October 2023

THE LIFE AND

WORKS OF
RIZAL
Learning
Objectives
At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

locate the passage of the Rizal Law within its

historical context

determine the issues and interests at stake in

the debate over the Rizal Bill; and

relate the issues to the present-day

Philippines
José Protacio Rizal
Mercado y Alonso
Realonda
(JPRMyAR)
 The Rizal Law

One of the major reasons behind the passage

of the Rizal Law was a strong intent to instill
nationalism in the hearts and minds of the
Filipino Youth.
 The Rizal Law
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425
An act include in the Curricula of all public and
private schools, Colleges and Universities
courses on The Life, Works and Writings of Jose
Rizal, particularly his novels, Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, authorizing the printing
and distribution thereof, and for other purposes.
 The Rizal Law
It was signed by President Ramon Magsaysay on
June 12, 1956 that includes the life, writings and
works of Jose Rizal in the curricula of all schools
in public and private schools, colleges, and
universities.
It was primarily set to address "a need for a re-
dedication to the ideals of freedom and
nationalism for which our heroes lived and died.”

Claro M. Recto
(Feb 8, 1890 - Oct. 2, 1960)
main sponsor and defender of the Rizal Bill
born in Tiaong, Tayabas (Quezon) on February 8, 1890 to
Claro Recto, Sr. and Micaela Mayo.
completed his AB degree at the Ateneo and was awarded
maxima cum laude in 1909.
finished his law degree from the University of Santo Tomas
in 1914.
elected as representative of the third district of Batangas.
became Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1935.
Was also instrumental in the drafting of the constitution of
the Philippines in 1934–1935 as he was selected president
of the assembly.
Known as an ardent nationalist and a man of letters
died on October 2, 1960 of a heart attack in Italy.
 JOSE P. LAUREL JACOBO Z. GONZALES

Jose P. Laurel Representative

Senate Committee on Education Filed the HB No.5561
Chairman
introduced SB No. 438
 The Rizal Law
Senator Claro M. Recto was the main proponent of the
Rizal Bill. He sought to sponsor the bill at Congress.
However, this was met with stiff opposition from the
Catholic Church. During the 1955 Senate election, the
church charged Recto with being a communist and an
anti-Catholic. After Recto's election, the Church continued
to oppose the bill mandating the reading of Rizal's novels
Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo, claiming it would
violate freedom of conscience and religion.
 The Rizal Law
In the campaign to oppose the Rizal bill, the Catholic
Church urged its adherents to write to their
congressmen and senators showing their opposition
to the bill; later ,it organized symposiums.

Fr. Jesus Cavannaargued that thenovels belonged to

the past and that teaching them would misrepresent
current conditions.
 The Rizal Law
Outside the Senate, the Catholic schools threatened
to close down if the bill was passed; Recto countered
that if that happened, the schools would be
nationalized. Recto did not believe the threat, stating
that the schools were too profitable to be closed. The
schools gave up the threat, but threatened to
"punish" legislators in favor of the law in future
elections.
 The Rizal Law

The bill was enacted on June 12, 1956, Flag Day.

How a bill
becomes
a law?
The Legislative
Process
The Senate and the House of Representatives follow the same
legislative procedure. Legislative proposals emanate from a
number of sources. They may be authored by the members of
the Senate or House as part of their advocacies and agenda;
produced through the lobbying from various sectors; or
initiated by the executive branch of the government with the
President’s legislative agenda. Once a legislative proposal, like
a bill, is ready, it will go through the steps illustrated on the
next slide.
 Bill

a measure which, if passed through the legislative process,

becomes a law.

UNEXPURGATED

basically untouched. In the case of the novels of Rizal,

unexpurgated versions were those that were not changed or
censored to remove parts that might offend people

BICAMERAL

involving the 2 chambers of congress: the senate and the

house of representatives
 Legislative Process
01 02
Preparation of the Bill First Reading
• It is given a number and • The bill’s title, number
calendared for first and author(s) are read on
reading. the floor. Afterwards, it is
referred to the
appropriate committee
03
COMMITTEE HEARING
• The bill is discussed within the
committee and a period of consultations
is held. The committee can approved
(approved without revisions, approve with
amendments, or recommend substitution
or consolidation with similar bills) or
rejects. After the committee submits the
committee report, the bill is calendared
for second reading.
 Legislative Process
04
Second Reading
• The bill is read and discussed on
the floor. The author delivers a
sponsorship speech. The other
members of the Senate may
engage in discussions regarding
the bill and a period of debates will
pursue. Amendments may be
suggested to the bill
05 06
Voting on the Second Voting on the Second
Reading Reading
• The senators vote on • Copies of the final
whether to approve or versions of the bill are
reject the bill. If distributed to the
approve d, the bill is members of the Senate
calenda red for third who will vote for its,
reading approval or rejection.
 Legislative Process
07 08
Consolidation of Version from the House Transmittal of the Final
Version to Malacanang
• The similar steps above are followed by the
House of Representatives in coming up with • The bill is then submitted to the
the approved bill. If there are differences President for signing. The
between the Senate and House versions, a President can either sign the bill
confere nce committ ee is called to into law or veto and return it to
bicameral
Congres s
reconcile the two. After this, both chambers
approve the consolidated version.
 The Rizal Law
A bill may become a law, even without the
President's signature, if the President does not
sign a bill within 30 days from receipt in his
office. A bill may also become a law without
the President's signature if Congress overrides
a presidential veto by two-thirds vote.