LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to.

1. Explain the history of Rizal Law and its important provisions.

DISCUSSION.
For over a century now, the nation has never failed to observe the anniversary of the
martyrdom our great national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. This year, the President will lead the simultaneous
raising of Philippine flag at half-mast and wreath offering at the monument of Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park
in Manila, Calamba, Laguna and in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte on December 30, 2010. The theme of
this year’s commemoration is “Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan”.

Although frequently at the center of controversies and criticism of the public, the government
must be given credits for its efforts in ensuring that the memory of Rizal stays in our hearts through the
issuance of legislative acts, decrees and other proclamations honoring him.

Two years after the execution of Rizal in Bagumbayan, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo issued on Dec. 20,
1898 a decree designating Dec. 30 as the anniversary of Jose Rizal’s death and also as “a national day of
mourning” for Rizal and other victims of the Spanish government throughout its three centuries of
oppressive rule. He made a directive that all national flags shall be hoisted at half-mast from 12 noon on
Dec. 29 and all offices of the government shall be closed the whole day on December 30 as a sign of
mourning. On December 30, 1898, Filipinos celebrated Rizal Day for the first time and chose Club Filipino
in Manila to be the venue.

    The Americans, to win the sympathy of the Filipinos, and to convince them that they were pro-
Filipinos more than the Spaniards, gave Rizal official recognition. This was to make them conform to the
new government. Rizal acquired the official title of title of Philippine National Hero in 1901 under the
country’s first American civil governor, William Howard Taft.  On the recommendation of Trinidad Pardo
de Tavera, the Taft Commission renamed the district of Morong into the Province of Rizal through Act
137 on June 11, 1901. This was one of the first official steps taken by the Taft Commission to honor Rizal.
Since then, Jose Rizal came to be known as the National Hero.

It was also during the American times that Rizal’s death anniversary was made an official
holiday. On February 1, 1902, the Philippine Commission enacted Act. No. 345 which set December 30
of each year as Rizal Day, and made it one of the ten official holidays of the Philippines. As the
nationalist spirit of the Filipinos was at the highest point during that time, they were able to convince
the government to erect a monument for Rizal. Thus, Act No. 243 was enacted on September 28, 1901
granting the right to use public land upon the Luneta in the City of Manila upon which to erect a statue
of Jose Rizal.

So important was the observation of Rizal Day that President Quirino approved on June 9, 1948
Republic Act No. 229 which prohibits cockfighting, horse racing and jai-alai every 30th of December of
each year, in order to have proper observance of Rizal Day.

To give ample time to prepare for the birth centenary of Jose Rizal in 1961, the Rizal National
Centennial Commission was created by Executive Order No. 52, issued by Pres. Ramon Magsaysay on
August 10, 1954 to undertake the construction of a National Cultural Shrine and other memorials to be
dedicated to Jose Rizal. JRNCC became Rizal Presidential Committee on 1 July 1962 after President
Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 14. 

    Jose Rizal’s vast role in the attainment of the nation’s freedom led to the issuance of Republic
Act 1425 on June 12, 1956. Commonly known as the Rizal Act, it was sponsored by Senator Claro M.
Recto. It requires the curricula of private and public schools, colleges and universities courses to include
the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in
order to educate the students about the concept of nationalism.

    A few days before the celebration of the birth centenary of Jose Rizal in 1961, Pres. Garcia issued
Executive Order No. 429 on June 2, creating a decoration intended to perpetuate Rizal’s memory, to be
known as the Rizal Pro Patria Award. It was to be awarded by the President of the Philippines to those
who have rendered outstanding work for the benefit of their community. Among the recipients of this
decoration in the past were N. V. M. Gonzalez, Alejandro Roces, Juan Nakpil, Felipe Padilla De Leon, and
Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

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

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
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.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDYING RIZAL LAW

It is hoped that teaching Rizal's life, shall strengthen nationalism, patriotism, national identity,
love of humanity, respect for human rights and appreciation of the role of national heroes in the
historical development of the country.

The Rizal Law, enacted in 1956, seeks to accomplish the following goals: To rededicate the lives
of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died. To pay tribute
to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino character.15 May 2021
he essence of the republic act 1425 in encouraging patriotism is that it gives opportunity or allow
students to see the life of Rizal. Maybe in that simple way students may be able to understand, learn or
even imitate Rizal's Love to our country.

Jose Rizal's vast role in the attainment of the nation's freedom led to the issuance of Republic
Act 1425 on June 12, 1956. Commonly known as the Rizal Act, it was sponsored by Senator Claro
M. Recto.19 Sep 2012
LEARNING ACTIVITY

THINK – GROUP – SHARE

Direction: The class will be divided into 5 groups and will do the following:
1. Compare and Contrast the views of those in favor and against the implementation of RA No.
1425.
2. Reflect individually then discuss the outcome as a group in our virtual class platform.

It should be passed individually at the Moodle as an assignment on August 29,2021 , Sunday at 11:59
pm.

Criteria for Group Presentation Activity

References:

HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND LEGAL BASIS OF RIZAL DAY AND OTHER MEMORIALS IN HONOR OF JOSE
RIZAL, By: Quennie Ann J. Palafox, September 19, 2021.

Official Gazette, Rizal Law

Rizal Law, Wikipedia

/llcunanan 2021-22-1