1.

CHAPTER 1

Introduction to the course – Rizal Law RA 1425

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this coverage, the students shall be able to:
a. explain the history of Rizal Law and its important provisions;
b. critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal Course.s

Specific Instructions in the completion of this Chapter:

1. Student must read and understand the Intended Learning Outcomes specified above
and make it as a checklist of acquired knowledge and skills after completing the entire
chapter. This shall be the basis of the teacher in the formulation of the Summative
evaluation given at the end of the chapter.
2. Students must carefully study the given lecture notes and take note of topics that were
not clearly stated or understood by the student. These areas can be referred to the
subject teacher during consultation hours provided for the students to contact the
teacher.
3. Study the discussions and insights given and follow instructions for activities if there are.
4. After completely reading all the materials, open the video links of the lessons given
along with this learning package and watch the given videos to supplement your
reading. (please check your USB content).
5. Upon completion of all the lessons and topics presented, answer the self-reflection
questions given to you. Check the instruction of to answer and what to do to comply
with required answers.
6. Compile your outputs in your Learning Portfolio to be submitted at specific date by your
teacher.
7. If the student has any queries or clarifications with the topics, the student should
contact the subject teacher in the given consultation hours which can be found in the
preliminaries of this material.

Key Terms:
 Jose P. Rizal
 Rizal Law
 RA 1425
 Overview of the Lesson

The life and works of Jose P. Rizal flow in each chapter of Philippine
history and his love for the country became the inspiration of the Filipinos in different
eras. His works served not only the mirror of our society during the time of Spanish
colonization but also enlightened the Filipinos to assert their political and civic rights
and ask for reform in our society. This lesson analyzes the Rizal Law to stress the

THE HERO OF ANDRES BONIFACIO AND THE KATIPUNEROS

Jose P. Rizal had the great influence to Andres Bonifacio, through reading of Rizal's
works, nationalistic sentiments of Bonifacio were enhanced and the novels of Rizal gave
Bonifacio an idea about the revolution. And we may consider Andres Bonifacio as the first hero
who recognized Jose Rizal as his hero. The fanaticism of Andres Bonifacio to Rizal was evident
when Andres attended the founding of La Liga Filipina on July 3, 1892. The La Liga Filipina is a
civic organization founded by Jose Rizal which aimed for the reform in the society through
education and the unity of the whole archipelago. However, the organization did not attain its
goal because Rizal was exiled to Dapitan and he lived there for four years (July 1892-July 1896)
and his exile pushed Andres Bonifacio and another six people to establish KKK (Kataastaasan,
Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan). KKK had different objective than the La
Liga Filipina because it did not aim for reform but independence from Spanish rule through
revolution. The extent of influence of Rizal to Andres was also seen in some aspect of KKK, the
password of Bayani, the highest grade or group in KKK was Rizal. The photograph of Rizal was
also hang in the headquarters of the KKK. And the presence of Andres Bonifacio in founding of
La Liga Filipina on July 3, 1892 was one of the evidences that the Spaniards used to associate
Rizal to Bonifacio and as the founder of KKK.

While Rizal was in Dapitan, Andres Bonifacio and the members of KKK had the
opportunity to expand to the other provinces of the country, from Manila to Cavite, Laguna,
Batangas, Bataan and other provinces which joined the uprising in 1896. The name Jose Rizal
was used to collect funds since during those time Jose Rizal was considered as a national
figure. This action of the Katipuneros became part of the evidence of the Spaniards that Jose
Rizal was truly the leader of KKK and the uprisings in 1896.

In May 1896, the emissary of KKK (Dr. Pio Valenzuela) informed Jose Rizal about Rizal
about the plan of the Revolutionists and sought advice from him from him. However, Jose Rizal
was against the revolution because he knew that the Filipinos were not yet ready for the
revolution and they did not have a clear picture of good government that they should establish
after the downfall of the Spanish government in the Philippines. Aside from this, Rizal believed
that the assistance of the Creoles and the lllustrados was very much important revolution since
they were educated.

In July 1896, Jose Rizal boarded a ship that would bring him to Singapore and from
Singapore, he would travel to Spain because the Governor Genera granted his request that he
could be a volunteer doctor to Cuba. But upon his arrival in Madrid, he was not allowed to leave
the ship and for almost a month. He stayed in the ship and then returned to the Philippines as a
prisoner in Fort Santiago. This was because the Spanish government already had the suspicion
about the existence of KKK that Rizal was the founder of the secret society.

On August 19, 1896, the existence of KKK was revealed to the Spanish government and
on August 25, 1896, the uprising started and even without concrete evidence, Rizal was
accused as the leader of the uprising. The existence of KKK and the revolution were used by
the friars to execute Rizal. Thus, the idea of revolution that Rizal wrote on his novels also
became the reason why he was executed on December 30, 1896.

THE HERO OF EMILIO AGUINALDO AND THE FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC

The death of Jose Rizal was the start of the real battle of the Filipinos against the
Spaniards. His death intensified the hate feelings of the Filipinos against the Spaniards. KKK
continued their struggle against the Spaniards and the colonial government in the Philippines
was near to its end. However, because of the issue about leadership, the conflict between the
two factions of KKK (Magdiwang-Magdalo) led to the disunity of the Katipuneros and the
execution of Andres Bonifacio signed by Emilio Aguinaldo. The death of Andres Bonifacio was
one of the factors of the failure of the uprisings of the Filipino and on December 12-15, 1897,
the Spaniards and the Filipino decided to end the hostilitv and signed the Treaty of Biak na
Bato.

However, the group of Emilio Aguinaldo had the opportunity to communicate to the
Americans in Singapore and with their aid, the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines
ended. Upon the return of Emilio Aguinaldo from Hong Kong, he declared the independence of
the Philippines on June 12, 1898 and he became the first President. The administration of
Aguinaldo on December 20, 1898, issued his first proclamation wherein he declared December
30 as Rizal Day and ordered for the half mast of the Filipino flag from 12:00 noon on December
29 until 12:00 noon of December. (Zaide, 1994)

THE HERO OF THE OTHER NATIONALITIES

Jose P. Rizal was a well-travelled hero; he lived in Europe for eight years and was able
to travel to Japan, America and North America. During his travel, he spent his time inside the
ship in conversation with other nationalities. Language was not a hindrance to him since he
knew 19 different languages. While he was in Europe, he attended different gatherings where
intelligent and known people were involved. He wrote different novels, essays and poem which
were published in Europe and circulated in different parts of the world. And on his death, the
people who had the opportunity to witness his brilliance gave tribute to his greatness.

On November 20, 1897 at the initiative of Dr. Rudolph Virchow, the president of the
Anthropological Society of Berlin sponsored the scientific neurological services to honor Rizal.
And the periodicals from different countries published the account of Rizal martyrdom to pay
tribute to his greatness. In 1902, Congressman Henry Allen Cooper of Winconsin delivered a
eulogy for Rizal and recited one of his work (Ultimo Pensamiento) to prove to the Congress the
capability of the Filipino people for self-government since the race was able to produce a
brilliant personality like Rizal. The result of his appeal was the approval of the Cooper Law or
the Philippine Bill of 1902 (De Ocampo).

During the American colonization in the Philippines, Jose Rizal was formally recognized
and the Americans gave importance to the contributions of Rizal especially his idea about social
reform. The Americans used education as a method of pacification and so with Jose Rizal who
viewed education as means of attaining reform. The first American civil governor in the
Philippines, William Howard Taft approved the Act No. 137 which organized the politico- military
district of Morong into the province of Rizal. Taft's action was in line with their custom of
naming the important localities in the memory of the person who had a great influence in the
community and in the country. The naming of the district of Morong after Rizal was the first
official recognition of Americans to our hero. It was also William Howard Taft who first
expressed the need to choose a national hero to the members of the Philippine Assembly. In
discussion of the commission resulted to the list of the following heroes from Gen. Antonio
Luna, Emilio Jacinto and Andres Bonifacio and among the list it was Jose P. Rizal who was
chosen as the National hero because of his contribution in building the sense of nationh0od and
because of the extent of the influence of his writings to the Filipinos.

THE HERO FOR THE FILIPINO YOUTH

The worth of a hero could not be known to different generations if the people did not
have a clear understanding of his life, struggles and writings. The life of Dr. Jose P. Rizal was
well documented since he left numerous numbers of writings, a diary and a lot of
correspondence to his family and friends.

In July 1956, Jose P. Laurel, Claro M. Recto, Jose B. Laurel Jr., Jacobo Gonzales,
Lorenzo Tañada and other lawmakers sponsored the Republic Act 1425 that would enforce the
teaching of the life and works of Jose P. Rizal in all public and private schools, colleges and
universities.
 Retrieved
from:

https://mjbunagan.wordpress.com/2017/08/30/rizal-law/

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.

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.

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.

By integrating Rizal in the curriculum, this would benefit the Filipino Youth as well as the
whole nation to acquire the following traits: incorruptible, confidence, direction, courage and
determination, high sense of relationship, nationalism, and patriotism.

Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 2 Series of 1996 directs the Committee on
Education for the inclusion of Rizal Course as 3-unit lesson with the following aims and
purposes:

1. The law aims and desire to re-establish that the Filipino themselves be imbued with the
principles of freedom and a sense of nationalism. The rationale of which is to perpetuate
the memories of our hero’s death and sacrifices.

2. The law aims to honor the heroes particularly Dr. Jose P. Rizal and to remind us of his
sacrifices and his two novels – Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo that paved the way
to nationalism and patriotism of the entire country.

3. The law aims to cultivate and inculcate among the students in all schools the character
development, self-discipline, civic consciousness and to teach the duties of citizenship
which became the primary reasons for the enactment of the law for reforms and
changes.

Dr. Otley H. Bayer, an anthropologist and technical member of the panel of the
Philippine Commission recommended the following criteria choosing the national hero.

1. The person must be a Filipino

2. The person is a peace-loving and pacifist.
3. The person must have a great sense if patriotism
4. The person must die for country as a martyr.

Reasons why Rizal was chosen and declared as the Philippine’s National Hero.

1. He was the first Filipino to unite and awaken the Filipino People to Peacefully rise for
independence,
2. He is a model for being a peacemaker by his complete self-denial, his complete
abandonment of his personal interest and to think only of his country and people,
3. He was a towering figure in the propaganda campaign from, 1882-1896.
4. He was a martyr at Bagumbayan where he willingly died for our country.
 To take one’s interest of and to comprehend fully and satisfactory the life, works and
writings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, our national hero, it is indeed indispensable to gain knowledge of
the background of world history and the Philippines during his time. The 19th century was a
century of violent blow of the winds in its history, most particularly in Asia, Europe and America.
It was rigid pour of events that emanated beyond one’s control like sea tides that ruthlessly
inflicted the human lives and fortunes of mankind.
On June 19, 1861, Rizal was born, as the titanic chaos exploded on April 12, 1861 which
resulted into American civil war (1861-1865) that raged indignantly in the United States over
the issue of Negro slavery compelling President Abraham Lincoln to proclaim the Emancipation
of Negro slaves in September 22, 1862
Rizal’s time was deemed to be the height of the maladministration of Spain and its
decay that observed the Philippine skies. The Filipino people suffered intensely beneath the
bondage of Spanish misrule for they were ill-fated victims of the evils, injustice, prejudice and
sudden collapse of colonial power.
Among these beneficial features were the following:

1. Instability of Colonial Administration

2. Corrupt Spanish Officials
3. No Philippine Representation to the Spanish Courts
4. Human Rights denied to the Filipinos
5. No Equality before the Law
6. Maladministration of justice
7. Racial Discrimination
8. Frailocracy and Secularization of Filipino Priest
9. Forced Labor and Excessive Taxes
10. Haciendas Owned by the Friars and Spanish Officials
11. The Abuses of the Guard Civil, Church Officials and Political Leaders

Dr. Jose Rizal’s writing summarizes his nationalistic and patriotic philosophy as well
as his keen sense of awareness of the Filipino people’s need for nation building.
Dr. Jose P. Rizal was chosen as the Greatest Philippine National Hero
“I die, without seeing the Day dawning on my country… You see it, greet it…
and forget not those who fell during the night…
-Dr. Jose P. Rizal

A hero is a person admired for achievements and noble qualities and a prominent or
central personage taking an admirable action. Also, a person of distinguished valor or enterprise
in dagger and an individual honored after death by public worship because of laudable and
exceptional service to mankind.

The difference between hero and martyr is that hero is a real person of great bravery
who carries out extra ordinary deeds while martyr is one who willingly accepts being put to
death for adhering openly to one’s religious belief, notably saints canonized after martyrdom.
 Dr. Jose Protacio Mercado Y Alonzo was a man of many talents. The Noli Mi Tangere
and El Filibusterismo provided the embers that awakened Filipino nationalism and paved the
way for the Philippine Revolution of 1896. He proved that the “Pen is Mightier than the Sword”
to redeem a people from these political slaveries.

The Americans, particularly civil Governor William Howard and Taft being the Chaiman
of the Philippine commission addressed Messr. Pardo de Tavera, Leganda, Gregorio Araneta,
Ayetabo, Arellano the choosing of the Philippine National hero. Among the nominated names
were Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Gen. Antonio Luna, Gregorio Lopez Jaena, Emilio Jacinto and Jose
Rizal.

The concepts of “hero” and “heroism” seem to have existed in all cultures on earth,
in many forms and varieties

 The word itself has probably appeared first in ancient Greece, where it was combined in
the name of one of the greatest heroes of all times: Heracles.

CONCEPT OF A HERO

 According to Robert Graves, - an authority on Greek culture - the name Hero is derived
from that of the great goddess Hera so Hero means “Hera’s Glory.” Heracles, then,
lived, acted and died in the name and for the glory of that goddess.
 One of the most famous Greek heroes was the Athenian Theseus, who sailed from his
city to Crete to fight against the Minotaur and save his young countrymen and women,
who were supposed to be sacrificed to a monster.
 In a book Graves describes important feature of life of a hero - dies not just to glorify
his Mother goddess but to save his people — the tribe of which he is chief — from all
their yearly sins and all possible punishments.
 Japanese Yamato Take, who was the son of a king was accredited with slaying a
dangerous serpent of Omi.
 Jesus’ heroism was not apparent in his physical powers but in doing miracles. His death
in agony on the cross presents him as a classic hero. Jesus was a classic victim - like
Heracles, he went up after his death to heaven, to become a proper deity.

RIZAL AS A HERO

1. Performed outstanding deeds - used the pen to fight

2. Risked his very being for the sake of his countrymen - he waged a non-violent
crusade against the oppressors of his countrymen
3. He is a victim - suffered political martyrdom
 Great men said about the pen being mightier & more powerful than the sword.
Napoleon I himself, who was a great conqueror & ruler, said: "There are only two powers in the
world; the sword & the pen; and in the end the former is always conquered by the latter".

OTHER COUNTRIES CHOOSE THEIR NATIONAL HERO

 The heroes of occidental nations are warriors and generals who served their cause with
the sword, distilling blood and tears. The hero of the Filipinos served his cause with the
pen.
 Other countries chose their national heroes who were soldier-generals, who fought for
the country’s liberty and independence in the battlefield with their mighty “sword”.
 Among them were George Washington of USA, Joan Arc of France, Simon Bolivar of
Venezuela, Jose de San Martin of Argentina, Jimmo Tenno of Japan and others
 In comparison, Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero was pacifist and a civilian who
served his cause with a pen through which his writings had awakened Filipino
nationalism and paved the way for the Philippine Revolution.
 What others great men said about the pen and sword. Napoleon I who was a great
conqueror and ruler said. “There are only two powers in the world, the sword and pen;
and in the end the former is always conquered by the latter.”
 Sir Thomas Browne said, “Scholars are men of Peace; they have no arms. But their
tongues are sharper than the sword. Their pens carry further and give a louder report
than thunder. I rather stand in the shock of the basilisk than in the fury of merciless
pen”.

WHAT IS THE MOST ADMIRABLE IN RIZAL ACCORDING TO PALMA:

“Is his complete self-denial, his complete abandonment of his personal interest in order to think
only of those of his country? He could have been whatever he wished to be, considering his
natural endowment, he could have earned considerable sum of money from his profession, he
could have lived relatively rich, happy, prosperous, had he not dedicated himself to public
matters. He preferred to live far from his family and to sacrifice his personal affection for an
ideal he had dreamed of the following his conscience. He did not have Creates means at his
disposal to carry out his campaign: he contented himself with value he had. He suffered the
cold winter of Europe, hunger, privation and misery but when he raised his eyes to heaven and
saw his ideals, his hope was reborn, he soon felt, comforted and resumed the task of bearing
the cross of his suffering”.

HONORS ACCORDED TO RIZAL AS THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL HERO

1. The day of his birth and day of his execution are fittingly commemorated by all classes
of people throughout the country and other Filipino abroad,
2. No other Filipino hero can surpass Rizal in the number of monuments erected in his
honor, in towns, barrios, and schools.
3. His name is a by-word in every home and his picture is printed and used in postage
stamps.
4. The paper money/coins with his image have the widest circulation that the poorest of
the poor can take hold.
5. Streets, boulevard, educational institutions and persons were named “Rizal”.
6. His noble thoughts and teachings had been frequently invoked and quoted by speakers.
7. The union of Manila and Morong to be a province was named after the illustration of
hero thus Rizal province was established.