TRIAL

November 20 - Preliminary Investigation (5 Day Trial)

Scene 1: Court
Court Interpreter: All rise. The court is now in session with the Chief Judge presiding.

Court Interpreter: Republic of the Philippines vs. Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. The
defendant is here for the crime of rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy against the Spanish people. The
defendant faced charges from the Spanish authorities due to allegations that he had conspired with
Katipunan members to launch an attack against Spanish rule.

Chief Judge: The prosecution can now make its case. I call to this court Atty. Enrique de Alcocer to stand
in front and state his side.

Scene 2:
Atty Alcocer: As part of your entitlement, Dr. Rizal, I will read the evidence against you today.
(Court Scene)
(Evidences)
Atty Alcocer: This evidence shows that Dr. Rizal is the principal organizer and the living soul of the
insurrection in the Philippines. I believe that no one can violate the laws of Spain or form organizations to
oppose the laws enacted by Spaniards in the Philippines. Thus, hereby, I recommend that the man
standing here, Dr. Jose Rizal shall be sentenced to death through musketry.

3rd Scene:
Chief Judge: Thank you, Atty. Alcocer. Now let's listen to the side of the defense, I call to this court
Captain Luis Taviel de Andrade to defend his side.

Captain Andrade: Thank you and Good Day, I am Captain Luis Taviel de Andrade, and I will be defending
the accused.

Captain Andrade: Rizal's name has become a symbol of countless rebellions over the years. He also rose
to prominence and he has become a symbol of people's grievances, and now is facing a trial against
death itself. You should not be hasty in imposing punishments on defendants who do not deserve them.
That is why I beseech this court to pardon him for any wrongdoing. Judges do not need to be vindictive;
they should only be fair.

Chief Judge: The defendant now has the opportunity to present his final defense.

Scene 4: (Rizal Delivering his Defense)

Rizal: I was exiled to Dapitan and spent four years there. Throughout my entire stay, I was preoccupied
with the well-being of my family and the welfare of my country. I tried to make the most of my time in
Dapitan. I discovered that Spain required a doctor to assist Cuba in treating war victims. I hurriedly wrote
to the Governor General to offer my services, but this is what I got in return. I did not question the
jurisdiction of the court and I have nothing to admit to the charges against me. I have nothing to amend
except that during my exile in Dapitan, I have not dealt with political matters. Lastly, I have nothing to
admit on the declarations of the witnesses, he had not met nor known, against him. I only know of one sin
that I committed: I loved my own country. You accuse me of telling lies. You have no hard evidence and
rely solely on letters and your rage to determine my guilt. I was also uninvolved in the strikes and had no
idea they were using my name in their activities.
Chief Judge: There will first be a thorough discussion of the next steps in the case of Doctor Jose Rizal.
The military courts will return in a few minutes to report the outcome of the deliberations to this court.
(Show the Court)
Chief Judge: As to the command of Governor Camilo de Polavieja, the case is court-martialed!

Scene 5: December 26 - Rizal’s Trial (At a military building)

Judge Advocate: Today, Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda is here for the crimes he
had committed.

Atty. Alcocer: Accordingly, three (3) crimes he committed are rebellion, sedition, and illegal association.
The penalty for the first two offenses is life imprisonment to death while the conspiracy charges
correctional imprisonment and a charge of 325 to 3250 pasetas. I am urging the court that this man
should be punished with death.

Judge Advocate: Thank you, Atty. Alcocer. I call Captain Andrade to deliver his speech in defense of Jose
Rizal.

Captain Andrade:

Judge Advocate: To supplement Capt. Andrade’s defense, I’m permitting Jose Rizal to read his defense.

Rizal: I will read my speech to you. Regarding my false association with the Katipunan, I have not written
a letter addressed to such an organization comprising revolutionary elements. It seemed that my name
was used by them and If I was guilty, he could have escaped and left but I did not because I had nothing
to escape and no reason to run away. I, Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, did not agree
with the revolution and I told them not to rebel as the revolution will succeed only if it has enough support
from the people and enough weapons to fight. If I was for the revolution, then why did the Katipunan send
an unfamiliar emissary to me in Dapitan? I never advocated for violence and my conscience is clear.

Scene 6: (Scene: people shouting)

Spectators: Liar!!! Fraud!!! Treacherous!!!

Judge Advocate: The military courts will return in a few minutes to report the outcome of the deliberations
to this court.
(Scene: Judges’ Meeting)
Judge 1: We must take immediate action. Dr. Rizal should be executed for the crimes he committed.
Judge 2: I agree, we should punish him through death sentence.
Judge 3: We must make haste and convict Jose Rizal.
Judge 4: It is time to put an end to this long battle.
Judge 5: I agree with the death sentence as punishment.
Judge 6: I too, am in favor of the death sentence

Scene 7:
Chief Judge: If this is the situation, we share your sentiments. I will carry out Rizal's death sentence. Do
you agree with our decision, Governor Polavieja, and Captain Dominguez?

Gov. Polaveja: Dr. Jose Rizal will be sentenced to death as a traitor. He represents a threat to our power.
Scene 8: Final Verdict

Captain Dominguez: Now I will read the court's decision to you. This court has sentenced the defendant,
Dr. Jose Rizal, to death. Governor General Camilo de Polavieja approved it, and it will take effect on
December 30, 1896, at 7:00 a.m. in Bagumbayan. As ordered.