LESSON 1

Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law)

Introduction:

Rizal's bravery has become a powerful symbol of the country. On June 12, 1956, the country
passed Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law), which gave the younger generations, called "Millennials,"
a lot of attention. This lesson looks at the Rizal Law to show how important Dr. Jose Rizal, a
national hero and the best example of Filipino heroism, is to fostering a sense of nationalism,
especially among the youth, who are the best hope for the country.

Exploration: Role of the "Millennials"

● The Rizal Law is the Object while all provisions explain its Meaning.
● What then is the function of the law?
● All the powers, hopes, and dreams of the State were given to the youth through the Rizal
Law.
● The youth, in turn, have the responsibility not just to accept trivial information on Jose
Rizal's legacies, but more importantly to suffuse them down to their very core.
● Indeed, the "Millennials" are active participants in the process of nation-building.

Discussion

The Birth of the Rizal Law

Even though World War II destroyed buildings, roads, and bridges, people saw the need to
rebuild the Filipino identity, which was also changed by the war. Nationalist policymakers didn't
waste any time and worked hard to refocus the country on the most important parts of history
as a source of national pride and hope. Education became the main tool for reorienting the
country, and young people were given top priority as the country's future.

The ideas of freedom and patriotism of Filipino heroes got a lot of attention. Jose Rizal was a
natural place to start because his name is so well-known among heroes. On April 3, 1956,
Senate Bill No. 438 was sent to the Senate Committee on Education. It was called "AN ACT TO
MAKE NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO REQUIRED READING IN ALL PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." On April 17, 1956,
Senator Jose P. Laurel, who was the Chairman of the Committee, brought the bill to the Upper
House. Senator Laurel said that the main goal of the bill was to spread Jose Rizal's ideas and
ideals through reading his works, especially his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
He told me that:
 Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to
heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as in a mirror, our defects as well as our
strength, our virtues as well as our vices. Only then would we become conscious as a
people, and so learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to
self-reliance, self-respect and freedom (Laurel, Jr., 131).

Debates for the bill in aid of legislation ensued next, albeit not smooth sailing. Opponents,
mostly rabid Catholic senators, contended that the proposed bill was too controversial. Their
arguments were as follows:

1. The bill was an attempt to discredit the Catholic religion.

Heated exchange continued as part of the democratic process. Opposition to the bill Senator
Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo stood up and delivered his speech:

Avast majority of our people are at the same time Catholics and Filipino citizens. As such,
they have two great loves: their country and their faith. These two loves are no conflicting
loved. They are harmonious affections, like the love of a child for his father and for his
mother. This is the basis of my stand. Let us not create a conflict between nationalism and
religion; the government and the church (Laurel, Jr., 132).

Vehemently refuting the arguments of opposition, Senator Claro M. Recto exclaimed that the
novels have no intentions of discrediting the Church. More so, he said that the bill only aims to
contextualize Rizal's heroism in the face of Spanish tyranny. He then uttered these words:

Rizal did not pretend to teach religion or theology when he wrote those books. He aimed at
inculcating civic consciousness in the Filipinos, national dignity, personal pride, and
patriotism...but while he criticized and ridiculed the unworthy behavior of certain ministers
of the church, he made exceptions in favor of the worthy ones, like the Dominican friar,
Padre Fernandez, and the virtuous native priest, Padre Florentino, and the Jesuits in
general (Laurel, Jr., 132-133).

Meanwhile, a similar bill (House Bill No. 5561) was filed by Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales in
the House of Representatives. As expected, the bill was welcomed by dissenting opinions.
Different face but same stance, the bill was attacked based on its constitutionality and
religiosity. With this setback both in the Upper House and the Lower House, it seemed hopeless
for the bill to pass into law in the latter part of April 1956.

In this situation, Senator Laurel came up with an idea for a different bill. The most important
thing about this bill was that it included all of Jose Rizal's works, not just his two novels. He then
stressed that the word "compulsion" should be taken out to make the opposition happy. Senator
Laurel, on the other hand, said that Rizal's novels should be read in their original, uncensored
versions because otherwise the real point of studying them will be lost. In the last proposed
change, it was suggested that students could be "exempted" from reading the two books if they
met certain conditions. This was meant to be more agreeable. On May 12, 1956, this was the
end of the second reading of Senate Bill No. 438. The House of Representatives did what the
Senate did, and the bill was passed unanimously on May 14, 1956.

The Rizal Law trial in Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives) is a clear victory
for democracy. On the one hand, we shouldn't forget about the role of the opponents because
their different points of view made democratic processes more inclusive. On the other hand,
because of the criticism they got, the people who supported the bill made it better. Republic Act
1425, also called the Rizal Law, became a law when President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill
into law on June 12, 1956. Here's what the law says:

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; Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and
universities, public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or
unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation
shall be used as basic texts

The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures
to implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of
appropriate primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature,
to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and
regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of religious belief stated in a
sworn written statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of
the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of
said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their
publication in the Official Gazette.

Section 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries
an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal's other works and biography. The said unexpurgated
editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as
other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all
public or private schools, colleges and universities.

The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books,
depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or university.

Section 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the
principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause
them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok
organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country.

Section 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine
hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious
doctrines by public school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.

Section 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated
out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of
this Act.
Section 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 12, 1956