Rizal Law: Historical Context & RA 1425

• RA 1425, also known as the Rizal Law, was enacted on June 12, 1956.
• The objectives are to explain the background and context of RA 1425 and to critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal course.

Historical Background

• There was social and political unrest in the Philippines.
• Communist states in the 1950s weakened the democratic stability of nations.
• Conflicts between capitalism and communism created tension globally.
• Communism was a source of political instability.
• President Ramon Magsaysay, Secretary of Defense in 1949, executed the government's anti-communist insurgency program.
• A large propaganda program was created to educate the youth on the evils of communism.
• Senate Bill 438, also known as the Rizal Bill, was first-authored by Senator Claro M. Recto.

Republic Act No. 1425

• It mandates the study of the life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal.
• The curricula of all public and private schools, colleges, and universities must include courses on Rizal's life and writings.
• It aims to educate students about nationalism.
• It emphasizes the need to re-dedicate to the ideals of freedom and nationalism.
• It recognizes Jose Rizal as the national hero and patriot, whose life and works have shaped the national character.
• The novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" are identified as constant and inspiring sources of patriotism, especially for the youth.
• Educational institutions are under state supervision and regulation, and all schools are required to develop moral character, personal discipline, and civic conscience.
• Courses on Rizal's life, works, and novels must be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges, and universities, both public and private.

Section 1

• The original or unexpurgated editions of "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" or their English translations are to be used as basic texts in collegiate courses.
• The Board of National Education is authorized and directed to implement the Act.
• The writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers, and textbooks is included.
• The Board must promulgate rules and regulations within sixty days of the Act's effectivity, including those of a disciplinary nature.
• Rules and regulations will provide for exemptions for students due to religious beliefs, stated in a sworn written statement, but not from taking the general course.
• Rules and regulations take effect thirty days after publication in the Official Gazette.

Section 2

• All schools, colleges, and universities must keep an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" in their libraries.
• Rizal's other works and biography must be included in libraries.
• Unexpurgated editions of Rizal's novels or their translations must be included in the list of approved books for required reading.
• The Board of National Education determines the adequacy of the number of books based on the school's enrollment.

Section 3, 4, 5 and 6

• The Board of National Education must translate Rizal's novels and other writings into English, Tagalog, and other principal Philippine dialects.
• Translations must be printed in cheap, popular editions and distributed free of charge.
• Distribution will be carried out through Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country.
• The Act does not amend or repeal section nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code.
• The discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers is prohibited.
• The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury for the purposes of the Act.
• This Act takes effect upon approval, June 12, 1956.

Objectives of the Bill

• To re-dedicate to the ideals of freedom and nationalism.
• To honor Jose Rizal, the national hero and patriot.
• To provide a constant and inspiring source of patriotism to the youth in their formative years.

Debate

• Senator Claro M. Recto authored the bill, while Senator Jose P. Laurel, Sr. sponsored it in the Senate.
• The bill sparked debates in the Senate about the separation of church and state.
• Focus was on Section 2, which stated that students should read the "unexpurgated editions" of Rizal's novels.
• The Catholic Church raised issues regarding the clear separation between the Church and the state.

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

• The CBCP released a statement citing violations of the novels on the free exercise of religion.
• They argued that the novels contained passages that negated the teachings of Catholic faith.
• The CBCP felt obliged to point out that such works should fall under Canon Law 1399.
• Senators Claro M. Recto and Jose P. Laurel stood firm, emphasizing the need to study Rizal.

Senator Claro M. Recto arguments

• Rizal's novels should be read in every generation.
• They allow Filipinos to understand their history, sufferings, ideals, and sacrifices.
• They allow Filipinos to see their strengths, virtues, defects, and vices.
• The bill’s objective is to foster a better appreciation of our national hero's role in fighting for freedom, without going against any religion.

Reasons to Rizal

• The subject is mandated by law.
• To uncover the life, works, and writings of our national hero.
• Lessons contained in the course are designed towards achieving specific guidelines and objectives.

Recto on Rizal Law (translated)

• He believed that studying Rizal's works was integral to loving the country and its national hero.
• He promoted the mandatory study of Rizal's life and works for college students.
• He defended the importance of the bill for a deeper understanding of being Filipino and loving the country.
• He stated Rizal aimed at inculcating civic consciousness in the Filipinos, national dignity, personal pride and patriotism.

Senate Bill 438 Issues (translated)

• The proposal received criticism from Catholic senators.
• The Catholic Action of Manila (CAM) launched campaigns against the proposal.
• The senators' criticisms paved the way for debates between opponents and supporters.
• Defenders of freedom of speech and freedom of religion argued against compulsory reading.
• Rizal's novels were portrayed as an attack to the clergy and Catholicism.
• Reading Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo cause people to lose their faith.
• "The reading of Rizal's novels would strengthen the Filipinism of the youth and foster patriotism”. C. M Recto

Other Points (translated)

• Claro M. Recto defended passionately the importance of the proposal.
• He criticized those and the pastoral letter of the Catholic Church; they paled in comparison with Dominican condemnation of the books.
• Recto argued that the pastoral letter "should open the eyes of the people to the real enemies of Rizal and true nationalism."
• Jose P. Laurel: Noli Me Tangere and be read and mirror strengths and weaknesses, to lead to "ultimate painful sacrifices" needed for freedom.
• Senator Jose P. Laurel stated that Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read to see oneself.

Aftermath (translated)

• The bill included the option to be excused from reading if it went against beliefs.
• As of 1956, the need and effect and writing of RA 1425 remains in effect
• Rizal's call to love and serve the Motherland remains.

Explore the history and context surrounding the enactment of Republic Act No. 1425, also known as the Rizal Law, on June 12, 1956. Understand the objectives behind mandating the study of the life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal. Critically assess the effectiveness of the Rizal course in contemporary education.