rizal law

• Republic Act No. 1425 is 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 & El Filibusterismo, authorizing the printing and distribution thereof, and for other purposes
• Republic Act No. 1425 is formerly known as Senate Bill 438 or the Rizal Bill
• Republic Act No. 1425 was ratified by Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956
• Republic Act No. 1425 obliges all tertiary schools to include in their curriculum a course on Rizal’s life, works, and writings
• Sen. Claro M. Recto introduced the original Rizal Bill after the 1955 elections
• Sen. Claro M. Recto was a Maverick in the Senate
• Sen. Claro M. Recto was a strong advocate of nationalism
• Sen. Claro M. Recto's Rizal Bill was opposed by 3 senators:

  • Senator Francisco Rodrigo
  • Senator Mariano Cuenco
  • Senator Decoroso Rosales
• Senator Decoros Rosales is the sibling of an Archbishop, Julio Rosales
• The Noli Me Tangere was said to have contained 120 anti-catholic statements compared to 25 patriotic statements
• The El Filibusterismo was said to have contained 50 anti-catholic statements
• One bishop threatened to close down Catholic schools if the Rizal Bill is passed; Recto dared the Catholics to close down their schools
• Opposition parties against the Rizal Bill:

  1. Catholic Action of the Philippines
  2. Congregation of the Mission
  3. Knights of Columbus
  4. Catholic Teachers’ Guild
• Organizations who defended the Rizal Bill:

  1. Veteranos dela Revolution
  2. Alagad ni Rizal
  3. Freemasons
  4. Knights of Rizal
• Senators who made amendments to the bill:

  1. Senator Laurel
  2. Senator Lim
  3. Senator Primicias
• The Rizal Bill amendment of Senator Primicias is the amendment that was officially pursued.
• Senator Laurel amended that the works written by Rizal and works written by others about Rizal would be included, 2 novels would be no longer compulsory.
• Senator Lim amended that the exemption to those students who feel that reading Rizal’s novels would negatively affect his/her faith
• Senator Primicias amended that exemption only from reading the 2 novels, but not from taking the Rizal course
• Purpose of the R.A. 1425:

  1. Make Filipinos commit themselves again to nationalist concerns
  2. Honor our heroes
  3. Appreciate their contributions and sacrifices in building a nation and national security
• Republic Act 229 is the celebration of Rizal Day (30th of December); prohibits cockfighting, horse racing, and jai-alai every December 30
• Memorandum Order No. 247 (1994): full implementation of Rizal Bill or R.A. 1425
• CHED Memorandum No. 3 (1995): straight compliance of M.O. No. 247