my
baggage. I said they belonged to my sister. He told me that becausethat because of
them, he was going to send me to Fort Santiago. Don Ramos Despujol, his nephew, and
aide took me in one of the palace carriages.9
Rizal Nailed His Own Coffin
All the newspapers in Manila published the long curious decree of the Governor
General, bearing the three charges that sent Rizal into exile:9
1. During his "voluntary exile," he had published books and proclamations of
very doubtful loyalty to Spain, which are not only frankly anti-Catholic, but
impudently anti-friar and introduced these into the Archipelago.
2. A few hours after his arrival in the Philippines, there was found in one of the
packages belonging to the said subject a bundle of handbills entitled "The Poor
Friars" in which the patient and humble generosity of the Filipinos was
satirized and in which accusations were published against the customs of the
religious orders.
3. His last book El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the memory of three traitors
to their country (Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora), but extolled by him as martyrs,
while in the epigraph of the title page of said book was the doctrine that because
of the vices and errors of the Spanish administration, there was no other
salvation for the Philippines than separation from the mother country. The end
which he pursued in his efforts and writings was to tear from the loyal Filipino
breasts the treasure of our holy Catholic faith.
It is interesting that three of the charges were religious, and only one was
political. In those days an insult to the clergy was crime against the state.
The Pleasant Four Years of Exile in Dapitan
When the boat bearing Rizal reached the little frontier to Dapitan, situated on
lovely Dapitan Bay, on the north coast of the then wild island of Mindanao, the prisoner
was taken ashore. A letter had gone with his boat from Padre Pablo Pastells, Superior
of the Jesuit mission in the Philippines, saying that Rizal might dwell

9
Retana, p. 256.

in the house of Fr. Francisco P. Sanchez, the Jesuit missionary, on the following
conditions:10
 1. That Rizal publicly retracted his errors concerning religion and made
statements that were clearly pro-Spanish and against revolution
2. That he performed the church rites and made general confession of his past life
3. That henceforth he conducted himself in exemplary manner as a Spanish
subject and a man of religion
But Rizal did not agree to these conditions and so was placed in the home of
the Commandant, D. Ricardo Carnicero. Dapitan was a small pueblo along the west
coast of Mindanao Island. A beautiful spot with a slow pace of life, Dapitan was an
ideal retirement place. For Rizal it was a prison with a beautiful garden, elegant town
square, and friendly local people. Because he was no longer actively in the middle of
Philippine politics, Rizal grew increasingly hostile and distant to many revolutionaries.
The incarceration of Rizal coincided with the rise of the revolutionary
Katipunan. When Andres Bonifacio founded the Katipunan, he did so because he
believed that Rizal was no longer an effective revolutionary. But Rizal was still an
important patriot, so Bonifacio listed Rizal as honorary president of the Katipunan.11
Rizal's exile ended his chances to partake in the coming revolution. He would remain
the ideological head of Philippine nationalism and the catalyst to the independence
movement. As a participant, however, Rizal was doomed by his writings, his speeches,
and his refusal to recant his nationalistic ideas. In Dapitan he became a symbol of all
that was unjust about Spanish rule.
For three years there were continued rumors that the Katipunan would rescue,
(or perhaps escape) Rizal. But these were simply rumors and Rizal was never seized.
Dapitan turned out to be a pleasant exile. The Jesuits often referred to it as one of the
most civilized places in Asia.12
It can be said that Rizal's exile was not as painful as to be imprisoned today.
Rizal was loved by the local people; he was able to influence the thinking of the
Commandant who shared the view that Rizal needed his personal freedom; his
books and ideas became more popular; he was able to practice medicine and made a
nice living.
10
Ibid, p. 269.
11
De Witt, p. 152.
12
Ibid.

He wrote to Blumentritt that he had made thousands of dollar Rizal also formed
an agricultural land fishing commune to imp the local economy. A school was also
founded and Rizal taught the European ideas for which he was condemned. Most
importantly, when a blind man from Hong Kong in his sixties, George Taufer,
brought his adopted daughter, Josephine Bracken, to Dapitan, Rizal fell in love.13
The Preliminary Investigation14
The trial of Jose Rizal began forty days before his execution with a preliminary
investigation on November 20, 1896. The investigator,. Juez de Instruccion, was
Colonel Francisco Olive.
In the legal preliminaries, the prisoner gave his name as Jose Rizal Mercado y
Alonzo, native of Calamba, Laguna, of age, single, never before subjected to criminal
prosecution.
The questioning on the first day of investigation centered on two points: first,
whether Rizal knew certain individuals and what his relations were with them;
second, Rizal's subversive activities in Madrid and in the Philippines.
The first name mentioned was Pio Valenzuela. Did Rizal know Valenzuela, were
they relatives, were they on friendly or unfriendly terms, did Rizal consider him a
suspicious character? Obviously the authorities had known of Valenzuela's visit to Rizal
in Dapitan. They also knew him to be among the top leaders of the Katipunan.
Rizal answered that Don Pio had brought him a patient with eye trouble. Rizal
had not known Valenzuela before, but he considered him a friend in view of the
courtesies he had shown to members Rizal's family during the voyage from Manila.
And so Don Pio had brought Rizal a gift: a portable medicine chest. (One physician's
to another, for Valenzuela was himself a physician.) The investigator then mentioned
twenty-one other names, asking the same question as in the case of Pio Valenzuela.
The majority of the individuals mentioned were unknown Rizal. In most cases he
had not even heard of them and did not
13
Austin Coates in his monumental Rizal biography has suggested an unnatural
attachment between Taufer and Josephine. He hints strongly at sexual abuse. There
were also rumors, generally unsubstantiated, on a bar girl in Hong Kong.
14
This was taken from the article of Miguel A. Bernard, SJ, published in Philippine
Graphic on February 26, 1996 entitled "The Preliminary Investigation of Rizal 1”

know them personally. For instance, when he was asked if he knew Antonio Salazar,
Rizal said that he had bought a pair of shoes from a bazaar said to be owned by a man
named Salazar, but he did not know him personally nor did he know if the name was
Antonio.
One of those whom Rizal said he did not know and had not even word of was
Apolinario Mabini. He said that he knew him neither personally nor by name.
There were individuals whom Rizal had known slightly. For instance, asked if he
knew the brothers Alejandro and Venancio Reves who owned a tailoring shop in
Escolta, he said that he had a schoolmate named Reyes who now owned a tailoring
shop in that street where he had a suit made, but they were not personal friends.
That left six individuals whom Rizal admitted knowing and with whom he had
some dealings:
Moises Salvador - Rizal said that he had known him in Madrid as a fellow-
countryman. And Moises had introduced Rizal to his father Ambrosio.
Arcadio del Rosario - Rizal said that he had known him as a boy, and later, also
in Madrid where they had some contact.
Deodato Arellano - In 1887, during Rizal's first return to the Philippines,
Arellano had come to congratulate Rizal about Noli Me Tangere. But later (said Rizal)
Arellano had turned hostile to him to the extent that he was quoted as saying it was a
good thing Rizal had been deported to Dapitan.
Pedro Serrano - (known today as Pedro Serrano Lactaw, author of the scholarly
Tagalog-Spanish Dictionary) He was also one of those whom Rizal met for the first time
in 1887, and for a time they were on friendly terms, but (said Rizal) later Serrano had
also turned hostile to him.
Timoteo Paez - Rizal said that Paez had been introduced to him by Pedro
Serrano in 1892, at the time of Rizal's second return to the Philippines. But (Rizal said)
Paez later also turned hostile to him.
The investigator then returned to the first name: Pio Valenzuela. Obviously the
authorities considered Rizal's relationship with him as the most suspicious. Besides
bringing a patient to Rizal, what other purpose did Valenzuela have in visiting him in
Dapitan, and what did they talk about?
Rizal answered: Don Pio Valenzuela mentioned to him that an uprising was in
the offing, and they were concerned about what
mightmight happen to Rizal in Dapitan. To which (Rizal said) his reply was
that an uprising would be disastrous. This was no time for such foolhardy ventures.
He gave several reasons: First, the various elements of the Filipino people were not
yet united. Second, they did not have the necessary resources-arms and ships. Third,
the people were not sufficiently educated. Moreover, Rizal said he believed that it was
to the interest of Spain to grant concessions and institute reforms. Therefore it would be
better to wait.
It should be noted that Rizal did not condemn a revolution as such. What he
deplored was to attempt one when people were not ready. That would only lead to
disaster. Later in the investigation, the Spanish authorities would note (and condemn)
that attitude of Rizal.
The Trial
Upon reaching Manila on November 3, Rizal was confined in Fort Santiago
and on November 20 began to be subjected to a preliminary investigation, without
benefit of counsel or the right to confront his accusers. The probe produced a
summation that found the case worthy of trial with all possible speed; "it appears that
the accused, Jose Rizal Mercado, is the principal organizer and the very soul of the
Philippine insurrection."15 The trial of Jose Rizal was conducted from the prosecution
view that he was associated with the Katipunan. 16 On December 11 Rizal was formally
charged with the crime of rebellion and the crime of forming illegal associations. The
accused raised no objection on grounds of jurisdiction, pleaded not guilty to the crime
of rebellion, admitted only that he had written the statutes of the Liga to develop
commerce and industry, waived the right to make any further statements or to amend
those had already made except to say that he had taken absolutely no part in politics
since his banishment to Dapitan, repudiated testimony against him, and waived the
right to secure further evidence or a further confirmation of the oral evidence presented
at the preliminary investigation. 17There was no substantive evidence but the
investigation had turned up some key arguments. Rizal’s differences with Del Pilar
were investigated and used to show that Rizal had conspired with the Katipunan.
Marcelo del Pilar had died few months earlier of tuberculosis in Barcelona and this
15
Nick Joaquin, p. 15.
16
De Witt, p. 162.
17
Guerrero, p. 349.

gave Colonel Olive more freedom to interpret Del Pilar's thoughts and ideas. It was
much easier to prove a conspiracy when one of the conspirators was dead. 18
 Rizal was brought to trial before a military court and was even denied the
right of counsel, for he was only permitted to choose his advocate from a list of
strange Spanish officers who were untrained in the law. Fortunately one was
Lieutenant Luis Taviel de Andrade, brother of his bodyguard during his first
homecoming. Andrade did all that intelligence and devotion could do to get a fair trial
for the stranger dependent on his chivalry. It took real courage to make such a defense
as he did in so unpopular a cause. But the result was never in doubt. 19
The legal issues were not complicated. In his address for the prosecution, Alcocer
rested his case principally on Rizal's "admissions” regarding the Liga and on the
perhaps rather fanciful connection between the Liga and Bonifacio's insurrection, which
he derived from the statements made at the inquiry. preliminary investigation Rizal had
indeed admitted that he might have told, although he was not sure that he had actually
told, the meeting of the Liga at Ongjungco's house that through the Liga the arts,
commerce, and industry would make progress, and that "the country, once the people
were well-off and united, would attain its own freedom and even independence.” 20
Alcocer added that in crimes of this nature, which are founded on rousing the passions
of the people against the governmental powers, the main burden of guilt is on the man
who awakens dormant feelings and raises false hopes for the future. Alcocer was
referring to Rizal's propaganda activities in his books and other writings. 21
The charges against Rizal were of illegal association and rebellion, the first
being alleged to have been the means to commit the second, both therefore, constituting
a complex crime punishable with the penalty imposed for the graver offense in its
maximum degree (death). Article 188 of the Spanish Penal Code declared illegal,
among others, any association whose purpose was to commit any of the crimes
punished by the same code; Article 220 declared guilty of rebellion those who rose
publicly and in open hostility to

18
Ibid, p. 163
19
Austin Craig, The Story of Jose Rizal: The Greatest Man of the Brown Race, 1909.
20
Guerrero.
21
Ibid.

the government for the purpose, among others, of proclaiming the Independence of
any part of the territory included within the term of the Philippine Islands; and
Article 230 imposed the penalty of cadena perpetua to death upon those who
promoted or maintained such a rebellion by induction and upon the principal
leaders of the rebellion.
 Had Rizal ever been brought before a British court, he would have gone free for
only in Spain of all nations claiming to be civilized did the charges against him
constitute a crime, "carrying on as anti-religious and anti-patriotic campaign of
education."22
Three times had England tried to aid him, with the Consul General's protest
against his imprisonment without trial: when an Englishwoman sought an interview in
Madrid with the Queen Regent and on being refused waylaid the Queen's carriage in
her drive to cry out, “Justice, Madam, for poor Rizal”; and the third time when the
greatest safeguard of Anglo-Saxon liberty was invoked in his behalf. 23
The preliminary investigation lasted for five days. Rizal was being informed of
the charges and questioned by the Judge Advocate but deprived of his right to confront
those who testified against him. There were testimonies and documentary evidences
being presented. The following documents served as the bases for the charges by the
prosecution:24
1. A letter of Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce, showing Rizal’s connection with
the Filipino reform Campaign in Spain
2. Rizal's letter to his family, stating that the deportation was good for they
will encourage the people to hate the tyranny
3. A letter from Marcelo H. del Pilar, implicating Rizal in Propaganda
Campaign in Spain
4. A poem entitled “Kundiman," allegedly written by Rizal Manila, which
contained the lines:
She is the slave oppressed
Groaning in the tyrant's grips
Lucky shall he be
Who can give her liberty!

22
Craig.
23
Ibid.
24
//fairykaye.hubpages.com/hub/Jose Rizal-Kangaroo-Trial-Preliminary-Investigation.

5. A letter of Carlos Oliveros to an identified person, describing Jose Rizal as the man
to free the Philippines from Spanish oppression
6. A Masonic document honoring Jose Rizal for his patriotic services
7. A letter signed Dimasalang (Rizal pseudonym) to Tenluz (Juan Zuleta), stating that
he was preparing a safe refuge for Filipino people who might be persecuted by the
Spanish authorities
8. A letter of Dimasalang to an identified committee, soliciting the aid of the
committee in the patriotic work
9. An anonymous and undated letter to the editor of the Hong Kong Telegraph,
censuring the banishment of Rizal to Dapitan
10. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, saying that the Filipino people looked up to
him as their savior
11. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, informing him of an unidentified
correspondent of the arrest and banishment of Doroteo Cortes and Ambrosio
Salvador
12. A letter of Marcelo H. del Pilar to Juan Tenluz, recommending the establishment
of a special organization, independent of Masonry, to help the cause of the Filipino
people
13. Transcript of a speech of Pingkian (Emilio Jacinto), during a reunion of the
Katipunan, wherein the following cry was uttered: “Long live the Philippines! Long
live liberty! Long live Dr. Rizal! Unify!”
14. Transcript of a speech of Titik (Jose Turiano Santiago) in the same Katipunan
reunion, wherein the Katipuneros shouted: “Long live the eminent Dr. Rizal! Death
to the oppressor nation!"
15. A poem by Laong Laan (Rizal) entitled "A Talisay" in which the author made the
Dapitan school boys sing that they knew how to fight for their rights
On November 26, 1896, the preliminary investigation was Thished finished and
Colonel Olive transmitted the records to Governor Ramon Blanco, together with the
appointment of Captain Rafael Dominguez as a special judge advocate. The
recommendations of Judge advocate were the following:

1. That Rizal be immediately brought to trial

 2. That he should be kept in prison
3. That an order of attachment be issued against his property to the amount of
one million pesos as indemnity
4. That he should be defended in court by an army officer, not by a civilian
lawyer
On December 8 Rizal was given a list of 100 first and second lieutenants from
which he would select his defense lawyer. Rizal chose the officer Don Luis Taviel de
Andrade, whose name was familiar to Rizal.
On December 11 he was formally informed of the charges and he pleaded not
guilty to the charge of rebellion although he admitted that he wrote the constitution of
the La Liga Filipina.
The Dilemma of the Defense
For the defense Taviel de Andrade took what would seem to be an excessively
technical position, conscious perhaps of the prejudice against the accused in the broader
field. His main argument rested on a rule of evidence, in the law applying the Penal
Code of Spain in the Philippines, which provided that its penalties could be imposed
only when guilt had been established through the following means, ocular inspection,
confession of the accused, credible witnesses, expert opinion, official documents, or
conclusive circumstantial evidence. None of these, he argued, was available against
Rizal.25 He challenged the veracity and impartiality of those who had given statements
incriminating Rizal; they had a direct and very marked interest in trying to ascribe to
Rizal the leadership the insurrection since they themselves faced the same charge but
would reduce their liability to that of mere followers or accessories if their stories were
believed. On the other hand, Rizal himself to confessed to nothing but writing the
statutes of the Liga and there was nothing illegal to be found there. The official reports
submit against him were equally worthless; they might be admissible the administrative
proceedings but not at a trial to prove a criminal offense punishable by death. What
remained? Only his life, his past works and writings, his previous record as agitator for
reforms, but all these were known before the present insurrection. 26
25
De Witt, p. 350.
26
Ibid, p. 353.
 Following is a summary of Rizal's own defense, collated from his memorandum
on the 12th. His oral argument of the 26th and his answers to Olive's interrogation are
here contrasted with the case for the prosecution as presented by Leon Ma. Guerrero:27
1. Subversive Propaganda - While in Madrid Rizal founded an association of
Filipinos which supported the subversive newspaper, La Solidaridad.
Rizal - It is false that I founded the Spanish-Philippine Association; this was in
existence long before I went to Madrid. The same can be said of La Solidaridad; this was
founded by Marcelo H. del Pilar and was always edited by him. (The Association) I
founded in Madrid had no other object than to make the Filipinos (there) lead more
moral lives, to get them to attend their classes, or to discourage them from confronting
debt, etc. When I wanted to criticize the actions of La Solidaridad, Marcelo H. del Pilar
was against it. This proves that the political (policy) of the paper was never under my
direction.
2. Masonry - Rizal was one of the leaders of Philippine Masonry and sent Pedro
Serrano back to the archipelago to organize lodges for the purpose of
disseminating subversive propaganda.
Rizal - It is false that I gave Serrano orders to introduce Masonry in the
Philippines. Serrano had a higher degree than I had.... This is proved by the letters he
afterwards sent to me when I was in Hong Kong... in which he named me Worshipful
as if it were a great thing. If I were the head, since when does an officer permit himself
to promote the Captain General?.... I left Madrid in January or February 1891 and since
then... left Masonry. I had nothing to do with Masonry among the Filipinos.
3. The Liga - Rizal wrote the statutes of the Liga and sent Moises Salvador to the
Philippines to organize it, its purpose being to supply means for the attainment of the
Philippine independence. Upon his return to the Philippines in 1892, Rizal called a
meeting in the house of Doroteo Ongjungco at which he explained the need for the
Liga and said more or less the following: that he had found the Filipinos discouraged
and without any aspirations of becoming a free and self-respecting people, that
consequently they were always at the mercy of the abuses committed by the
27
Guerrero, p. 355.
 authorities, that through the Liga the arts, the industry, and the commerce
would make progress, and that, once the country was prosperous and united, it
would attain its own freed and even independence.
Rizal - I agree that I may have said what I am alleged to have said at the house of
Ongjungco because I have said it many times, but I am not sure that I actually did... It is
true that I drew up the statutes of the Liga at the promptings of Basa and that they were
sent to Manila, its purposes being unity and the development of commerce and
industry. But I did not call the meeting in the house of Ongjungco, whom I do not
know. How could I convoke persons whom I did not know to meet at the house of one
who was equally stranger to me? The Liga never became active for it died after the first
meeting upon my banishment. If it was re-organized nine months later by others, I
knew nothing about it.
3. The Katipunan - Rizal was the honorary president of the Katipunan, which
was the same thing as the Liga and whose purposes were to proclaim the
independence of the Philippines, make Rizal supreme leader, and kill the
Spaniards. His photograph was displayed in the Katipunan's headquarters.
Shortly before the insurrection, the Katipunan had sent Pio Valenzuela to
Rizal in Dapitan to seek his decision, as supreme leader, on the proposed
rebellion and the plan of seeking aid from Japan.
Rizal - I know nothing of the Katipunan and had no relations or correspondence
with them. I do not know Andres Bonifacio, even by name. It would have been easy to
secure a copy of photograph which I had taken of myself in Madrid. I gave nou
permission for the use of my name, and the wrong done to is beyond description... I had
absolutely nothing to do with politics from 6th of July 1892 until the 1st of July 1896
when I was informed by Pio Valenzuela that an uprising would attempted. I gave
advice to the contrary... Someone has alleged that I was the leader. What kind of a
leader is that who is even consulted on plans and is only given notice of them, that he
can escape? What kind of a leader is that who, when he say no, (his followers) say
yes?... Even more, when the rebellion started. I was incommunicado aboard the
Castilla and I offered myself unconditionally (something I had never done before) to
his Excellency the Governor General to suppress the uprising.
 It cannot be denied that Rizal's defense is more sufficient to be a reasonable
doubt as to his guilt. He was fighting for his life, convinced of his own innocence. Did
he prove too little for the court martial, and too much for history?28
In fact Rizal's defense presents us with a dilemma. Was he innocent or guilty? If
innocent, then why is he a hero? If guilty, how can he be a martyr? 29
The Manifesto
A trial with all possible speed was demanded to terrorize the insurrectos. There
would have been no such need if dealing only with the failed uprising of the Manileños,
but the uprising of the Caviteños was becoming sensationally successful, was exploding
into a real revolution very different from the small brief moro-moro of Bonifacio's.
Cavite's blows had panicked the government, which knew it had to deliver some blow
as shockingly spectacular. There were daily arrests and executions, but these were
mostly of minor figures lacking in resonance. Manila had been frightened by the
insurrection and in their fear the authorities blindly resorted to their old policy of trying
to strike terror. The jails were crowded, executions were made public demonstrations. 30
What was needed was the fall of some large popular idol-and what icon more
spectacular than the great Jose Rizal?31
So his trials and executions were efforts of the state to restore awe in the
public and obedience to the mutinous. Rizal was the one man who had to die, so the
entire nation might not perish.32 As the trial approached, Rizal asked to address a
manifesto to the Philippine people. His request was approved. On December 15, 1896,
Rizal presented his "Manifesto to Fellow Filipinos." This document read in part:
"Fellow Countrymen: Upon my return from Spain I learned that my name was
being used as a rallying point by some who had taken up arms. This information
surprised and grieved me; but thinking that the world affairs were finished, I refrained
from commenting on something that could no longer be remedied.
28
Ibid.
29
Ibid.
30
Craig
31
Joaquin
32
Ibid.
Now rumors reach me that the disturbances have not ceased. It may be that persons
continue to use my name in bad faith; if so, wishing to put a stop to this abuse and to
deceive the gullible, I hastend address these lines to you that the truth may be known.
From the very beginning, when I first received information of what was being planned,
I opposed it, I fought against it, and I made clear that it was absolutely impossible. This
is the truth, and they are still alive who can bear witness to my words. I was convinced
that the very idea was wholly absurd; worse than absurd; it was disastrous. I did more
than this. When later on, in spite of my urgings, the uprising broke out, I came forward
voluntarily to offer not only my service but my life and even my good name in order
that they may use me in any manner they may think opportune to smother rebellion.
For I was convinced of the evils which rebellion would bring...” 33
The "Manifesto to Fellow Filipinos" was a long and rambling document, but the
message was a simple one: Rizal did not support Bonifacio and the Katipunan. Yet
within the manifesto there was implicit recognition of Philippine nationalism and the
right to revolution. He had written a manifesto declaring that he had nothing to do
with the present revolt, and that his name was being used as its leader without his
knowledge or consent. But the Spanish authorities rejected such manifesto since it did
not categorically condemn the revolt but merely called it inopportune. While Rizal was
on trial, Aguinaldo was winning on the battlefield against superior Spanish troops. So
Rizal's future was not bright.
Double Jeopardy
What was anomalous about the trial of Jose Rizal was that violated a basic tenet
of justice: the prohibition on double jeopardy which stipulates that nobody can be made
to face charges on whichwho he has already been tried and found innocent, or found
guilty and already penalized.
In July 1892 Rizal had been arrested on the charges of being antibeing anti-
Spanish because of his anti-church writings, of having smuggled to Manila anti-friar
leaflets, and of having dedicated his second novel to three traitor priests--all these
accusations being prompted by the suspicion that he was going around the country
organizing Masonic Lodges and other illegal associations like the La Liga Filipina.

33
Excerpt from "Manifesto to Fellow Filipinos”.
 True that he was not tried on these charges, which made his case eaven more
unjust, since he was pronounced guilty and sentenced to deportation without benefit of
due process. Thus he was forced to undergo penal servitude during those four years in
Dapitan. Then December 1896, he was brought to trial again on charges that he was an
anti-Spanish writer, that he had smuggled into Manila anti-friar propaganda, that he
had dedicated one of his books to the three traitor priests, and that he had organized
illegal associations.
His being thus exposed to double jeopardy was sensed by his counsel,
Lieutenant Taviel de Andrade, who pointed out that, aside from the charge of being
involved in the Katipunan (based on the testimonies of Katipuneros wanting to save
their own necks), the case against Rizal evolved around his past life, his past works
and writings, and his past record as reformer-all of which were already notorious
long before but had not been considered cause enough for hanging him.
Like the Proust epic, the Rizal trial was a remembrance of things past. In other
words he was tried retroactively and penalized a second time for the same alleged
offenses, the second penalty being a firing squad in Bagumbayan. The bullets that killed
him were unlawful.

CHAPTER 11
THE FINALE OF LIFE
Was Rizal Hip, Was He Cool?1
"I should like to see some of you before I die though it may be very painful. Let
the bravest come over.”
Petition for the Pardon of Rizal
It takes not only great knowledge but also great courage and equanimity of mind
and spirit to compose a masterpiece of a poem in the midst of physical and mental
turmoil agitated by an impending execution.2
In the last few days and few moments of Rizal, he allegedly wrote the 70 verses
in 14 stanzas of the "Last Farewell." But he wrote not only “Mi Ultimo Adios” before
meeting the firing squad; he also wrote some letters to his family.3
Of all the many letters and correspondences inked by the members of the Rizal
family, it was the letter of his mother pleading for the life of the hero that was
considered to be the most touching and important. This letter plays a very significant
role in history and contemporary life, for it proved the following:
1. The love of a mother to a son knows no limits and boundaries. A mother could
do the most extreme to save the life of her son.
2. The Rizal family hopes against hope that the Spanish Government could help;
after all he was perceived as a liberal representative of the crown of Spain. Here
is the complete text of the letter sent by the weeping and mourning mother,
asking for the pardon of her son.

1
Cirilo Bautista, "Was Rizal Hip, Was He Cool?” Philippine Panorama, February 28, 1999,
p. 25.
2
Ibid.
3
Ibid

"Most Excellent Sir:

 “Teodora Alonzo de Rizal, resident of Calamba and native of Sta. Cruz, Manila,
to Your Excellency, with due respect reverenceand reverence, has the honor to state:
"That her son Jose Rizal y Mercado having been sentenced to death by the
Council of War for the crime attributed to him of rebellion against the Mother Country,
a crime which in conscience and at most in justice has not been proven in a conclusive
me manner, whereas the absolute innocence of her unfortunate son is evident to the one
who has the honor to resort to your Excellency; therefore, she is constrained to entreat
your kind heart and upright justice to deign to turn your glance on and consider the
tribulations of an unhappy mother, who in the last years of her life and at the advanced
age of seventy-one, is going to have the greatest and the most poignant sorrows, which
is that of witnessing the death of her unfortunate son-a victim only of fatality and
unfortunate circumstances which have surrounded him.
"Most Excellent Sir, my unfortunate son Jose Rizal, suffering with humility and
resignation his banishment by order of the Superior Authority of this Archipelago,
appears to me in an evident manner as innocent of the grave crime imputed to him and
for which he has been sentenced to death. It is not my intention, Most Excellent Sir,
either to censure or question in any way the legality of the decision of the fair court, but
on account of unfortunate and fatal circumstances, it has apparently made my unhappy
son responsible for the most infamous of crimes, when in fact he is innocent
"In view of the above, Most Excellent Sir, I beseech Your Excellency to deign to
commiserate with a poor mother, who in the supreme moment of seeing her beloved
son die, addresses herself to Your Excellency in the name of our God, entreating you
with tears of sorrow in her eyes and a broken heart to deign to grant her unfortunate
son pardon from the death penalty imposed upon him.
“This is a grace that she hopes to obtain from the acknowledged kindness of the
magnanimous heart of Your Excellency, which will be eternally recognized by the
undersigned and her family, who will elevate prayers to heaven that it may preserve
your precious life for the welfare and honor of our Mother Spain and the consolation of
mothers.
"Manila, 28 December 1896"

How Rizal Wished to Be Buried

 "To My Family,
“I ask you for forgiveness for the pain I caused you, but some day I shall have to die
and it is better that I die now in the plenitude of my conscience.
"Dear parents and brothers: Give thanks to God that I may reserve my tranquility
before my death. I die resigned, hoping that with my death you will be left in peace.
Ah! It is better to die than to live suffering. Console yourselves.
"I enjoin you to forgive one another the little meanness of life end try to live
united in peace and good harmony. Treat your old parents as you would like to be
treated by your children later. Love them very much in my memory.
"Bury me in the ground. Place a stone and a cross over it. My name, the date of
my birth, and the date of my death. Nothing more. If later you wish to surround my
grave with a fence, you can do it. No anniversaries. I prefer Paang Bundok.4
"Have pity on poor Josephine."
This letter was among the documents presented to the Republic of the
Philippines by Spain through her minister of foreign affairs, Martin Artajo, on
February 26, 1953. It had no date, but it must have been written at Fort Santiago
shortly before he was led to his execution in Bagumbayan, Manila.5
Rizal was buried not in a humble place in Paang Bundok, as he wished, but in
the cemetery of Paco. On December 30, 1912, the Commission on the Rizal Monument,
created by virtue of Act no. 243, transferred his remains to the base of the monument
erected on the Luneta, very near to the place where he was shot.
Rizal's Last Words to His Brother Paciano
This letter was received by Paciano in Cavite in January 1897 as he had joined
the Revolution after the death sentence of his brother was signed by Governor
General Camilio Polavieja on December 28, 1896.

4
Paang Bundok literally means foot of the mountain. It is a place in the north of
Manila where the North Cemetery, a municipal cemetery, and the Chinese Cemetery
are located.
5
Rizal's Correspondence with Family Members, p. 439.
"My dear brother,
"It has been four years and a half that we have not seen each other or have we
addressed one another in writing or orally. I do not believe this is due to lack of
affection either on my part or yours but because knowing each other so well, we had no
need of words to understand each other.
"Now that I am going to die, it is to you I dedicate my last words to tell you how
much I regret to leave you alone in life bearing the weight of the family and of our old
parents.
"I think of how you have worked to enable me to have a career. I believe that I
have tried not to waste my time. My brother: if the fruit has been bitter, it is not my
fault; it is the fault circumstances. I know that you have suffered much because of me: I
am sorry.
"I assure you, brother, that I die innocent of this crime of rebellion. If my former
writings had been able to contribute towards it, I should not deny absolutely, but then I
believe I expiated my past with my exile.
"Tell our father that I remember him, but how? I remember my whole childhood,
his tenderness, his love. Ask him to forgive me for the pain I caused him unwillingly.
"Your brother,
Jose Rizal
Rizal's Last Words to His Parents
This letter was penned by Rizal at around 6:00 am December 30, 1896. It contained the
last words to his parent asking for forgiveness for the pain he had caused them.
"My Most Loved Father,
"Forgive me for the pain with which I pay you for struggles and toils to give me
an education. I did not want this nor did I expect it. Farewell, Father, farewell!
"To my very beloved Mother, Mrs. Teodora Alonzo
"At 6 o'clock in the morning of the 30th of December 1896.
Jose Rizal
The Execution
After hearing Rizal in his own defense, the court martial found him guilty as
charged and condemned him to death. The decision was signed by Jose Togores,
president of the court, and Braulio Rodriguez Nuñez, Ricardo Muñoz, Fermin Perez
Rodriguez, Manuel Reguera, Manuel Diaz Escribano, and Santiago Izquierdo. Also
on the same day the judgment was endorsed to Polavieja who referred it to the Judge
Advocate General. Peña adopted Alcocer's arguments wholesale and found Rizal
guilty as a principal by induction through his propaganda activities. He
recommended that Rizal be executed by firing squad at the place and time
designated by the Governor General. On the 28th of December, Polavieja approved the
recommendation and ordered Rizal to be shot at seven o'clock in the morning of the
30th of December on the field of Bagumbayan.6
December 30, 1896, the day that dawned over Fort Santiago, was one of the
balmiest in Philippine history. The day of Rizal's execution. On this day there was
restlessness. A sense of calm yet a feeling of change were in the air; there was a sense a
tragedy that embraced the anticipated public execution. The execution area was
surrounded by the largest crowd. Everyone was curious about witnessing the execution
of the most influential Filipino, Jose Rizal.
Rizal was facing execution for speaking out against Spanish political and
economic domination in the Philippines. He had also committed the unpardonable sin
of criticizing the Catholic Church. The Spanish believed that he had fomented
revolution and was guilty of sedition.
Finally the condemned man marched toward the lawn. What Rizal realized as he
marched to his execution was his appearance, his bearing and his final words would
create a new revolutionary consciousness. He was aware that his execution would lay
the foundation for a new Philippines.
“At the cleared grass area where the firing squad assembled, Rizal made his way
to the execution spot. As the firing squad lined up, many people noticed that the
Spaniards and other Europeans had left the grass area. The soldiers appeared unusually
nervous. They checked their guns a number of times, they adjusted their

6
See The Trial of Rizal, edited and translated by H. de La Costa, SJ, Ateneo de
Manila University, 1961.
uniforms and their eyes scanned the crowd. Finally to firing squad was ready to face
the young Philippine nationalist.”7
Then the shots were fired, and Jose Rizal fell to his death. But he made one final
gesture. He turned to face the firing squad as if to say “I am innocent." In a letter to his
German friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, Rizal remarked that he was innocent of the
charges against him but would accept execution for a larger purpose. His death
pricked the last strand of human reservation for patience, that every Filipino native
soul, whether living or yet unborn, had moral, political, and national struggle to die
for.8 It was the death of Rizal that turned many formerly apolitical Filipinos into
nationalists. No longer was there tacit public acceptance of European rule. There was a
rising Asian political consciousness and the Philippines was in the forefront of the
movement, and Rizal was its leader.
But Rizal was only one of the many Filipinos who were executed by the Spanish
government. As other victims were taken from the torture chambers at Fort Santiago to
be executed for speaking out, there was an increased appreciation of Rizal's legacy.
Rizal had criticized the Spanish for their insensitive treatment of the Filipino, and his
voice had the most dramatic impact upon the resurgent Philippine nationalism. As a
result his execution was a special one and it inflamed the Filipino people against
Spanish rule.
From the day of Socrates, who was put to death by the citizens of Athens for
teaching the young men to think for themselves, down to that morning in December 30,
1896, when Rizal was done to death by the firing squad at Bagumbayan, the pages of
history have run red with the murder of men in science. 9
Letters to Be Opened after His Death
On June 20, 1892, Rizal wrote two beautiful letters packed fate, one to his
relatives and friends, the other to his country. He sealed them and on the envelope of
each wrote: "To be opened
7
Philippine Panorama, February 28, 1999, p. 25.
8
Manolo M. Magracia, "The Classic End of Rizal." Philippine Panorama. June 17, 2001.
9
Rizal’s Martyrdom Remembered, “Philippine Panorama, December 26, 1999, p.3.
after my death."10 He left these letters with his friend Dr. Lorenzo Marques of Macao.
The first letter:
"Parents, Brother, Sisters, and Friends,
The love which I have always professed for you was what dictated this step,
which the future alone will be able to say was or was not wise. Destiny judges acts by
their consequences; but whether these be favorable or unfavorable, it will always be
said that my duty has commanded me, and if I perish in obeying it, it will not matter. "I
know that you have had to suffer much, but I do not regret what I have done, and if
now I had to commence again I would do the same as I have done, because it was my
duty. I am going willingly to expose myself to danger, not as an expiation for my faults
(for in this matter I do not think I have committed any) but to crown my work and to
attest with my example what I have always preached.
"A man ought to die for his duty and his convictions. I hold to all the ideas which
I have published concerning the state and future of my country, and I shall die willingly
for her, and even more willingly for to procure justice and tranquility for you all.
"I risk my life with gladness to save so many innocent, so many nephews and
nieces, so many children who suffer for me.
“What am I? A single man, nearly without a family, and sufficiently disillusioned
about life. I have been deceived many times, while the future which lies before me is
dark, and would be darker if it were not illumined by the light, the dawn of my
country. Meanwhile there are many persons who, full of hopes and dreams, may
perhaps be wholly happy when I am dead; for I hope my enemies will be satisfied and
will no longer persecute so many innocent. Their hatred with respect to me is justifiable
to a certain point, but not with respect to my parents and relatives.
"If fortune should go against me, they will all know that I die happy, thinking
that with my death I have secured for them the end of all their misery. They will then be
able to return to our country and be happy in it.
"Until the last instant of my life, I will be thinking of you and will be hoping that
you may have all good fortune and happiness.
Jose Rizal

10
Retana's Prologue to El Filibusterismo, XXIV.
The second letter: "To the Filipinos:
“The step which I have taken or which I am about to take is very hazardous, no
doubt, and I need not say that I have the much about it. I know that almost everybody
is against it: but I know also that almost nobody knows what is going on in my heart. I
cannot live knowing that many are suffering unjust persecutions on my account; I
cannot live seeing my brother, sisters, and the numerous families pursued like
criminals; I prefer to face death and I gladly give my life to free so many innocents from
such unjust persecution. I know that at present, the future of my country to some extent
gravitates about me; that if I die, many will exult, and that therefore many are longing
for my destruction. But what shall I do? I have duties to my conscience above all, I have
obligations to the families which suffer, to my old parents, whose sighs pierce to my
heart; I know that I alone, even with my death, am able to make them happy,
permitting them to return to their native land and to the tranquility of their home. I
have only my parents, but my country has many sons beside myself who are able to
take my place and are already taking my place successfully.
"I desire, furthermore, to let those who deny our patriotism see that we know
how to die for our duty and for our convictions. What matters death if one dies for what
he loves, for his motherland, and the beings he adores?
"If I supposed that I was the only fulcrum for the policy of the Philippines, and if
I were convinced that my fellow countrymen would utilize my services, perhaps I
should hesitate to take this step: but there are still others who can, with advantage, take
my place.
"I have always loved my poor Motherland, and am sure I shall love her to the
last moment even though perhaps men are unjust to me; and my future, my life, my
joys, all have been sacrificed for my love of her. Whatever my fate may be, I shall die
blessing her and longing for the dawn of her redemption.
"Publish these letters after my death.
Jose Rizal
The Last Farewell
Just after Rizal became aware of his sentence to deathbut beforedeath but before
his transfer to the chapel, he wrote the famous poem
“My Last Farewell.” It was written on a small sheet of note paper, folded lengthwise
into a narrow strip and then doubled and wedged inside the tank of a little alcohol
lamp on which his cooking in the I had been done. At the farewell to his sister
Trinidad while in the chapel, he said: "I have nothing to give you as a souvenir except
the cooking lamp Mrs. Tavera gave me while I was in Paris." And then so the guard
might not understand he said in a low tone in English. "There is something inside." The
lamp was taken with his other belongings from the fort and it was not until the night of
the second day after his death that it was deemed safe to investigate. Then when the
verses were found they were immediately copied and the copy without comment
mailed to Hong Kong. There they were published." 11
Did Rizal write “Mi Ultimo Adios” on the eve of his execution, or did he begin
writing it when he felt the certainty of a death sentence for him, a certainty that might
have come to his consciousness weeks or even months before that night? A popular
painting shows Rizal writing at his desk, with an oil lamp providing the only light.
Actually the oil lamp was an oil burner to heat or keep food warm. The food warmer
could not have provided that much light without a glass cover to disperse the light in a
room, but it provided space for Rizal to hide the poem in the oil burner. It is more likely
that he had drafted the poem sometime before then, and wrote the finishing touches on
the eve of his death. Rizal's friend, Mariano Ponce, gave the title "Mi Ultimo Adios"
as it originally had none.
In his article "Wife of Dr. Jose Rizal," Prof. Isagani Medina wrote that according
to Santiago V. Alvarez's memoirs, “Bonifacio asked if he could borrow a copy of that
poem, so that he could translate it into Tagalog."
After the execution of Rizal, Josephine, with Paciano and Trinidad Rizal. crossed
the tightly guarded enemy lines towards Cavite. At the time of their arrival, the
Magdiwang and Magdalo factions were meeting at the Casa Hacienda of Imus,
according to Artemio Ricarte. However Santiago V. Alvarez said that the Rizals came at
past one o'clock in the afternoon of December 30, 1896 at San Francisco de Malabon
(Now General Trias). Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan Supremo, received the Rizals
himself at the house of Mrs. Estefania Potente where he was staying.

11
Austin Craig, The Story of Jose Rizal: The Greatest Man of the Brown Race, 1909.
 In fact it was at this time that Bonifacio asked if he could for some time a copy of
Rizal's poem “Mi Ultimo Adios” in Spanish so that he could translate it into Tagalog
with the assistance of Mojica, a poet and a writer in Tagalog, at the same time President
of the Popular Council Mapagtiis and Local Cavite.
To whom then is Rizal bequeathing his last testament its now redundant title
"My Last Farewell”? This poem may conceivedbe conceived as a radical testimony to
Rizal's stand against Spanish colonial hegemony and the dogmatic authority of the
church “Mi Ultimo Adios” may be read as Rizal's symbolic act of bloodletting that
dissolves the sorceress Mother Spain in the figure of the terrestrial mother: the body is
finally freed from the nightmare of the colonized ego.
There may be lingering doubts that Rizal was a Filipino patriot. He was loyal to
Spain to the end, but Spain was not his "Patria Adorada." The first stanza of "Mi Ultimo
Adios" leaves no doubt which country Rizal meant by “Patria Adorada." The
Philippines (Filipinas) was his "Patria Adorada," the Pearl of the Orient Sea and his
Lost Eden.
Rizal was hip because he was cool even in the face of death. He had total
commitment to his struggle. He could not betray his patriotism and nationalism even if
it meant death. He was not like many of us who would flee the country for safer
grounds when events demand that we take a stand and fight for it. In his "Datos para
Mi Defensa" notes he would use in his trial, he wrote: "I was so far from thinking that
I was doing wrong that I never wanted to accept the protection of another nation;
twice I was offered German nationality, once the English, and I have never accepted."
What could be more hip than that?

CHAPTER 12
RIZAL AS A NOVELIST

Anatomy and Analysis of His Novels

Rizal called the Noli the bridge between the Propaganda Movement and the Revolution
of 1896. The Fili was a morality, a profound description of the mentality and climate of revolt,
with all the urgency of its demands, and with all its shortcomings in their fulfillment. But to
Spain, it was a last and terrible warning.1
Noli Me Tangere at a Glance

In 1877 Jose Rizal’s literary fame began with the publication of Noli Me Tangere. It
outlined a new form of Philippine nationalism and influenced a new generation of
revolutionaries. Historian Jose S. Arcilla called it “the gospel of Philippine
nationalism.” 2

The title Noli Me Tangere means “touch me not” in Latin, but the novel was also
titled The Social Cancer in its English translation.

The Noli’s plot revolves around Crisostomo Ibarra, the son of a wealthy Creole
landlord, who is engaged to Maria Clara, the daughter of Santiago de los Santos
(Kapitan Tiago). Ibarra is sent abroad to study. The similarities to Rizal’s life are
obvious. 3

As the Noli progresses, Ibarra’s father runs afoul of local officials and is
accidentally killed by the Spanish tax collector. The Rizal family had problems with the
Dominicans in the Calamba hacienda controversy, and Rizal used his novel to criticize
the government and the church.
As Ibarra returns to the Philippines, he is very determined to lead his people to
independence through education. He establishes a school and then comes into conflict
with local authorities. The plot is further complicated when Fr. Salvi, the parish priest
who replaced
1
Austin Craig. Biography of Rizal.
2
Jose S. Arcilla, understanding the Noli: Its Historical Context and Literary
Influences, Quezon City, 1988, p.vii.
3
De Witt, p.132

Fr. Damaso, falls in love with Ibarra’s fiancée. The love is never consummated and Fr.
Salvi appears as a pathetic and immoral figure. This section of the Noli outraged the
clergy because it pointed out their sexual indiscretions.4
 Ibarra opens the school in a public ceremony and then during a dinner
celebration, Fr. Damaso insults Ibarra’s dead father. Ibarra has to be restrained from
killing the friar and Ibarra is excommunicated for laying violent hands on a priest. He is
also forbidden to see Maria Clara again.5 The friars forbid Maria Clara from seeing
Ibarra and Fr. Damaso arranges her marriage to one of his distant Spanish relatives
named Linares.
The plot thickens as Ibarra is accused of plotting a revolution. The evidence of
his insurrection comes from letters provided by Maria Clara. In a rage, Ibarra confronts
Maria Clara, and she informs him that her real father is none other than Fr. Damaso.
Ibarra forgives Maria Clara for lying. He flees with Elias up the river to the lake but
they are sighted by a constabulary patrol; one of them is killed. Who survives remains a
mystery, but a dying man buries Ibarra’s treasure at the foot of his grandfather’s grave. 6
Believing that Ibarra is dead, Maria Clara refuses to marry Linares. 7
Fr. Damaso tries to reason with Maria Clara. He tells her that Ibarra cannot
provide her with the comforts, the birth privileges, or the status of a Spanish aristocrat,
She tells Fr. Damaso that she is hopelessly in love with Ibarra. Then Maria Clara
threatens to kill herself unless she can enter a nunnery. Fr. Damaso relents and the Noli
ends with a glimpse of the young nun on the roof of the convent crying out about the
inequities of her life as thunder and lightning roar in the background. 8
Noli Me Legere 9

The Spanish were furious with Rizal’s novel. They refused to allow it to be
imported into Manila. As a result only a small number of copies of Noli Me Tangere
entered the Philippines. The friars, whom Rizal criticized, spoke disparagingly of the
book and threatened excommunication to anyone who read it.
4
Ibid.
5
Guerrero, p.110.
6
Ibid, p.111.
7
De Witt.
8
Ibid, p.133.
9
Noli Me Legere literally means “Read me not.”

The government and military officials responded by beating anyone caught with the
book.10
 Aside from the small pamphlet issued by the friar Jose Rodriguez, entitled
“Caingat Cayo,” warning people not to read the Noli,11 the censors in the Philippines,
through an Augustinian priest, expressed censorship and condemnation of the Noli. The
Permanent Commission on Censorship of the Philippines which read and examined
very carefully the so-called Tagalog nove12l found the book libelous, defamatory, and
full of falsehood and calumny, in which the author (Jose Rizal) reveals crass ignorance.
13

Provided below is an excerpt from the said report of the Permanent Commission
on Censorship of the Philippines.
The author, nursing an ill-concealed hatred of the mother 14 who gave him birth
and steeped in the defamatory writings of envious foreigners who wish to discredit one
of the greatest works of generous Spain in these Islands, and giving himself Volneyist 15
and Voltairian16 airs, makes it his principal object to discredit openly and impudently all
the institutions established by the Metropolis in these distant Islands. 17
He (Rizal) attacks in a violent and wicked manner some fundamental dogmas,
many truths, and pious beliefs of the state religion, the target of his fury being the
religious communities and the Civil Guard, not so much for the habit the former wear
and the rules they follow and the latter’s social mission, but for considering both
institutions the principal impediment and insuperable of the country. 18
According to the author, Spain has brought here nothing good, or so dearly it has
cost the Islands the few rudiments of civilization that they have received that
degradation
10
De Witt.
11
Ibid, p.134.
12
The Tagalog novel refers to the Noli.
13
Rizal’s Correspondences with Fellow Reformists, “Before Monkish Hatred in
the Philippines” by Plaridel (Marcelo H. del Pilar), p.735
14
The Mother Country refers to Spain.
15
Volneyst – named after Count de Volney, a French Philosopher, author of
Ruins of Palymra, his reflections on revolutions and liberty, a book widely read by
intellectuallintellectual Filipinos during Rizal’s time.
16
Refers to the influence of Voltaire’s ideas upon Rizal.
17
Rizal’s Correspondences with Fellow Reformists.
18
Ibid, p.736.
and death would be a thousand times preferable to living under the despotic
government of Spain. 19
He (Rizal) considers corrupt and corrupting the courts of justice, venal the
governors general, inept the administration, null the education in a country where more
than seventy percent of the citizens know how to read and write, the Archipelago
abandoned to its own resources, and slaves the Filipinos, whom he pretends to awaken
with the cries of war and revenge, evoking the memories of Cavite, in order to shake off
the oppressive rule. 20
A synthesis of the result of the analytical censure summarizes its findings into four
articles whose respective titles are:
1. Attacks on the integrity of Spain (State and Religion)
a. The most important part of Noli Me Tangere is that which refers to the
separatist liberty and independence of the country, the point towards
which all the thoughts and poisoned reflections of the author converge.
b. The author takes as the chief character in his work a young man of great
heart and high patriotic sentiments who was educated abroad. The father
of this youth, who is named Ibarra, died wretchedly, persecuted by the
Spanish authorities according to the story.
c. From here on Rizal represents the Philippines as a slave tied hand and
foot. The Archipelago is the victim of the Civil Guard’s violence as well as
suffers from the fanaticism and despotic arbitrariness of the missionaries,
it is delivered over to the greed and immorality of the courts of justice,
plundered by the constituted authorities, and forgotten and abandoned by
the Government of Spain.
d. “The government! The government you say!” said the philosopher, raising
his eyes to the ceiling. “Howsoever desirous it may be of advancing the
country for its own benefit and for that of the Mother Country; howsoever
one or more officials may remember the generous spirit of the Catholic
kings in their hearts, the government itself will not see, hear, or judge
more than what the priest or the provincial makes them see, hear, or
judge.
Compare, if you dare, our governmental system with that of other
countries you have visited…”

19
Ibid.
20
Ibid.

e. “The people do not complain because they have no voice; they do not
move because they are under a spell of lethargy, and still you say that
 they do not suffer because you have not seen how their hearts bleed. But
some day you will see and hear! Unhappy those who allow themselves to
be deceived and work in the night thinking that everyone sleeps! When
the light of the day shines upon the deeds of the night then shall the
terrible reaction follow! Such forces repressed during centuries; such
poison distilled drop by drop and such stifled sighs appear in the light
and explode!”
f. Hatred of Spain and the frenzied desire for liberty, for independence and
for revenge reach their climax. In these lines. “And now I see the horrible
cancer which is gnawing at this social structure, which is acquiring a
firmer grip on its flesh and demands violent extirpation. They have
opened my eyes, have shown me the sore and have impelled me to be a
criminal! And since they wish it, I will be a filibustero, but a real filibustero;
I will call all the unfortunate ones, all who feel a bleeding heart beating in
their breast, those who sent you to me. “21
g. “I die without seeing the Day dawning on my country… You who will see
it, greet it… and forget not those who fell in the Night!” 22

2. Attacks on the administration, the Spanish employees of the government, and

the courts of justice

The author of Noli Me Tangere thinks and affirms every time an opportunity offers
that in the Philippines bribery is the rule and that every official, absolutely without
exception, from the Governor General to the lowest 5th-class employee, is venal and
corrupt, and that equally venal and corrupt are all from the Minister of Ultramar to the
lowest court functionary. All peninsular Spaniards are included in this general
condemnation.

21
Noli Me Tangere, Chapter 61, p.337.
22
Ibid.

In chapter 423 where the hero of the novel is talking to a Spaniard long resident in the
country, the author puts in the latter’s mouth these words:
 a. “We Spaniards who come to the Philippines are unfortunately not what we
should be. (I say this with reference to one of your grandparents as well as to
the enemies of your father.) The continuous changes, the corruption in the
high positions, favoritism, the cheapness and the shortness of the voyage are
to blame for everything. Here come the worst people of the Peninsula, and if
a good man comes, the country soon corrupts him.”
b. Talking of Kapitan Tiago, a mestizo contractor who does business with all
government offices24
c. He tells of a governadorcillo and refers to the supposed general immorality in
the appointments of municipal and other officials of the state thus: “The
person was an unhappy man who did not command but rather the
Gobernadorcillo) obeyed. He did not scold anyone but was scolded; did not
control anybody but was controlled. Rather was he responsible to the alcalde
mayor for what he had been ordered, directed, and instructed to do as if
everything had originated in his brain although it should be stated to his
credit that he had not stolen or usurped this office. It actually cost him five
thousand pesos and much humiliation, and, considering what he gets out of
it, he considers the price cheap enough.” 25
d. Telling of the ease with which in the Ministry and at Rome a miter can be
obtained (Note by Austin Craig that is, a Friar can get promotion to be a
Bishop, then a government position as well as a Church dignitary), he says:
“They give it for nothing nowadays. I know on who got it doing less than
that. He wrote a little work in chabacano, a Philippine dialect of Spanish-
showing that the natives have no capacity for anything except
craftsmanship…
Pshaw… Common old stuff!” 26
23
Refers to the first printing of the original Spanish version.
24
Noli Me Tangere, Chapter 6, p.29.
25
Ibid, Chapter 11, pp.51-52
26
Ibid, Chapyer 58, p.319.

e. The author makes the most serious charge possible against the honesty and
integrity of the Governor General, supposing him to be bribed by a P1,000
ring presented to him by a Trozo mestiza in order that her family shall not be
implicated in an alleged conspiracy against the sovereignty of Spain. 27
f. There follows an animated discussion in which it is sought to prove that the
administrative officials and the Government are venal and corruptible by any
gift of value and for it will sell reason and justice.

3. Attacks on the Civil Guard

 a. According to Rizal, the meritorious Civil Guard is worse than a gang of
ruffians. Its men are cruel, heartless, and without mercy, a greater calamity
for the Islands than the tulisanes (robbers) themselves, those wild beasts of
the forest who bring desolation and mourning to the families and pillage and
burn the towns of the archipelago. The tulisan, according to the author,
would be quite humane, sympathetic, and a law-abiding citizen if it were not
for the Civil Guard, the foremost factor in bandolerismo (banditry) and
filibusterismo (agitation for a better government).
b. A mother whose two sons were being sought by the Civil Guard made
excuses that she did not know where they were: “The civil guards are not
people, they are just ccivicivil guards. They do not listen to prayers and are
used to seeing tears shed.” 28
c. Speaking of a festival in which they were going to be gambling, the Civil
Guard is presented as back of the ruinous and prohibited games. “The alferez
has fifty pesos every night!’ whispers a small fat man in the ears of the new
arrivals. ‘Kapitan Tiago will come and they will start a monte game; Kapitan
Joaquin is bringing eighteen thousand pesos; there will be a game of liampo
in which the Chino Carlos will be the banker with ten thousand pesos; and
there are big gamblers coming from Tanauan, Lipa, and Batangas and also
Santa Cruz. There’s going to be a gay time, I can tell you!” 29
27
Ibid, pp.323-325.
28
Ibid, Chapter 21, p.105.
29
Ibid, chapter 26, p.146.

d. “That is all they are good for! Shouted a woman, rolling up her sleeves and
shaking her arms threateningly. “To disturb the peace of the town! They only
persecute the honest me!” 30
e. “Among the multitude there are civil guards who are not wearing the
uniform of their reputed corps nor are they dressed as civilians. They are
wearing a disguise which is in harmony with their conduct, consisting of
guingon trousers with a red stripe, a shirt spotted with faded blue, and the
regulation cap. They are betting and watching, disturbing, and speaking of
preserving order.”
After the analytical examination, the Commission on Censorship through
Augustinian Fr. Salvador Font, concludes with the following words:
“Most Excellent Sir, the undersigned, based on the text, literally copied, that he has
just presented to the strict and patriotic consideration of Your Excellency, is of the
opinion that the importation, reproduction, and circulation of this pernicious book
should be prohibited absolutely by your authority. 31
“Besides attacking so directly, as Your Excellency has seen, the religion of the state,
institutions, and persons respectable for their official character, the book is vitiated with
foreign teachings and doctrines, and its general synthesis is to in still deep and cruel
hatred of the mother country (Spain) in the minds of the submissive and loyal sons of
Spain in these distant Islands, placing her behind foreign countries, especially Germany
for which the author of the Noli Me Tangere seems to have pre-eminent predilection. His
only objective is the absolute independence of the country, desiring to break with
impious and bold hand the sacred integrity of the mother, Spain.”
The Philippine monasticism cannot bear Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere despite the
favorable reception it has received in the literary and political world of Spain and other
countries in Europe. In the Philippines the censors wished the Noli Me Tangere
(Touch me not) to be Noli Me Legere (Read me not).
Despite this strong objection and condemnation, the Noli became a very significant
book because of the impact it had upon the developing nationalistic feeling. It was an
important reflection on the illustrado political mentality. The Noli is rich enough to
build a modern nationalism. 32

30
Ibid, Chapter 40, p. 227.
31
Rizal’s Correspondences with Fellow Reformists, p.737.
32
De Witt, p. 134.

When the hero dies in Noli Me Tangere, Rizal made a serious nationalistic point. It
was a literary device designed to call attention to the free thinking political attitudes
that Crisostomo Ibarra possesses and how he influences the rising state of Philippine
nationalism. The Noli is called the bridge between the Propaganda movement and the
Revolution of 1896. The world had known through Rizal’s novels the conditions that
the Filipino faced at home. The novel inspired the indios to become more critical of the
Spanish domination in the Philippines and to create a strong sense of a new democratic
feeling. 33
The Predecessors of the Noli

Have you imagined a mysterious widow riding in the middle of the night to
exact her revenge? This is far from reality considering the fact that the setting is Spanish
era, where women are submissive and conservative in general. This is the main plot of
the novel La Noba Negra written by Padre Jose Burgos, a predecessor of the Noli.
Another predecessor of the Noli is the novel written by Pedro Paterno entitled
Ninay. Guerrero gives this summary: The love of Loleng, an Antipolo girl, and Berto is
frustrated by Don Juan Silverio. Don Juan Silverio, the rich landlord of Loleng’s
parents, wants the girl for himself. Loleng and Berto run away, but Loleng dies in a
cave. Exhausted by her vicissitudes, by her grave Berto made friends with a rich young
man, Carlos Mabagsic. Carlos is in love with Antonina Milo, the Ninay of the title,
herself an heiress. She catches the eye of Federico, Don Juan’s son, who takes advantage
of a minor uprising to divorce Ninay’s father. Don Evaristo is accused of involvement
in the revolt. To save her father, Ninay writes a letter compromising herself with
Federico, but he is killed by Berto, who is unable to keep his promise to save Ninay’s
father from execution. Berto also warns Carlos of his impending arrest, so the latter
escapes on a ship that got lost in the storm. Believing Carlos and her father are dead,
Ninay enters the convent. But Carlos survives and is saved by Tik, the queen of a
savage bandit. Carlos remains faithful to Ninay and when Tik dies, she leaves a treasure
to Carlos.

33
Ibid, p. 135.

Was there a parallelism between the two novels, the Noli and Ninay? Take a look.
Main characters

Noli Ninay
Elias Berto
Crisostomo Ibarra Carlos
Kapitan Tiago Don Evaristo

Plots

Noli
Ibarra is in love with Maria Clara.
The father of Maria Clara is the rich
Kapitan Tiago.
There is a revolt. Ibarra is implicated.
As result of the revolution, Maria Clara
has to execute a letter with his father,
thus appearing infidel to Ibarra.
Ibarra escapes from the Spanish
Ninay
Carlos is in love with Ninay.
The father of Ninay is the rich Don
Evaristo.
There is a revolt. Carlos is to be arrested.
Ninay executes a letter to save her father
and seemingly abandons Carlos.
Carlos escapes on a ship.
 authority through the help of Elias riding a
banca.
Believing Ibarra is dead, Maria Clara Believing that Carlos is dead, Ninay
enters the convent and becomes a nun. enters the convent and becomes a nun.

Praisers and Defenders of the Noli

The Filipinos adored Jose Rizal for the book Noli Me Tangere, which had reached
the Islands before him and had found eager buyers. People said that all the characters in
the book were real people, as in point of fact, they were. It was history written with
fictitious names. Those who knew Rizal’s home well realized that he had seen or heard
of the incidents which he had related, and that only the names were new. Crisostomo
Ibarra, a youth who goes to Europe to study and to find out how to bless his country, is
Rizal himself. His father has trouble with the friars, is thrown into prison, and dies.
This is a composite of Rizal’s father and mother. Though they were still living when the
book was written, hundreds of other martyred men made that part of the story true in
every corner of the archipelago. Maria Clara is Ibarra’s sweetheart and fiancée, but
because he has trouble with the friars, the girl’s father, Kapitan Tiago, breaks off the
engagement and marries her to another man, which breaks her heart and results in her
death.

Maria Clara is Leonor Rivera. Tasyo, the philosopher, is Jose’s brother Paciano. The
people of Calamba with sure finger pointed out all the rest of the characters: Fr.
Damaso, the cruel Dominican friar, who claimed most of the land about Calamba;
poverty-stricken Sisa, a victim of the unjust system, who does not have enough to eat
and goes hungry while her boys have a little food; Civil Guards arresting Sisa for
alleged theft—they had seen them all time and time again. The book was a thousand
times true. The picture of the Governor General, who requests the archbishop to cancel
the excommunication, perfectly represents well-meaning Terrero, who was the
Governor General when Rizal reached Manila. Indeed, as Rizal had said, every incident
in the book had actually happened.”
His friend Regidor wrote from London one of scores of delighted comments on
Noli Me Tangere: 34
“I have today finished your most interesting story; and I confess frankly that I
have never read anything truer or more gratifying in reference to this shame which
curses our society. Who does not know Fr. Damaso? Ah, I have met him! And although
in your brilliant impersonation of him in the novel you had him wearing the garb of a
dirty Franciscan, always coarse, always tyrannical, always corrupt, I have met him and
studied him in real life in the Philippines, at times in the white habit of the Augustinian,
sometimes as a Franciscan, as you have presented him, and sometimes in the bare feet
and tunic of a Recollect… Your Kapitan Tiago is inimitable, combining as he does the
characters of two or three of our countrymen. Who does not find those who personify
this disgraceful type, a worthy cousin to Ate Isabel. I have met them… The old man
Tasyo brings to my memory two or three famous countrymen of ours, those who have
fallen during the night, among them the apostate Quaker, Francisco Rodriguez, and I
remember others whom you and I know whom we cannot yet name. Fr. Salvi is the
truest representative of the much-vaunted Filipino missionary. How many persons
who pretend to know our country will claim that the noble and unfortunate Elias is a
pure ideal? This type among us is well known to you and to me, because we have
thought and felt and suffered with them… The good servant Don Primitivo and the
wise Sibyia, picture perfectly the ancient Thomases, Josephs, and Laterans full of
distinctions and Latin, which is useless for reason as well as for life… How many
children of my infancy, infatuated with this supposed erudition still are living! These
are really perfect types of

34 Rizal’s Correspondences, vol. 2, p.2.

the social life of the Archipelago, I do not know how to praise Ibarra enough. His life
and misfortunes are so like my own humble history! I do not know whether anyone will
dare to dispute the absolute truthfulness of this victim of despotism and colonial
corruption, but if this should happen, I can point out to him historical facts… It is even
better than a photograph.
“Maria Clara is the sublime type of pure love, of paternal respect, of gratitude,
and of sacrifice. There are unfortunate victims of the religious-colonial avarice, exiled
martyrs who with slight variations can be called Lucia of Ymus, Anita of Binondo,
Ysabel of Pangasinan, etc…. The fanaticism of Hermanas Terceras completes the
coloring of this admirable description.

“If we pass from persons to the politico-philosophical social Implications of this

book, it is a perfect mirror of some, if not all, the great evils that afflict our land. You
exhibit naked the cancer which most needs to be remedied… and by doing this in a
humorous vein which you carry through so skillfully by relating history and anecdotes
of daily occurrences, either employing irony or sarcasm, you hold the facts to ridicule
and draw from the reader a cry of indignation.
 “You are still a child and have already produced this red hot shot against that
system!

“Your devoted friend and admirer,

“El Proscrito” 35

Retana says the principal conclusions of Noli Me Tangere are:

1. The enlightened liberal Filipino cannot live in the Philippines because he and the
friars are uncongenial. He is persecuted in every way, false conspiracies are invented to
implicate hiim, and then he is imprisoned, exiled, or shot.

2. The country is not for us but for Spaniards, especially the friars.
3. The Civil Guard is so abusive that it makes more bandits than it captures.

4. The Spaniards in the Philippines have no high ideals, but many of them have
degenerated into ruffians.

5. The Catholic religion has been employed as an instrument of domination.

6. The pure Filipinos are condemned to perpetual ignorance.

35
Pseudonym of Regidor.

7. The woman cannot marry a Spaniard but gives herself to the friar if her parents
oblige her to do so to protect themselves.
8. With the present bad government, the Filipinos cannot remain united with Spain,
and with all courtesy we ask for the rights we deserve.
9. The chief cause of insurrection is desperation. When a man loses all he has, he
fights.
Vigilant spies carried Noli Me Tangere to the government, and the government
appointed a committee from the University of Santo Tomas to examine it. The
committee did a thorough job. The rector of Santo Tomas reported to the Archbishop:
“In returning the copy you sent us, we have noted with a red pencil the statements
against Spain, the Government, and its representatives in these Islands. With a blue or
black pencil other statements, impious, heretical, scandalous, or objectionable for other
reasons. All the narrative, absolutely all taken together and in its details, the important
and unimportant incidents, are against doctrine, against the church, against the
religious orders, and against the institutions, civil, military, social, and political, which
the Government of Spain has implanted in these Islands. Noli Me Tangere of Jose Rizal,
printed in Berlin, if circulated in the Philippines, would cause the gravest dangers to
faith and morals, lessen or kill the love of these natives for Spain, stir up the passions
of the inhabitants of the country, and cause sad days for the mother country.” 36
A government decree followed at once, excluding the book from the Philippines,
requiring a search for any copies of it that might be in the Islands, and providing that
any Filipino found with Noli Me Tangere in his possession should be deported and his
property confiscated and given to the person who should betray him. The decree had
no effect excepting to advertise the book and to enhance the popularity of its writer.
Copies were smuggled into the Islands to be read secretly. They were buried in fields at
the approach of officers and dug up when the officers had gone.
Even Rizal’s friends the Jesuits turned against him. When he visited the Ateneo,
Padre (Federico) Faura, “knowing the change and the great wickedness which had put
impiety into his soul, tried to bring him back to the right road. But in vain, for the
unfortunate man with obstinate coldness, though making a great profession of being
loyal to Spain, said that all discussion of religion was useless, for he had already lost the
inestimable treasure of his faith.
36
Retana, p. 129.

Padre Faura then said that if his beliefs were like that, he should no more set his feet
within the Ateneo.” 37
Not until some five months had passed, Rizal was called to Malacañang, the
Governor’s, now Presidential palace, for an interview with Governor General Emilio
Terrero who told him that the Dominican Committee had found Noli Me Tangere very
dangerous. Rizal assured Terrero that the book was innocent of the slightest slander
against the government, though it did reveal some friar injustice, and asked him to read
it before passing judgment, The Governor General agreed to read the book and was
secretly pleased at its exposure of the friars. At his next interview he was very
friendly, and being solicitous for Rizal’s welfare, gave him bodyguard, Lieutenant
José Taviel de Andrade, a Spaniard, who became one of Rizal’s warmest admirers
and friends, and remained so to the end of his life. 38
Partly or wholly as a result of reading Noli Me Tangere, Governor General Terrero
started an investigation of the notorious inequalities in taxation which then existed.
The Fili, Subversive?

Before Rizal left Europe, he had to edit and publish El Filibusterismo, the last
chapters of which he had finished in Biarritz while still courting Nelly Boustead.
Paris, being expensive, was out of the question for the printing of his second novel; and
so Rizal hurried back to Brussels, and later to Ghent, in search of cheap printers. Rizal
sailed from Marseilles on October 18, 1891 by a ticket courtesy of Basa. With him were
600 copies of El Flibusterismo.
In his next novel, El Filibusterismo, published in 1891, Rizal continued to argue for
reform. Rizal argued that the young are aware of the need to take political action and
pursue social justice. Young people, Rizal maintained, create a strong sense of reform. 39
El Filibusterismo is a book about revolution, positing it clearly as an alternative
to reform efforts that lead nowhere. But in making Simoun, its principal character, fail
and die, Rizal also pointed out the dangers of taking an alternative based on hate and
vengeance.

37
Rizal y su Obra, Chapter VIII, quoted by Retana in footnote, p.144.
38
Ibid.
39
El Filibusterismo, pp. 82-83, 99-101.

The age of filibustering took place after the terror of 1872, and for twenty years
there was a demand for reform. Then the revolutionary society, the Katipunan, was
founded to further Philippine independence. The influence of the Age of Filibustering is
obvious in Rizal’s two novels. The sons of the Filipino upperclass became political
leaders, thereby reflecting Rizal’s belief that national revolution was on the horizon.
These arguments were aided by the fact that Jose Rizal could write with the skill of a
novelist. He single-handedly created a revolutionary form of Asian fiction that was so
close to the truth that it drove the Spanish to persecute Rizal and other young political
visionaries. 40
From his vantage point, Rizal argued that the Spanish needed to rethink their
political, religious, and economic direction. In his novel Rizal was able to extend this
criticism into new directions. In the preface to his original 1891 edition, Rizal wrote
from Europe:
“The specter of subversion has been used so often to frighten us that, from being
a mere nursery tale, it has acquired a real and positive existence, whose mere mention
makes us commit the greatest mistakes.”

Rizal urged his people not to accept Spanish myths and look to themselves for an
inner freedom and a national direction. 41
 El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the three friars, Don Mariano Gomez, Don
Jose Burgos, and Don Jacinto Zamora who were executed on the scaffold at
Bagumbayan on February 28, 1872. This massacre was an extension of the Cavite
rebellion and it was a major turning point in Rizal’s life. Once he thought about the
trials and execution of the friars, Rizal became a major figure in the drive for Philippine
freedom. 42
In his introduction to Rizal’s first novel Noli Me Tangere, Leon Ma. Guerrero
suggests that Rizal was the first Asian nationalist to emerge from the Philippines. What
sets Rizal’s novels apart from other Philippine fiction is his commitment to a sense of
independent nationalism. A sense of pride and a celebration of Filipino values permeate
his work. Also there was a worldwide audience for his books as they were published in
Europe, read in the United States, and debated throughout Southeast Asia.

40
Onofre D. Corpuz, The Roots of the Filipino Nation, Chapter 15, Quezon City,
1989.
41
De Witt, p. 205.
42
Ibid.

In Madrid, Spain and Ghent, Belgium, Rizal’s novels had strong local sales. 43

The Fili’s Theme

Jose Rizal’s main contribution as a novelist was to expose the malevolent white
colonial attitudes that permeated the world in the late 19th century. These self-serving
policies, the innate prejudices, and the condescending racial attitudes of Spanish
governmental and church officials enraged local Filipinos, Rizal articulated Filipino
discontent and wove it into a pervasive nationalism.
In El Filibusterismo, one of the subthemes is Rizal’s dissection of colonialism.
He talks at length about the “civilizing mission of Spanish officials and then he
demonstrates how colonial government over three centuries degraded Philippine life.
The pretentious and often arrogant attitude of local Spanish leaders is a major theme
in El Filibusterismo. The characters in Rizal’s fiction ask penetrating questions and
suggest that there is a strong local historical tradition that the Spanish and visiting
foreigners do not understand. The Philippine society of Rizal’s time is sketched
skillfully and provides insight into the local nationalistic mentality. 44
When Rizal discusses Philippine history in his fiction, Rizal’s theme is often one
of local division and fighting. The divisions among his people, Rizal argues, is what
prevents them from attaining total freedom. The educated Filipino is split from the
working class people. Simoun, the main character in El Filibusterismo, is an important
symbol because he argues that by accepting the Spanish way of life, Philippine
nationalism is in danger of being lost. There is no real sense of Philippine history, Rizal
argues, and the colonial conquerors have brainwashed Filipinos into accepting
European ways.
Hispanization is considered detrimental to the Philippines and Rizal makes a
strong case for resistance to all Spanish influences. His main argument is that the
Spanish do not accept Filipinos in religious, economic or political matters and “the
prejudices of the local rulers” make independence an impossible task. Rizal urges
Filipinos to take matters into their own hands and create a strong nationalism.
The main theme of the Fili suggests that colonialism has a divisive influence
upon the Philippines. The Spaniards who continually search for self-fulfillment,
prestige, and

43
Ibid, p.136.
44
Ibid.

a special status bear out all the evils of the colonial mentality. The Fili demonstrates
that conflicting nationalism cannot exist side by side, and revolution is inevitable. 45
Simoun’s Advocacy

The arguments for a separate nationalism are put forth by Simoun when he
questions the Spanish way of life and the destruction of his own national identity. “A
people without a soul, a nation without freedom, everything in you will be borrowed
even your defects,”12 Simoun remarks. He then suggests that by resigning themselves to
Spanish rule Filipinos do themselves a disservice.

For the Spanish one of the frightening aspects of El Filibusterismo was the
revolutionary rhetoric and formal planning for native rule. “You ask the parity of
rights, the Spanish way of life and you do not realize that what you are asking is death,
the destruction of your national identity, the disappearance of your
homeland,”46Simoun remarks.
But in the conclusion of the Fili, Simoun is visited on his deathbed by a native
priest who informs him that the revolution will fail because Filipinos are not ready for
independence. Although his plans for revolution are failed ones, this dying patriot
gives hope for the future. His message is that revolution and subsequent independence
provide the future political direction. 47
The Fili, Dedicated to the Three Martyrs

El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the GomBurZa, who had been martyred in

Rizal’s childhood. The Fili’s first page reads: “Don Mariano Gomez (85 years old), Don
Jose Burgos (30 years old), and Don Jacinto Zamora (35 years old), executed in
Bagumbayan Field, February 28, 1872… I have a right to dedicate my book to you as
victims of the evil that I undertake to combat. And while We wait expectantly for Spain
some day to restore your good name and cease to be answerable for your death, let
these pages serve as a tardy wreath of dried leaves over your unknown tombs, and let it
be understood that every one that without clear proof attacks your memory stains his
hands in your blood.”

45
El Filibusterismo.
46
Ibid.
47
De Witt, p.137.

El Filibusterismo is the passionately bitter cry of a soul in torture and baffles as to

what to do. The book has little humor such as we find reliving the pages of Noli Me
Tangere. The writer was inwas in no mood to write jokes, unless they were bitter satire.
Noli Me Tangere had been friendly to the government, and had denounced only certain
types of friars and others. El Filibusterismo has lost faith in Spain. The two books
were four years apart, and what a terrible four years they had been, and what they had
done to disillusion Jose Rizal!
In Praise of the Fili

El Filibusterismo was read with enthusiasm by most of the Filipinos. From

Barcelona came this glowing tribute signed by twelve of Rizal's countrymen:
“Distinguished Patriot: With unprecedented enthusiasm this Filipino colony of
Barcelona has read your new production, the original style of which is comparable only
to the sublime Alexander Dumas and may well be offered as a model and precious
jewel in the decadent days of Spanish literature.
"Like a new Moses, with your immortal books you have given to the Philippines
the Decalogue of her political redemption and her honor before mankind. If she knew
how to obey the commands, precepts, and counsels so beautifully written in your novel,
then, instead of a country in abject slavery, she would soon become great, free,
prosperous, and master of her destiny."
Ponce thought it really marvelous, as are all the brilliant productions of your
pen.. I conceive of your book as a mighty whip which will wound the enemy in
the most sensitive fiber of his heart, where he has already been rudely beaten by
the Noli." 48
Like the Noli this new book drew every character from real life. Manuel Camus
wrote from Singapore, “I want to thank you for the exactness of the type of Captain
Tino of the steamship. He was my uncle!"
Perhaps the best appraisal of the book among scores of flattering letters is that of
loyal Graciano Lopez Jaena:
“El Filibusterismo is a better novel than Noli Me Tangere in its profound ideals
and sublime thoughts. I am enchanted with the whole work, which surpasses my
expectations.
48
Rizal’s Correspondences, vol. 3, p.246.

“But you commence the novel very alluringly like Dumas and you close it
harshly like Sue.

“Your opening, like that of Dumas, is like a light, much light, magnificent,
hopeful-joy, a smiling future, glory, immortality, but your conclusion, like Sue, kills the
heart, by plunging the spirit into the nebulous abyss of desperation.
“In my opinion since you had presented to the eyes of the Filipino people a
sympathetic, great generous Simoun… you ought to have had him killed at the end of
the novel, transformed into a hero, who prays dying in some combat, prays perishing in
the flames of a great fire or struck by a thunderbolt, overwhelmed by cataclysms of a
mighty earthquake; thus you would have succeeded in giving a magnificent crown to
the work.
“You have stopped without solving the problem.

“As a political novel, your end is not a worthy climax to a work so beautiful.
“As I understand you, you desired to leave with the Filipino people the
responsibility for solving the problems, political and social, which have been raised in
your book. But in your magnificent work you have closed the doors, the way out. I fear
that our countrymen will never reach any certainty, nor guess the answer to the riddle,
but will lie helpless in desperation.
“It would be fitting if, as I believe you will, you were to write a book quickly
solving the problem, and so hasten the coming of the fair day of our redemption.”

Such was the almost universal feeling among the friends of Rizal, that he had
written a magnificent book and spoiled it with his last chapter. Today, however, in the
light of the glorious way in which Rizal died, men are able to realize that in that last
chapter are the noblest words he ever wrote. Indeed it is that infinitely sad closing that
is most often quoted. The book was a tremendous, if painful, sermon to those of Rizal’s
own countrymen who believed they could defraud their fellow countrymen, lived
double-faced lives, and still expected that good would come. “Love alone realizes
wonderful achievements, virtue alone can save! Pure and spotless must the victim
be…”
The writer of those words now turned his face across the seas towards his
Calvary. His own life was to be the “magnificent crown to the work” which Jaena had
said the book needed. And one life is worth a million books.

Saving the Best for Last

There was one other thing besides money that detained Rizal in Europe. This
was the publication of his next book El Filibusterismo, the sequel to Noli Me Tangere,
upon which he had been toiling for three years. “My book”, he told Basa, “is ready to go
to the press. The first twenty chapters are already corrected and can be printed, and I
am copying the remaining chapters. If I get money, you will surely receive it in July. I
have written it with more zeal than I wrote the Noli, and though it is not as optimistic, it
is at least more profound and more perfect.”
Loyal Basa sent the passage order at once. He cabled to his friend “Passage sent,
bring the Noli.” Rizal’s reply to the telegram revealed how large a peso had come to
seem to him: “Do not send any more telegrams on my account, for it pains me to think
of spending so much money; I appreciate your kindness, but this is too much kindness,
and I know how to wait patiently. 49

“I am now bargaining with a printing shop and I do not yet know whether I will
print here or in Spain, so I cannot yet bring the book there to you. In case I publish it
here, I will bring it to you by the first mail boat. Not more than three chapters remain to
be corrected. It is larger than the Noli. It will be finished on the 16th of this month. If
anything should happen to me, I am leaving the responsibility for its publication with
Antonio Luna, and also the proofreading.”
At last Rizal did find a publisher in Ghent who was willing to begin the book
on small partial payments. By the next boat, he wrote Basa: “I am not sailing at once,
because I am now printing the second part of the Noli here, as you may see from the
enclosed pages. I preferred to publish it in some way before leaving Europe, for it
seemed to me a pity not to do so. For the past three months, I have not received a single
centavo, so I have pawned all that I have in order to publish this book. I will continue
publishing it as long as I can; and when there is nothing to pawn, I will stop and return
to be at your side.” 50
The Search for the Third Novel

The academic community and other Rizal scholars cannot believe and conclude
that Rizal had only two novels. With this premise, perhaps it is logical to ask: Was there
really a third novel? Let us pause and examine the following:

49
Ibid, vol. 3, p. 195.
50 Ibid, p. 200.

1. Los Trabajos Literarios - This manuscript with the same title was
recovered during circa 1938 prior to World War II from the house of Mariano
Ponce. This manuscript relates Rizal's trip with his experience with the
"Hambog na Americano." In the past many scholars put it that it was a novel,
but later on it was concluded that it is just a travel experience properly recorded
by the hero. With this context it can be implied that this "Los Trabajos Literarios"
is not the third novel of Rizal.

2. Ang Dalawang Magkapatid known also as "Cuento Tendencioso Escrito

en Tagalo"--In one of the books of Ocampo, the original researcher of this item
who saw the actual manuscript has this to say: "Unfortunately the borador is too
short to tell whether it is an essay, short story, or a novel. The excerpt of the text
of the said borador in Tagalog runs as follows: 'Ako'y may kakilalang
magkakapatid, na pinaninirahan ng isang mapanlupig na ali. Ang nasabing ali
ng unang panahon ay mayaman at malakas, kaya nga at nakapanhimasuk sa
pamumuhay ng mga makakapatid. Ngunit sa kalaunan nga baga ay nanghina at
naghirap, karamay ang mga nasasaklawang pamangkin..."
3. Un Rumboso Gobernadorcillo--With some semblance to the characters
and plot of the Noli, this borador is believed to be the first two pages of the
Noli, therefore it cannot qualify as the third novel.
 Aside from these three cited, below are the other five titles which for some reason
cannot qualify as Rizal's third novel.

1. Costumbres Filipinas
2. Los Animales de Suan
3. Principios de Una Novela Satirica
4. Principios de Una Novela Historica
5. Memorias de Un Gallo

In the past, due to the urgency of the need for writing instructional materials to be
used for the study of Rizal, other facts were twisted; others remained unverified,
therefore vague and erroneous. Ocampo has this example: In one letter of Rizal to his
sister Trinidad on March 11, 1886, upon editing of the letter for the purpose of
compilation, the word Donnerstag appeared. Many Rizalists put it that it was a place in
Germany where

the letter was written, without knowing that Donnerstag means Thursday. Early
scholars of Rizal never bothered to check that there is no such place in Germany.
This thing also happened regarding the third novel of Rizal. Dr. Angel Hidalgo,
a scholar and direct ascendant of Rizal, being the grandson of Saturnina, in one
meeting of the Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission in 1961, mentioned to the
commission of the unpublished manuscript in the national library. And he believed that
this is the third novel. However Leoncio Lopez Rizal, another authority in the Rizal
clan, silenced him with these words: “Nose puede porque el manuscripto es un borador. Un
borador del Noli Me Tangere, nada mas!” (“That cannot be because the manuscript in
question is a draft, a draft of Noli Me Tangere, nothing more!”) Leoncio had a point
simply because this borador in question after its acquisition from the heirs of Mariano
Ponce before the World War II met its end in this manner: The unknown librarian of the
National Library catalogued it as “Borador incompleto del Noli Me Tangere” thus,
believing the unpublished manuscript slept on its bed amidst the dust of darkness in
the National Library. Not until Ocampo made an attempt to examine the manuscript
and to his surprise the names Ibarra, Maria Clara, and other characters of Noli are not
appearing. Ocampo believed that this third novel was written by Rizal while on the
ship Melbourne en route to Hong Kong from Mersailles in October 1891. Ocampo
placed the date through the letter of Rizal to Blumentritt saying he (Rizal) was now
writing his third novel, the date was October 1891. Makamisa is a chapter in Tagalog
and is set inside the church in an early mass in a small town of Pili. Padre Agaton is
found to be in a hurry to deliver mass. To the amazement and wonders of the
parishioners, one of the members of the congregation even suggests that perhaps Padre
Agaton has taken purgative and it is necessary for him to use the comfort room. The
chapter Makamisa opens when people are pushing with one another to reach the agua
vendita, dirty and full of kitikiti.
Contrary to the usual novel of Rizal which are romantic, strong, and vengeful,
this third novel is said to be humorous but witty another showcase of Rizal’s scholarly
character as a man of arts and letters.

CHAPTER 13

RIZAL AS A POLITICAL PHILOSOPHER

Rizal Would Criticize Today's Society

Filibuster now pertains to a person who speaks in the halls of Congress, makes attacks by
disclosing information in a very lengthy way, so as to consume and waste precious time.
Rizal as an Ilustrado

Rizal was known as an ilustrado or enlightened one. The name ilustrado was
attached to the young men who came of age in the 1880s and opposed the repressive
policies of the Spanish government and church. 1 The ilustrados were not only anti-
friar, they also criticized Spanish government officials for failing to provide
adequate services. 2

The primary focus of ilustrado philosophy was to promote self- government.

3
Rizal waged a relentless campaign to ameliorate the lot of his people through his
political writings and ideas. His political views sought to seek a self-reliant, self-
respecting government and a "people's government, made for the people, by the people,
and answerable to the people." 4 Rizal viewed politics from the pragmatic point of view,
for he advanced practical solutions to domestic as well as international problems.
 In his essay "The Philippines, A Century Hence," Rizal cautioned the
government of Spain that unless Spain provided a solution for the accumulated
complaints, the Filipino people would one day revolt against Spain. Spain could not
deprive the people of material progress that they deserve. The mother country should
adopt measures to meet the changed conditions. Thus Rizal foresaw nationhood as the
ultimate destiny of the Philippines. 5
1
De Witt, 2nd ed. p.12.
2
Ibid.
3
Ibid, p.13.
Primitivo Milan, “Rizal the Politician” in Sixto Y. Orosa, Jose Rizal, Manila
4

Manor Press, Inc., 1956.

Ma. Corona Romero, et. Al., Rizal and the Development of National Consciousness,
5

Quezon City: JMC Press, 19778, p.138.

Rizal Proposed Reforms

Rizal proposed the adoption of some elementary reforms in order to avoid this
costly and undesirable explosion. These reforms must come from above for them to
become effective. Otherwise reforms coming from below would be irregular and
unstable. Rizal was convinced that if such reforms were well orchestrated and
strategically implemented, the Philippines would be the happiest country in the world.

Basic Political Reforms

1. Restoration of Filipino representation to the Spanish Cortes and freedom of

the press

On March 31, 1890, Rizal wrote "The Philippines at the Spanish Congress," a
worthy essay, praising the courage of Francisco Calvo Muñoz, a deputy in the Spanish
Cortes, who asked the Cortes to give representation to the Philippines in the Spanish
law making body. Rizal dwelt on the reforms the Filipinos were asking for, summarized
as follows:

We believe that it is time to give the Philippines representation in the Cortes and
freedom of the press. With these two reforms, carried out wisely by a minister and a
governor who do not allow themselves to be influenced by anybody, all other reforms
that may later be presented will succeed; under their protection they will prosper.
Whereas now that the country has neither organ of public opinion nor voice in the
legislature, when a reform is ordered, it cannot be known here whether it is
implemented or not, if the Governor General, in order to please so and so, suspends it,
mutilates it, or interprets it in his own way. A free watch over its implementation and
the deputies could defend it press in the Cortes. With these two reforms, we believe
firmly that the pessimists and the discontented will disappear from the moment they
are furnished with a medium to inform them. It is already something to be able to
complain to inform them.6

2. Reorganization of the administrative machinery

By proposing the general reorganization of the administrative machinery, Rizal
included the secularization of parishes, the improvement of the judicial procedure
and the quality and efficiency of the government personnel.7Although Rizal had not
expressly advocated a bill of rights, his demand for freedom of expression also included
the protection of the other basic freedoms.
6
Diosdado Capino, et. al., Rizal’s Life, Works, and Writings: The Impact of Our
National Identity, Quezon City: JMC Press, 1977, p.182.
7
Romero.

3. Adoption of a comprehensive examination and the publication of its results

and allowing Filipinos to have the same opportunity with the Spaniards to hold
government office.

For further curtailment of abuses in the government, Rizal asked that Filipinos be
allowed the same opportunity to hold government positions equal to the Spaniards.
Greater participation of the Filipinos in the task of good government could serve as
an incentive for both groups. So that only qualified officials would be employed, Rizal
advocated the adoption of a competitive examination and the publication of its results,
to serve as stimuli for Filipinos and so as not to breed discontent. Then if the native
(Filipino) would not shake off his indolence, he would not have any reason to complain
if all the offices were filled by Spaniards. With the proper checks and balances, abuses
of all forms would be minimized, if not totally removed, and justice will cease to be a
colonial irony. 8

4. Justice as the foundation of society and the government

On August 29, 1887, Rizal who had returned from Europe received a telegram
through the Provincial Governor of Laguna asking him to report to the Malacañang
Palace. Governor General Emilio Terrero was requesting for a copy of Noli Me Tangere.
Rizal gave him a copy, which he got from a good friend. Reacting on the contents of the
novel, Terrero, on December 30, 1887, ordered a probe into the land dispute in Calamba.
When Rizal read Terrero's probe order, he was elated because he knew that the
government would soon find out the truth about the problem. 9

Rizal prepared a report for the probe committee. Unfortunately Governor

General Terrero left his office, and after five months, the Vice Governor became acting
Governor General and he acted on the petition. The petitioners asked for a delegate and
the acting Governor General sent over to Calamba a representative of the accused party
to study the land dispute and make a report to him. 10
8
Ibid.
9
Capino, et. al., p.178.
10
Ibid, p.179.

In an article Rizal pointed out that his act of the acting Governor General was a
miscarriage of justice. “Frankly,” wrote Rizal, “we don’t know if this manner of
administering justice – the judge asking the advice of the accused and not listening to
the voice that clamors for the clarification of the truth – we do not know if this is
practice in some savage country.” 11

Rizal concluded his article by pointing to the falling back in the way justice was
administered. “The Filipinos,” wrote Rizal, “had thus fallen back in the administration
of justice, the foundation of society and government.” 12

Assimilation
Instead of proposing armed struggle, Rizal however proposed assimilation with
Spain. Seemingly this step towards liberation of desperate people was a thousand steps
backward. Rizal through Simoun tells himself:

You pool your efforts thinking to unite your country with Spain with a rosy
garland, and in reality you forge iron chains. You ask for parity of rights, the Spanish
way of life, and you do not realize that what you are asking for is death, the
destruction of your national identity, the disappearance of your homeland, the
ratification of tyranny. What is to become of you? A people without a soul, a nation
without freedom, everything in you will be borrowed, even your own defects.13

Rizal supported the assimilation proposal because he believed that if the

Philippines were made a province of Spain, then the freedom granted to Spanish
citizens would also be given to Filipinos. These freedoms would enable the Filipinos
to develop themselves. As they develop, they will soon realize that they are separate
and disctinctdistinct people from the Spaniards and this would lead them to create a
nation of their own.
 Spain also rejected the assimilation proposal. Clearly the direction pointed to the
final solution.

Revolution
Rizal is often made out to be a “mere reformist”, a conservative who is against
the revolution. Nothing can be farthest from the truth.
11
Ibid.
12
Ibid.
13
El Filibusterismo, p.49.

As a believer in the social contract theory, Rizal in fact recognized a people's right to
revolution. If the government is not in the service of the people, the people have the
right to destroy it and replace it with one that will work for their interest. If this were so
did he turn his back against the revolution of 1896?

He believed that the Filipinos were not yet prepared for it. For one, they lacked
arms. For another, he was not too sure about the motives of those who would join it.
In the Fili he demonstrated that revolutionaries who were motivated by narrow self-
interest were not the right persons for the revolution. Simoun, who represents the
disgruntled middleclass, is not moved by national interest but the desire to avenge his
father's death and to rescue Maria Clara from the convent. Cabesang Tales, who
represents the lower class, is also moved, not by the national interest, but by his desire
to avenge the wrongs done to him by the friars who dispossessed him of the land he
made productive with his labor. To Rizal only revolutionaries with pure motives have
the right to wage war in the name of the people.

The slaves of today, Rizal warned on the eve of the revolution, will be tyrants
of tomorrow.
This statement is amenable to this interpretation. If we take the condition of the
people then, the revolution would succeed only in driving out the Spaniards from the
Philippines. It will be a case of what Edmund Burke called a "revolution without
reforms." The masses, though freed from external chains, will still be bound by
internal chains. No matter what kind of government would be set up during the
reconstruction period, the masses will be for sometimes unable to participate
meaningfully in government affairs. On the other hand, the upperclass now freed from
external chains would exercise their will long imprisoned by the colonizers rather
freely. Remember that the illustrados did not wear internal chains. They would benefit
the most from the revolution. The spoils of war they would divide among themselves,
and once in power, they would forget the underclass whose members they used as
cannon fodder. Class interest would prevail. And it did.

The fears of Rizal were confirmed. Andres Bonifacio must have recalled Rizal's
words as he was being executed by fellow Katipuneros. Not wealthy enough nor
educated enough, he was no match for his social betters. Revolution devours its own
children and Andres Bonifacio was one of the first to be placed into the jaws of death.
He would be followed by others.

Rizal’s Concept of Government and Politics

Max Weber defines government as the rise of an institution which has a
“monopoly of the legitimate use of physical power.” Weber complains that
government is an institution that could legally executing them. As a result of these
powers, government could force people to do things that they otherwise would resist.
The notion that government is oppressive and often unfair is one of the keynotes of
Rizal’s political concept.14

Rizal’s definition of government and politics focused on the Spanish influences.

One of Rizal’s strongest criticisms of Spanish colonialism was the corruption of the
bureaucracy. In describing a typical Spanish bureaucrat, Rizal wrote: “In order to
govern peoples he does not know or understand, he ought to possess the talent of a
genius and extraordinary knowledge.” 15 Rizal argued that this was necessary because
the Filipinos were gaining a new political sophistication. 16Rizal continued: “Those who
wish to keep the islands in holy ignorance, are doomed to defeat because of the
presence of Filipino writers, free thinkers, historiographers, chemists, physicians, artists,
jurists, etc.” 17

In his letters to other Filipino leaders, Rizal commented at length about

government. In a letter to Mariano Ponce, Rizal remarked that one day Filipino
political leaders would finish their “arduous mission which is the formation of the
Filipino nation.” 18

The Key Ingredients of Politics in Noli Me Tangere 19

Rizal’s novel, Noli Me Tangere, discusses the key ingredients of political science.
The plot of the novel centers on a returning native son who finds an alien nation and
becomes a stranger in his own land. The main character, Crisostomo Ibarra, returns to
the Philippines and finds that his father is no longer buried in the Christian cemetery.
Ibarra is the son of a wealthy landowner and he is engaged to marry the beautiful Maria
Clara. Like Rizal, Ibarra has studied abroad and in his absence his father killed a
Spanish tax collector.
14
De Witt, p.19.
15
Jose Rizal, Political and Historical Writings, p. 294.
16
De Witt.
17
Jose Rizal, Political and Historical Writings, p.141.
18
Rizal’s Correspondences with Fellow Reformists, p.187.
19
De Witt, p. 20.

Eventually, the father, Rafael Ibarra, died in prison. In this portion of the novel,
art imitates life. This was Rizal's way of exonerating his own family. His father had
trouble with the Calamba friars, fought over his land leases, and for a time had to
eventually live in exile outside the Philippines. Although Rizal's father, Don Francisco
Mercado, was not executed, his wealth and influence was reduced due to the conflict
with local authorities. In the Noli, Rizal had his revenge by savaging the friars and the
corrupt government officials.
The irony of Rizal's Noli Me Tangere is that it was published in Belgium. What
makes the Noli such a significant novel is its characters. They represent the people who
inhabit the archipelago. Equally significant is the discussion of the status of the
Philippines as a Spanish colony undergoing dramatic change. Rizal's novel remains
relevant to Philippine history and is still used as a means of dissecting local political
problems. 20

In Noli Me Tangere, Rizal fictionalizes the problems of his family with the
government. In doing so, Rizal gave his family problems a historical legitimacy. He
used the novel to discuss the key ingredients of political science. But there are other
significant points made in Noli Me Tangere. Rizal extracted a strange sort of revenge
against his Spanish conquerors. His main concern was to demonstrate how the
Philippines had been bastardized. 21

Leon Ma. Guerrero, one of Rizal's most prominent biographers, argues that Noli
Me Tangere, "denies the friars even the dignity of their convictions." 22 This is typical of
the influence that the church has exerted over Philippine history. When Guerrero points
out that the Spanish friars treated the Rizal family with compassion, he ignores the
clergy's misdeeds. In a series of letters to Blumentritt, Rizal critically dissected the
failures of the Spanish rule. Guerrero's biography suggests that Rizal was influenced by
his studies in Spain and he became an adherent of Spanish anti-clericalism. This
conclusion ignores the degree of Rizal's hostility to the church prior to his European
studies. While writing Noli Me Tangere, Rizal was upset over the friars' continual
assault on political, economic, and social reforms in the Philippines. While Guerrero
mentions this facet of Rizal's life, he fails to point out how radical Rizal was in his
pursuit of his political agenda. 23
20
Ibid.
21
Ibid.
22
Guerrero, p.135.
23
De Witt, p.21.

The best analysis of Rizal's political contribution was made by Raul J. Bonoan
who argues that Rizal was caught between faith and reason. 24Tasyo, the philosopher,
projects some important lessons in the Noli. He is the wise old man from the city of
San Diego. The dilemma that Rizal used to focus attention upon Tasyo is his conflict
over whether to become a priest or to marry. When he marries and his wife dies,
Tasyo immerses himself in intellectual pursuits. He becomes a wise man. What
many critics miss in analyzing Tasyo is that he sees a new direction for the
Philippines. He is contemptuous of the superstition foisted upon the people by the
church and he is particularly critical of the notion that hell is a possibility. What
Tasyo represents is the freedom that Rizal experienced when he studied in Europe.
He was a man of wisdom who was able to counsel and direct the main characters of
the Noli. 25

Rizal's Definitions of Basic Political Terms

As a political scientist, Rizal was an instrument in defining key political terms.

By examining Rizal's concepts of political culture, political socialization, political
ideology, nationalism, representative government, and democracy, it is possible to
grasp an in-depth understanding of his philosophy of politics. 26

1. Political Culture - is a set of ideas, values, and attitudes about government and
the political process held by a community or nation. In general political culture
combines deeply shared beliefs and values and the result is a flourishing
nationalism. One of the key elements of political culture is the justification and
operation of a country's government. 27

Rizal on Political Culture - In his essay "The Indolence of the Filipinos," Rizal
observed that "without education and liberty...no reform is possible." 28 Rizal's wit and
wisdom are demonstrated in this article when he analyzed the Philippine's past and
suggested that everything that is wrong in the archipelago was blamed on indolence.
Surprisingly, Rizal argued that indolence does exist and the reason is that the Spanish
has destroyed personal initiative.

24
Raul J. Bonoan, “Tasyo El Filosofo and Padre Florentino: An Inquiry into
Rizal’s Prophetic Vision” in Soledad S. Reyes, ed., The Noli Me Tangere, A century After:
An Interdisciplinary Perspective, Quezon City, 1987, pp. 1-16.
25
De Witt, p.20.
26
Ibid. pp.21-22
27
Ibid, p.22
28
Zaide, p.264.

Once again Rizal exclaimed that political culture could not thrive in the Philippines
because of the inability of the Spanish to recognize local political values. Only with
education could Filipinos overcome this deficiency.

2. Political Socialization - is one of the main elements of political science. The

term can be defined as the process by which people, at various stages in their lives,
acquire views and orientations about politics. 29

The key elements of political socialization include the influence of the family,
the church, the local community, and any other element that inculcates beliefs and
values.

Rizal on Political Socialization - Rizal’s life was a lesson in political socialization.

By emphasizing the importance of being a Filipino, Rizal accelerated the process of local
nationalism. His criticism of the friars and the church helped to change attitudes toward
local nationalism. When Rizal wrote to Graciano Lopez Jaena praising him for founding
the political newspaper, La Solidaridad, he urged dissident Filipinos residing in Europe
to return home to continue the political struggle. When Rizal was elected honorary
president of the Associacion La Solidaridad, he became the focal point for political
socialization. When Rizal announced that it was his goal to promote the political
aspirations of the Filipino people for life, democracy, and happiness, he created an
identifiable brand of political socialization. 30

3. Political Ideology - is a comprehensive and logically ordered set of beliefs

about the nature of people and about the institutions and role of government. The
significance of ideology is that it allows issues to be raised in the political spectrum.
Ideology allows for a wide range of opinions on these issues. Ideology also brings
passion to politics.

Rizal on Political Ideology - In Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere, he wrote:

 "... we are speaking of the present condition of the Philippines... yes, we are now
entering upon a period of strife... the strife is between the past, which seizes and strives
with curses to cling to the tottering feudal castles, and the future, whose song of
triumph may be heard from afar... bringing the message of good news from other
land.”31
29
Jack C. Plano and Milton Greenburg, The American Political Dictionary, 6th
edition, New York, 1982, p.138.
30
De Witt, p.23.
31
Noli Me Tangere, p. 410.

As a passionate supporter of a new Philippine Filipino nation Rizal introduced a fierce

brand of ideology which had made Filipinos among the most political people in the
world. Filipinos have carefully defined political ideology.

4. Nationalism - Nationalism is the idea of oneness by a group of people who

possess common traditions, a shared history on set of goals, and a belief in a specific
future. There is a strong identification with the values, the heroes, and the traits of
country.

Rizal on Nationalism32- Rizal argued that Filipinos could only foster their own
sense of nationalism by studying history. Rizal wrote to Blumentritt: "I would
stimulate these Philippine studies and concluded that history provided "the true
concept of one's self and drove nations to do great things.” 33 There are many reasons for
labeling Rizal as the Philippine's primary nationalist. Foremost is that he is the
dominant national hero who, unlike all other heroes had a firm vision of the future of
the Philippines. He also had a firm view of his country. Rizal glorified life in the
Philippines.

Onofre D. Corpuz's two-volume study, The Roots of the Filipino Nation,

suggests: "The most consistent and articulate expression of the concept of the
Filipinos and Filipinas as a nation was Rizal starting with the schoolboy piece "A La
Juventud Filipina."34 Corpuz concludes that Rizal's life suggests he is the "father of
his country. 35

5. Representative Government - It is the notion that the people have an inherent

right to sit in a chamber that determines their future.
Rizal on Representative Government36 - Spain had granted Filipinos
representation in the Spanish Cortes from May 1809 until the privilege was removed
by Queen Maria Cristina in 1836. Rizal believed that the representation was essential
to the governing process. It was Rizal’s contention that representation removed the
spirit of revolution. Rizal wrote: "What crime has the Philippines committed that she
should be deprived of her rights? “37

32
There is a separate chapter on nationalism in this book.
33
The Rizal-Blumentritt Correspondence, part 1, Manila, p. 71-72.
34
Onofre D. Corpus, The Roots of the Filipino Nation, vol. 2, Quezon City, 1989,
p.22.
35
Ibid.
Discussion of representation in the Spanish Cortes is explained under the
36

heading “Basic Political Reforms.”

37
Jose Rizal, Political and Historical Writings, p.149.

6. Democracy - a government in which all power is shared by citizens. The word

demos is derived from a Greek word which means “people." In its most popular
form, direct democracy is a system where all citizens participate directly in the
making of government decisions. Representative or indirect democracy occurs when
people choose representatives who determine what government accomplishes.
Another form is the popular model of democracy which is a type of representative
democracy in which ordinary people participate and often challenge the actions of
public officials. There is also the concept of responsible model of democracy in
which public officials have a broad amount of freedom but are held accountable for
their actions by the people. 38

Rizal on Democracy - Although Rizal never defined democracy, he did comment

on injustice and suggested that it was a spur to the rise of democracy. In Rizal's view
the best government is a mixture between representative democracy and responsible
model of democracy. He believed that it would take some time for Filipinos to actively
participate in local government. At the national level, Rizal advocated freedom for
public officials to make decisions and bring results to the local level. The definition of
democracy is found in Rizal's mind. He employed such definition in his writings, his
public speeches, and his advocacy of Philippine democracy.40

Rizal Would Criticize Today's Society

If Jose Rizal were alive today, "he would write two novels, be imprisoned
again, and be criticized by government and society," so said lawyer Pedro Rosito,
Cebu Chapter Commander of the Knights of Rizal, citing the "unstable” economic and
political situation of the country. 39
 Rosito added, "Rizal was truthful, honest, a gentleman, and was willing to die for
the good of the country. He is admired for the virtues he has set for service and love of
country and the people." 40

Today Rizal would stand out in the midst of the confusion brought about by
the allegations of electoral fraud and cheating. Maybe this time around, "Filipinos
and not Spanish soldiers would shoot him or give him lethal injection." Rosito
explained that the

38
Ronnie Pasigui and Danilo Cabalu, Applied Sociology, Mutya Piblishing, pp.
142-148.
39
Bernadette A. Parco, Cebu Daily News.
40
Ibid.

meaning of "filibustering” has changed since the last time it was used in Rizal's novel,
El Filibusterismo. It was different in the novel of Rizal. Filibuster referred to a Filipino
or any person who would rebel or utter words against the Spanish and was thus
considered dangerous, so he would have to be imprisoned.

In the present political situation, filibustering is used to describe the long

speech of some lawmakers or senators, which lasted for several hours. Filibuster now
pertains to a person who speaks in the halls of Congress, makes attacks by disclosing
information in a very lengthy way, so as to consume and waste precious time.
Filibustering refers to the act of the government or government officials to act
vengefully against those politicians not belonging to their alliances. He would
criticize the rift between former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President
Noynoy Aquino.

Rizal was famous for criticizing and exposing the abuses of Spanish friars and
officials. "If he were alive today, he too would question the way the priests are spending
the money of the church and would be checking whether these are used to build more
schools for the poor; he would be more vigilant on the maladministration of justice for
the people; he would have criticized the prevailing graft and corruption practices in the
bureau; he would have investigated the alleged betrayal of one's own country (as in the
case of the impeachment of the Chief Justice Renato Corona) because this is against his
campaign for nationalism; he would criticize the local officials and police officials -
gambling lords" who resemble the "landlords" and those receiving “jueteng payola"
who resemble "tax collectors" during his time.

In a nutshell “Rizal's moral, political, spiritual, and economic legacies would still
apply to this day."