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NORTHLINK
TECHNOLOGICAL COLLEGE
LEARNING MATERIALS 1
Subject: Rizal-Life and Works

MESSAGE FROM TEACHER _______

Good day. On this session, you will understand the background and context of RA 1425.
Specific objective is as follows:

At the end of this session, you are expected to be able to:

 understand the historical background and context of RA 1425;
 identify the opposing groups on the issue of Rizal Law; and
 state the opposing group’s points of contention and determine the interest of
the contending groups

Please be guided with the following:

 First, read Information Sheet 1:

a. Historical Background and Context of RA 1425
b. Introduction to the Course Republic Act 1425

 Second, perform Course Activity 1

Just in case you have questions, you may send it through our GROUP CHATBOX or
thru text messaging at _____________.

Reference: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/

Northlink Technological College

Learning Materials on Rizal: Life and Works
Developed by: JC JUN C. GALLERA
 Page 2

Information Sheet 1:
Historical Background and Context of RA 1425

In 1956, Senator Claro M. Recto filed a measure, which became the original Rizal Bill,
recognizing the need to instill heroism among the youth at the time when the country
was experiencing social turmoil. It was a time when the country was being ravaged by
the Hukbalahap insurgency. The imperialist presence in the form of American influence
was strong in the country's economy and political policies. The communist insurgency
was fought through American guidance and material aid. The Philippines became part
of the global network to contain the spread of communism with the conclusion of a mutual
defense agreement with the United States in 1951 and it’s joining the Southeast Asia
Treaty Organization (SEATO). On the economic front, the United parity rights granted in
the Philippine Constitution which allowed the Americans to exploit the country's natural
resources. In 1956, the Laurel-Langley Agreement ensured the free entry of American
products, thus ensuring the preference of Filipinos for American goods. Internally, the
country was buffeted by corrupt party politics and news of political corruption was
rampant. The 1950s was indeed confusing times.

This was the period when Recto submitted his bill, calling for a return to patriotic values
enunciated by Filipino heroes like Jose Rizal. Under the bill, it shall be obligatory for
college and university students to study the life and works of Jose Rizal. The issuance
of the bill was not welcomed by various quarters. The Catholic Church assailed the Rizal
Bill as anti-Church because it forces the students to read Rizal’s works like the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo which contain passages that were anti-Church. They
presented fears that the religious beliefs of the young students would be harmed by
reading Rizal's works while they were at their formative years. Forcing the students to
read Rizal's works which have religious overtones would be a violation of the
constitutional freedom of religion and of conscience. The Church made use of lobbyists
as well as priests in opposing the Rizal Bill. Among them were Catholic organizations
such as the Accion Catolico which was formerly headed by Senator Francisco "Soc"
Rodrigo. Priests attended and actively participated in the hearings of the Senate.
Many of these priests were foreigners who sought an audience with senators to convince
them to oppose the bill. This was a clear interference of the Church on the making of
policies by the State.
Reference: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/

Northlink Technological College

Learning Materials on Rizal: Life and Works
Developed by: JC JUN C. GALLERA
 Page 3

Seminars were held across the countryside to oppose the bill. In one seminar, one of the
oppositors, Fr. Jesus Cavanna, commented that Rizal's novels belonged to the past and
it would be harmful to read them because they presented a false picture of the conditions
of the country at that time. He also said that out of the 333 pages of the Noli Me Tangere,
there were only 25 patriotic statements compared to 120 anti-Catholic statements. One
commentator, Jesus Paredes, said that the novels contain objectionable matters and
Catholics had the right to refuse to read them, so as not to endanger their faith. Another
commentator, Narciso Pimentel, offered the speculation that Recto introduced his Rizal
Bill to get back at the Catholic voters, who, together with President Magsaysay, were
responsible for his poor showing in the 1955 elections. Lawmakers such as
Representative Miguel Cuenco and Senator Francisco "'Soc"' Rodrigo voiced the
opposition of the Church in Congress. Senator Rodrigo commented that he would not let
his teenage son read the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo lest he endangers his
Catholic faith. He proposed that the footnoted or annotated versions of the novels be
used instead of the unexpurgated versions required in the Recto Bill.

The Church continued its opposition to the bill by calling all Catholic voters to reject
lawmakers who supported Recto's Rizal Bill. Pastoral letters were read in masses
voicing opposition. Bishops threatened to close down Catholic schools if the bill was
approved. Recto, however, stood his ground and dared the Catholic Church to shut down
their schools, knowing that this was only an idle threat since the Catholic learning
institutions were its major source of income. He also rejected Senator Rodrigo's
suggestion that the annotated or edited versions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo should be used.

After a month-long standoff, a compromise bill was filed. It was authored by Senator
Jose Laurel and it was based on the proposals of Senators Roseller Lim and Emmanuel
Pelaez. On June 12, 1956, Republic Act No. 1425, better known as the Rizal Law, came
into effect. The law accommodated the objections of the Catholic Church. This could be
seen in the second paragraph of Section 1, allowing students to seek exemption from
reading Rizal’s works for religious reasons. To the authors of the original bill, it was a
complete victory but its oppositions felt satisfied that at least they achieved something.
The law, however, still requires the reading of the unexpurgated versions of Rizal's
Reference: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/

Northlink Technological College

Learning Materials on Rizal: Life and Works
Developed by: JC JUN C. GALLERA
 Page 4

novels. lt also provided the funding of publication of Rizal's works and their distribution
to the countryside. It was, however, a one-time appropriation and provision, for future
publication was not given. The Rizal Law is more than 50 years old now, and it may need
revisions to make it more relevant.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS
AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME
TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND
DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-
dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;

WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot,
Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that
have shaped the national character;

WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with
which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in
school, should be suffused;

WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to
regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal
discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,

SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools,
colleges and universities, public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the
original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their
English translation shall be used as basic texts.

Reference: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/

Northlink Technological College

Learning Materials on Rizal: Life and Works
Developed by: JC JUN C. GALLERA
 Page 5

The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith
measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing
and printing of appropriate primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including
those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. The
Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for
reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of
the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not
from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and
regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.

SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in

their libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions
of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and
biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the
list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and
universities.

The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books,
depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or university.

SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English,
Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular
editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read
them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country.

SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section

nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of
religious doctrines by public school teachers and other person engaged in any public
school.

Reference: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/

Northlink Technological College

Learning Materials on Rizal: Life and Works
Developed by: JC JUN C. GALLERA
 Page 6

SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be

appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry
out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 12, 1956

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.

Course Activity 1

Compare and contrast the views of those in favor and against RA 1425, considering
the context of the 1950’s; would similar arguments still have force today?

Reference: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/

Northlink Technological College

Learning Materials on Rizal: Life and Works
Developed by: JC JUN C. GALLERA