REPUBLIC ACT NO.

1425
AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND
PRIVATESCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE,
WORKSAND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI
METANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING
ANDDISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication
to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died.
WHEREAS it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose
Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped
the national character.
WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli MeTangere
and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of
the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused.
WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to
regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character,
personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now,
therefore,
2. THE 19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES
Social Structure
✓ The Philippine society was predominantly feudalistic.
✓ This was the result of the Spanish land holding improved upon the country with the
arrival of the conquistadores. -
✓ The indios (natives) were exploited by the elite class- They were drafted for manual
labour.
✓ The Spaniards exacted all forms of taxes and tributes.
✓ Peninsulares- friars, Spanish officials
✓ Insulares- favored natives, mestizos, creollos
Political System
✓ The Philippines was governed by Spain through the Ministro de Ultramar based in
Madrid.
Central Government Governador
✓ General - King of Spain’s representative in governmental affairs.
Vice – Royal patron over religious affairs.
Chief executive- issued orders and proclamations
Ex-officio – president of the Royal Audiencia
Commander-in-chief of the colonial armed forces-
Provincial Government – ALCADIA Alcalde Mayor or Civil Governor (head)-
City Government- CABILDO or AYUNTAMIENTO (head)
✓ Two alcaldes en- ordinario

Local Government Unit – PUEBLO or TOWN

✓ GobernadorCillo or Town Mayor (head)- Chief executive- chief judge
Smallest Government Unit – BARANGAY or BARRIO
Cabeza se barangay (head)- to collect taxes and tributes from the constituents
✓ received 2% of the tax collection aside from the 4 % of the Sanctorum (3 events collected
each year intended for All Saint’s Day, Holy Thursday and Corpus Christi.)
Guardia Civil
✓ Organized in 1867
✓ Corps of native police led by Spanish officers.
✓ In 1880’s feared instrument of summary arrest of any persons denounced by friars as
filibusteros
Royal Audiencia
✓ Highest court of the colony
✓ Headed the judicial system
✓ Auditor of the government finances
✓ High council to which government affairs were referred.
Frailocracia/Frailocracy
✓ Means rule of friars
Reasons
1. Political instability in mother country.
2. Friars were found in each town, thus, they became rulers of that political unit.
✓ Supervisor of local election
✓ Administrators of schools
✓ Chairman of the board of taxation, of health and of charity.
✓ Responsible for census taking through the parish registrar.
✓ Certifies personal Identification Card (ID)
Sources of Weaknesses and Abuses of the Government
 ✓ Appointment of officials with inferior qualifications
✓ Without dedication to duty
✓ Without moral strength to resist corruption for material advancement.

✓ The lower positions were either filled by

Provincial Government – most corrupt government unit
✓ Indulto de Comercio – license to engage in trade
✓ Buying people’s products at lowest prices.
✓ Exacting more taxes and tributes.

Educational System
✓ Friars occupied a dominant position.
✓ Emphasis on fear of God and obedience to the friars.
✓ Indios were constantly reminded that they had inferior intelligence.
✓ Friars decided what to teach to the children.
✓ College of San Juan de Letran- the only official Secondary School for BOYS.
✓ Seven Provinces had private colleges and Latin schools for general studies.
Secondary Education for Girls in Manila:
✓ Santa Isabel
✓ La Concordia
✓ Santa Rosa
✓ Asilo de Lookan
✓ Santa Catalina
UST- The only University level in Manila
Theological Seminars were established
✓ Manila
✓ Cebu
✓ Jaro (Iloilo)
✓ Nueva Caceres (Naga)
✓ Nueva Segovia (Vigan)
Educational Decree 1863
✓ Each major town in the colony was to establish at least one elementary school for boys
and another one for girls.
✓ Books and other materials must pass rigid censorship by the Church and Civil
Authorities.
Most serious criticisms against the Spanish educational system.
✓ Overemphasis on religion
✓ Limited and irrelevant curriculum
✓ Obsolete classroom facilities
✓ Inadequate teaching materials
✓ Absence of academic freedom.
✓ The implementation of the Moret Decree of 1870 (secularization of higher education in
the Philippines) was opposed by the friars.