Something to think About

 Gist of RA1425
 Considering the context of 1950s, what issues and interests were at stake in the
debate over the Rizal bill? Do these issues remain pertinent to the present?

 Identify the difference between the original bill (Recto) and Laurel’s version. Was
RA 1425 a face saving compromise or victory for the Catholic Church?

 Why do you think the Catholic hierarchy in the 1950s was very apprehensive about
students reading Rizal’s novels?
RA 1425: RIZAL LAW
 Recto’s Argument
•Under the principle of police power, the state can require the
reading of the novels to foster better appreciation of Rizal’s
times.

•Rizal inculcated civic consciousness among Filipinos,

national dignity, patriotism and personal pride
 Senate Bill 438 is an act to make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
compulsory reading matter in all public and private colleges and
universities and for other purposes

 hopes to give people knowledge about the oppression suffered by the

Filipinos during the Spanish era.

 for Filipinos to understand themselves and their country better and realize
the greatness of Rizal.
Anti- Rizal Bill

 Sen. Decoroso Rosales

 argued that it will be a
 Sen. Mariano Cuenco
violation of religious
 Sen. Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo freedom
Anti- Rizal Bill
 Compulsory reading of something against one’s conviction was
impairment of both freedom of speech and religion

 A measure to discredit their religion

 Novels contained views inimical to the tenets of their faith.

 Fr. Jesus Cavanna’s stand
 The novels belong to the past
 It would be harmful to read the novels because they presented
false picture of conditions of the country at that time
 Noli is an attack on the clergy, aims to ridicule the Catholic faith
 The novel was not patriotic because out of 333 pages only 25
contained patriotic passages while 120 were devoted to anti-
Catholic attacks
Laurel’s explanation
 Reading of Rizal’s novels and other
works including those written by other
people about him.
 Compulsion was removed in the
substitute bill. Reading of
unexpurgated or original form is
required
In view of the issues at stake in the
passage of RA 1425, is teaching Rizal’s
life as *hagiography consistent with the
law?

*(A biography that treats its subject with

undue reverence)
R.A. 1425 IS AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE,
WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

IT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BY RAMON MAGSAYSAY ON JUNE 12, 1956

 There is a need to give utmost importance to the ideals of
FREEDOM, NATIONALISM & PATRIOTISM through an
understanding of the works & life of Rizal
Provisions

 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;
Provisions

 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
the 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;
WHAT THE LAW IMPOSES

 Inclusion in the curricula studies on the life & works of Rizal

 Reading of the unexpurgated versions of Noli Me Tangere & El

Filibusterismo

 Schools should have adequate copies of Rizal’s works

 The law authorizes the translation of Noli & Fili

 While the teaching of Rizal as a subject is required, the doctrine

of separation of the church & state is upheld.
 I A M W R I T I N G F O R T H E G E N E R AT I O N O F F I L I P I N O S
Y E T T O C O M E , A G E N E R AT I O N T H AT W I L L B E
E N L I G H T E N E D A N D E D U C AT E D , A G E N E R AT I O N T H AT
W I L L R E A D M Y B O O K S A N D A P P R E C I AT E T H E M
WITHOUT CONDEMNING ME AS A HERETIC.

-JRIZAL