The Life and Works of Rizal Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as
well as Rizal’s other works and biography.
RIZAL LAW: 19th Century Philippines
The Rizal Law: R. A. 1425 of 1956
● On June 12, 1956, the Ph. On
Independence Day, the RA
1425 of Rizal law was
passed.
The RA 1425
An act “to include the
Curricula of all Public and Private
schools, Colleges and Universities–
courses on the life, works, and
writings of Jose Rizal, particularly
his two novels: Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo. Authorizing
the painting and distribution thereof,
and for other purposes.”
What are the Objectives of the Rizal Law?
“There is a need for rededication to
the ideals of freedom and nationalism for
which our heroes lived and died.”
● Study the ideals of Freedom and
Nationalism;
● Study the lives and sacrifices of our
heroes.
SEC. 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 expurgated editions of the
Spain and the Philippines
A HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The story of Rizal exposes and gives
a glimpse of the social, economic, political,
and cultural aspects of the nation.
➢ Spain had no goals or intentions of
acquiring policies and laws to further
the advancement of Education or
Industry in the Philippines.
➢ They were incompetent and corrupt.
➢ Catholicism was used as a tool for
the unification and submission of the
colony to the Spanish crown.
PRO-RIZAL LAW
Sen. Claro M. Recto and
former President Jose P.
Laurel.
Reason: To promote
nationalism, identity, and
civil conscience.
ANTI-RIZAL LAW
The Catholic church and
some Politicians.
Reason: Rizal’s novels are
not patriotic but mainly
anti-clerical and anti-catholic.
 Major Objectives of the Rizal Law
● Provided that in the collegiate
courses, the original or unexpurgated
● “Whereas, it is met that in honoring
editions of the NMT and El F., or
them, particularly the national hero
their English translations shall be
and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember
used as basic texts.
with special fondness and devotion
their lives and works that have
The Board shall promulgate rules and
shaped the national character.”
regulations providing for the exemption of
students for reason of religious belief stated
● Formation of National Identity
in a sworn written statement, from the
requirement of the provision sustained in the
● “Whereas, all educational institutions
second part of the first paragraph of this
are under the supervision of, and
section; but not from taking the course
subject to regulation by the State,
provided for in the first part of the said
and all schools are enjoined to
paragraph.
develop moral character, personal
discipline, civic conscience, and to
SECTION 2
teach the duties of citizenship;

SUMMED OBJECTIVES OF THE ● It shall be obligatory on all schools,

RIZAL LAW: colleges, and universities to keep in
❖ Ideals of Freedom and Nationalism their libraries an adequate number of
❖ National Identity copies of the original and expurgated
❖ Civic Conscience editions of the Noli Me Tangere and
❖ Moral Character El Filibusterismo. As well as Rizal’s
❖ Personal Discipline other works and biography.
❖ Duties of Citizenship
● The said unexpurgated editions of
the NMT and ELF., or their
What are the Contents of Rizal Law?
translations in English as well as
other writings of Rizal shall be
SECTIONS included in the list of approved
books for required reading in all
SECTION 1 public or private schools, colleges,
and universities.
● Courses on the life, works and
writings of Jose Rizal, particularly
his novels: Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, shall be included in
the curricula of all schools, colleges,
and universities, public or private.
 SECTION 3
● The board of National education
shall cause the translation of the
NMT and ELF, as well as other
writings of Jose Rizal into English,
Tagalog, and the Principal Philippine
dialects.
● “...And cause them to be distributed,
free of charge, to persons desiring to
read them, through the Purok orgs,
and the Barrio Councils throughout
the country.”
Some Contradicting Reactions to the
Rizal Law:
An archbishop's statement in a letter
to Rafael Palma: “the biography is
depreciatory of institutions of
Catholic Church and pernicious of
the spiritual health of the faithful
especially the youth…”
“We hereby prohibit, under the pain
of sin and canonical sanction– of the
reading, keeping or retention of the
same whether in original or
translation in the Archdiocese of
Manila and Cebu.”
Spain in the 19th Century
❖ In turmoil
❖ Conquered by France
❖ Civil war broke out
● Friars (known as the de facto
administrators of the colony) were
the most powerful and influential
men in the Philippines;
● “Monarchism in the Philippines”,
by Marcelo H. del Pilar;
● Discrimination among social classes
were prevalent
● “On the Indolence of the Filipinos”
by Jose Rizal
RIZAL LAW: 06/12/56
EXEMPTIONS
Those who feel that their faith is
damaged by reading Rizal’s novels
are exempted from reading the
novels but not from the course.
Philippines in the 19th Century
Failure and lack of economic
programs;
Galleon trade, monopolies
Most Spanish colonial
officials were incompetent
and or corrupt.
“The Distressing Situation
of the Philippines”, by
Graciano Lopez- Jaena
Abuse, slavery and injustices
were also prevalent causing
Filipinos unmotivated to
work.
What is the Significance/Relevance
of Studying the 19th century Philippines
in the study of Jose Rizal?

Social conditions of Spain:
During the first three-quarters of the
19th century, Spain was in turmoil,
especially when France conquered it.
When the monarchy was restored in
1814, Fernando VII returned to
absolutism {absolute power vested
in the monarch, i.e. the king}. When
he died, he passed his crown to his
infant daughter Isabel, under the
regency {a government or period in
which a person/ regent rules in place
of the king or queen} of her mother,
Maria Cristina.
Civil war broke out when Don
Carlos, the king’s younger brother,
claimed the throne.
As a result, revolts between the
Liberals [supporters of Maria
Cristina] and Carlists [supporters of
Don Carlos] ensued.
In 1886, when Isabella became
queen, a revolution against her took
place, and she was forced to
abdicate. Alfonso XII of Spain
became King, which finally brought
Spain into a period of stability and
reform.
Social conditions of the Philippines:
Events in Spain had
implications for her colony.
The Philippines and Cuba are
two of the colonies that had
waged a revolution for total
emancipation from Spain.
The political, social,
religious, and economic
changes in Spain during the
latter part of the 19th century
have repercussions on the
colonies.
In the Philippines, Spain has
no clear program for uplifting
the country’s economy.
The Manila-Acapulco
Galleon Trade only served
the Spanish and Chinese
people in the country, but it
did not help the colony as a
whole.
It only served as a
trans-shipment point between
China and Mexico, thus
benefiting very few Filipinos.
Governor-Generals initiated
reforms in commerce and
agriculture but were not
enough to boost economic
growth.
Jose Rizal’s life, ideas and
philosophy
 A FEW FACTS ● The Propaganda Movement
was organized by Filipinos in
● The Passage of the exile or studying in Europe.
Responsible Parenthood and They came from
Reproductive Health Act of Middle-class families in the
2012 (RA No. 10354), Philippines.
popularly known as RH Law,
was one of the most
controversial laws passed due
to the opposing reactions of
Filipinos to its passage.

● According to historian
Ambeth Ocampo (1990), the
debate was so intense that it
ended in a fight between
two-hot headed lawmakers.

● The strongest opposition

came from the Catholic
church– arguing that the Law
would violate the freedom of
conscience and religion.

● They argued that “Rizal

violated the Church’s Laws,
specifically Canon Law 1399,
which forbids books that
attack or ridicule any of the
Catholic dogmas or which
defend errors condemned by
the Holy See.”

● They also argued that only 25

passages of the Noli Me
Tangere were patriotic as
compared to the 120 passages
that were anti-catholic.