Rizal Law: Republic Act 1425

• Republic Act 1425, also known as the Rizal Law, mandates the inclusion of Jose Rizal's life, works, and writings, specifically his novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," in the curricula of all private and public schools, colleges, and universities.

History of Rizal Law

• Senate Bill 438, authored by Senator Claro M. Recto, became Republic Act 1425.
• The compulsory reading of Rizal's novels, which some claimed humiliated Catholic dogmas, caused controversy.
• Senator Jose B. Laurel Sr., Chairman of the Committee on Education, sponsored the bill, leading to debates in Congress.
• Senators Francisco Rodrigo, Mariano Cuenco, and Decoroso Rosales opposed the bill.
• Congressmen Ramon Durano, Marciano Lim, Jose Nuguid, and others also opposed the bill in the Lower House.
• The Catholic Church played a significant role in opposing the bill, supported by organizations like the Holy Name Society and the Catholic Action of the Philippines.
• Opponents claimed the bill infringed on freedom of conscience and religion.
• The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) stated that Rizal's novels violated Canon Law 1399, which prohibits books attacking Catholic doctrine.
• Opponents claimed "Noli Me Tangere" had only 25 nationalistic pages out of 333, while 120 were anti-Catholic.
• Catholic hierarchy members found 170 anti-Catholic passages in "Noli Me Tangere" and 50 in "El Filibusterismo".
• Opponents suggested an alternative reading material called the Rizalian Anthology, excluding the two novels.
• Recto and Laurel defended the bill, stating its purpose was to preserve Rizal's memory and honor him as a peaceful advocate for freedom, not to oppose religion.
• Senators Lorenzo Tanada, Quintin Paredes, and Domocao Alonto, along with Representatives Jacobo Gonzales, Emilio Cortez, and others, supported the Rizal Bill.
• Arsenio Lacson and General Emilio Aguinaldo, along with groups like the Knights of Rizal, also supported the bill.
• Cebu Representative Ramon Durano and Pampanga Representative Emilio Cortes engaged in a fistfight in Congress during a debate.
• Bishop Manuel Yap threatened to campaign against legislators supporting the bill.
• Representatives from Catholic schools threatened to close their institutions if the bill passed.
• Expurgated versions of the novels as textbooks with original copies in school libraries was proposed, but Recto rejected this amendment.
• Laurel amended the bill to include works by Rizal and others about him, not just "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo".
• Reading unexpurgated versions of the novels would be strictly observed at the college level.
• Lim proposed exemptions for students who believed reading Rizal's novels would affect their faith negatively.
• Primicias added an amendment specifying the rules for exemption, requiring a written statement or affidavit.
• The bill was passed on May 17, 1956, and signed into law as Republic Act 1425 by President Ramon Magsaysay on June 12 of the same year.

Republic Act No. 1425

• Courses on Rizal's life, works, and writings shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges, and universities.
• The original editions of "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" shall be used as basic texts in collegiate courses.
• The Board of National Education is authorized and directed to implement the provisions, including writing and printing appropriate primers.
• The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations, including those of disciplinary nature, to carry out the provisions of this Act.
• Rules and regulations shall provide for the exemption of students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement.
• All schools, colleges, and universities must keep an adequate number of copies of the original editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in their libraries.
• The unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading.
• The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of Rizal's writings into English, Tagalog, and other Philippine dialects and distribute them free of charge.
• Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amending or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code.
• The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the purposes of this Act.
• The Act took effect upon its approval, June 12, 1956.

Statement of the Philippine Hierarchy on the Novels of Dr. Jose Rizal

• Rizal possessed virtues making up true patriotism, loved his country, and devoted his mind to dispelling ignorance and combating injustices.
• Rizal saw that while the Filipino people suffered from colonial rule, they were also victims of their own vices and defects.
• Rizal desired the health and restoration of his country and was not exempt from its defects and weaknesses.
• Rizal was fearless in denouncing evils of colonial administration and pointing out mistakes to his countrymen.
• It is important to approach Rizal and his works with realism, acknowledging his human side and weaknesses.
• Those who portray Rizal as without human failings do him a disservice, casting doubt on his real qualities.
• Honor Rizal for his devotion to the country and for his insight in examining national problems.
• Rizal's ideas on government, society, individual dignity, education, and national destiny are applicable even today.
• Rizal's writings should be widely circulated and read, even in schools, to develop nationalism and civic virtue.
• Rizal's love for his country should be emulated, but his errors should not be ignored.
• While he returned to the Faith before death, the historic fact of his retraction shows he did not approve of each of his previous statements.
• Rizal's insights into the political and social order are contained in Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
• He wrote these books inspired by love for the country, exposing a social cancer and hoping to find a remedy.
• Desire for political freedom and a social order based on justice in the novels aligns with Catholic doctrine.
• The Catholic Church is not against legitimate political and social aspirations of any people.
• Gospel promotes individual dignity and exercise of rights and responsibilities.
• Rizal's object was to expose the evils afflicting Philippine society in fictional narrative.
• The "social cancer" was due to the state of the religious order and some practices of the Catholic religion.
• Novels castigate priests and satirize superstitious observances and practices.
• Interpretation of Dr. Tavera was not exact; Rizal attacked the church
• Rizal acknowledged this at the end when he wrote: "I retract with all my heart whatever in my works, writings, publications and conduct has been contrary to my status as a son of the Catholic Church."
• Passages in the books contain derogatory Catholic beliefs and practices.
• Repeated attacks are made against the Catholic religion in general.
• Passages disparage divine worship.
• Passages make light of ecclesiastical discipline
• The novels fall under Canon Law 1399, forbidding books undermining religion, attacking Catholic dogmas, or defaming the ecclesiastical hierarchy.
• Not all clauses of this law clearly affect the novels being studied.
• People with knowledge of the Catholic doctrine in question may read the stated novels.
• The novels are not compulsory if the parts do not contradict the content and practices of the Catholic faith.
• Making the two novels compulsory promotes a one sided argument against the Catholic youth.
• Government allows religion to be taught in schools, it is not an obligation to government proposed side, only not opposition.
• Not to be mistaken, what is good for country, with religion.
• Statements against the church should not be part of the ideals be taught to our youth.

Continued

• Be straightforward and sincere in what must read and express to one's youth.
• Not for the sake of love of country should youth be exposed to jeers.
• In order to teach our youth civic virtues and high political, should girls read of "mystery," "better that girls be unhappy than to have a beautiful bride," etc
• Patriotism and nationalism do not consist in these assertions and many others like these.
• If political and social ideals are not separable it should be considered a part to teach youth from the other statements.
• No confusing issues of faith and patriotism

More notes

• Government in the Philippines loyal to the country and people.
• National hero, Dr. Jose Rizal who's patriotism remains an inspiration.
• Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo show the ardent love for the Philippines.
• Novels that contradict Christian beliefs written by Dr. Jose Rizal.
• Maintain loyalty to faith.
• By means to not make it worse by imitating him when he was estranged from the faith.
• Works, writings, publications and conduct that had been contrary.
• The Pope makes clear in no uncertain terms two years after the publication of the Noli Me Tangere'
• The Church does not condemn the desire that one's nation should be free from foreign or absolute rule, provided this freedom can be won without injustice
• What does it mean to do good in the world while not doing good to your soul?
• It maintains for things that go against a constitution.
• Guarantees the free exercise of religion.
• To compel Catholic students to read a book that contains passages contradicting their faith constitutes a violation of the Philippine constitutional provision.