Enacted Laws in the

Philippines to Commemorate
Jose Rizal
GEC109 – LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
CHAPTER 1 IN MODULE
 Objectives:

1. Identify the reasons for studying the life and works of

Jose Rizal.
2. Trace the historical background on the creation of
Republic Act 1425.
3. Evaluate the different political sides (pros and cons) on
the creation of Republic Act 1425.
 Why study Rizal?
 What is the importance of studying Rizal?
 Why is Rizal one of the basic courses
taken up in college?
 Why is Rizal included in the course
curriculum?
 What relevance does Rizal have in a
college education?
Why study the Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal?

1. Because it is mandated by the law.

2. Because of the lessons contained within the

course itself.
Enacted Laws
Law Date Description
December 20,1898 Dec. 30 as “National Day of Mourning”

Phil. Commission Act 137 June 11, 1901 Rename the Morong District to Rizal Province

Phil. Commission Act 243 September 28, Erection of the Rizal Statue in Luneta
1901
Phil. Commission Act 345 February 1, 1902 Dec. 30 as “Rizal Day”1

Republic Act No. 229 June 9, 1948 Prohibits cockfighting, horse racing and jai-alai every Dec.
30

Executive Order No. 52 August 10, 1954 Construction of a National Cultural Shrine and other
memorials dedicated to Rizal

Republic Act No. 1425 June 12, 1956 Rizal Law

Executive Order No. 429 June 2, 1961 Rizal Pro Patria Award to those who have rendered
outstanding work for the benefit of the community
Executive Order No. 14 July 1, 1962 JRNCC became Rizal Presidential Committee to undertake
the construction of National Cultural Shrine and other
memorials to be dedicated to Jose Rizal

1. Moved to June 30 by virtue of the 1987 Constitution

 Who made Rizal our foremost
and national hero, and why?
ESTEBAN A.DE OCAMPO
Who made Rizal our foremost and national hero,
and why?
There are still some Filipinos believed that Rizal is a “made-to-order”
national hero and the great manufacturer were the Americans particularly
Civil Governor William Howard Taft.

“And now, gentlemen, you must have a national hero.”

(Addressed to Pardo de Tavera, Legarda and Luzurriaga of Philippine

Commission)
 NATIONAL HEROES COMMITTEE
(MARCH 28, 1993)

1. Extent of a person’s sacrifices for the welfare of the country.

2. Motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal
3. Moral character of the person concerned
4. Influence of the person concerned in his age or the succeeding age
5. Concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the
nation’s freedom
 NATIONAL HEROES COMMITTEE
(MARCH 28, 1993)

6. Define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order for a

nation.
7. Contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation
8. Part of the people’s expression
9. Thinks of the future
10. Involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history,
but of the entire process that made tis particular person a hero
Who made Rizal our foremost and national hero,
and why?
NO SINGLE PERSON OR GROUPS OF PERSONS
 Rizal himself, his own people, and the foreigners all
together contributed to make him the greatest hero and
martyr of his people.
Republic Act
1425,s.1956
Questions

… Official Title of the Law?

… Historical Background
… No. of sections?
… Content?
1. Mandated by the law
An Act to Include in the Curricula of All Public and Private
Schools, Colleges and Universities Courses on the Life, Works
and Writings of Jose Rizal, Particularly His Novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Authorizing the Printing and
Distribution Thereof, and for Other Purposes
1. Mandated by the law

One of the controversial bills in the

Philippines
House Bill No. 5561 / Senate Bill
No. 438
Sen. Claro M. Recto (author) and
Sen. Jose P. Laurel (sponsor,
Chairman of Education Committee)
 ANTI PRO
• Some Senators and Congressmen
• Holy Name Society of the Philippines
• Veteranos de la Revolucion (Spirit of
• Catholic Action of the Philippines
1896)
• Legion of Mary
• Alagad ni Rizal
• Daughters of Isabela
• Freemasons
• Congregation of the Mission
• Knights of Rizal
• Knights of Columbus
• Senate Committee of Education
• Catholic Teachers Guild
 ANTI PRO
Catholic dogmas are humiliated

Against freedom of conscience and religion

Among 333 pages of Noli, only 25 passages are

nationalistic while 120 pages are anti-Catholic
To keep the memory of the national hero
170 passages in Noli Me Tangere and 50 in El
Filibusterismo are against Catholic faith alive in every Filipino’s mind, to emanate
Rizal as he peacefully fought for freedom
Rizal admitted that he did not only attack the friars who and not to go against religion
acted deceptively on the Filipinos but also the catholic
faith itself

Suggested a reading material for students (Rizalian

Anthology) containing his patriotic philosophy in his
literary works excluding the two novels
 Amendments
Sen. Laurel Other works written by Rizal and works written by others
about him would be included and reading of the
unexpurgated revision would no longer be compulsory at
elementary and secondary levels but would be strictly
observed at college level

Sen. Lim Exemption to those students who feel that reading Rizal’s
novels would negatively affect his or her faith

Sen. Primicias Promulgates the rules and regulations in getting an

exemption only from reading the two novels through
written statement or affidavit and not from taking the
Rizal course
1. Mandated by the law

Approved on
Passed the bill 12 June 1956
on May 17, by Pres. RA 1425
1956 Ramon
Magsaysay
 Goals of the Rizal Law
1. Rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and
nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died.
2. Pay tribute to our hero for devoting his life and works in
shaping the Filipino character.
3. Gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of
Rizal’s life, works and writings.
 Content of RA 1425: Gist
Section 1: Include the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal,
particularly his novel in the curricula of SUCs. The original or
unexpurgated (uncensored) editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo or their English translations shall be used as basic
texts.
Board of National Education authorized to implement and carry out
the provisions
Section 2: School libraries should have sufficient copies.
Section 3: Board of National Education must handle the translation of
Rizal’s works.
 Content of RA 1425: Gist
Section 4: Shall not alter section 927 of the Administrative Code in
prohibiting any person engaged in any public schools to discuss
religious doctrines.
Section 5: The authorized amount of 300,000 is enough to pursue and
implement the purpose of this act according to the National Treasury.
Section 6: This act must be implemented right after its approval.

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No.6, p. 2971 in June 1956
Republic Act 646, s. 1951

An Act to Convert the Orden de Caballeros de

Rizal into a Public Corporation to be known in
English as Knights of Rizal and in Spanish as
Orden de Caballeros de Rizal and to Define its
Purposes and Powers
Republic Act 646, s. 1951

Approved on 14 June 1951

A civic, patriotic, cultural, non-sectarian, non-partisan, and

non-racial organization founded for the purpose of studying
the teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal and promoting them all over
the world, among all classes of people, in order for them to
emulate his example.
 2. Lessons contained within the course
1. Recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to
present conditions and situations in the society.
2. Encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal
problems and issues.
3. Develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal
fought and died for.
4. Foster the development of Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.
 2. Lessons contained within the course
5. The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives
involved in a love triangle with Antonio Luna
a model of Juan Luna’s paintings
Josephine Bracken remarried to a man from Cebu and had tutored former President
Sergio Osmeña
Beauty queen Gemma Cruz Araneta is a descendant of Rizal’s sister, Maria
The original manuscripts of Noli and El Fili were once stolen for ransom, but
Alejandro Roces had retrieved them without them paying even a single centavo
.
Commemorations

 Streets were named after his pen names or have references to the
novels, comrades, or places related to him
 Floral offerings and civic parades on June 19 and December 30
 Re-enactment of the execution

 Half-mast display of flags in all public institutions

 Erections of Rizal monuments in public places (schools, plazas, etc.)
 References:

Palafox, Quennie Ann J. “Historical Context and Legal

Basis of Rizal Day and Other Memorials in honor of Jose
Rizal.” National Historical Commission of the Philippines,
September 19, 2012.
Official Gazette, “RA 1425.” Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971. June
1956.
 Assessment

Short Quiz