Republic Act 1425: Objectives & Implications

Republic Act 1425, also known as the Rizal Law, mandates including the life and works of Jose Rizal in school curricula, from schools to universities.
The law aims to instill ideals of freedom and nationalism.
It also honors Dr. Jose Rizal.

Republic Act 1425 was approved on June 12, 1956.
The law requires all public and private schools, colleges, and universities to include in their curricula the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal.
Emphasis is to be placed on Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
Republic Act 1425 also mandates the printing and distribution of materials throughout the country.
Schools, colleges, and libraries are required to keep an adequate number of copies of Rizal's two novels for student access.

In the 1950s, there were efforts to instill patriotism and a national vision in Filipinos.
After World War II, the Tydings-McDuffie Act took effect, ending the transition of the Philippines from being a U.S. colony to a sovereign state.
The national formation started by the Katipunan resumed.
A prominent suggestion in the 1950s was the proposal by Jose Lansang for a "secular nationalist program."
Lansang was President Elpidio Quirino's speechwriter and was associated with University of the Philippines professors sharing the same vision.
President Jose P. Laurel appealed in parallel to introduce Rizalian education.

On April 3, 1956, the Committee on Education filed Senate Bill No. 438, initially supported by only three members of the upper house.
On April 17, 1956, Jose P. Laurel sponsored the measure with the objective of disseminating the ideas and ideals of Jose Rizal.
This would be done through his novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
Original Senate Bill 438 sought to make the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo compulsory reading materials in all public and private colleges and universities for other purposes.
Senate Bill No. 438 dictated that no provision of this Act should be constructed as prohibiting or limiting the study of the works of other Filipino heroes.

Any higher education institutions found violating this Act shall be punished accordingly:
The head of any public higher education institution charged with implementing the provisions of this Act, who shall be guilty, shall be dismissed immediately from the service.
They shall be disqualified from teaching in any public or government recognized private school, college, or university.
Government recognition of any private higher education institution found violating or circumventing the provisions of this Act shall be immediately withdrawn.
The responsible head and professor or professors concerned shall be disqualified from teaching in any government-recognized higher education institution.

The Catholic Church asserted the bill attempted to discredit their religion.
They stated it violated religious freedom.
The Church claimed that passages from the Noli and Fili were detrimental to Filipinos' spiritual health.

On April 19, 1956, the conflict extended to the House of Representatives.
Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales proposed House Bill No. 5561, which mirrored Senate Bill 438.
On May 2, 1956, the Committee on Education recommended approval without amendment.
On April 23, 1956, debates on Senate Bill 438 began.
Senator Claro M. Recto supported Senator Laurel's Bill.
He argued that the objective of Bill 438 was to appreciate Rizal's role in combating Spanish tyranny

Senator Recto argued the renunciation of the Church in 1956 was the same repression the Church exercised over colony during Rizal's time.
He says the elimination of from educational institutions of the works of Rizal is an attempt to blot out the national hero
Senators Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Decosoro Rosales, and Mariano Jesus Cuenco derived support from the Catholic Church and its devotees.

On May 9, 1956, debates in Congress began while debates in the Senate gained more media attention.
Discussions involved concern over the bill's constitutionality.
The debates continued for over two weeks, until Senator Laurel proposed substitutions.
Laurel retracted the compulsory readings of all of Rizal's writings but fought against censorship.
He argued to have no reading of Rizal at all if the writings were to be modified and censored.
On May 12 1956, the bill amendment was approved in its second reading.
On May 14, 1956, House Majority Floor Leader Congressman Tolentino sponsored an amendment identical to Laurel's.
Congressman Miguel Cuenco stated that that the measure was unconstitutional
Congressman Bengzon stated the amendment represented the “complete triumph of the Church hierarchy."
With 51 congressmen as co-authors (including leaders of the majority and minority), the measure was approved.

Opposing parties sought to defeat the measure, and supporters aimed to use Senator Laurel's amendment file.
They reprinted the copies of the bill and only changing the Bill Number and the Chamber of Origin.
During the second reading, the speaker prevented the insertion of any more amendments.
Senate Bill 438 was approved on the third reading on Senate, with 23 votes.
House Bill No. 5561 was also approved on the third reading with 71 votes (6 against, 2 abstained, 17 absent) and was sent to the Senate on the same day.
On May 17, 1956, the bill was passed in Senate.
On June 12, 1956, the bill was signed into law by President Ramon Magsaysay, becoming Republic Act 1425.

Republic Act No. 1425 intended 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.
This authorizes the printing and distribution thereof, and for other purposes.
Today, it is felt that there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism.
The lives and work of Jose Rizal have shaped the national character.
The Board of National Education is authorized to adopt measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this Section
This process included writing, printing primers, readers and textbooks within sixty days from the effectivity of this Act.
All higher education institutions are required to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and Rizal's other works and biography.
The Board of National Education shall determine book number adequacy.
It shall also translate Rizal's writings into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects. This ensures distribution, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them.

The Rizal Law aimed for the development of the people's “moral character, personal disciple, civic conscience and duties of citizenship."
The state recognizes "the ability of literary works to offer new insights into a given society, on the power of literature to illuminate central issues or questions" and the importance of that literature.
It aims to rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism.
It seeks to pay tribute to our national hero
This is achieved through gaining an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal's, life, works, and writings.