REPUBLIC ACT

1425
(RIZAL LAW)

BY PROF. MC DONALD DOMINGO M.

PASCUAL
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE
PHILIPPINES

WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR A LAW THAT

INCORPORATE S COURSES ON THE LIFE,
WORKS AND IDEAS OF JOSE RIZAL IN THE
CURRICULA OF ALL SCHOOLS, COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES?

The lawmakers who favored the passage of

a law that would include courses on the life,
works and ideas of Jose Rizal firmly believed
the necessity of instilling a strong sense of
nationalism among the youth, especially in
their formative and decisive years.

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

Facade of the Old Legislative Building (now the National Museum of the PhilippineMain)

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

3
3

Through the works of Rizal, especially his

Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
works that are considered as constant
and inspiring sources of
nationalism.

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

The Famous Novels of Rizal

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

5
5

The Catholic hierarchy was the initial

sector to express its dissenting view on
the passage of a law that would make
Rizals Noli and El Fili as compulsory
reading matters in all schools, colleges
and universities in the Philippines.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

The Manila Cathedral

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

7
7

1. In the compulsory teaching of

the unexpurgated versions of Rizals
Noli and El Fili, a teacher would have
the tendency to discussor worse, to
criticizecertain Church doctrines.
2. The inevitable criticism of Church
doctrines might lead to the jeopardy
of the faith of people.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

Among the many illustrious Filipinos who have

distinguished themselves in the service of
their country, the highest place of honor
belongs to Dr. Rizal. And justly so, for Dr.
Rizal possessed to an eminent degree those
virtues which together make up true
patriotism.

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

He [Rizal] loved his country not in words alone

but in deed. He devoted his time, his energies
and the resources of his brilliant mind to
dispelling [sic] the ignorance and apathy of his
people, and combating [sic] the injustices and
inequalities under which they labored. When his
salutatory activities fell under the suspicion of
the colonial government and he was condemned
to death as a rebel, he generously offered his
blood for the welfare of his country .
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

10

The answer to the question led the

lawmakers, senators and congressmen alike,
and the members of the different sectors of
the society to engage in heated discussions.
It became an extremely controversial issue
that it resulted to the misunderstanding and
quarrel of those who were overwhelmed by
their emotions.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

11

VERSUS

Communists
Collaborators
(during the
Japanese
Occupation)
Self-proclaimed
patriots

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Anti-Rizal
Unnationalistic
Traitors to the
Country
Servants of the
Church, etc.

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

12

Senator Jose P. Laurel

presented S.B. No. 438
with the title An Act to
Make Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo
Compulsory Reading
Matters in All Public and
Private Schools,
Colleges and
Universities and for
Other Purposes.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

13

The heros [Rizal] greatness lies not only in his

intense patriotism, exemplary conduct and
behavior as a Filipino, the courage of his
conviction and the utter disregard of the
dangers to his life during those hectic days
when he was preaching the gospel truth of
justice, Filipinism, not only in his great acts but
also in his great thoughts and ideas which were
expressed and spread over in practically all
pages of his novels.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

14

1. The greatness of Rizal, as well as his intense love

for his country and people, could only be fully
appreciated by the Filipinos if they would have
adequate knowledge about his sufferings and
injustices.
2. His writings would open the minds of the Filipinos
to the ruthless effects of colonization.
3. By exposing the Filipino youth to the ideas of
Rizal, they would be able to learn how to live the
Rizal way that is characterized by strong love for
country and strong desire to build a great nation.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

15

4. The Filipino youth must consider as a sacred

duty to study the great dreams and
aspirations of Rizal for his country.
5. The teaching and reading of the novels of
Rizal should be made into a law so that,
through their knowledge and understanding
of the heros works, they would acquire a
torch to guide them when the country
would experience another period of peril or
darkness.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

16

Sen. Francisco Soc Rodrigo opposed due to

the use of compulsion.
1. He claimed that the reading of the
unexpurgated versions of Rizals novels as
against the conscience of the Catholics.
2. He believed that nationalism and patriotism are
important and must be promoted, yet
promoting them should not be done at the risk
of endangering the harmony between the
Church and the state.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

17

3. Sen. Rodrigo viewed the measures as

unjust and unwise because of the use of
compulsion that might put the Church in
an awkward situation since religious issues
have always been considered as delicate
matters.

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

18

Sen. Decoroso Rosales also opposed due

to the use of compulsion.
1. He believed that approval of the bills
would lead to the closure of Catholic
schools all throughout the country.
2. He believed further that a political party
might inevitably be put up by the Catholics
to show their strong resentment to the law.

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

19

Sen. Claro M. Recto averred that:

1. Catholic schools would never close since
they are the sources of the Churchs income,
as well as its religious and political powers.
2. If a political party would be set up, it would
be divided into twothe political party to be
headed by either Sen. Rodrigo or Sen. Rosales
and the party to be composed of Filipino
Catholics who do not only believe in God

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

20

and serve Him but

also possess a
strong love for their
country and believe
in serving her.
Sen. Claro M. Recto
(Lawyer and Statesman)

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

21

Congressman Jacobo Gonzales of Laguna

proposed H.B. No.5561 which also
bore the title of S.B. No. 438.

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

22

The bill merely declares Dr. Jose P. Rizals Noli

Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, in their
original edition or in their unexpurgated
English and national language versions
compulsory reading matters in all public and
private schools, colleges and universities. The
bill selects the writings of Dr. Rizal because he
is the greatest of our national heroes, the
staunchest apostle of nationalism, the
greatest man the Malayan race has ever
produced and a universal genius and
hero of humanity (see cont in next page)
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

23

We have chosen the Noli and the Fili for in

their pages we see our lives as before a
mirrorour defects as well as our strengths,
our virtues as well as our vices. Knowing
these, our consciousness as a people is
stirred and we learn to prepare ourselves for
painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to selfreliance, self-respect and freedom. The Noli
and Fili mirror Philippine life, true today as it
was during the time of Dr. Rizal, only the
dates and names have changed.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

24

Cong. Jesus Paredes (of Abra)

expressed support to the objectives of
the bills, yet he opposed the manner
through which they would be attained.
He said the bill [H.B. 5561] would
violate of [sic] Section 927 of the
Revised Administrative Code.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

25

It [Section 927] prohibits teachers and

other persons engaged in any public
school to discuss or criticize the
doctrines of any church, religious act or
denomination or shall attempt to
influence the pupils [or students] for or
against any church or religious sect.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

26

Cong. Titong Roces (of Manila) recounted

that:
The author of the bill [HB 5561] found it
necessary to make the reading of these
novels because during the last 350 years [sic]
the forces that have been working against
nationalism in the Philippines have always
used compulsion, and that we, Filipinos, in our
efforts to establish ourselves as a race and as
a people (see cont in next page).
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

27

have always been the victim of compulsion.

And that in spite of the fact that we are
independent now, the inertia created by
centuries of compulsion against our
efforts to unite ourselves as a people is
so strong that perhaps, there is no other
way of stopping the same except by
counter-compulsion.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

28

It was the use of compulsion in the

attainment of the objectives of bills.
Interesting to note, however , that nobody
among those who opposed the passage of the
bills desecrated the image of Jose Rizalneither
that there was one who said that he did not
deserve to be called as our national hero.

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

29

To resolve the issues, amendments of the

bills were respectively proposed in both
houses of Congress.
The word compulsory was deleted and
replaced with the phrase to include.
It met strict scrutiny from those who
opposed the original versions.
It was favorably accepted by the
lawmakers.

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

30

The amended versions of S.B. 438 and H.B. 5561

were entitled:
An Act to Include in the Curricula of All Public
and Private Schools, Colleges and
Universities Courses on the Life, Works and
Writings of Rizal Particularly His Novels Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
Authorizing the Printing and Distribution
Thereof, and for Other Purposes

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

31

As the author of the

amended version in the
House of Representatives,
Cong. Arturo Tolentino,
Tolentino
appealed to his colleagues
with the following
statements:

Cong. Arturo
Tolentino
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

I appeal to the members of

this House, both those
who spoke in favor of
the
Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.
Pascual

32

Gonzales bill as originally worded and those

who spoke against the bill to agree to reason,
to give something of their original contention,
so that we may meet in the middle ground,
not for our own sake, not for the pride of
having won in the halls of this Congress but
for the sake of our people who must remain
united, for the leaders of the people must not
think of their own personal victory or glory
but of the unity of the people
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

33

whom they represent. There can be no true

nationalism when the people are divided. It is
incumbent upon the leaders of the people to
preserve unity among the people, for
nationalism flowers in the hearts of the
people. I appeal to you. Let us vote
unanimously as an example to our people. I
have every reason to believe that the people
listening to us all
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

34

over the country will unite as we do when we

vote as one in this bill. Let us not think of which
side will win; let us just think that with this bill,

the Filipino people will win because they will

continue to remain whole and cohesive.
Within these walls, this substitute bill
represents the victory of reason and wisdom;
outside these halls, it means the triumph of a
united Filipino people.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

35

Deleted Penalty to be imposed for any

public or private school, college and university
and the head and teachers of the school found
guilty of violating, failing to comply with or
circumventing the provision of the law.

Replaced with Authorization for the

appropriation of the amount of P300,000.00
for the printing and distribution of the copies
of the novels and other writings of Rizal in
their English, Tagalog and principal dialect
translations.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

36

Added Nothing in the Act shall be

construed as amending or repealing section
nine hundred twenty-seven of the
Administrative Code.

Provided The Board of National Education

is hereby authorized and directed to adopt
measures to implement and carry out the
provisions of Section 1 of the Act, including
the writing and printing of appropriate
primers, readers and textbooks.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

37

Eulogio Amang A. Rodriguez

(President of the Senate)

Jose P. Laurel, Jr.

(Speaker of the House of Representatives)
and

H.E. Ramon Magsaysay, Jr.

(President, Republic of the Philippines)

Approved on June 12, 1956

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

38

Sen. Eulogio Amang Rodriguez

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

President Ramon Magsaysay

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

39

1. In 1983, Jaime C. Laya, Minister of

Education, Culture and Sports, issued a
memorandum which required that the life,
works and writings of Rizal should no longer
be taught as a separate subject but as a
component in history, literature, philosophy
and other allied subjects.

This memorandum came with the emerging view that

nationalism, patriotism and democratic way of life can
also be fostered through the integration of these
concepts in the aforementioned subjects.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

40

2. In December 1988,during the First Rizal

Faculty Congress in Baguio City, shocking
revelations were made regarding the
teaching of Rizal course. It was learned
that the Rizal course was:

not as important as other subjects for it merely

served as a filler to faculty members who
lacked subjects to teach;
used to glorify Andres Bonifacio at the expense
of Rizal, hence cynicism and division were
fostered.
RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

41

! THANK YOU FOR LISTENING !

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Prof. Mc Donald Domingo M.

Pascual

42