03 Readings: Jose Rizal's Retractionp
Rizal's retraction is still one (1) of the country's greatest historical issues. The story of
the Retraction has been told and retold and has created tremendous ambiguities in
national history on the credence of the national hero.
Rizal Retracted
Archivist Fr. Manuel Garcia, C.M. discovered the “original" text containing the so-called
retraction formula in the archdiocesan archives on May 18, 1935, thirty-nine years after
Rizal’s execution. See the images below.
Source: Manalo, F. C., & Silao, J.R. (2017). Jose Rizal's retraction controversy
Source: Manalo, F. C., & Silao, J.R. (2017). Jose Rizal's [PowerPoint slide]. Manila: Lyceum of the Philippines University - Manila
retraction controversy [PowerPoint slide]. Manila:
Lyceum of the Philippines University - Manila
The Text appears to have been released to the
press and published after the death of rizal but the original document was not produced
until 1935. Because, immediately after Rizal's death, Fr. Balaguer gave it to Fr. Pi
and Fr. Pi gave it to Fr. Nozaleda in order for his secretary to keep it.
There are two (2) major arguments that support Rizal's Retraction. These are:
1. The Retraction “Document” found in 1935 was considered imperative evidence to
the Retraction, itself; and
2. There were eyewitnesses closely associated with the events.
According to Ricardo P. Garcia’s “The Great Debate: The Rizal’s Retraction”, there
were two (2) great testimonies of eyewitnesses who were privy to what happened in
Rizal’s cell from early morning of December 29 to 6:30 am of December 30. They are:
1. Fr. Vicente Balaguer. According to the priest's testimonies, the reasonable Rizal
had several rude awakenings; confessed, celebrated mass, had Communion,
and prayed the Rosary four (4) times.
2. Former Lieutenant of the Infantry, Mariano Martinez Gallegos. He confirmed that
Rizal himself signed a document called a retraction along with key eyewitnesses
Juan del Fresno and Eloy Moure. Both named eyewitnesses confirmed Gallegos'
statements.
To further cement the arguments, new documents were released with new
interpretations. These are:
The Cuerpo de Vigilencia (transcript portion seen below);
Translation of the Transcript:
“At 7:50 yesterday morning, Jose Rizal entered death
row accompanied by his counsel,Señor Tavielde
Andrade, and the Jesuit priestVilaclara. At the
urgings of the former and moments after entering, he
was served a light breakfast. At approximately 9, the
Assistant of the Plaza,Señor Maure, asked Rizal if he
wanted anything. He replied that at the moment he
only wanted a prayer book which was brought to him
shortly by Father March.
“SeñorAndrade left death row at 10 and Rizal spoke
for a long while with the Jesuit fathers, March
andVilaclara, regarding religious matters, it seems. It
Source: Manalo, F. C., & Silao, J.R. (2017). Jose appears that these two presented him with a
Rizal's retraction controversy [PowerPoint slide].
Manila: Lyceum of the Philippines University - Manila prepared retraction on his life and deeds that he
refused to sign. They argued about the matter until
12:30 when Rizal ate some poached egg and a little chicken. Afterwards he asked to
leave to write and wrote for a long time by himself.
“At 3 in the afternoon, Father March entered the chapel and Rizal handed him what he
had written. Immediately the chief of the firing squad,Señordel Fresno and the Assistant
of the Plaza,Señor Maure, were informed. They entered death row and together with
Rizal signed the document that the accused had written. It seems this was the
retraction.”
Rizal's short writing in Josephine Bracken's copy of, "De la Imitacion de
Cristo (The Imitations of Christ)"; and
Source: Manalo, F. C., & Silao,
J.R. (2017). Jose Rizal's
retraction controversy
[PowerPoint slide]. Manila:
Lyceum of the Philippines
University - Manila
Rizal's
frequent mentions of
"cross" in his final
writings.
Rizal Died Defiant
Arguments that counter the Pro-Retraction have been proposed by some historians due
to some loopholes that the pro-Retraction has failed to overlook. These are:
1. The Retraction letter itself is not authentic according to some historians;
2. Josephine Bracken herself remains unmarried; and
3. The aftermath of the pro-Retraction's arguments point to a different direction.
So, what kind of hero is Jose Rizal? Is he a fickle-minded individual?
According to Austin Coates, a British author and historian,
“Before God, he (Dr. Rizal) had nothing to retract. And from Dr. Jose Rizal himself, I
quote, "I go where there are no slaves, no hangmen, no oppressors… where faith
does not slay… where He who reigns is God,"."
Aside from the given materials below, try to search for more materials in the library or
online!
Cavanna, J. M. M. (1961). Rizal's unfading glory: A documentary history of the
conversion of Dr. Jose Rizal, Volume 1. California: The University of California
Garcia, R. P. (1964). The great debate: The Rizal retraction. California: The
University of California
Pascual, R. R. (1950). Rizal beyond the grave: A reiteration of the greatness of
the martyr of Bagumbayan. Michigan: The University of Michigan
