Module 1: Introduction to the course: Republic Art 1425

Overview: This module will explain the history of the Rizal law and its important provisions that
made it as a mandatory subject to tertiary level students.

Module Objectives

After successfully completing the module, you should be able to

1. Read the RA 1425 and its bill creators

2. Learn historical background and context of RA 1425 and its bill creators

3. Controversies created by the Rizal bills

4. Understand the Rizal bill through the writings of Jose B. Laurel and John Schumacher

5. Read the RA 1425

Course Materials

What is Rizal law/Republic Act 1425?

Read: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/
1.1 The Rizal Law, also known as RA 142 is a law is an act to include the latter as curricula
in all public and private schools, colleges and university. This includes Rizal’s life, works
and writing, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The law also
authorized the nationwide printing and distribution of his two novels and for other
purposes.

1.2 Why the study of Rizal law?

1.2.1. To rededicate the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which heroes lived
and died for

1.2.2. To honor Jose Rizal as we remember his dedication that have shaped the
national character.

1.2.3. To understand his writing particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo as a constant and inspiring source of patriotism which which the minds of
 the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be
suffused;

1.2.4. To help educational institutions in the country and all schools are enjoined
to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties
of citizenship;

2. The Historical context of Rizal Law

2.1.1 Post-War Philippines.

2.1.2 Senator Claro M. Recto as the main proponent of the Rizal Law

Recto: “….the reading of Rizal’s novel would strengthen the Filipinism of the youth

and foster patriotism”.

With this purpose, he pushed for the compulsory study of the life, works and
wrtings of Dr. Jose Rizal among the students of schools colleges and universities,
public or private.
2.1.3 Rizal Law vs. the Catholic Hierarchy

The Catholic Church was the major institution to express its vigorous objection on
the passage of a law that would make Rizal’s Noli and El Fili as compulsory
reading matters in all schools, colleges and universities in the Philippines.

REASONS WHY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH EXPRESSED OPPOSING VIEW

 1. The novels of Rizal show open criticism to the Catholic Church.

2. In the “compulsory” teaching of the unexpurgated versions of Rizal’s Noli and

El Fili, a teacher would have the tendency to discuss-or worse, to criticize-certain

church doctrines.

3. The inevitable criticism of Church doctrines might lead to the jeopardy of the
faith of people.

THE CHURCH’S ATTACK AND CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE RIZAL LAW

In its pastoral letter dated April 21, 1956, the Catholic Church paid homage to
Rizal’s greatness by stating that:

“He [Rizal] loved his country no in words alone but in deed. He devoted his time,
his energies and the resources of his brilliant mind to dispelling [sic] the ignorance
and apathy of his people, and combating the injustices and inequalities under
which they labored. When his salutatory activities fell under the suspicion o the
colonial government and he was condemned to death a s a rebel ,he generously
offered his blood for the welfare of his country”

2.1.4. Sponsorship of Senate Bill no. 438

An act to make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo Compulsory Reading Matters in all Public
and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities and for Other Purposes.

OPPOSITION TO S.B 438

Sen Francisco Rodrigo (Senator of 3rd and 4th congress)

1. He claimed that the reading of the unexpurgated versions of Rizal’s novels as

against the conscience of the Catholics

2. He believed that nationalism and patriotism are important and must be

promoted, yet promoting them should not be done at the risk of endangering the
harmony between the Church and the state.

3. Sen. Rodrigo viewed the measures as unjust and unwise because of the use of
compulsion that might put the Church in an awkward situation since religious
issues have always been considered as “sophisticated matters”.

1. He claimed that the reading of the unexpurgated versions of Rizal’s novels as

against the conscience of the Catholics

Sen. Decoroso Rosales

Opposed due to the use of the word “compulsion”

1. He believed that approval of the bills would lead to the closure of

Catholic schools all throughout the country.

2. He believed further that a political party might be inevitably put up by

the Catholics to show their strong resentment to the law.
 Senators Rodrigo, Rosales and Mariano Cuenco pointed out that:

“Compulsion to read something against one’s religious convictions was no

different from a requirement to salut the flag, which according to the latest decision on the matter
by the US Supreme Court, was an impairment both of freedom of speech and freedom of religion”

Senator Mariano Cuenco on a speech in the Senate, sad;

“Rizal attack [ed] dogmas beliefs and practices of the Church. The assertion that Rizal
limited himself to castigating underserving priests and refrained from criticizing , ridiculing or
putting in doubt dogmas of the Catholic Church, is absolutely gratuitous and misleading”

Sen. Cuenco continued his argument by quoting verbtim passages from Rizal’s novels where he
despised Catholic teachings on miracles, indulgences, the sacaments, and the adoratio of
images.

Sen Cuenco quoted Rizal in part ,” That the idea of Purgaotry does not exist in the Old Testament
or in the Gospels; that neither Moses nor Christ made the slightestmention of it; and that the early
Chrisians did not believe in Purgatory”

Defense for S.B. No. 438

Sen Claro M. Rector the author of the original version, averred that:

1. Catholic schools would never close since they are the sources of the Church’s income, as well
as its religious and political powers. “
2. If a poitical party would be set up, it would be divided int two-the political party to be headed by
either Sen. Rodrigo or Sen. Rosales and the party to be composed of Filipino Catholics who do
not only believe in God and serve Hi but also possess a strong love for their country and believe
in serving her”

The sponsorship of House Bill. No. 5661

“The bill merely declares Dr. Jose P.Rizal’s Boli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, in their original
edition or in their unexpurgated English and national language versions as compulsory reading
matter in all public and private schools, colleges and universities. The bill selects the writing of
Dr. Rizal because he is the greatest of our national heroes, the staunches apostle of nationalism,
the greatest man the Malayan race has ever produced and universal genius and hero of humanity.

3. Books and Article to read

3.1.1 Constantino, Renato. A story of Philippine Colonial Politics. Quezon City, 1982.
pp. 244-247)

3.1.2 Jose B. Laurel Jr. The trials of the Rizal Bill; Historical Bulleting vol. 4 no. 2 (1960)

130-139

3.1.3 Schumacher, John. The Rizal Bill of 1956, Horacio dela costa and the Bishops;
Philippine Studies 59 no. 4 (2011): 529-533.

3.1.4 Caroline S. Hau. Introduction in Necessary Fictions. Philippine Literature and the
Nation 1946-1982, Quezon City, Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2000, pp. 1-
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