ROMBLON STATE UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

Course Module in

Name: _____________________
Year/Block: _______________

Compiler: Princess S. De Juan

 Life and Works of Jose Rizal

Module 1 Understanding Rizal Law

Introduction
The mandated teaching of Jose Rizal's life, focusing on his ground-breaking
novels, is enshrined in law in 1956. Republic Act No. 1425 (also known as the Rizal Law)
was passed, sparking a colorful debate and contestation.
In this module, you will examine RA 1425 in its historical context, examine
important concerns and arguments surrounding the bill and its passage into law, and
consider the legislation's influence and significance in the present day.

Learning Outcome:
Make a short paragraph about the significance of the law to the present time.

Learning Objectives:
Explain the history of the Rizal law; and
Compare the views of those in favor and against RA 1425.

Content Exploration

The Rizal Bill in its Context

During the postwar period, the Philippines faced numerous obstacles and
concerns. With a country torn and fatigued from the rigors of World War II, the people and
the government were both concerned about getting back on their feet.
As the Philippines dealt with a variety of
issues, including the need for nation-building, famous
nationalists stepped up to help. They pushed for
government initiatives to develop patriotism and love
for country in Filipinos' hearts and minds. These
individuals were inspired by the Philippine revolution
for independence from Spain, as well as the heroes
of that pivotal moment in the country's history.
The passage of the Republic Act 1425,
also known as the Rizal Law, was one of the measures sought, with the goal of addressing
"a need for re-dedication to the values of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes
lived and died." Both the Senate and the House of Representatives shared different
opinions about the passage of the law.

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From the Bill to the Rizal Law

The Senate Committee on Education filed Senate Bill No. 438 on April 3,
1956. On April 17, 1956, then Senate Committee on Education Chair Jose P. Laurel
announced his support for the bill and began giving speeches in support of it. The bill
quickly became divisive because the influential Catholic Church expressed opposition to
its approval. As members of the Senate voiced their opposition to the law as a result of
the Church's influence, the bill's main author, Claro M. Recto, and his Senate supporters
engaged in a vigorous campaign to get SB 438 passed. The debate began on April 23,
1956.
The following are excerpts from the statements of legislators who supported and
opposed the Rizal law's passage:

FOR
“Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be reads 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 we
would become conscious as a people and so learn ourselves for painful
sacrifices that ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-respect, and freedom.”
-Senator Jose P. Laurel

“Rizal did not pretend to teach religion when he wrote those books. He aimed
at inculcating civic consciousness in the Filipinos, national dignity, personal
pride, and patriotism and if references were made by him in the course of
narration to certain religious practices in the Philippines in those days, and to
the conduct and behavior of erring ministers of the church, it was because he
portrayed faithfully the general situation in the Philippines as it then existed.”
-Senator Claro M. Recto

AGAINST
“A vast majority of our people are, at the same time, Catholic and Filipino
citizens. As such, they have two great loves: their country and their faith.
These two loves are not conflicting loves. They are harmonious affections, like
the love for his father and for his mother.
This is the basis of my stand. Let us not create a conflict between nationalism
and religion, between the government and the church.”
-Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo

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The Rizal Bill was also debated in the House of Representatives. Representative
Jacobo Z. Gonzales introduced House Bill No. 5561, an identical duplicate of SB 438, on
April 19, 1956. On May 2, 1956, the House Committee on Education adopted the bill
without revisions, and arguments began on May 9, 1956. The constitutionality of the bill's
mandatory reading of the works Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo was a key issue
of contention. The call to read the unabridged versions was also met with opposition.
As the country was soon engaged in debate, it seemed that an impasse was reach.
The country was quickly engulfed in debate, and it appeared that an impasse had been
reached. Senator Jose P. Laurel presented revisions to the bill on May 9, 1956, to move
the proceedings forward. He withdrew the compulsory need for students to read Rizal's
novels and added that all of Rizal's other writings must be included in the curriculum. He,
on the other hand, was passionate about reading the novels in their original form. Similar
modifications to the House Version were passed on May 14, 1956.
The revised versions of the proposals were likewise scrutinized, but the members
of Congress seemed to prefer them. However, because the House of Representatives
was going to adjourn in a few days and President Ramon Magsaysay had not certified
the bills as priority, the passage was nearly derailed by a technicality. To avoid having to
reprint new copies, the friends in the House skillfully avoided introducing any other
amendments (which would take time). They also requested that the Bureau of Printing
publish the House version using the same templates as the Senate version. The Senate
and House versions were thus authorized on May 17, 1956.
The approved versions were subsequently sent to Malacañang, where President
Magsaysay signed the bill into law, which became Republic Act 1425, on July 12, 1956.

The Importance of Studying Rizal

The academic subject on Jose Rizal's life, works, and writings was not mandated
by law for no reason. Far from being impractical, the course has so many advantages
that some modern academicians argue that, when taught properly, the subject is more
useful than many other subjects in other curricula.
The following are only a few examples of the academic subject's importance:
1. Our perspective on history shapes how we perceive the present, and hence
shapes the answers we offer to current challenges. As a history course, the Jose
Rizal course is chock-full of historical data on which to base one's life decisions.
The subject, for example, teachers that being educated is a necessary ingredient
for a person or a country to be truly free and prosperous in numerous ways.

2. It allows us to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves as Filipinos. The history

enables us to comprehend who we are. We identify ourselves not only in terms of
where we're going, but also in terms of where we've come from.

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 Life and Works of Jose Rizal

3. It instills patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism emphasizes ardent dedication and

loyalty to one's country, whereas nationalism denotes the desire to achieve
freedom and political independence, especially by a country under foreign power.
Jose Rizal's life, actions, and writings—particularly his novels—embody, if not
precisely, these characteristics. For one reason, the topic aids our understanding
of our country.

4. It teaches a variety of important life lessons. We can learn a lot from Rizal's
approach to life's obstacles. He faced challenges and predicaments as a
controversial person in his day, but he answered honorably and high-mindedly.
We can sense his priorities and convictions via the important decisions he made
in his life, which demonstrate how noble, selfless, and wonderful our national hero
was.

5. Rizal may serve as a valuable role model and source of inspiration for all Filipinos.
If you're looking for someone to imitate, Rizal is a great option. Anyone can benefit
from the hero's ideas, life principles, convictions, thoughts, ideals, aspirations, and
dreams.

Try These!
A. Briefly explain the history of the Rizal law.

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 Life and Works of Jose Rizal

B. Compare the views of those in favor and against RA 1425 considering the context of
the 1950s. Would similar arguments still applicable today?

Let’s Apply!
Make a short paragraph about the significance of Rizal law to the present
time. Your work will be evaluated using this criteria: Content (50%),
Coherence/Clarity (40%) and Convention (10%).

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 Life and Works of Jose Rizal

Reflective Analysis
As a Criminology student, what ways can you suggest by which the subject Rizal can
be taught properly and interestingly?

References
Mañebog, J., Paragas, R., Barrientos, M.O., & Francisco, R. (2018). Life and Works of
Rizal. Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
Obias, R., Mallari, A.A., Estella, J. (2018). The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. Quezon City:
C & E Publishing, Inc.