The Retraction of Jose Rizal
By: Jombert B. Dejan
I, Jombert B. Dejan, strongly believe that Dr. Jose Rizal did not retract his writings
or renounce his beliefs against Spanish colonial rule and the oppressive practices of
the friars. The claim of a retraction is surrounded by inconsistencies, questionable
sources, and a suspicious timeline that casts doubt on its authenticity. Rizal’s
character, actions, and writings up to his final moments clearly reflect his
unwavering dedication to his principles and his country.
Firstly, the alleged retraction document was said to have been signed by Rizal on
December 29, 1896, the day before his execution. However, the original
manuscript mysteriously disappeared shortly after it was publicized by the friars. It
was not until 1935—almost four decades later—that a copy was "rediscovered,"
causing many scholars to question its legitimacy. Historian Ricardo Pascual, in his
critical work "Rizal Beyond the Grave" (1937), examined the handwriting and
content of the letter and concluded it to be a forgery, noting several discrepancies
in the style and form inconsistent with Rizal’s known writings.
Secondly, Rizal’s behavior during his final hours contradicts the idea that he had
retracted. He was seen composing his famous farewell poem, "Mi Último Adiós," a
deeply patriotic piece that never mentioned repentance or submission to the
Church. Furthermore, he rejected the presence of friars at the time of his execution,
which would be highly unlikely if he had sincerely returned to the faith. Historian
Ambeth Ocampo, in "Rizal Without the Overcoat," highlights these final actions as
evidence of Rizal’s unwavering commitment to his ideals.
Additionally, there were inconsistencies in the testimonies of those who claimed to
have witnessed the retraction. Father Balaguer, a Jesuit priest who allegedly
received Rizal’s retraction, gave conflicting accounts in 1907 and 1917. No neutral
or credible witnesses confirmed the retraction, and most accounts came from
sources closely aligned with the friars or the colonial regime. Historian Leon Ma.
Guerrero, in "The First Filipino," points out that such discrepancies weaken the
reliability of these testimonies.
Finally, it is essential to understand the motives behind the promotion of the
retraction. At the time, the Spanish colonial government and the Catholic Church
were eager to demoralize the growing revolutionary movement. Presenting Rizal as
a repentant Catholic who retracted his anti-friar sentiments would have served their
political interest in undermining the revolution. It is, therefore, plausible that the
retraction was fabricated or exaggerated for propaganda purposes.
In conclusion, the evidence supporting Rizal’s retraction is weak and surrounded
by controversy. His final writings and actions speak louder than a questionable
document that surfaced under suspicious circumstances. As a student and a
Filipino, I stand by the belief that Dr. Jose Rizal remained true to his ideals until
the very end.
References:
Pascual, R. (1937). Rizal Beyond the Grave. Manila: Philippine Free Press
http://www.xeniaeditrice.it/rpascualocrpdf.pdf
Ocampo, A. (1990). Rizal Without the Overcoat. Anvil Publishing.
https://archive.org/details/rizalwithoutover0000ocam/page/188/mode/2up
Guerrero, L.M. (1998). The First Filipino: A Biography of José Rizal. Guerrero
Publishing.
http://www.xeniaeditrice.it/firstfilipinoocrpdf.pdf
Zaide, G., & Zaide, S. (1999). Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius,
Writer, Scientist and National Hero. All-Nations Publishing.
https://www.scribd.com/document/645439734/JOSE-RIZAL-Life-Works-and-Writ
ings-of-a-Genius-Writer-Scientist-and-National-Hero-Second-Edition-Gregorio-F-
Zaide-Ph-D-Sonia-M-Zaide-Ph-D-pdf
