Rizal’s Life and Work

MODULE 1- RA 1425
MARIA JULIANA D. ENRIQUE/ BSMT-1B

MAIN TOPIC

Canon Law 1399 which forbids or 00argued that

 HISTORY OF THE RIZAL LAW among the 333 pages of Noli Me Tangere, only 25
 RA 1425 passages are nationalistic while 120 passages are
 STATEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE HIERARCHY anti-catholic. Upon scrutiny by members of catholic
ON THE NOVELS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL hierarchical, 170 passages in Noli Me Tangere and
50 in El Filibusterismo are against catholic faith.
HISTORY OF THE RIZAL LAW Recto and Laurel argued that he only objective of
the bill is to keep the memory of the national hero
-Senate Bill 438(Rizal Bill)- first authored by alive in every Filipino’s mind.
Senator Claro M. Recto – requiring the inclusion in
the curricula of all private and public schools, Supporters of the bill
colleges and universities the life, works and writings
of Jose Rizal particularly his novels Noli Me - Senators LorensoTanada, Quintin Paredes and
Tangere and El Filibusterismo – is considered as Domocao Alonto of Mindanao also defended Rizal
one of the most controversial bills in the Bill. Others that favor the bill are Representatives
Philippines.It had been brought to the Upper and from the House namely Congressmen Jacobo
Lower House of the Congress for deliberations.The Gonzales, Emilio Cortez, Mario Bengson, Joaquin
bill was not just fiercely opposed by people from Roxas, Lancap Lagumbay and Pedro Lopez. Mayor
Legislative Arm but also by the Catholic Church due Arsenio Lacson call anti-rizal bill “bigoted and
to the inclusion of compulsory reading of Rizal’s intolerant” and walked out of a mass when the
novels in which according to them, catholic dogmas
priest read a pastoral letter from the archbishop
are humiliated. Senator Recto brought the bill to the
denouncing the Rizal Bill and General Emilio
Senate and Senator Jose B. Laurel Sr. who was
then the Chairman of the Committee on Education Aguinaldo with
sponsored the bill that consequently led to groups like the Knights of Rizal, Women Writers of
exchange of arguments from the Congress. the Vernacular, Philippine
Veterans Legion, College Editors’ Guild and
Oppositions of the Bill Philippine School Teachers’
- Senator Francisco Rodrigo (former Catholic Action Association.
President), Senator Mariano Cuenco and Senator
Decoroso Rosales (brother of Julio Rosales-
Archbishop). Others from Lower House namely The debate of Cebu Representative Ramon Durano
Congressmen Ramon Durano, Marciano Lim, Jose and Pampanga Representative Emilio Cortes that
Nuguid, Manuel Soza, Godofredo Ramos, Miguel ended with a fistfight in Congress. Bacolod
Cuenco, Lucas Paredes, Congressmen Carmen City Bishop Manuel Yap threatened to campaign
Consing and Tecia San Andres Ziga. against pro-Rizal bill legislators and to punish them
in future elections. Catholic Schools
-Allied with the church are Holy Name Society of Representatives threatened to close down their
the Philippines, Catholic Action of the Philippines, schools if the Rizal Bill was passed.
Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus and
Daughters of Isabela. “The people who would eliminate the books of Rizal from
the schools...would blot
out from our minds the memory of the national hero...this
is not a fight against
- Catholic Church was indirectly included in the Recto but a fight against Rizal...now that Rizal is dead
debates and played a major role for the intervention and they can no longer
of signing of the bill into a law. Oppositions argued attempt at his life, they are attempting to blot out his
that the bill would go against freedom of memory.”
conscience and religion, The Catholic Bishops
The Rizal Bill faced debate, leading to amendments
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) submitted a
by three senators. Senator Laurel' included works
pastor a letter to which according, Rizal violated
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by and about Rizal, and reading of the patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially
unexpurgated revisions would be strictly observed during their formative and decisive years in school,
should be suffused;
at college level. Senator Lim suggested exemptions
WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the
for students concerned about faith-related effects. supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State,
Senator Primicias added rules for exemptions only and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character,
through written statements or affidavits. According personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the
to historian Ambeth Ocampo, no student has ever duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,
availed of this exemption. After the revised SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of
amendments, the bill was finally passed on May 17, Jose Rizal, particularly his novel
1956 and was signed into law as Republic Act 1425 Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included
by President Ramon Magsaysay on June 12 of the in the curricula of all schools,
colleges and universities, public or private: Provided,
same year.
That in the collegiate courses, the
RA 1425 original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo or their
- The Rizal Law is about implementing rules to English translation shall be used as basic texts.
educate people about the Life, The Board of National Education is hereby authorized
Works, and Writings of our national hero Dr. Jose and directed to adopt forthwith
measures to implement and carry out the provisions of
Rizal, especially his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
this Section, including the writing
Filibusterismo. This is to give the students and the and printing of appropriate primers, readers and
future generations an ample background and for textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty
them to understand about how Jose Rizal hands (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules
over his life for our country. and regulations, including those
of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the
-Author: Claro Recto provisions of this Act. The Board shall
promulgate rules and regulations providing for the
-Sponsored the bill in Senate: Jose P. Laurel
exemption of students for reasons of
-Senate bill 438 passed on May 17, 1956. religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from
the requirement of the provision
- signed into law as Republic Act 1425 by President contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this
Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956. section; but not from taking the
course provided for in the first part of said paragraph.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425 Said rules and regulations shall
AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND Official Gazette.
UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools,
AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS colleges and universities to keep in their
NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL libraries an adequate number of copies of the original
FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING and unexpurgated editions of the
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of
AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER
Rizal’s other works and biography.
PURPOSES
The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere
WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our and El Filibusterismo or their
history, there is a need for a re- dedication to the ideals translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal
of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived shall be included in the list of
and died; approved books for required reading in all public or
WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly private schools, colleges and
the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember universities.
with special fondness and devotion their lives and works The Board of National Education shall determine the
that have shaped the national character; adequacy of the number of books,
depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or
WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, university.
particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of cause the translation of the Noli Me
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Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings obligate us to approve of his actions. A senator
of Jose Rizal into English, mentioned that Rizal made mistakes in judgment,
Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them appreciation, and criticism, and that he could differ
to be printed in cheap, popular from many statements made in his works.
editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of
charge, to persons desiring to read 3. Rizal's unselfish devotion to his country and his
them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio profound insight into national problems are praised.
Councils throughout the country. He disengaged from the complexities of his time,
SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as
focusing on the function of government, societal
amendment or repealing section
nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, well-being, individual dignity, popular education,
prohibiting the discussion of and the unique mission of the Filipino nation under
religious doctrines by public school teachers and other God. His ideas are universally applicable and
person engaged in any public should be widely circulated and read in schools to
school. develop nationalism and civic virtue. However, it is
SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos important to respect Rizal's errors and
is hereby authorized to be acknowledge that humans have their own failings.
appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated Rizal's retraction from the true faith shows that he
in the National Treasury to carry did not approve of his previous statements. His two
out the purposes of this Act.
novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: June 12, 1956 provide some of his most insightful insights into the
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol.52.,No.6, p.2971 in political and social order.
June 1956
4. The national hero wrote novels to express the
desire for political freedom and a justice-based
STATEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE HIERARCHY social order. These novels do not contradict the
ON THE NOVELS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL practical applications of Catholic doctrine in the
social milieu at the time. The Catholic Church is not
-Dr. Jose Rizal is a highly regarded Filipino who
against the legitimate political and social
exemplifies true patriotism. He dedicated his life to aspirations of any people, and their expression can
dispelling ignorance and apathy among his people, never harm it. The supernatural and natural love of
fighting injustices and inequalities. When he was the Church and the natural love of country are twin
accused of rebellion by the colonial government, he loves originating from the same eternal source, and
generously offered his life for the country's welfare. there can be no conflict between them.
Rizal's love for his country was not blind patriotism,
but a balance of judgment. He recognized that 5. The Gospel, the Church's divine mission, aims to
Filipinos suffered from colonial rule but were also make individuals aware of their dignity as God's
victims of their own vices and defects. In his novel, image and their filial participation in His nature. It
Noli Me Tangere, he dedicated his life to restoring also teaches citizens about their rights,
health and sacrificing personal pride for the truth. responsibilities, and freedoms within society. The
Gospel contributes to the development of a
He aimed to lift the veil of disease and restore the
balanced, dignified, and forceful nationalism. Pope
country's health. Leo XIII stated that the Church supports freedom
1. Thus, while Rizal was fearless in denouncing the from foreign or absolute rule, as long as it is won
evils of the colonial without injustice and allows citizens to increase
their prosperity.
administration of his time, he was no less fearless
in pointing out to his countrymen “our
6. Now, according to Rizal himself, the object of his
own mistakes, our own vices, our supine and novels was to expose in terms
culpable acquiescence to these evils.” of fictional narrative the actual evils which then
2. Rizal's affectionate realism towards his country afflicted Philippine society.
and people should not characterize our attitude
towards him. Being our national hero doesn't 7. Rizal believed the "social cancer" was due to the
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decadent state of the religious order and some make compulsory the reading of Catholic doctrines
Catholic practices. His novels primarily aimed to contradicted in the novels, but this would violate the
castigate dissedifying priests and satirize principle of separation of Church and State. The
superstitious observances of the Church. Rizal did government may even spend people's money in
not contradict Catholic doctrines, as he aimed to support of attacks against Catholics, causing
destroy the friars' rituals and superstitions, aiming clericalism, bigotry, obscurantism, and reaction.
to wound the enemy hiding behind them.
14. The text questions whether teaching patriotism
8. Rizal disagrees with Dr. Tavera's interpretation, to youth requires exposing them to Catholic
arguing that he attacks superstitions and Church worship, arguing that divine justice is more human-
rituals, acknowledging his status as a Catholic son like, and that the Church does not provide free
and retracting any actions that contradict his salvation or indulgences without payment, despite
Catholic faith.
the belief that confessionals are made for sin.
9. The author's voice is often used in passages in 15. In order to teach our youth high political and
the two books, often derogatory of Catholic beliefs social ideals, is it necessary to make them
and practices, including criticisms of unworthy read that the idea of Purgatory “does not exist in
priests. the Old Testament nor in the Gospels;
that neither Moses nor Christ made the slightest
10. In these two novels we find passages against
mention of it; and that the early Christians
Catholic dogma and morals
did not believe in a purgatory?”
11. The Catholic religion faces numerous attacks,
16. In order to teach our youth civic virtues is it
including doubts about miracles, Purgatory,
necessary to tell our girls that “there is a
baptism, confession, communion, Holy Mass,
mystery (of corruption) that is hidden behind the
indulgences, Church prayers, Catechism, sermons,
walls of a nunnery; that it is a thousand
sacramentals, God's omnipotence, hell, the Trinity,
times better for them to be unhappy in the world
and Christ's two natures.
than in the cloister; that girls who are
12. The text criticizes various aspects of divine beautiful were not born to be brides of Christ?”
worship, including veneration of images, devotion
17. The text argues that the political and social
to the Blessed Virgin and Saints, rosary prayers,
principles of Rizal's novels are intertwined with
and vocal prayers, as well as mass ceremonies, those considered objectionable from the Church's
baptismal rites, and Sacred Sunday obligations. perspective. It warns against imposing
13. The two novels, written by a national hero, fall objectionable passages on the youth, as they can
be exploited by those who hate the Church to
under Canon Law 1399, which prohibits books
imbue them with ideas incompatible with their
defending heresy, schism, or attacking Catholic
religion. The text emphasizes that religious
dogmas. The authors argue that these works are conscience is formed by one's belief in and
objectionable reading and should only be read with adherence to their faith, and Catholic conscience is
permission from ecclesiastical authority. However, guided by the teachings and laws of the Church.
not all portions of the novels fall under this law. The The text urges legislators not to legislate against
proposed Senate Bill No. 438 would make the two the conscience of millions of Filipinos, who have a
novels compulsory reading in schools, forcing right to their freedom of conscience. The text warns
Catholic youth to read doctrinal attacks against against confusing patriotism and faith, as they are
their religion without making it equally obligatory for so closely intertwined in Rizal's novels that
them to read the answer to such attacks. The attempts to separate them might be misinterpreted.
government allows the teaching of religion in The text offers brief statements for guidance and
schools, but this does not eliminate the unfairness presents them to all Filipinos, especially to the law-
giving bodies of the government.
of the proposed law. The government may also
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They are our expression of the Catholic stand social political philosophy of Rizal not only from
concerning the novels of Dr. Jose Rizal, NOLI ME these two novels but from all the rest of his writings,
TANGERE and EL FILIBUSTERISMO: letters, poems and speeches be compiled. It is not
I. We, the Catholic Philippine Hierarchy, in our only in the two novels but also in his other writings
name and in the name of millions of faithful Filipino are the patriotic teachings of Rizal to be found. In
Catholics, wish on this occasion to restate our order to compile an Anthology of the kind we
unshakable loyalty to our fatherland, as well as to suggest, we have already organized a committee
the lawfully constituted authorities of the country. which is making the necessary studies.
II. Faithful Catholics wish to be second to none in IX. Our objection then to the Bill proposed is not an
love and veneration for our national hero, Dr. Jose objection against our national hero nor against the
Rizal, whose patriotism remains for us a noble imparting of patriotic education to our Children.
inspiration. X. Our Constitution (Art. 3, Section 1 (7)
III. We assert that he is our greatest patriot and our guarantees the free exercise of religion. The
greatest national hero, not however for what one Supreme Court of the United States has decided
day he wrote against our religion and which at the that the American school children belonging to a
end he retracted “with all his heart”, but for what he certain sect cannot be compelled to salute the
did on behalf of the welfare of our country. American flag because said act is offensive to their
IV. The novels Noli Me Tangere and El religious belief. (West Virginia Board of Education v.
Filibusterismo were doubtlessly written as an Barnett, 319, U.S. 624). On this basis, We believe
expression of Rizal’s ardent and generous love for that to compel Catholic students to read a book
our dear Philippines, and there are many beautiful which contain passages contradicting their faith
passages in them showing this; and we are in favor constitutes a violation of a Philippine
of propagating these passages and encouraging constitutional provision.
our young generation to read and learn them. XI. We, the Catholic Philippine Hierarchy maintain
V. But unfortunately these novels were written when that these novels do contain teachings contrary to
Dr. Jose Rizal, estranged for a time from our faith our faith and so, We are opposed to the proposed
and religion, did contradict many of our Christian compulsory reading in their entirety of such books
beliefs. in any school in the Philippines where Catholic
VI. This in no way implies that we must reject him in students may be affected. We cannot permit the
order to remain loyal to our faith. It only means that eternal salvation of immortal souls, souls for which
we have to imitate him precisely in what he did we are answerable before the throne of Divine
when he was about to crown the whole work of his Justice, to be compromised for the sake of any
life by sealing it with his blood: we ought to human good, no matter how great it may appear to
withdraw, as he courageously did in the hour of his be. “For what does it profit a man, if he gains the
supreme sacrifice, “whatever in his works, writings, whole world, but suffer the loss of his own soul?
publications and conduct had been contrary to his
status as a son of the Catholic Church.” A dying
person’s last will is sacred. Taking into account Given this 21st day of April in the year of Our Lord,
Rizal’s last will, we must carry out for him what 1956. Manila, Philippines
death prevented him from doing, namely, the
withdrawal of all his statements against the Catholic
faith.
VII. It is our conviction that to disregard our national Summary and Conclusion
hero’s last will expressed in his Retraction as well
as his Last Farewell, is, far from revering his The Rizal law could be considered a breakthrough
memory, bringing it into contempt.
legislation in the postwar Philippines. During this
VIII. It is true, as the Explanatory Note to the
period, the Philippines was trying to survive on its
proposed Bill No. 438 – 3rd C.R.P. says that “to
praise Rizal without taking the trouble to study that feet from a devastating war and aiming towards
which elicits our praises is to be hypocritical”. nation-building. As the government sought ways to
Hence we suggest that a Rizalian Anthology be unite the people, legislator like Claro M. Recto
prepared where all the patriotic passages and the drew inspiration from the lives of the heroes of the
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revolution against the Spain. Senator Claro M.

Recto was the main proponent of the Rizal Bill. He
sought to sponsor the bill at Congress. However,
this was met with stiff opposition from the Catholic
Church. During the 1955 Senate election, the
church charged Recto with being a communist and
an anti-Catholic. After Recto's election, 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. In the campaign to oppose
the Rizal bill, the Catholic Church urged its
adherents to write to their congressmen and
senators showing their opposition to the bill; later, it
organized symposiums. In one of these
symposiums. They argued that the novels belonged
to the past and that teaching them would
misrepresent current conditions. After much, debate
and contestation, the proposed
bill was eventually signed into a law and became
Republic act No. 1425.