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
Republic Act No. 1425, also known as the Rizal Law, was enacted on June 12,
1956. Its main purpose is to promote the ideals of Jose Rizal, the Philippines'
national hero, by mandating the inclusion of his life, works, and writings,
especially his novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," in the curricula
of all schools, colleges, and universities in the Philippines.
Background:
Author and Sponsor:
Senator Claro M. Recto authored the law to inspire patriotism and nationalism
among Filipinos.
Senator Jose P. Laurel Sr., chairman of the Senate Committee on Education,
sponsored the bill.
Purpose:
To foster Filipino identity, love for country, and moral character through the
study of Rizal's ideals and teachings.
To combat colonial mentality and instill the values of independence and
reform.
Controversies:
The law faced strong opposition from the Catholic Church, which claimed
Rizal's novels contained anti-Catholic sentiments.
Debates centered around the Church's concerns for preserving religious beliefs
versus the state's aim to instill nationalism.
Compromise:
As a compromise, students were allowed to read summarized versions of the
novels if they requested exemptions based on religious grounds.
Key Provisions:
Compulsory inclusion of Rizal’s life, works, and writings in education.
Translation and distribution of "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" into
English, Filipino, and major Philippine languages.
Availability of Rizal’s works in libraries and encouragement of their wider
readership.
RA 1425 remains a cornerstone of Filipino education, emphasizing the
relevance of Rizal's vision in shaping national identity and values.
