Lesson Proper

REPUBLIC ACT 1425

This is the act that mandates to include in the curricula

of all public and private schools, colleges and universities
courses on the life, works and writings of our national hero
Rizal, particularly his two novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo and authorizing the printing and distribution
thereof, and for other purposes.
 The then-Senator Claro M. Recto – the fundamental
defender of the Rizal Bill – was even named as a socialist
and an enemy of Catholicism.
 The bill mandates all private and public educational
institutions in the country to offer a course on the hero’s
life, works, and writings, especially the Noli Me
Former Senator Claro M. Recto,
Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The chief proponent of the Rizal
 The first section of the law concerns in the Bill (Image credits to bing.com)

mandating the students to read Rizal's novels.

 The last two sections involve making Rizal’s writings accessible to the general public
– they require the schools to have a sufficient number of copies in their libraries and
mandate the publication of the works in major Philippine languages.
 Jose P. Laurel – the co-author of the law, has explained that since Jose Rizal was the
founder of the country's nationalism and had significantly contributed to the
current condition of the nation, it is only right that Filipinos, especially the youth,
know about and learn to imbibe the high ideals for which the hero died.

Motivations behind Republic Act 1425

 To rededicate the lives of youth to the beliefs of opportunity and patriotism, for
which our heroes lived;
 To pay tribute to our national legend for giving his life and works in molding the
Filipino character; and
 To increase a rousing wellspring of nationalism through an incredible investigation,
works, and compositions.

Historical Timeline of Republic Act 1425

Date Action Taken

One of the prominent recommendations during the
During the 1950s was Jose Lansang's proposition to make a "common
1950s patriot program for building the country." (Schumacher,
2011)
Committee on Education filed Senate Bill No. 438,
April 03, 1956 which was then supported only by three members of the
upper house.
Chairman of the Committee on Education Jose P,
Laurel supported the measure; its goal was to scatter the
thoughts and standards of Jose Rizal through his books,
Noli Me Tangere, and EI Filibusterismo.
The Catholic components declared that the bill was
April 17, 1956
an endeavor to ruin their religion and that it disregards
strict opportunity. As per them, the bill hurts the
estimations of the Catholic faith, particularly the two
books that Jose Rizal
composed.
 The conflict reached the House of Representatives
April 19, 1956 when Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales proposed House Bill
No. 5561, which was very similar to Senate Bill 438.
The discussions On Senate Bill 438 started.
Representative Claro M. Recto upheld Senator Laurel's Bill,
April 23, 1956 contending that the goal of the bill is just to value Rizal's
job
in fighting the Spanish oppression.
The report of the Committee on Education suggested
endorsement without revision.
Notable defenders of the bill are the bill author Jose
P. Laurel, Congressman Emilio Cortez. Joaquin R. Rotes,
and
May 02, 1956
W. Rancap Lagumbay.
Notable opposers of the bill are Congressman Ramon
Durano, Jose Nuguid, Marciano Lim, Manuel Lucas Paredes,
Godofredo Ramos, Miguel Cuenco, Congresswoman
Carmen
Consing, and Tecla San Andres Ziga.
Debates in the Senate gained more public and media
May 09, 1956 attention, and they're almost was a fistfight on the floor in
the Upper Chamber.
The amendment of the bill was approved in its second
May 12, 1956 reading.
The House of Representatives, House Majority Floor
Leader Congressman Tolentino, sponsored an amendment
similar to Laurel's.
President ElpidioQuirino declined to ensure that the
measure was prompt. With just a couple of days left before
May 14, 1956,
the Congress dismisses for the year, the Constitution
commands printed duplicates must be dispersed to the
Congressmen three days before its last endorsement.
Senate Bill 438 was approved on third reading, with
23 votes. House Bill No. 5561 was also passed on third
reading with 71votes (6 against, two abstained, 17 absent)
and was sent to the Senate on the same day.
May 17, 1956 The bill was later passed in Senate
The Rizal bill was signed into the law by then-
June 12, 1956 President Ramon Magsaysay, this becoming Republic Act
1425.

Other Rizal Laws

• Memorandum Order No. 247 – former Pres. Fidel V. Ramos coordinated the
 DECS Secretary and CHED Chairman to entirely execute the RA 1425 because
there had been reports that the law had still not been thoroughly done.
• CHED Memorandum No. 3 – was given upholding exacting consistency to
Memorandum Order No. 247 out of 1995.
• Republic Act No. 229 – a demonstration disallowing cockfighting, horse
hustling, and jai-alai on December 30 of every year and make a board of
trustees to assume responsibility for the best possible festival of Rizal Day in
each district and contracted city, and for some other purposes.