REPUBLIC ACT
1425
“RIZAL LAW”
THE DEBATE OVER THE RIZAL
BILL
• Claro M.Recto – originally authored the Rizal Bill.
• Senate Bill No. 438 – original version of the Rizal Bill which
states that it is “an act to make Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo compulsory reading matter in all public and
private colleges and universities and for other purposes.
• One of the oppositions to the bill was the word
“compulsory” as this limits or denies rights and privileges
regarding individuals’ faith or religion.
• Jose P. Laurel-later sponsored the bill being the committee
chair of education in congress.
CATHOLIC HIERARCHY VS
SEN. RECTO & LAUREL
• The bill would violate • Inclusion of two novels
freedom of conscience and will instill to students
religion.
the value of education
• Issued pastoral letter
and love for the ideals
detailing its objections to
of freedom, equality
the bill and enjoining
Catholics to oppose it. and democratic
processes and also to
• The two novels contained
views and presentations
foster a strong sense
that are unfavorable to the of nationalism or love
doctrines of Catholics. of country.
• The amended version of the bills also subjected to scrutiny but
seemed more palatable to the members of Congress.
• The passage was almost hijacked by technicality since the House of
Representatives was about to adjourn in a few days and Pres. Ramon
Magsaysay did not certify the bill as priority.
• The allies in the House skillfully avoided the insertion of ay other
amendment to prevent the need to reprint new copies which would
take time.
• They asked the Bureau of Printing to use the same templates for the
Senate version in printing the House version.,
• On May 17, 1956, the Senate and House versions were approved.
• June 12, 1956 Pres. Magsaysay signed the Bill into Law
which became the Republic Act No. 1425
JPR WAS CHOSEN AS THE GREATEST
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL HERO
• Hero – is a person admired for achievements and noble qualities and
a prominent or central personage taking an admirable action.
• A person of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger and an individual honored
after death by public worship because of laudable and exceptional service to
mankind.
• Martyr – one who willingly accepts being put to death for adhering
openly to one’s religious beliefs; notably saints canonized after
martyrdom.
• William Howard Taft – being chairman of the Philippine Commission
led in choosing the National Hero.
• Among nominated were: MH del Pilar, Antonio Luna, GL Jaena, E.
Jacinto, and JPR.
CRITERIA SET BY DR. OTLEY H.
BAYER
1. The person must be a Filipino.
2. The person is a peace-loving and pacifist.
3. The person must have a great sense of patriotism.
4. The person must have die for the country as martyr.
REASON WHY RIZAL WAS CHOSEN
AND DECLARED AS NATIONAL HERO
1. He was the first Filipino to unite and awaken the Filipino
People to peacefully rise for independence.
2. He is a model for being a peacemaker by his complete
self-denial, his complete abandonment of his personal
interest and to think only of his country and people.
3. He was a towering figure in the propaganda campaign
from 1882-1896.
4. He was a martyr at Bagumbayan where he willingly died
for our country.
HONORS ACCORDED TO RIZAL
AS NATIONAL HERO
1. The day of his birth and day of his execution are fittingly commemorated by
all classes of people throughout the country and other Filipinos abroad.
2. No other Filipino hero can surpass Rizal in the number of monuments erected
in his honor, in towns, barrios, and schools.
3. His name is a by-word in every home and his picture is printed and used in
postage stamps.
4. The paper money/coins with his image have the widest circulation that the
poorest of the poor can take hold.
5. Streets, boulevards, educational institutions and person were named “Rizal”.
6. His noble thoughts and teachings had been frequently invoked and quoted
by speakers.
7. The union of Manila and Morong to be a province was named after Rizal.
