Rizal Law: Facts, Controversies, and Purpose

• On April 3, 1956 - The Commission on Education filed the Senate Bill 438 drafted by the then senator Claro M. Recto.
• Who sponsored the Senate Bill 438?

  Jose P. Laurel
• The Grand Old Man of Philippine Politics - Lorenzo Tañada
• Who had the Longest term as a senator and how many years did it last?

  Lorenzo Tañada / 20 years
• A mason and the first resident commissioner of the Commonwealth Republic.


  Quintin Paredes
• A nationalist and utmost promoter of Mindanao.

  Domaco Alonto
• Who were the three senators that countered The Senate Bill 438?

  Senator Francisco Rodrigo, Decoroso Rosales, and Mariano Cuenco
• Who endorsed the House Bill 5561 on April 19? 


  Congressman Jacobo Gonzales
• On May 09, who were the congressmen whose debate almost ended up on a fist fight?

  Pampanga Congressman Emilio Cortes and Cebu Congressman Ramon Durano
• Who was the first woman who topped the Bar Exam?

  Congresswoman Tecla San Andres Ziga
• Who was the Father of Aklan and the one whom Caticlan Airport at Boracay was named after?


  Congressman Godofredo Ramos
• Visayan Lawyer and the brother of Senator Cuenco.

  Congressman Miguel Cuenco
• Who raised a campaign against those in favour of the Rizal Bill?

  Bacolod ArchBishop Manuel Yap
• Unexpurgated Copies are copies that did not pass through any censorship.
• Sen. Roseller Lin - Suggested that students be given exemption from reading the original text (unexpurgated copies), especially if reading such could ruin's ones faith.
• Congressman Arturo Tolentino - House Majority Floor Leader, endorsed the exact copy of the first amended bill of Laurel, as substitute to the original Gonzales Bill.
• Bill passed in Congress

  May 17, 1956
• When was the Senate Bill 438 signed into law by President Ramon Magsaysay

  June 12, 1956
• Senate Bill 438


  Act that mandates Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo be read and taught obligatorily in all public and private colleges and universities
• The rationale of the bill is primarily the reading of the two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
• Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were obligatory to read, which were anti-friar and against the Catholic faith
• The Catholic Church opposed the bill as it would violate the freedom of conscience and religion upheld by the 1935 Constitution
• In the 333 pages of Noli, only 25 speak of nationalism, while 120 speak against the church, and 170 speak against the Catholic faith, not including the 50 pages from El Filibusterismo.
• Congressman Jacobo Gonzales - a Sakdalista which means he was one among those who campaigned for immediate independence.
• Senator Cipriano Primicias - Suggested a provision on the original text and that this not be removed from the learning materials in the subjects related to Rizal.
• He was against the Filipinization of the Government

  Governor General Leonard Wood
• Raul Manglapus - Led the propaganda materials against the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation.
• Senator Decoroso Rosales - Member of the Japanese Resistance in Cebu
• Senator Francisco Rodrigo - Made a campaign for the Filipino Language.