Name: Gloriani, Katreena Ezra J.

Section: TM-203

Why did R.A 1425 become one of the most contested laws?

The Republic Act 145 most commonly known as the Rizal Law is an act to
include all 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. In simple words, The Republic Act aims to educate people
about our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and his Life, Works, and Writings,
particularly his novels. They enacted this law in order to provide students and future
generations with a foundation for understanding and learning more about our
national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and what he did for our country. They believed that
enforcing this law would provide a consistent and inspiring source of patriotism.
Students and future generations will be able to honor and dedicate themselves to the
ideals of liberty and nationalism that our heroes lived and died for. Furthermore, they
will be able to recall the fondness and devotion with which the heroes' lives and
works contributed to the formation of the national character.

The Rizal Bill was supported by Senator Claro M. Recto. On the other hand, it
was signed on June 12, 1956, by Fidel V. Ramos, the president. Despite the
president's approval, the law became contentious due to opposition from the
Legislative Arm and the Catholic Church. Recto was accused of being a communist
and an anti-Catholic. In a campaign to oppose the Rizal bill, the Catholic Church
urged its adherents to write to their congressmen and senators showing their
opposition to the bill. The Catholic Church opposed the bill requiring the reading of
Rizal's novels, claiming that it would infringe on religious and free speech rights.
Recto and Laurel, on the other hand, defended the bill, claiming that the only reason
for enacting the law is to keep the memory of the national hero alive in every
Filipino's mind, to derive Dr. Jose Rizal as he fought for the country’s freedom and
not to go against religion. Due to the never-ending debate, approved amendments
were formulated through the ideas of three senators, and the bill was finally passed
on May 17, 1956, and signed into law as Republic Act 1425 by Ramon Magsaysay
on June 12 of the same year.
 References

Weebly. (n.d.). The Rizal Law. https://dimasalang.weebly.com/ra-

1425.html#:~:text=But%20what%20made%20it%20controversial,them%2C
%20catholic%20dogmas%20are%20humiliated.