THE RIZAL LAW

THE RIZAL LAW, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS RA 1425

 Its mandate is to study Rizal’s life and works. Section 1
states that Rizal law was passed by Congress to increase
nationalism among Filipinos most significantly during the
time of a diminishing Filipino identity. Based on the judicial
system, a republic act is a law that has already been
passed. In contrary, a bill is merely a proposed law, and will
only be implemented when it’s gone through the process.
• The President signed RA 1425 on June 12, 1956. From the notes
occurring immediately before the body of the document, one may
infer the initially proposed in the Legislative arm of the Philippine
Republic, in the Senate and House of Representatives.
• The essential points: “Today, more than any other time in our
history, it is essential for the re-dedication to the ideals of
nationalism and freedom for which our heroes suffered death for
this country.
• RA 1425 states that every educational institution are subject to
regulation and supervision of the state, all schools are advised to
develop moral character, civic consciousness, personal discipline,
and learn the duties of citizenship.
• It is imperative to use our educational institutions to instill these
values to their children who are in their first years of learning and
growing. It is during one’s formal years in education especially the
collegiate level when individuals formulate their path of priorities in
life and career tracks.
• In finality, the Board of National education shall cause the
translation of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Other writings
of Jose Rizal should translate in English, Tagalog, and the principal
Philippine dialects; cause them to print in reasonable, popular
editions and cause them to distribute, to persons free of charge. To
provide specific way to carry out this act is very helpful. It makes the
goal very SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and
Time-bound)
• Republic Act 1425 started on June 12, 1956. Senate Bill 438 known as Rizal Bill
which was first authored and sponsored by Senator Claro M. Recto. The bill
requires the requires the inclusion in the curricula of Rizal’s life works and
writings in all public and private schools, colleges, and universities and the
significant novels of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. It must be
considered as one of the most controversial bills in the Philippines.
• Before it was approved and signed into law, it was brought to the Senate and
House of Representatives for discussions. It was contradicted by some of the
legislators and Catholic Church due to the inclusion of that it is a mandatory
reading Rizal’s novel in which according to them, Catholic dogmas were
mortified.
• RA 1425 u dergone the usual process as such Senator Recto brought
the bill to the Senate, and Sen. Jose B. Laurel, Sr. who was then the
Chairman of the Committee on Education sponsored the bill that
consequently led to an exchange of views of both houses. The bill
was opposed by three senators namely Mariano Cuenco, Francisco
Rodrigo who was a former Catholic Action President and Decoroso
Rosales who was the brother of Julio Rosales, an archbishop.
• Oppositions were: Congressmen Ramon Durano, Marciano Lim,
Samuel Soza, Godofredo Ramos, Miguel Cuenco, Jose Nuguid, Lucas
Paredes, Tecia San Andres Ziga, and Carmen Consing.
• The Catholic Church however, was indirectly included in the
debates but played a significant role. The church battle against Rizal
Bill was Legion of Mary, the Holy Name Society of the Philippines,
Catholic Action of the Philippines, Daughters of Isabela, and Knights
of Columbus
• Oppositions assert that the bill would go against freedom of
religion and conscience, where a pastoral letter from the CBCP to
which accordingly, such bill is a violation of the 1939 Canon Law
which prohibits books that attack the Catholic doctrines and
practices.
• Recto and Laurel defended the bill and argued that the only objective of the law
is to keep the memory of the national hero alive in every Filipino’s mind, to
emanate Rizal as he peacefully fought for freedom, and not to go against religion.
Senators Quintin Paredes, Lorenzo Tanada, and Domocao Alonto of Mindanao
also defended the Rizal Bill which was also favored by the Representatives from
the House namely Congressmen Jacobo Gonzales, Emilio Cortez, Mario Bengson,
Joaquin Roxas, Lancap Lagumbay, and Pedro Lopez.
• The Anti-Rizal Bill individuals campaigned that those who legislators who in
favor of RA 1425 will be boycotted in the upcoming elections.
• After the final amendments, the bill was finally passed on May 17, 1956 and was
signed into law as RA 1425 by President Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956.
 Republic Act and Other Rizal Laws
• The Rizal Bill became the Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law. This
an act to include in the curricula of all public and private schools, colleges, and
universities courses on life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his
novels Noli and El Fili authorizing the printing and distribution thereof and for
other purposes.
• Section 1 of the RA 1425 was given the students to read Rizal’s novels. The last
two parts involve making Rizal’s writing accessible to the general public-they
require schools to have a sufficient copies in their libraries and mandate the
publication of the works in major Philippine languages.
 Objectives of Rizal Law

1.To rededicate the lives of the youth to the ideals of independence

and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died.
2. To dignify our national hero for devoting his life and works in
shaping the Filipino character.
3. To stimulate patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and
writings.
• Thus, no student has yet officially applied for exclusion
from Rizal’s novels. Correspondingly, former Pres. Fidel V.
Ramos in 1994 through the Memorandum Order No. 247,
directed the Secretary of Education Culture and Sports and
the Chairman of CHED to fully implement the RA 1425 as
there has been reports that the law had still not carried out.
In 1995, CHED Memo. No. 3 was issued enforcing strict
compliance to Memo. No. 247.
 Essentials of Studying Rizal

1. One benefit provides insights on how to deal with current

problems.
2. It helps to people understand better us Filipinos.
3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism.
4. It provides several valuable life lessons.
5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking.
6. Rizal can serve as a valuable model and inspiration to every
Filipino.
7. People love fictions and are even willing to spend on availing books or movie tickets just to
be entertained by made-up tales. But only few possibly know that Rizal’s life was full of
fascinating non-fictional accounts. For instance;
* Rizal was involved in a live triangle with Antonio Luna was also part of the romantic
equation;
* Rizal was a model in some of Juan Luna’s painting;
* Rizal’s common-law wife Josephine Bracken was remarried to a man from Cebu and had
tutored former President Sergio Osmena;
* Leonor River ‘Maria Clara’., Rizal’s true love, had a son who married the sister of the former
President of the United Nations General Assembly Carlos P. Romulo;
* The First Filipina who won the international beauty pageant, ‘Miss International’ in 1954,
Gemma Cruz – Araneta is a descendant of Rizal;
* The sportscaster Chino Trinidad is a descendant of Rizal’s first love, Segunda Katikbak;
* The El Fili and Noli were stolen but it was retrieved by Alejandro Roces.
 Rizal as American Sponsored Hero?

1. Rizal was already dead by the time the Americans colonized the
Philippines.
2. He did not make any negative or embarrassing remarks of the anti-
American quotations.
3. Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal was a symbol of Spanish oppression.
4. He urged reform from within by publicity, by public education, and
appeal to public conscience.
 Rizal, Pioneer Asian Nationalist Leader
1. The worth and dignity of the individual.
2. The inviolability of human rights.
3. The innate impartiality of all men and races.
4. The necessity for constitutional government.
5. Due process.
6. Popular sovereignty as the basis of all political jurisdiction.
7. Faith in human reason and wisdom.
8. The rights of the masses to public education.
9. Belief in social progress through freedom.
 Four Major Phase in Life of Our Hero
1. First Phase (1861-1872). The time when Jose Rizal in his younger generation, he
learned how to read, write, and listen to stories that triggered his imaginative and
critical analysis.
2. Second Phase (1872-1882). It was the first turning point of his life. He was then
11 years old and enrolled in Ateneo Municipal, despite the objection of his
mother. It was the period when the Spanish government unjustly executed
fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora.
3. Third Phase (1882-1892). This is the next great decisive movement in the life of
Rizal. It was the time that he decided to leave the country to escape persecution.
He went to Europe and everywhere as an observer and student, learning from
everything he saw, read, and heard. He persuaded the Filipinos in Spain to prove
that they can compete with the Europeans.
4. Fourth and Final Phase (1892-1896). The year 1892 can be regarded as the final
turning point in the life of Jose Rizal, before he suffered to death on December 30,
1896. He was exiled in Dapitan.
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

An act to include the curricula of all Public and Private

Schools, Colleges and universities courses on Life, Works
and Writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, authorizing the printing and
distribution thereof, for other purposes.
• 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 Felibusterismo, 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 of the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character,
personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of the citizenship.;
Now therefore,
SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal particularly his novels 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 use as basic text.
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 writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers, and textbooks.
The board shall within 60 days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules
and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and
enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and
regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons or religious
beliefs 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 the said paragraph.
Said rules and regulations shall take effect 30days after their publication in the
Official Gazzette.
SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to
keep 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 translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be
included in the list of approved books for required reading 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
to read them, through the Purok organizations
and Barrio Councils throughout the country.
SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed 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 persons 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
Published in the Official Gazette, Volume 52, No.6,p.2971 in June 1956.