Rizal Law PDF

The Rizal Law The Rizal was created as an Act of Congress of the Republic of the Philippines through R.A. No. 1425 on June 12, 1956. It was approved at the time of President Ramon Magsaysay. The title of the said law, “An Act to include in the curricula of all public and private schools, colle...

The Rizal Law The Rizal was created as an Act of Congress of the Republic of the Philippines through R.A. No. 1425 on June 12, 1956. It was approved at the time of President Ramon Magsaysay. The title of the said law, “An Act to include in the curricula of all public and private schools, colleges and universities courses on the life, works, writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels, the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Authorizing the printing and distribution thereof and for other purposes. In this Act, there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which heroes lived and died. Also, source of Nationalism and Patriotism. R.A. No. 1425, Section 1; Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in all 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 a basic texts. R.A. No. 1425, Section 2; It shall be obligatory in 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. R.A. No. 1425, 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. R.A. No. 1425 The purpose of the law is enunciated in its preamble. The preamble consists in the paragraph that begin with word “Whereas”. ① The preamble explains that there is a need for a rededication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died for. ① Preamble identifies Rizal as one of those heroes who have devoted their lives and shaped the national character. ① Preamble identifies Rizal’s novels the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as an inspiring source of patriotism, which should be inculcated in the minds of young people especially in their formative years. ① Preambles invokes the power of the which are required to teach its students moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and the duties of citizenship. The original Rizal bill was filed by Senator Claro M. Recto. Sponsored by Senator Jose P. Laurel who was a Chairman of the Committee. Senate Bill 438 ❦ It is an Act to make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo compulsory reading in all public and private colleges and universities and for other purpose. Exemption: Religious Belief upon a verified petition. Oppositions of Rizal Bill ① The church had powerful allies on opposing the Rizal Bill, ② Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo, he said that he would not allow his 17 year old son to read Rizal novels and he also denounced the Rizal Bill. ③ Congressman Miguel Cuenco, his speech contained views, opinions and theories attacking the dogmas, belief and practices of the church. He said a passage in the Noli Me Tangere, Rizal wrote “God cannot pardon a crime simply because we confess it to the priest (Noli, Sayo Ed. 1950, page 191). He mentioned that the novels of Rizal disparage devotion to the virgin Mary, the Saints, the use of scapulars, saying of rosaries, novenas, ejaculations and indulgenced prayers. ④ The catholic organizations such as the Accion Catolico (Catholic Action), who were composed of conservative Catholics, the knights of Columbus, the congregation of the mission and the catholic teachers' guild. ⑤ Priests and Nuns, many of whom were foreigners attended hearings in congress. ⑤ Father Jesus Cavanna; He said that Rizal’s novels painted a false picture of the conditions of the country in the 19th century. He also mentioned that if the Rizal Bill intended to promote patriotism and nationalism, that novels for required reading contained more anti Church statements than nationalistic statements. ⑤ Jesus Peredes; He said that the novels contained objectionable material and the Catholics have a right not to read them in order not to endanger their faith. ⑤ Archbishop Rufino Santos: He said in his pastoral letter a warning about disaffection of the youth on the church if the Rizal Bill was approved. Priests encouraged their parishioners to write their congressmen and senators to oppose the bill. Supporter of Rizal Bill ❦ Father Horacio de la Costa, S.J.; ∞ A Jesuit scholar and historian. ∞ He admitted that abuses did happen in the Catholic Church and there were historical mistakes committed by the Catholic Church. ∞ As an organization composed of men, mistakes were bound to be committed. ∞ He said that Riza’s works only exposed abuses within the Church, however that abuses were committed by individual clergymen and should not be treated as reflective of the entire clergy.