BICAMERAL
BILL
A measure Involving the two
which, if passed chambers of the
through the Congress: Senate
and the House of
legislative
Representatives
process,
becomes a law
As the Philippines, grappled with various challenges,
prominent individuals who championed nationalism
came to action. They pursued government measures to
instill patriotism and love for country in the hearts and
minds of the Filipinos. These people drew inspiration
from the Philippine experience of the revolution for
independence against Spain and from the heroes of that
important period in the country’s history.
One measure sought was the passage of
the Republic Act No. 1425 or the Rizal
Law, which primarily set to address “a
need for a re- dedication to the ideals of
freedom and nationalism for which our
heroes lived and died”.
On April 3, 1956,
Senate Bill No. On April 17, 1956,
438 was filed by the Senate
Committee on Claro M. Recto and
the Senate Education Chair Jose his allies entered
Committee on P. Laurel sponsored into a fierce battle
Education the bill and began arguing the
delivering speeches passage of SB 438.
for the proposed Debates started on
legislation. April 23, 1956.
House Bill No.
5561, an identical The House
version of SB 438 Committee on
was filed by Education
Representative approved the bill
Jacobo Z. Gonzales without
amendments on Debates
May 2, 1956. commenced on
May 9, 1956
• The main sponsor and defender of
the Rizal Bill.
• He was born in Tiaong, Tayabas
(Quezon) on February 8, 1890
• Recto was also instrumental in the
drafting of the constitution of the
Philippines in 1934-1935 as he was
selected president of the assembly.
• He was a diplomat and a man of
letters.
To move the procedure to the next step, Jose P. Laurel proposed
amendments to the bill on May 9, 1956. In particular, he removed
the compulsory reading of Rizal’s novels and added that Rizal’s
other works must also be included in the subject.
On May 14, 1956, similar amendments were adopted to the
House version.
Thus, on May 17, 1956, the Senate and House versions were
approved.
The approved versions were then transmitted to Malacañang
On June 12, 1956, President Magsaysay signed the bill into law
which became 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,
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:
SECTION 1 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.
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
SECTION 2 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.
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
SECTION 3 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.
Nothing in this Act shall be
construed as amendment or
repealing section nine hundred
twenty-seven of the
SECTION 4 Administrative Code, prohibiting
the discussion of religious
doctrines by public school
teachers and other person
engaged in any public school.
The sum of three hundred
thousand pesos is hereby
authorized to be appropriated
SECTION 5 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.
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.
“Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
must be read by all Filipinos. They must
be taken to heart, for in their pages we
see ourselves as in a mirror, our defects
as well as our strength, our virtues as
well as our vices. Only then would we
become conscious as a people and so
FOR
learn to prepare ourselves for painful
sacrifices that ultimately lead to self-
reliance, self- respect and freedom.”
- Senator Jose P. Laurel
“ A vast majority of our people are, at
the same time, Catholic and Filipino
citizens. As such, they have two great
loves: their country and their faith.
These two loves are not conflicting
loves. They are harmonious affections,
like the love for his father and his
mother. This is the basis of my stand ,
AGAINST Let us not create a conflict between the
government and the church.”
-Senator Francisco Rodrigo
The Rizal Law could be considered as landmark legislation in the postwar
Philippines. During this period, the Philippines was trying to get up on its feet
from a devastating war and aiming towards nation- building. As the government
sought ways to unite the people, legislators like Claro M. Recto drew inspiration
from the lives of the heroes of the revolution against Spain. In this frame, the
teaching of the life and works of Jose Rizal, particularly the reading of his novels
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, was proposed to be mandate to all private
and public educational institutions. The proposed legislation, howeve, met
opposition particulary from the Catholic Church. After much debate, the proposed
bill was eventually signed into law and became RA 1425.
