Lecture Notes: Introduction to Republic Act No. 1425 (Rizal Law)

Overview

• Rizal Law (Republic Act No. 1425)
  • Authored by Senator Claro M. Recto
  • Signed into law by President Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956
  • Mandates the inclusion of Rizal's works in all tertiary education courses

Significance of the Law

• Introduced as a requirement for all courses in tertiary education
• Aimed at promoting nationalism and honoring the contributions of Jose Rizal
• Considered controversial, especially by the Catholic Church

Objectives of the Rizal Law

1. Rededicate the youth to ideals of freedom and nationalism for which Rizal fought
2. Tribute to Rizal for shaping the Filipino character
3. Inspiration for patriotism through the study of Rizal's life and works

Controversies Surrounding the Law

• Opposition from the Catholic Church
  • Concerns about the novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" undermining Catholic doctrine
  • Argument that the law would infringe upon freedom of religion
• Physical confrontations occurred in Congress during debates over the law

Legislative History

• Initial opposition led by multiple senators and representatives
• Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) intervened
• The proposal prompted heated debates in Congress
• Eventually, compromises and amendments were made to the original bill

Key Amendments and Provisions

• Exemptions for students who feel reading the novels negatively impacts their faith
• Section 1: Requires inclusion of Rizal's life and works in all curricula
• Section 2: Schools must maintain an adequate number of unexpurgated copies of Rizal's works
• Section 3: Translations of Rizal's works into English and other Philippine dialects must be provided
• Section 4: Clarifies that this act does not amend laws prohibiting discussions of religious doctrines in public schools
• Section 5: Allocates funds to carry out the purposes of the act
• Section 6: The act takes effect upon approval

Conclusion

• The Rizal Law is significant in promoting national identity and honoring Jose Rizal’s contributions
• Encourages the youth to gain a sense of nationalism and patriotism through education

Call to Action

• Students are encouraged to comment their names, courses, and sections for attendance monitoring

Additional Notes

• The law is still relevant today and serves as a foundation for discussing Filipino identity and history.