University of Cebu-Main Campus

Sanciangko St., Cebu City, 6000 Philippines

College of Arts and Sciences
Tel. no. 255-7777 loc. 4102

Name: Jenyrose Eralyn Atizon Subject & Schedule: RIZAL 101(12:00 AM - 1:30 PM)
Degree Program: BSBA 2- FM Instructor: Mr. Jude Legaspi

TASK 2

The Debates about the Rizal Bill

Read the following excerpts from the statements of the legislators who supported and opposed the
passage of the Rizal Law in 1956. Then, answer the questions that follow.

FOR
"Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to
heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as in a mirror, our defects as well as our strength,
our virtues as well as our vices. Only then would we become conscious as a people and so
learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-
respect, and freedom." basis.

- Senator Jose P. Laurel

"Rizal did not pretend to teach religion when he wrote those books. He aimed at inculcating
civic consciousness in the Filipinos, national dignity, personal pride, and patriotism and if
references were made by him in the course of his narration to certain religious practices in
the Philippines in those days, and to the conduct and behavior of erring ministers of the
church, it was because he portrayed faithfully the general situation in the Philippines as it
then existed."

"A vast majority of our people are, at the same time, Catholic and Filipino citizens. As such,
AGAINST
they have two great loves: their country and their faith. These two loves are not conflicting
loves. They are harmonious affections, like the love for his father and for his mother.

This is the basis of my stand. Let us not create a conflict between nationalism and religion,
between the government and the church."

- Senator Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo

Questions

1. What was the major argument raised by Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo against the passage of the
Rizal Bill?

 Senator Francisco Rodrigo's main argument against the passage of the Rizal Bill was that Rizal's
novels were written to attack and mock the Catholic Church directly since most of Jose P. Rizal's
works shattered many Christian ideas or beliefs. The Rizal Bill is one of the most contentious bills
ever passed in the Philippines. When new laws are presented, they usually trigger a debate between
the upper and lower houses of the Senate and the House of Representatives before being officially
passed as a law. However, in the case of the Rizal Bill, things became unusual because the church
became involved in the debate over the bill's proposal. The bill's goal was to require all educational
institutions in the Philippines to offer Jose Rizal courses. Nevertheless, Senator Rodrigo was a sincere
Catholic with strong ties to the CBCP or the Catholic church. That explains why he was opposed to
the bill's passage. According to Rodrigo (1956), it violates the Canon Law of 1933, and the books are
anti-Catholic. He also stated, "Let us not create a conflict between nationalism and religion, between
the Governmen tand the Church”.

2. What was the major argument raised by Senators Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto in support of the
passage of the Rizal Bill?

 Senators Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto made the main point that there is a need to remember
Rizal's lives and works, which shaped our national character. They supported the Rizal bill because of
their patriotism, which served as a foundation for their support. They argued in favor of the bill that it
was critical to save the country from the hands of others and to ensure that they could stand on their
own. Furthermore, they both made arguments about Rizal novels, claiming that each generation should
read those novels because they contain nationalism and morality. To make Filipinos aware of the
sacrifices and sufferings of past people and events to help and connect today's life and future. This bill
wants us to open our minds, especially that Rizal's novels contain the true meaning of the word
"freedom," to instill consciousness in the Filipino.

3. Are there points of convergence between the supporters and opposers of the Rizal Bill based on these
statements?

 Yes, I believe that both of the statement between the supporters and opposers have points of
convergence about the Rizal Bill because it is still connected about the thoughts of the Bill stating all
about Religion or morality that should be preserve and spread by Filipino.