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REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

HISTORY
Senate bill 438 known as Rizal Bill which was first authored by Senator Claro M. Recto -
requiring the inclusion in the curricula of all private and public schools, colleges and universities
the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo - is considered as one of the most controversial bills in the Philippines. Normally,
before the bill was approved and implemented in all schools and was signed into a law known
as Republic Act 1425, it had been brought to the Upper and Lower House of the Congress for
deliberations. But what made it controversial is that the bill was not just fiercely opposed by
people from Legislative Arm but also by the Catholic Church due to the inclusion of compulsory
reading of Rizal's novels in which according to them, catholic dogmas are humiliated.
Senator Recto brought the bill to the Senate and Senator Jose B. Laurel Sr. who was
then the Chairman of the Committee on Education sponsored the bill that consequently led to
exchange of arguments from the Congress. The bill was headedly opposed by three senators
namely Senator Francisco Rodrigo who was a former Catholic Action President,
Senator Mariano Cuenco and Senator Decoroso Rosales who was the brother of Julio Rosales,
an archbishop. Other oppositors were from Lower House namely Congressmen Ramon
Durano, Marciano Lim, Jose Nuguid, Manuel Soza, Godofredo Ramos, Miguel Cuenco, Lucas
Paredes, Congressmen Carmen Consing and Tecia San Andres Ziga. The Catholic Church was
indirectly included in the debates and played a major role for the intervention of signing of the
bill into a law. Allied with the church in battle against Rizal Bill were the Holy Name Society of
the Philippines, Catholic Action of the Philippines, Legion of Mary, Knights of
Columbus and Daughters of Isabela.
Oppositions argued that the bill would go against freedom of conscience and religion,
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. Oppositors argued that among the 333 pages of Noli Me
Tangere, only 25 passages are nationalistic while 120 passages are anti-catholic. While upon
scrutiny of the two novels by some members of catholic hierarchical, 170 passages in Noli Me
Tangere and 50 in El Filibusterismo are against catholic faith. Furthermore, oppositors pointed
out that Rizal admitted that he did not only attack the friars who acted deceptively on the
Filipinos but also the catholic faith itself. They suggested a reading material for students as to
what they called Rizalian Anthology, a collection of Rizal's literary works that contain the patriotic
philosophy excluding the two novels.
Of course, Recto and Laurel defended the bill and argued that the only objective of the
bill is to keep the memory of the national hero alive in every Filipino's mind, to emanate Rizal as
he peacefully fought for freedom, and not to go against religion. Senators Lorenso
Tanada, Quintin Paredes and Domocao Alonto of Mindanao also defended Rizal Bill which was
also favored by Representatives from the House namely Congressmen Jacobo
Gonzales, Emilio Cortez, Mario Bengson, Joaquin Roxas, Lancap Lagumbay and Pedro Lopez.
Other supporters of the bill were Mayor Arsenio Lacson call anti-Rizal bill "bigoted and
intolerant" and walked out of a mass when the priest read a pastoral letter from the Archbishop
denouncing the Rizal Bill and General Emilio Aguinaldo with groups like the Knights of
Rizal, Women Writers of the Verrnacular, Philippine Veterans Legion, College Editors'
Guild and Philippine School Teachers' Association.
 Excitement and intense scenes were eventually arisen in settling the Rizal Bill. One of
which was the debate of Cebu Representative Ramon
Durano and Pampanga Representative Emilio Cortes that ended with a fistfight in
Congress. Bacolod City Bishop Manuel Yap threatened to campaign against pro-Rizal bill
legislators and to punish them in future elections. Catholic Schools Representatives threatened
to close down their schools if the Rizal Bill was passed. Recto told them that if they did, the
State could nationalize the catholic schools. When there was a proposal to use the expurgated
novels as textbooks and put the original copies under lock and key in the school libraries, Recto
rejected this amendment and expressed:
"The people who would eliminate the books of Rizal from the schools...would bot out
from our minds the memory of the national hero...this is not a fight against Recto but a fight
against Rizal...now that Rizal is dead and they can no longer attempt at his life, they are
attempting to blot out his memory."
Due to apparently never-ending debate on the Rizal Bill, approved amendments were
formulated through ideas of three senators. Senator Laurel' created an amendment to the
original bill in which, other that Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, works written by Rizal
and works written by others about Rizal would be included and reading of the unexpurgated
revision of the two novels would no longer be compulsory to elementary and secondary levels
but would be strictly observed to college level. Senator Lim suggested the exemption to those
students who feel that reading Rizal's novels would negatively affect his or her faith. Senator
Primicias created an additional amendment that promulgates the rules and regulations in getting
an exemption only from reading the two novels through written statement or affidavit and not
from taking the Rizal Course. According to historian Ambeth Ocampo, no student has ever
availed of this exemption. After the revised amendments, the bill was finally passed on May 17,
1956 and was signed into law as Republic Act 1425 by President Ramon Magsaysay on June
12 of the same year.
PROVISIONS

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 Rizals 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

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 247

DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORTS AND THE

CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION TO FULLY IMPLEMENT
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425 ENTITLED "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, Republic Act No. 1425 approved on June 12, 1956, directs all schools, colleges
and universities, public and private, to include in their curricula, courses on the life, works and
writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo which "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, according to Dr. Rizal, "the school is the book in which is written the future of the
nation;"WHEREAS, in 1996, the Filipino people will commemorate the centennial of Rizals
martyrdom and, two years thereafter, the centennial of the Declaration of Philippine
Independence; and

WHEREAS, as we prepare to celebrate these watershed events in our history, it is necessary to

rekindle in the heart of every Filipino, especially the youth, the same patriotic fervor that once
galvanized our forebears to outstanding achievements so we can move forward together toward
a greater destiny as we enter the 21st century.

NOW, THEREFORE, I FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue
of the powers vested in me by law, hereby direct the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports
and the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education to take steps to immediately and fully
implement the letter, intent and spirit of Republic Act No. 1425 and to impose, should it be
necessary, appropriate disciplinary action against the governing body and/or head of any public
or private school, college or university found not complying with said law and the rules,
regulations, orders and instructions issued pursuant thereto.

Within thirty (30) days from issuance hereof, the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports and
the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education are hereby directed to jointly submit to
the President of the Philippines a report on the steps they have taken to implement this
Memorandum Order, and one (1) year thereafter, another report on the extent of compliance by
both public and private schools in all levels with the provisions of R.A. No. 1425.

This Memorandum Order takes effect immediately after its issuance.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 26th day of December in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen
Hundred and Ninety-Four.

(SGD.) FIDEL V. RAMOS

President

OTHER RIZAL LAWS

ACT NO. 137 - which organized a politico-military district and named it as the province of Rizal
in honor of the most illustrious Filipino.
ACT NO. 243 - which authorized a public subscription for the erection of a monument in honor
of Rizal at Luneta.
ACT NO. 345 - which set aside the anniversary of Rizals death as a day of observance.
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 229
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT COCKFIGHTING, HORSE RACING AND JAI-ALAI ON THE THIRTIETH
DAY OF DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR AND TO CREATE A COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE
OF THE PROPER CELEBRATION OF RIZAL DAY IN EVERY MUNICIPALITY AND
CHARTERED CITY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. The existing laws and regulations to the contrary notwithstanding, cockfighting,
horse racing and jai-alai are hereby prohibited on the thirtieth day of December each year, the
date of the martyrdom of our great hero, Jose Rizal.

SECTION 2. It shall be the official duty of the mayor of each municipality and chartered city to
create a committee to take charge of the proper observance of Rizal Day Celebration of each
year, in which he shall be the chairman, which shall be empowered to seek the assistance and
co-operation of any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government,
and the local civic and educational institutions. Among the ceremonies on Rizal Day shall be the
raising of the Philippine flag at half mast in all vessels and public buildings.

SECTION 3. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this Act or permit or allow the
violation thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding two hundred pesos or by
imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both, at the discretion of the court. In case he is the
mayor of a municipality or a chartered city he shall suffer an additional punishment of
suspension from his office for a period of one month. In case of partnerships, corporations or
associations, the criminal liability shall devolve upon the president, director, or any other official
responsible for the violation thereof.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 9, 1948.