rizal law

• 1956 – Sen. Claro M. Recto filed a measure which became the original Rizal Bill. Under the bill it shall be obligatory for college and university students to study the life and works of Rizal.
• June 12, 1956 – a compromise bill was filed and authored by Sen. Jose P. Laurel.
• Claro M. Recto (1890-1960) was a Philippine nationalist leader and president of the 1934 constitutional convention.
• The Church continued to oppose the bill mandating the reading of Rizal's novels Noli Me Tángere  and El Filibusterismo , claiming it would violate freedom of conscience and religion.
• The bill specified that only college (university) students would have the option of reading unexpurgated versions of clerically-contested reading material, such as Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo.
• The bill was enacted on June 12, 1956, Flag Day.
• Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law, mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines to offer courses about José Rizal.