Introduction to the

Course:
REPUBLIC ACT 1425
 Objectives
The history of the Rizal Law and its historical background.

The other laws related to Republic Act 1425.

 Critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal Course

 Republic Act 1425
Why study the life and works of Rizal?
On June 12,1956, Republic Act No. 1425 also known as the Rizal Law was approved.
This act requires all public and private schools, colleges, and universities to
include in their curricula the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, with emphasis
on two of his novels, the “El Filibusterismo” and the “Noli Me Tangere”.

It also mandated the printing and distribution of materials through the country
and required schools colleges, and libraries to keep adequate number of copies of
his two novels for the access for their students to study.
 Republic Act 1425
 Chief proponent of the bill was Senator Claro M. Recto who named
as socialist and enemy of Catholicism

 The first section of the law concerns in the mandating the students
to read Rizal's novels.

 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.
Former Senator Claro M. Recto,
The chief proponent of the Rizal Bill
 Republic Act 1425
 He 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.

 In 1956, when Senator Jose P. Laurel filed the Senate

Bill 448 or the Rizal Bill. Its passage way was rough Former Senator Jose P. Laurel,
due to several persons who tried to block its The Co-Author of the Rizal Bill
approval.
Notable Persons Who Tried To Block Its
Approval:

Sen. Decoroso Rosales Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo

– brother of Archbishop (Cardinal) Rosales – President of Catholic Action of the Philippines
 Sen. Mariano Cuenco Jesus Paredes
– brother of Archbishop Cuenco – radio commentator
 Fr. Jesus Cavana
– member of the Paulist Order who wrote a pastoral letter

The Friars
 Intentions/Reasons of Persons Who Blocked
the Approval of Rizal Bill

 The Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are very damaging to the clerics.

 The novels were written when Dr. Jose Rizal, estranged from Catholic faith and religion and
contradict many of the Christian beliefs.

 To compel Catholic students to read a book which contains passages contradicting their faith
constitutes a violation of a Philippine constitutional provision (Art. 3, Sec. 1, Par. 7).

 The novels do contain teachings contrary to Catholic faith and so, the Church is opposed to the
proposed compulsory reading in their entirety of such books in any school in the Philippines where
Catholic students may be affected.
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 Background and Context of R.A. 1425

 During the 1950s, there were several efforts to instill among Filipinos the value
of patriotism and the vision of the Philippines as a nation.

 One of the prominent recommendations during the 1950s was Jose Lansang's
proposition to make a "common patriot program for building the
country."(Schumacher, 2011)

 This appeal happened in parallel to president Jose P. Laurel’s Philosophy to

introduce Rizalian Education
 Historical Background and Context of R.A. 1425

 April 3, 1956:

The Committee on
Education Filed Senate Bill
No. 438 which was then
supported only by 3
members of the upper house.
At the time, the move
seemed non-controversial.
The pre-war senate session Hall as it appeared soon after the
senate move in, 1926
 Important Issuances Relative to the
Implementation of Rizal Law

Approval of R.A. 1425 on June 12,

1956.

Presidential Memorandum Order

247 dated Dec. 26, 1994 – President
Ramos directed the DECS and
CHED to immediately and fully
implement R.A. 1425.
 CHED Memorandum Order 6
dated February 15, 1996 – CHED
ordered all colleges and universities
to offer Rizal course as a separate
three-unit course fully and
immediately.
 Teaching of Rizal Course in College
 Rizal as a course has been taught in College generally as a
supplementary course by teachers of different
specializations.

 In most cases, the focus of the course is on Rizal's

biography and trivial matters, compounded by the
varying interpretations of the spirit and the letter of Rizal
law through the years.
Rizal: A Legislated and Mandated
Course
 Legislated – it is founded on
Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law)

 Mandated – it is ordered by
Presidential Memorandum Order
247 and CHED Memorandum
Order 6.
That’s all Thank
You!!