UNIT I.

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: REPUBLIC ACT 1425

Overview

This unit will give you center thoughts about the Republic Act 1425, which enacts the
incorporation of the Life and Works of Rizal within the educational program of schools, colleges,
and universities: aims to instill the standards of freedom and patriotism and to honor the national
legend and nationalist, Dr. Jose Rizal.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. explain the history of the Rizal Law and its historical background;
2. enumerate the other laws related to Republic Act 1425; and
3. Critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal Course.

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 Tangere
and El Filibusterismo. Former Senator Claro M. Recto,
 The first section of the law concerns in the mandating The chief proponent of the Rizal Bill
(Image credits to bing.com)
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.

1
Historical Timeline of Republic Act 1425

Date Action Taken

One of the prominent recommendations during the 1950s
During the was Jose Lansang's proposition to make a "common patriot
1950s program for building the country." (Schumacher,
2011)
Committee on Education filed Senate Bill No. 438, which
April 03, 1956 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 an
April 17, 1956
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.

2
 The conflict reached the House of Representatives when
April 19, 1956 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
W. Rancap Lagumbay.
May 02, 1956
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 the
May 14, 1956,
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.