EXERCISE 1.1.

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DAUB, ELYCKA
DELA CRUZ, JESSON
IGNE, CYRIL JOY
LABBAO, TRINITY
RZL110 – A56
Considering the context of the 1950s, what issues and interests were at stake in the
debate over the Rizal Bill? Do these issues remain pertinent in the present?

Primarily the issue of the Rizal Bill is the prevalent clash of the government
and the religious sector. The bill was highly discouraged by the religious
sector of the country with the following arguments:
• Freedom of Conscience and Religion
This issue was raised by the Catholic Group as the bill that was
presented stated that it would be “compulsory” for students to read Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo which according to the Catholic
Group violates one’s freedom of conscience and religion.

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Considering the context of the 1950s, what issues and interests were at stake in the
debate over the Rizal Bill? Do these issues remain pertinent in the present?

• Threatened the government that Catholic Schools will be closed.

As the tension rises between the two parties, the Catholic Group
declared that they would close Catholic Schools as a way of their protests.
• Religion vs. Nationalism
Another factor at stake that was viewed by the Catholic
Group was the possibility of creating a dissonance.

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Although issues from 1950s are not as prevalent in the present, there are
other subjects for discussion where in the Catholic Group interferes with
Political Affairs especially of those humanitarian concerns.
There are many issues in the present with the similar discussion such as divorce,
death penalty, RH Bill, legalization of prostitution, and abortion.

• Abortion is considered as a criminal law under the Philippine constitution

however there are times that a woman needs to undergo the process due to
health problems and to protect the mother’s life. In the end the proposals to
legally acknowledge abortion was opposed by the religious sector.
• The church claim that prostitution is still unacceptable, and it is supported by
the Anti-Prostitution Act. 2 of 2010. However, the practice is widely observed
in the country. This argument is between the public, religion, and the
government. There are sex workers who are demanding to legalize the job. It
is to protect themselves from the exploitation occurring in the field of
prostitution.

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• In a catholic country of the Philippines same-sex marriage was dismissed
several times. The church had claimed that the union is against the natural law.
The notion was also considered as a violation of the Family code. The SOGIE
Bill do not cover the issues of homosexual marriage.

These topics are considered taboo in a conservative country like the Philippines.
Since the colonial period, the mindset of the Filipinos were forced to abide with the
religious law of Catholicism. This manner is still prevalent and was able to affect
the public and the government’s decisions.
In view of the issues at stake in the passage of RA 1425, is teaching Rizal’s life as
hagiography consistent with the law?

In aspect of how Rizal was perceived by many, the teachings of his life and works
are in line with the law. The law stands for how it is mandated to college students to
teach the life of Rizal; it is for to teach the greatness of the said hero. With the course,
students may be inspired with the things the hero did for his country. It is also to have a
clear understanding and intentions to the succeeding years to come. While in the past
there are concerns on implementing this law, there are certain benefits as to why
implement this. Above all, with the law it would help the students to have greater ideas
about freedom and nationalism. That if there are possibilities to happen, students can
carry themselves for the greater good. Another thing is that Rizal never attacked the
Catholic Church, but rather the wrong practices in it. In the end, Rizal opened the
Pandora’s box that will hopefully allow each Filipino to open their hearts and minds and
strengthen the spirit of nationalism within themselves.