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THE RIZAL LAW
Lesson 4
Republic Art 1425
Also known as Rizal Law was approved on June
12,1956 is an act mandating all public and
private institutions including state colleges and
universities to include the Dr. Jose Rizal's life ,
works , and writings as a course across
programs.
It was written by Jose P. Laurel with a
compromised version of House Bill No. 5561
which came out on April 19,1956 in the House of
Representatives and Senate Bill No. 438 on April
3,1956 by then the Committee of Education led
by Cong. Jacobo Gonzales and Senator Claro M.
Recto known as Noli-Fili Bill.
THE CONTROVERSIES CREATED BY R.A.
1425
The Catholic hierarchy was the initial sector to

press its dissenting view onthe passage of a law
that would make Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibustersimo as compulsory reading matters in
all schools, colleges and universities in the
Philippines
OPPOSITION TO S.B.428 FR. JESUS
CAVANNA
- argued that the novels belonged to the past and
that teaching them would misrepresent current
conditions.
JESUS PAREDES (radio commentator)

- also said that Catholics had the right to refuse
to read them as it would "endanger their
salvation".
REPRESENTATIVE MIGUEL CUENCO &
SENATOR FRANCISCO "SOC" RODRIGO
-argued that it will be a violation of religious
freedom.
Republic Act No. 1425 June 12, 1956
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425
AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS
AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY
HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL
FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING
AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES WHEREAS, today, more than any other
period of our history, there is a need for a re-
dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism
for which our heroes lived and died;
WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them,
particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we
remember with special fondness and devotion their lives
and works that have shaped the national character;
WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal,
particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of
patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially
during their formative and decisive years in school,
should be suffused; WHEREAS, all educational
institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to
regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to
develop moral character, personal discipline, civic
conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now,
therefore,
SECTION 1.
Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose
Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of
all schools, colleges and universities, public or
private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the
original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English
translation shall be used as basic texts. The Board of
National Education is hereby authorized and
directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement
and carry out the provisions of this Section,
including the writing and printing of appropriate
primers, readers and textbooks.
The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and
regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature,
to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act.
The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations
providing for the exemption of students for reasons
of religious belief stated in a sworn written
statement, from the requirement of the provision
contained in the second part of the first paragraph
of this section; but not from taking the course
provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said
rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30)
days after their publication in the Official Gazette.
SECTION 2.
It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and
universities to keep in their libraries an adequate
number of copies of the original and unexpurgated
editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The
said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English
as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in
the list of approved books for required reading in all
public or private schools, colleges and universities.
The Board of National Education shall determine the
adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the
enrollment of the school, college or university.
SECTION 3.
The Board of National Education shall cause the
translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose
Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal
Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in
cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be
distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to
read them, through the Purok organizations and
Barrio Councils throughout the country.
SECTION 4.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as
amendment or repealing section nine hundred
twenty-seven of the Administrative Code,
prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines
by public school teachers and other person
engaged in any public school.
SECTION 5.
The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is
hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any
fund not otherwise appropriated in the National
Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6.
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: June 12, 1956 Published in the Official

Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.
END

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THE RIZAL LAW

The Catholic hierarchy was the initial sector to

JESUS PAREDES (radio commentator)

Approved: June 12, 1956 Published in the Official

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