PI 01

• Claro M. Recto was the main proponent of the Rizal Bill and sponsored it at the Lower House
• Recto faced stiff opposition from the Catholic Church during the 1955 Senate election
• The Church continued to oppose the bill mandating the reading of Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, claiming it would violate freedom of conscience and religion
• House Bill No. 5561/Senate Bill No. 438 declared Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as compulsory reading material in all public and private colleges and universities in the Philippines
• Jose P. Laurel co-wrote the law and explained that it is important for Filipinos, especially the youth, to know about Jose Rizal's ideals and nationalism
• The works mentioned in the Act shall be in the original editions or in their unexpurgated English and Natural Language versions
• The Department of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations for the immediate implementation of the Act
• No provisions of the Act shall prohibit or limit the study of the works of other Filipino heroes
• Any college or university found violating the Act shall be punished accordingly, with heads of institutions facing dismissal and disqualification from teaching
• Notable defenders of the bill included Cong. Emilio Cortez, Mario Bengzon, and Joaquin R. Roces
• Outspoken opponents of the bill included Cong. Ramon Durano, Jose Nuguid, and Marciano Lim
• Representatives Ramon Durano and Emilio Cortes had a fistfight in Congress as they laid their arguments with the Rizal Bill
• The Substitute Bill mandated courses on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, keeping copies of the original editions of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and causing translations of Rizal's works in English
• The importance of the subject on Jose Rizal includes providing insights on dealing with current problems, understanding Filipino identity, teaching nationalism and patriotism, providing life lessons, developing critical thinking, and serving as a model and inspiration to Filipinos
• RA 1425 was approved on June 12, 1956, and took effect on August 16, 1956
• Reports indicated that the law had not been fully implemented, leading to stricter compliance measures in 1995 through CHED Memorandum No. 3
• Former President Fidel V. Ramos directed the full implementation of RA 1425 in 1994 through Memorandum Order No. 247
• No student has officially applied for exemption from reading Rizal's novels as of now