LESSON 1: RIZAL LAW, LITERATURE, AND ✓ In his novel Noli Me Tangere, Rizal exposes the

SOCIETY corruption and abuses of the Spanish friars and

their impact on the lives of ordinary Filipinos.

Early Life and Education ✓ In El Filibusterismo, he continues this critique

and explores the themes of revolution and
resistance.

✓ Born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, ✓ His essays, such as "The Indolence of the
Philippines. Filipinos," analyze the socio-economic
conditions of the Philippines and challenge the
✓ He was the seventh of eleven children of
stereotypes imposed by colonial powers.
Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso
Legacy and Impact of Rizal’s Literature
✓ Rizal's education began at home, where he
learned Spanish andTagalog. ✓ His literary works, such as Noli Me Tangere and
El Filibusterismo, inspired a sense of national
✓ At the age of seven, he was sent to a private identity and pride among Filipinos during the
school in Binan, Laguna, where he studied for Spanish colonial era.
two years before transferring to a public school
in Biñan. ✓ Rizal's activism and political views also played
a significant role in shaping the Philippine
✓ In 1872, his brother Paciano was implicated in Revolution and the country's struggle for
the Cavite Mutiny, and Rizal was sent to Manila independence.
to study at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila.
✓ Today, Rizal's influence can still be seen in
✓ He later went to Europe to continue his various aspects of Philippine society. His ideas on
studies, where he earned degrees in medicine, education, social justice, and nationalism
philosophy, and letters. continue to inspire Filipinos to strive for a better
future.

“Reverence without understanding is for deities,

not flesh and blood heroes like Rizal. Hero Rizal Law or RA 1425
Worship must be both historical and critical.”
✓ The Jose Rizal Law is a law that requires all
-Ambet Ocampo
educational institutions in the Philippines to
teach courses about the life, works, and writings
of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
CRITICAL
✓ This law was enacted in 1956, and since then,
Admit at what point that hero’s applicability
it has played a vital role in shaping the education
ceases to be of current value.
system and preserving our national identity.
HISTORICAL
✓Republic Act 1425 was passed on June 12,
Conscious of historical conditions and 1956. It is commonly known as the Rizal Act.
circumstances that made him a hero.
✓It is Senator Claro M. Recto who authored the
Rizal Bill.
Rizal’s Literature ✓Senator Jose P. Laurel, Sr., who was then the

Chairman of the Committee on Education,

✓ Jose Rizal's literary works are a testament to sponsored the bill in the Senate.
his brilliance as a writer and his passion for social
justice. ✓The law was signed by then-President Ramon

Magsaysay
✓On August 16, 1956, the law was made ✓To gain an inspiring source of patriotism
effective. through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and
writings

REPUBLIC ACT 1425

AIMS OF THE RIZAL LAW
An Act to include in the curricula of all public and
private schools, colleges and universities courses ✓ Recognize the relevance of Rizal’s ideas,
on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, thoughts, teachings and life values to present
particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El condition and apply them in the solution to day-
Filibusterismo, authorizing the printing and to-day situation.
distribution thereof, and for other purposes.
✓ Develop understanding and appreciation of
the qualities, behaviour, character, thoughts
Sections and ideas of Rizal to foster the development of
moral character, personal discipline, citizenship
1. included in the curricula of all schools, and vocational efficiency.
colleges, and universities, public or private:
✓ Comply with the patriotic objectives of the
2. obligatory on all schools, colleges, and Rizal law as set by the late Senator Jose P. Laurel
universities to keep in their libraries an adequate
number of copies ✓ Patriotism - a love and devotion to one's
country. It involves a sense of pride in one's
3. The Board of National Education shall cause nation, its history, culture, and achievements;
the translation prohibiting the discussion of patriotism can also involve a willingness to
religious doctrines defend one's country and its interests.
4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as
✓ Nationalism - it is a belief in the importance of
amendment or repealing section nine hundred
the nation as a political and cultural entity.
twenty-seven of the Administrative Code.
Nationalists believe that the nation should be the
5. P300,000.00 is hereby authorized to be primary focus of political loyalty and that the
appropriated out of any fund not otherwise interests of the nation should come before those
appropriated in the National Treasury to carry of individuals or groups within the nation.
out the purposes of this Act.

6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING THE RIZAL
LAW

Why was the Jose Rizal Law enacted? 1. Implementation in the Modern Times

✓ During the Spanish colonization of the ✓Some argue that the law has become outdated
Philippines, the colonizers suppressed the and irrelevant in today's society. They claim that
teaching of Philippine history and culture. students should be taught more practical
subjects that are relevant to their future
✓The Jose Rizal Law was enacted to address this careers.
issue by promoting the study of Philippine
history and culture, with Dr. Jose Rizal as a ✓Supporters of the law argue that it is still
symbol of Filipino nationalism. important to teach Rizal's life and works as a way
of preserving Philippine history and culture
✓To re-dedicate the youth to the ideals of
freedom and nationalism for which our heroes 2. “Limits Academic Freedom “
lived and died
✓Critics argue that it limits academic freedom
✓To pay tribute to the heroes particularly our and stifles critical thinking by imposing
national hero for devoting his life and works in mandatory study of a specific individual.
shaping the Filipino character;
✓There have been debates on whether other
national heroes and historical figures should be
given the same level of attention in the EXEMPTIONS
curriculum.
✓ Students from the Catholic Church who do not
3. Opposition of the Church
want to read the unabridged or uncut version of
✓The opposition from the Church led to
Rizal’s books may send a formal request of
amendments in the law to ensure the teachings
about Rizal would not be contrary to the Catholic exemption to the Commission on Higher
faith.
Education.
✓The Catholic Church opposed the Rizal law
because of Rizal's controversial writings, ✓ However, this exemption is only limited to the
particularly his criticisms against the church and reading of the unabridged version of the books
its practices.
and not an exemption from the course/subj per
✓They argued that studying Rizal's works would
se.
undermine religious teachings and beliefs.

4. Political underpinnings

✓The opposition for the Rizal Law was also said

to have political underpinnings.

✓Jesus Paredes, a radio commentator, declared

that the Catholics have the right to refuse to
read Rizal’s works so as not to “endanger their
salvation.”

✓Narciso Pimentel, Jr., another radio

commentator, offered a speculation that the bill
was Recto’s revenge against the Catholic voters
who were responsible for his poor showing in
the 1995 senatorial elections.

On a statement provided by Senator Mariano J.

Cuenco, “Rizal attacked dogmas, beliefs and
practices of the church.

The assertion that Rizal limited himself to

castigating undeserving priests and refrained
from criticizing, ridiculing or putting in doubt
dogmas of the Catholic church, is absolutely
gratuitous and misleading.”

Senator Francisco Rodrigo said that he got

dispensation from the Catholic Church to read
the two novels.

And when he finished reading it, he said that he

would not allow his 16-year-old son in reading
the novels since it might confuse his beliefs.

He further said that the reading of the novels in

schools should be optional.