CHAPTER 1

• When was Republic Act No. 1425 approved?

  June 12, 1956
• REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

  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
• How many years after Rizal's death was the Republic act approved?

  60
• When was the death of Rizal?

  December 30, 1896
• Republic Act No. 1425 is also know as the Rizal Law
• Senate bill 438 known as the Rizal Bill first authored by Senator Claro M - Recto 
• On June 12, 1956, RA 1425 is approved into Law and is signed by President Ramon Magsaysay. 
• On April 3, 1956, Senate Bill 438 was filed by the Committee on Education.
• On April 17, 1956, Senator Jose P. Laurel began his sponsorship
• Who is the chairman of the committee on Education?

  Jose P. Laurel
• Notable Defenders of the Bill

  • Emilio Cortez
  • Mario Bengzon
  • Joaquin R. Roces
  • Rancap Lagumbay
• When was the first debate happen about the bill?

  April 23, 1956
• Senator Laurel was supported by a prestigous colleagues named senator Claro M. Recto
• Who opposed to the bill No. 438?

  • Mariano J. Cuenco
  • Francisco Rodrigo
  • Decoroso Rosales
• Congressman Jacobo Z. Gozales on April 19, 1956 introduced House Bill No. 5561 that is identical to Senate Bill No. 438
• There are two bill that was introduce for the Republict Act No. 1425 or known as Rizal law. The first was the Senate Bill No. 438 which was filed by the Committee on Education on April 3, 1956. The second was the House Bill No. 5561 which was introduced by Congressman Jacobo Z. Gozales on April 19, 1956 that is identical to Senate Bill No. 438.
• Rizal Law & Catholic Hierarchy

  Claro Recto- original author

  Jose P. Laurel- sponsor bill

  Senators opposing

  • Decoroso Rosales- brother of archbishop, cardinal Rosales
  • Mariano Cuenco- brother archbishop Cuenco
  • Francisco Rodrigo- former president of Catholic Action
• Strategies of Catholic Hierarchy

  1. Pastoral Letter- Jesus Cavana
  2. Public Hearing
  3. Close door conference
  4. Symposium
  5. Open Forum
  6. Sentinel- daily
  7. Catholic members to write the congressmen
  8. Jesus Paredes-”objectionable”-right to refuse to read
  9. Narciso Pimentel- Recto’s revenge
  10. Bishop Manuel Yap- warned legislators who voted will be punished in next election
• Debates started on May 9, 1956, recommending approval report of the committee on Education dated on May 02, 1956, recommending approval without amendment.
• Catholic Elements - oppose

  • attempt to discredit their religion
  • novels - heretical & impious
• Bishop Manuel Yap warned legislators who voted for the Rizal Bill that they would be punished in the next election.
• The sentinel, a daily newspaper, was used as a tool by the Catholic hierarchy to influence legislators.
• The strategies of the Catholic hierarchy included a pastoral letter, public hearings, a symposium, and an open forum.
• The need to re-dedicate to the ideals of freedom and nationalism is emphasized on June 12, 1956, the 60th anniversary of Rizal's death.