Rizal

• The law was enacted due to the need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which Rizal lived and died
• 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
• 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
• Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private


  1. 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

  2. The Board of National Education is authorized and directed to adopt measures to implement and carry out the provisions, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers and textbooks

  3. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act

  4. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of 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 in their libraries
• The law prohibits the discussion of religious doctrines by persons engaged in public school
• A sum of 300,000 pesos is appropriated to carry out the purposes of the law
• The law shall take effect upon its approval
• The Catholic Church opposed the law

  Claiming that Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo would violate freedom of conscience and religion
• Catholic schools threatened to close down


  If the Rizal bill was passed
• The Committee on Education chairman Laurel inserted the objections of the Catholic Church, which is "Only the college students would have the option to read the unexpurgated versions of the clerically-contested materials"
• The bill was then approved unanimously on May 12, 1956
• Republic Act Number 1425, commonly known as the Rizal Law, was authored by Senator Claro M. Recto and signed into law by President Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956
• The Rizal Law mandates the inclusion of the life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, in the curricula of all schools, colleges, and universities, both public and private
• The Rizal Law is considered one of the most controversial bills in Philippine history, as it was fiercely opposed by the Catholic Church
• The Catholic Church argued that the inclusion of Rizal's novels, which they claimed contained passages that attacked or ridiculed Catholic doctrine and practices, would go against the freedom of religion
• The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) submitted a pastoral letter arguing that the Rizal Law violated Canon Law 1399, which forbids books that attack or ridicule Catholic doctrine and practices
• The anti-Rizal Law legislators also argued that Rizal himself admitted to attacking not only the Spanish friars but also the Catholic faith itself
• The pro-Rizal Law legislators, led by Senator Jose Laurel, argued that the only objective of the law was to keep the memory of the national hero alive in every Filipino's mind and to promote his peaceful fight for freedom, not to go against religion
• After intense debates and the formulation of amendments, the Rizal Law was finally signed into law as Republic Act Number 1425 on June 12, 1956
• The Rizal Law mandates that courses on the life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges, and universities, both public and private
• The law also requires all schools, colleges, and universities to keep an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of Rizal's novels and other works in their libraries
• The law also authorizes the Board of National Education to translate Rizal's novels and other writings into English, Tagalog, and the principal Philippine dialects, and to distribute them free of charge
• The law states that nothing in the act shall be considered an amendment or repeal of Section 927 of the Administrative Code, which prohibits the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and other persons engaged in public service
• The law also appropriates 300,000 pesos from the national treasury to carry out its purposes
• The Rizal Law was sponsored by Senator Jose Laurel, who believed that by reading and studying Rizal's life, teachings, and writings, Filipino youth would gain incorruptible confidence, direction, courage, determination, nationalism, and patriotism to move forward in the country's journey towards an abundant life
• Andres Bonifacio


  First hero who considered Dr. Jose Rizal as his first hero
• Dr. Jose Rizal


  Had a great influence on Andres Bonifacio
• La Liga Filipina


  Civic organization founded by Dr. Jose Rizal which aimed for reform in society through education and unification of the Philippines
• Objectives of La Liga Filipina and Katipunan

  Katipunan did not aim for reform but for complete independence from Spanish colony through revolution
• Influence of Rizal was seen in some aspects of the Katipunan, like the password of the Katipunan
• While Rizal was in exile, Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan members were able to expand the organization to different parts of the Philippines</b>
• Rizal's execution


  Start of the real battle between the Spaniards and the Filipinos
• Issue of leadership and disunity were factors in the failure of the Katipunan to attain its goal of complete independence
• Emilio Aguinaldo


  Declared the independence of the Philippines on June 12, 1898 and became the first president of the first Philippine Republic
• Rizal was recognized by the Americans for his contributions to social reform
• The Americans used education as a method of pacification, and the naming of the province of Rizal was the first recognition of the Americans to Rizal
• Rizal is declared as the national hero of the Philippines, as per the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
• Nationalism


  The highest and purest kind of love, the state of mind and deep sentiments of a certain group of people towards their native land and to the people who belong to the nation
• Filipino nationalism began when the people in the Philippines already realized that their country was the Philippines and they were Filipinos
• Factors that led to the rise of Philippine nationalism

  • Rise of liberal ideas
  • Development in international trading
  • Political instability in Spain
  • Administration of Carlos Maria de la Torre
  • Issue of secularization
  • Execution of Gomez, Burgos and Zamora
  • Rise of the creoles