URDANETA CITY College of Teacher Education Catholic Church assailed the Rizal Bill as anti-Church because it forces the

UNIVERSITY
Owned and operated by the City Government of Urdaneta
students to read Rizal's works like the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
which contain passages that were anti-Church. They presented fears that the
religious beliefs of the young students would be harmed by reading Rizal's works
while they were at their formative years. Forcing the students to read Rizal's
The Life and Works of Jose Rizal
works which have religious overtones would be a violation of the constitutional
LESSON 2: RIZAL LAW
freedom of religion and of conscience. The Church made use of lobbyists as well
as priests in opposing the Rizal Bill. Among them were Catholic organizations
At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:
such as the Accion Catolico which was formerly headed by Senator Francisco
a. identify the opposing groups on the issue of the Rizal Law;
b. state the opposing groups' points of contention and determine the "Soc" Rodrigo. Priests attended and actively participated in the hearings of the
interests of the contending groups; and Senate.
c. draw parallels to the present time.
Many of these priests were foreigners who sought audience with senators
to convince them to oppose the bill. This was a clear interference of the Church
on the making of policies by the State.
The Story of the Rizal Law
Seminars were held across the countryside to oppose the bill. In one
In 1956, Senator Claro M. Recto filed a measure, which became the original seminar, one of the oppositors, Fr. Jesus Cavanna, commented that Rizal’s novels
Rizal Bill, recognizing the need to instil heroism among the youth at the time belonged to the past and it would be harmful to read them because they
when the country was experiencing social turmoil. It was a time when the presented a false picture of the conditions of the country at that time. He also
country was being ravaged by the Hukbalahap insurgency. The imperialist said that out of the 333 pages of the Noli Me Tangere, there were only 25 patriotic
presence in the form of American influence was strong in the country's economy statements compared to 120 anti-Catholic statements. One commentator, Jesus
and political policies. The communist insurgency was fought through American
Paredes, said that the novels contain objectionable matters and Catholics had the
guidance and material aid. The Philippines became part of the global network to right to refuse to read them, so as not to endanger their faith. Another
contain the spread of communism with the conclusion of a mutual defense commentator, Narciso Pimentel, offered the speculation that Recto introduced
agreement with the United States in 1951 and its joining the Southeast Asia Treaty his Rizal Bill to get back at the Catholic voters, who, together with President
Organization (SEATO). On the economic front, the United parity rights granted in Magsaysay, were responsible for his poor showing in the 1955 elections.
the Philippine Constitution which allowed the Americans to exploit the country's Lawmakers such as Representative Miguel Cuenco and Senator Francisco "Soc"
natural resources. In 1956/ the Laurel-Langley Agreement ensured the free entry Rodrigo voiced the opposition of the Church in Congress. Senator Rodrigo
of American products, thus ensuring the preference of Filipinos for American commented that he would not let his teenage son read the Noli Me Tangere and
goods. Internally, the country was buffeted by corrupt party politics and news of El Filibusterismo lest he endangers his Catholic faith. He proposed that the
political corruption was rampant. The 1950s was indeed confusing times. footnoted or annotated versions of the novels be used instead of the
unexpurgated versions required in the Recto Bill.
This was the period when Recto submitted his bill, calling for a return to
patriotic values enunciated by Filipino heroes like Jose Rizal. Under the bill, it shall The Church continued its opposition of the bill by calling all Catholic voters
be obligatory for college and university students to study the life and works of to reject lawmakers who supported Recto's Rizal Bill. Pastoral letters were read in
Jose Rizal. The issuance of the bill was not welcomed by various quarters. The masses voicing opposition. Bishops threatened to close down Catholic schools if
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the bill was approved, Recto, however, stood his ground and dared the Catholic Whereas, the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels
Church to shut down their schools, knowing that this was only an idle threat since Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of
the Catholic learning institutions were its major source of income. He also patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative
_rejected Senator Rodrigo's suggestion that the annotated or edited versions of and decisive years in school, should be suffused;
the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo should be used.
Whereas, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and
After a month-long standoff, a compromise bill was filed. It was authored subject to regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral
by Senator Jose Laurel and it was based on the proposals of Senators Roseller character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of
Lim and Emmanuel Pelaez. On June 12, 1956, Republic Act No. 1425, better known citizenship; Now, therefore,
as the Rizal Law, came into effect. The law accommodated the objections of the
Catholic Church. This could be seen in the second paragraph of Section 1, Section 1. Courses on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly
allowing students to seek exemption from reading Rizal's works for religious his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula
reasons. To the authors of the original bill, it was a complete victory but its of all schools, colleges, and universities, public or private: Provided, that in the
oppositors felt satisfied that at least they achieved something. The law, however, collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere
still requires the reading of the unexpurgated versions of Rizal’s novels. It also and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts.
provided the funding of publication of Rizal’s works and their distribution to the The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to
countryside. It was, however, a one-time appropriation and provision, for future adopt forthwith measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this
publication was not given. The Rizal Law is more than 50 years old now, and it Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers, and
may need revisions to make it more relevant. 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 regulations of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and
Republic Act No. 1425 regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of religious belief
House Bill No. 5561 stated in a sworn written statement/ from the requirement of the provision
Senate Bill No. 438 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
An act to include in the curricula of all public and private schools, colleges, regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official
and universities courses on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly Gazette.
his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, authorizing the printing and
distribution thereof, and for other purposes. 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
Whereas, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as
for a rededication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes Rizal's other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
lived and died; Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other
Whereas, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required
and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their reading in all public or private schools, colleges, and universities.
lives and works that have shaped the national character;

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 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 Pu rok organizations and
the 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, 1 956

References:
De Viana et al (2018). Jose Rizal: Social Reformer and Patriot. A study of His Life
and Times. Rex Book Store, Inc. Sampaloc, Manila

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