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Lesson I Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law) : What I Need To Know

The Rizal Law was enacted in 1956 to promote nationalism and patriotism in youth by mandating the teaching of Jose Rizal's life and works in schools. There was debate in Congress as some opposed the law, arguing it was anti-Catholic. However, supporters like Senator Claro Recto emphasized Rizal's aim was to promote civic values, not criticize religion. The law ultimately passed, requiring lessons on Rizal to inculcate nationalism in students and help rebuild a sense of Filipino identity after World War II.

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Tina NG Sadjail
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182 views2 pages

Lesson I Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law) : What I Need To Know

The Rizal Law was enacted in 1956 to promote nationalism and patriotism in youth by mandating the teaching of Jose Rizal's life and works in schools. There was debate in Congress as some opposed the law, arguing it was anti-Catholic. However, supporters like Senator Claro Recto emphasized Rizal's aim was to promote civic values, not criticize religion. The law ultimately passed, requiring lessons on Rizal to inculcate nationalism in students and help rebuild a sense of Filipino identity after World War II.

Uploaded by

Tina NG Sadjail
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LESSON I

Republic Act 1425 {Rizal Law}


At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
• Trace the democratic process that led to the promulgation of the Rizal Law.
• Analyze the goals of Rizal Law and;
• Relate the role of the youth as implied in the Rizal law

INTRODUCTION
Patriotism and Nationalism are very important values that each citizen of any country
should possess. Every Filipino citizens has a role in the society and be an active
participant in nation building. The mandatory teaching of Jose Rizal’s life will inculcate this
two values in the hearts and mind of every youth. As a youth, in their own little way can
greatly contribute to the well being of his own country.
The RIZAL Bill became Republic Act No.1425, known as the “Rizal Law”. The full name
of the law is “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.
Senator Claro Recto was the main proponent of Rizal Bill who was dubbed as communist
and anti-Catholic. June 12, 1956, the date the Rizal Bill was enacted and 1995 in this year,
CHED MEMORANDUM NO.3 was issued enforcing strict compliance to Memorandum
Order No.247. Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos who directed the Secretary of
Education to fully implement the R.A 1425.

What I need to know (


The Birth of the Rizal Law
Amidst the destruction of building infrastructures, roads, and bridges brought by
World War II, the people saw the need to rebuild the Filipino identity which was equally
affected by the war. Nationalist policy- makers did not waste any time and painstakingly
redirected the nation to the essence of History as a foundation of national hope and pride.
Education became the primary weapon of reorientation while prioritizing the youth as the
bearers of country’s future.
Much attention was apportioned to the ideals of freedom and nationalism of Filipino
heroes. Jose Rizal was an obvious platform from a start since his name dominates the
pantheon heroes. On April 3, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 {AN ACT TO MAKE NOLI ME
TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO COMPULSORY READING MATTER IN ALL
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES} was submitted to the Senate Committee on Education. Senator Jose P.
Laurel, the Chairman of the Committee, sponsored and presented the bill to the members
of the Upper House on April 17, 1956. The main purpose of the bill according to Senator
Laurel was to disseminate the ideas and ideals of Jose Rizal through the reading of his
works, notably his novels Noli Me Tangere and El FIlibusterismo. He stated 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 Catholics senators, contended that the proposed bill was too
controversial. Their arguments were as follows.
1. The bill was an attempt to discredit the Catholic Region.
2. Inimical to the tenets of the faith to which 170 lines in Noli Me Tangere and 50 lines in El
Filibusterismo were offensive to the Church doctrine.
3. The bill might divide the nation.
4. Compulsion to read something against one’s faith impaired freedom of speech and
religious freedom.
Heated exchange continued as part of the democratic process. Opposition to the bill
Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo stood up and delivered his speech:
A vast 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 and the church {Laurel, Jr.,132}.
Vehemently refuting the arguments of opposition, Senator Claro M. Recto exclaimed
that the novel has no intentions of discrediting the Church. More so, he said that the bills
only aim to contextualize Rizal’s heroism in the face of the 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, in 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 base on its
constitutionality and religiosity. With this setback both in the Upper House and the Lower
House, it seemed hopeless for the pill to pass into law in the latter part of April 1956.

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