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 The chief proponent of the Rizal Bill
mandating the students to read Rizal's novels. (Image credits to bing.com)
 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.
Historical Timeline of Republic Act 1425

Date Action Taken

One of the prominent recommendations during the
During the 1950s was Jose Lansang's proposition to make a "common
1950s patriot program for building the country." (Schumacher,
2011)
Committee on Education filed Senate Bill No. 438,
April 03, 1956 which 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
April 17, 1956 an 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.
The conflict reached the House of Representatives
April 19, 1956 when 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
May 12, 1956 second 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
May 14, 1956, the 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.

References

Book
Constantino, R. (1982). The Making of a Filipino A Story of Philippine Colonia/ Politics. QC:
R.Constantino, pp. 244-247.
Hau, C.S. (2000). "Introduction," Necessary Fictions: Philippine Literature and Nation, 7946-7980.
Quezon City, Ateneo de Manila University Press, pp. 1-4.
Laurel, J.B. (1960). "The Trials Of the Rizal Bill," Historical Bulletin vol. 4, no. 2: pp. 130-139.
Schumacher, J. (2011). "The Rizal Bill Of 1956: Horacio de la Costa and the Bishops,"
PhilippineStudies 59 no. 4: pp 529-553.

Internet
Republic Act No. 1425. (1956). Retrieved from https://www.official
gazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-142S
Republic Act No. 1425 | GOVPH. (1956, June 12). Retrieved from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/

Assessing Learning
 Activity 1
Name: DIANNE A. AGUSTIN Score: ___________________________
Course/Year/Section: BSED 4B Date: 08.17.22

Directions: Read and answer each question base on what you have learned today. Support your
answers.

1. Explain the significance of Rizal’s Law to the present time.

Rizal’s law is all about Rizal’s work and life to be implemented in all schools. So, as we about
to learn his works and life, we will may also achieve their main goals such as re awakening
our nationalism, to pay tribute to our national legends for giving his life and work in
molding Filipino character, and also to bring a motivation to the youth to the beliefs of
opportunity and patriotism. This law is important to the present time because it is part of
what and where the Philippines, our country are right now. So, learning life and work of
Rizal is such an opportunity to unfold and rediscover the past.

2. What do you think were the reasons the Catholic Church opposed the Rizal bill intensely?
Explain.

According to the article I’ve read before, the catholic church opposed the Rizal bill
intensely because of some reasons. First, the catholic church felt that the bill contradicted
its ideals and damaged its reputation since it interferes with its freedom of religion and
conscience. Second, they also believed that this bill would violate the rights of the people to
practice religions and they believed that this bill would encourage discrimination because
in his works, they exposed the unacceptable treatment or behavior of the priest to its
people. Lastly, there are some parts in Life of Rizal where he was unfaithful and the church
believed that the Rizal law would not allow woman to choose which man they marry
because on the other hand, priest was considered as faithful member of the catholic church.
I think those are some of the reasons why catholic church really opposed to the Rizal’s bill
that time.

3. State some lessons we can learn from the life of Jose Rizal.

Rizal’s life is like an open book, we can get so much lessons in his life. One lesson we can
learn is we have to focus on our goals. When we want something eagerly, we have to make a
way and our eyes are fully focused to our goal that no matter how many struggles awaits us, we
can pass them. Just like in life of Rizal, all he dreamed of was to free fellow Filipinos. He did
everything he can through his works such as those two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Fili
busterismo to reveal the atrocities of the Spanish colonials that eventually led to his
assassination. He died as a hero for his goal. Another lesson is be an example to encourage
people. We are not free until now if there are no one attempts to reach freedom. Rizal is one of
the heroes who tries to free our country in his own way and encourage others to seek for their
freedom as well. When we relate this to our life, just like Jose Rizal, be an example. You never
know what awaits in you unless you seek for it.
 Activity 2
Name: _____________________________________________________ Score: ___________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________________

Directions: A. Identify what is being described in each statement. Write your answer in the blank
provided before the number.

___________________1. Republic Act 1425 is also known as _______________________.

___________________2. Senate Bill 438 was approved on third meeting with ______ number of votes.
___________________3. The president who declined to certify that the measure was immediate.
___________________4. He was the head or chairperson of the Committee on Education when the Rizal
bill was taken into the measure.
___________________5. This proposed house bill was very similar to Senate Bill 438.

Directions: B. Identify whether the following are DEFENDERS or OPPOSERS of the Rizal Bill.

____________________6. Jose P. Laurel

____________________7. Ramon Durano
____________________8. Joaquin R. Roces
____________________9. Emilio Cortez
___________________10. Manuel Soza