Rizal Law Proponents

Study Notes

Proponents of the Rizal Law

Claro M. Recto, a senator, proposed Bill 438, believing that teaching Rizal's works would instill heroism among the youth and not lead to the closure of Catholic schools.
Jose P. Laurel, senator and chairman of the Committee on Education, stated that Rizal was the founder of Filipino nationality and the architect of the Filipino nation, emphasizing the need to know and imbibe his ideals and principles.
Jacobo Gonzales, member of the House of Representatives, proposed Bill 5561, advocating for the compulsory reading of Rizal's novels in all schools.

Supporters of the Law

Joaquin "Titong" Roces, member of the House of Representatives, emphasized the importance of compulsory reading of Rizal's novels.
Arturo Tolentino, member of the House of Representatives, believed that teaching Rizal's works would allow the youth to know more about him and imbibe his nationalism.

Anti-Rizal Law

The Church opposed the bill, holding seminars across the countryside, with Fr. Jesus Cavanna commenting that Rizal's novels belonged to the past and would be harmful to read.
Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo, senator, was against the compulsory reading of Rizal's novels, suggesting annotated versions instead.
Decoroso Rosales, senator, worried that the implementation of the Rizal Law might lead to the closure of Catholic schools.
Jesus Paredes, member of the House of Representatives, argued that teaching Rizal's works violated Section 927 of the New Administrative Code, which prohibited discussing religious doctrines in public schools.

The Rizal Law (Republic Act 1425)

Signed on June 12, 1956, by President Ramon Magsaysay, the law aims to include courses on Rizal's life, works, and writings in all public and private schools.
The law's objectives are to rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, pay tribute to Rizal, and inspire patriotism through the study of his life and works.
Libraries are required to have an adequate number of copies of Rizal's novels, and the Board of Education was tasked with implementing the law, translating and distributing Rizal's works, with a fund of 300,000.
The law was implemented on August 16, 1956.

Later Developments

Fidel Ramos signed Memorandum Order No. 247 on December 26, 1994, directing the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports and the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education to fully implement the Rizal Law and take disciplinary action against non-compliant educational institutions.

Description

This quiz is about the proponents of the Rizal Law, including Senator Claro M. Recto and Senator Jose P. Laurel, and their roles in its passage. It covers their views on the importance of teaching Rizal's works in schools.