Rizal Law: A Course on the Life, Works, and Writings of Jose Rizal (PDF)

LEARNING OUTCOMES Discuss the democratic process that led to the promulgation of the Rizal Law Examine the goals of the Rizal Law. Interpret the role of the youth as implied in the Rizal Law CONTEMPLATE Share your thoughts or opinions.  Why do we need to study the life, works, and...

LEARNING OUTCOMES Discuss the democratic process that led to the promulgation of the Rizal Law Examine the goals of the Rizal Law. Interpret the role of the youth as implied in the Rizal Law CONTEMPLATE Share your thoughts or opinions.  Why do we need to study the life, works, and writings of Rizal?  Amidst the destruction of World War II, the people saw the need to rebuild the Filipino identity which was equally affected by war. Nationalist policy-makers did not waste any time and painstakingly redirected the nation to the essence of history as a foundation of national hope and pride. Education became the primary weapon of reorientation while prioritizing the youth as the bearers of country’s future.  Jose Rizal was an obvious platform from a start since his name dominates the pantheon of heroes. On April 3, 1956, Senate Bill No, 438 (AN ACT TO MAKE NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO COMPULSORY READING MATTER IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES) was submitted to the Senate Committee, sponsored and presented the bill to the members of the Upper House on April 17, 1956.  The main purpose of the bill according to Senator Jose P. Laurel was to disseminate the ideas and ideals of Jose Rizal through the reading of his works, notably his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Debates for the bill in aid of legislation ensued next, albeit not smooth sailing. Opponents, mostly rabid Catholic senators, contended that the proposed bill was too controversial. Their arguments were as follows: 1. The bill was an attempt to discredit the Catholic religion. 2. Inimical to the tenets of the faith to which 170 lines in Noli Me Tangere and 50 lines in El Filibusterismo were offensive to the Church doctrine. 3. The bill might divide the nation. 4. Compulsion to read something against one’s faith impaired freedom of speech and religious freedom.  Senator Laurel proposed a substitute bill. The inclusion of all works and writings of Jose Rizal, not just the two novels, was the main feature of this bill. He then stressed the removal of the term “compulsion” to appease the opposition. However, Senator Laurel asserted the importance of reading the original and unexpurgated edition of Rizal’s novels because the true purpose of studying these will be defeated if not followed.  With this, on May 12, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 was unanimously approved on second reading. The Lower House imitated the Senate and on May 14,1956, the bill was approved unanimously in the House of Representatives. On June 12, 1956, President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill to make it law, thus giving birth to Republic Act 1425 also known as the Rizal Law.  Republic Act 1425 Rizal Law AN ACT 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, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died; WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character; WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused; WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore, SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private: Provided, that in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts. The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette. SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and universities. The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or university. SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country. SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred twenty- seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and other person engaged in any public school. SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act. SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. Approved: June 12, 1956 Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.