THE MAKING OF

RIZAL LAW
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425.
 Something to think About
▪ Considering the context of 1950s, what issues and interests were at
stake in the debate over the Rizal bill? Do these issues remain
pertinent to the present?
▪ Identify the difference between the original bill (Recto) and Laurel’s
version. Was RA 1425 a face saving compromise or victory for the
Catholic Church?
▪ Why do you think the Catholic hierarchy in the 1950s was very
apprehensive about students’ reading Rizal’s novels
 Rizal Law

Senate Bill No. 438 House Bill No. 5561 Republic Act 1425
 Recto’s Argument
➢Under the principle of police power, the state can require
the reading of the novels to foster better appreciation of
Rizal’s times.
➢Rizal inculcated civic consciousness among Filipinos,
national dignity, patriotism and personal pride.
 Anti Rizal Bill

argued that it
▪ Sen. Decoroso Rosales
will be a
▪ Sen. Mariano Cuenco
violation of
▪ Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo
religious
freedom
 Anti Rizal Bill

▪ Compulsory reading of something against one’s

conviction was impairment of both freedom of
speech and religion
▪ A measure to discredit their religion
▪ Novels contained views inimical to the tenets of
their faith.
 Fr. Jesus Cavanna’s stand
• The novels belong to the past.
• It would be harmful to read the novels because they
presented false picture of conditions of the country at that
time.
• Noli is an attack on the clergy, aims to ridicule the
Catholic faith.
• The novel was not patriotic because out of 333 pages
only 25 contained patriotic passages while 120 were
devoted to anti-Catholic attacks.
 Laurel’s explanation

▪ Reading of Rizal’s novels and other works

including those written by other people about
him.
▪ Compulsion was removed in the substitute bill.
Reading of unexpurgated or original form is
required.
for…
against…
 …continuation

Former President Ramon Magsaysay

signed it into law and on June 12,
1956 RA 1425 came into effect.
RA 1425 requires all schools, colleges
and universities to teach Rizal life
and works and to keep in their
libraries the copies of Rizal’s novel.
 AIMS OF RIZAL LAW

▪ recognize the relevance of Jose Rizal ideas, thoughts,

teaching, and life-values to present conditions in the
community and country and apply them in the solution to
day to day situations and problems of contemporary life.
▪ develop an understanding and appreciation of the qualities,
behavior, and character of Rizal and thus foster the
development of moral character and personal discipline,
citizenship and vocational efficiency.
 AIMS OF RIZAL LAW

• There is a need to give utmost

importance to the ideals of FREEDOM,
NATIONALISM & PATRIOTISM through
an understanding of the works & life of
Rizal.
 WHAT THE LAW IMPOSES

✓Inclusion in the curricula studies on the life & works of

Rizal.
✓Reading of the unexpurgated versions of Noli Me
Tangere & El Filibusterismo .
✓Schools should have adequate copies of Rizal’s works
✓The law authorizes the translation of Noli & Fili.
✓While the teaching of Rizal as a subject is required, the
doctrine of separation of the church & state is upheld.
 WHY
JOSE RIZAL?
 Common Misconception Why We Study
the Life, Works & Writing of Rizal
To know the story behind his real name.
To be familiar with Rizal’s love interests.
To answer the question about several issues about his life.
To perceive if he is an apologist to the Spaniards.
To see if he really deserves to be our National Hero.
 National Historical Commission’s criteria
following personal characteristics to be
examined before one could considered a hero

The extent of Motives and The influence of

The moral
person’s sacrifices methods employed the person to his
character of the
for the welfare of in attainment the age and to the
person.
the country. of the ideal. succeeding eras .
NATIONALISM
Rizal was the first to give the name Filipino, in writing, to the
people of the Philippines. Before then, it applied only to
Spaniards who lived in the archipelago; the natives were called
Indios.
In first championing nationalism in Asia, Rizal became the
pioneering exponent in Asia of the universal rights of man.
Rizal saw that the real obstacle to the reforms he and the
others in the Propaganda Movement saw was the presumption
of the racial inferiority of the Indios.
…continuation
Rizal’s nationalism is education. Rizal believed that the real
liberation of his people lies in education, Rizal paid particular
attention to the education of women.
Rizal’s nationalism is of the inclusive, caring kind. This he
spelled out in the aims of La Liga Filipina: mutual protection in
every want or necessity, defense against all violence and injustice,
and encouragement of instruction, agriculture, and commerce. It is
a kind of nationalism that is compatible with a caring, globalizing
and interdependent world.
LEGACY
What made Jose Rizal worthy of becoming the Philippines’
national hero was not merely his intelligence, personality,
literary acumen, or his pacifist ideals. Rather, it was his
patriotism, optimism, undying love for his country and his belief
in his countrymen which set him apart. He believed not merely
in freedom but in the potential of the Filipino people to surpass
what they were under the Spanish colonial government, and all
he wished was for them to be given the chance to tap into that
potential.
Recommended by American Governor
William Howard Taft

General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first one

to declare December 30th as a national day
of mourning in honor of Rizal and others who
have died fighting the Spanish tyranny.
 The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword
The Philippine revolution led by Andres Bonifacio was fueled by the writings of Jose
Rizal, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which made a more lasting
impression. This is one of the best arguments of those who believe that Rizal is
rightfully the national hero. Rizal was truly an inspiration to many Filipinos during
the Spanish period.

According to the historian Rafael Palma, Rizal was more deserving of the national
hero title. Rizal was even thought to have suggested that Antonio Luna lead the
revolutionary forces since Luna has studied military science which was a brilliant
idea to lessen casualties against the powerhouse Spanish militia. Rizal believed
that only an army that was well prepared and had enough arms would ensure
victory.
Founder of La Liga Filipina

The Philippine revolution led by Andres Bonifacio

was fueled by the writings of Jose Rizal, Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which made a more
lasting impression.
…continuation
Jose Rizal founded the La Liga Filipina, a civic organization that led
to the creation of the Katipunan headed by Andres Bonifacio. This
fact may already substantiate that Rizal’s title was deserving since
without the La Liga Filipina, Andres Bonifacio and his army would
have been non-existent.
For Rizal, violence or armed resistance only as a last resort and
considered the restoration of the people’s dignity as a justification
means of achieving national liberation and self-rule.
I am writing for the generation of Filipinos yet
to come, a generation that will be enlightened
and educated, a generation that will read my
books and appreciate them without
condemning me as a heretic.

Jose P. Rizal