INTRODUCT

ION
Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal
A
THE RIZAL LAW
- OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS

. REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 1425
 RIZAL LAW
The Legal Framework in the Study of
Rizal

 Senate Bill No. 438

 Authorized by former senator Claro M. Recto
 Former senator Jose P. Laurel who was then the chairman of the
committee on education sponsored bill.
 House Bill No. 5561 headed by former congressman Jacobo
Gonzales
 August 16, 1956 Rizal Law was implemented
 R.A. 1425
An act to include in the curriculum of all public and private
schools, collages and universities courses on the life,
works, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal, particularly his
novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, authorizing
the printing and distribution thereof, and for other purposes.
B THE
OPPOSITIO
. N TO THE
LAW
 THE OPPOSITION TO
THE LAW
1. The Bills would go against freedom of conscience and religion;
2. It violated Canon Law- which forbids or bans books that attack or
ridicule catholic doctrines and practices; and
3. Upon scrutiny of the 2 novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, 170 passages and 50 passages respectively, are
against catholic faith.
 THE MOST PROMINENT
OPPOSITIONS
 Knights of Rizal
 Holy Name of Society of the Philippines
 Catholic Action of the Philippines
 Legion of Mary
 Knights of Columbus
 Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
 College Editors Guild
 Philippine School Teacher’s Association
 Former Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo
 Former Senator Teda San Andres Ziga
C THE
DEFENSE
.
 THE DEFENSE

1. The only objective of the Bills are to keep the memory of

the National Hero alive in every Filipino mind; and
2. To elevate Rizal as a model of peace as he peacefully
fought for freedom and not to go against catholicism.
 THE MOST PROMINENT
DEFENDERS

Senator Claro M. Recto Senator Jose P. Laurel Senator Lorenzo Tanada

Senator Quintin Paredes Mayor Arsenio Lacson

 THE COMENMENTS TO
THE BILLS
Senator Laurel created and amendment to the original Bill in which other than Noli Me
tangere and El Filibusterismo works of Rizal and works written by others about Rizal would
be included and reading of the unexpurgated version of the 2 novels will no longer be
compulsory to Elementary and High Schools levels but would be strictly observed at the
College level.

Senator Lim suggested the exemption of those students who feel that reading Rizal’s 2
novels would negatively affect her or his faith; and

Senator Primicias created an additional amendment that promulgate the rules and procedures
in getting an exemption only from reading the 3 novels through written affidavit/ request but
not from taking the Rizal course.
According to historian Ambeth Ocampo, no student has ever availed of this exemption

The Bill was finally passed on May 17, 1956 and was signed into law as Republic Act 1425 –
by President Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956

President Fidel V. Ramos in 1994 ordered the department of education culture and sports
(then, included still under their jurisdiction is the Tertiary Education) to fully implement the
law as there reports of it not being full implemented.
 THE LAW’S
OBJECTIVES

1. To know and appreciate the facts which are proofs of Dr. Jose Rizal’s genius and versatility.
2. To re-awaken the interest among the youth the sense of nationhood and patriotism as
inspired by the Life, Works and Writings of Dr. Jose Rizal as a rich source of the historical
legacy.
3. To promote the ideals and advocacies of Dr. Jose Rizal as tools for national development in
the contemporary Philippine situation molding the Filipino youth’s moral character skills
and vocational efficiency.
4. To imbibe the virtues and values of Dr. Jose Rizal, as well as his weakness and failures to
acquire proper direction and become bitter citizens of the country.
D RIZAL AS
THE
. PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL
HERO
 1901 – THE JOINT AMERICAN AND FILIPINO
COMMISIONS OFFICIALLY DECLARED DR.
JOSE RIZAL AS THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
HERO.
1. COMPOSITION OF THE AMERICAN COMMISION
A. Gov. William H. Taft – Chairman
B. W. Morgan Shuster
C. Bernard Moses

2. COMPOSITION OF THE FILIPINO COMMISION

A. Trinidad Pardo Detavera
B. Cayetano Arellano
C. Gregorio Araneta
 REASONS WHY DR. JOSE RIZAL WAS
CHOSEN BY THE JOINT COMMISION AS
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL HERO

1. Rizal was a towering figure in the propaganda movement (1882-1896).

2. Rizal’s novels have influenced the Filipino masses to the greatest extent
- Without Rizal’s writings there would have been no Bonifacio who founded the Katipunan.
3. Rizal was the most intelligent, most courageous and most dangerous enemy of tyrants.
4. Even before Rizal’s execution, he was already acclaimed by both filipinos and foreigners as the
foremost leader of his people.
5. Rizal was a model of peace.
6. Rizal’s life was dramatic. s
In the final analysis there is no single person or groups of persons who will be credited for
proclaiming Dr. Jose Rizal as the National Hero. Rizal himself, his own people and all the
foreigners who knew him intimately all together contributed to proclaiming him the greatest
hero and martyr of his people.

THE FOUR PHASES OF RIZAL’S LIFE AS A HERO

1. Genius
2. The Leader and Patriot
3. The Reformer
4. The Hero and Martyr
 REPUBLIC ACT NO.
1425
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 Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which 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,
SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and
El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private:
provided, that in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts.

The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement
and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers
and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the affectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and
regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provision of this Act. The
Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of religious
belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of
the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph.
Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.
SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, college and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number
of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s
other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their
translation in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required in all
public or private schools, colleges and universities.
The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment
of the school, college or university.

SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be
printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring them to read them,
through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country.

SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be constructed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of
the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and other person
engaged in any public school.
SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be
appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury
to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval

Approved: June 12, 1956

THANK
S