The Rizal Law
Senator Claro M. Recto- author of the bill Reasons- there is a need for a re-dedication to
Senate bill 438 or The Rizal Bill- requiring the ideals of freedom and nationalism… - Jose
the inclusion in the curricula of all private and P. Laurel Sr.
public schools, colleges and universities the
life, works and writings of Jose Rizal Opposition
particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Institutions that opposed the bill
Filibusterismo. 1. Catholic Action of the Philippines
April 17, 1956- Jose P. Laurel Sr. sponsored 2. Congregation of the Mission
the Senate Bill 438 also known as The Rizal 3. Knights of Columbus
Bill. 4. Catholic Teachers Guild
April 23, 1956- the senate started its debate Notable People who opposed the bill
sessions 1. Decoroso Rosales- Brother of
House Bill No. 5561- identical version of Archbishop Rosales
Senate Bill 438, was filed by Representative 2. Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo- President
Jacobo Gonzales in the House of of Catholic Action of the Philippines
Representatives. 3. Mariano Cuenco- Brother of
May 9, 1956- the debates in the House of Archbishop Cuenco
Representatives started 4. Archbishop Santos- Wrote a pastoral
Amendments- were made after long and letter in opposition to the launch of
grueling debate sessions in the Senate and the Rizal Law
House of Representatives. Reasons for Opposing the Bill
May 17, 1956- Senate and House version of 1. The two novels are damaging to the
the bill were both approved Priests.
2. The novels’ author, Jose Rizal, is
Supported the Rizal Bill estranged from Catholic faith and
1. Congressman Emilio Cortez directly opposed and contradicted
2. Congressman Mariano Bengzon Catholic teachings.
3. Congressman Joaquin Roces 3. Compelling Catholic students to read a
4. Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson book which contains passages
Reasons for launching the Bill contradicting their faith constitutes a
5R’s violation of a Philippine constitutional
Recall Re-enlighten provision (Art. 3, Sec. 1, Par. 7).
Reveal Re-calibrate 4. The novels contain teachings contrary
Recognize to the Catholic faith.
5. The priests who opposed the passage
of the bill considered those who
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supported the bill as “Heretic” RA 1425- Rizal Law
individuals and communists.
6. The Church feared the bill would
violate freedom of conscience and
religion.
7. The Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) submitted a
pastoral letter to which according,
Rizal violated Canon Law 1399 which
forbids or bans books that attack or
ridicule the catholic doctrine and
practices
8. Oppositors argued that among the 333
pages of Noli Me Tangere, only 25
passages are nationalistic while 120
passages are anti-catholic.
Amendment- An amendment to the original
bill was created to act as a middle ground
between those who supported the bill and
those who called for its rejection.
Unexpurgated- revision of the two novels
would no longer be compulsory to elementary
and secondary levels.
June 12, 1956- Congress passed the bill and
subsequently signed into Rizal Law ( RA
1425) by President Magsaysay
In 1994- Former President Fidel Ramos
ordered DECS and CHED to fully implement
RA 1425 through Memorandum Order No.
247.
CHED Memorandum No. 3 S. 1995- was
issued to enforce strict compliance to
Memorandum Order No. 247
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Legal Basis of Rizal Day and Other
Memorials in honor of Jose Rizal
Two years after the execution of Rizal in
Bagumbayan, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo issued
on Dec. 20, 1898 a decree designating Dec. 30
as the anniversary of Jose Rizal’s death and
also as “a national day of mourning” for
Rizal and other victims of the Spanish
government throughout its three centuries of
oppressive rule.
June 11, 1901- the Taft Commission renamed
the district of Morong into the Province of
Rizal through Act 137
1901- Rizal acquired the official title of title of
Philippine National Hero
Also during the American times- Rizal’s
death anniversary was made an official
holiday.
February 1, 1902- the Philippine
Commission enacted Act. No. 345 which set
December 30 of each year as Rizal Day, and
made it one of the ten official holidays of the
Philippines.
September 28, 1901- Act No. 243 was
enacted, granting the right to use public land
upon the Luneta in the City of Manila upon
which to build a statue of Jose Rizal.
CELEBRATING RIZAL’S LEGACY
A design competition was held between
1905–1907, sculptors from Europe and the
United States were invited to submit their
entries.
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